The Stuart Family

Many of you that will see and share this know our good friends Chris and Stephanie Stuart. As many of you may have heard Chris has had some major medical issues however I am unsure that many of you know the extent of what has taken place. Chris began feeling extremly ill and tired around the end of May. Despite Chris feeling ill and he and Stephanie being the active parents in their children's lives, they decided to travel to Boston and Orlando for Sawyers softball tournament. While in Orlando Chris's illness became worse and Stephanie took him to the hospital. After blood work was completed it showed Chris's tryglicerides were over 2600, a normal level is 250 or lower. Chris's medications were changed, he began walking more and eating a healthier diet. Chris began losing some weight but still felt lethargic with a loss of appetite. Chris returned to the doctor where he was told that he would have to have his gallbladder removed. Thinking this surgery would be routine and he could return to his normal life was far from what happened in the weeks to come. Chris returned home only to feel sicker and continue losing weight. Chris was taken to the Coliseum where an imaging showed that his bile duct had been severed and he was septic. On August 14th he had a second surgery to place a stint in to stop the bile leakage. Chris returned home on August 23rd. He would return to the hopsital on August the 28th where he underwent a 3rd surgery and again on the 31st for yet another surgical procedure.  Chris would be released on September 6th. He would continue to fall ill losing 70 lbs. Chris was taken back to the hopsital to be told his healing process was slow, his appetitie loss was pyscholoical, and that it would just take time. Stephanie's concern for Chirs prompted her to pack their bags and drive to Emory.  On October 31st Chris was admitted to Emory hospital and diagnosed with Amyloidosis.  Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which abnormal proteins, known as amyloid proteins, accumulate in organs such as the heart, the kidneys, liver, the nervous system or the gastrointestinal tract. There are many types of this disease and they are unsure which one Chirs has. Chemo therapy and organ transplants are some of the ways to treat this rare disease. Chris will begin Chemo Therapy on November 14, 2017. He has not worked since May and Stephanie has lost her job with Geico as all of her family leave has been exhausted and she has had excessive absence from work. This has also left their family with no medical insurance.  Two of their three daughters, Sydney and Saywer have had birthdays that have come and gone with their father hospitalized. There has been no real celebration for either daughter as all of their focus have been on their dad. Sydney turned 16 and Saywer 12. Those of us who know Chris and Stephanie know how important family is to them especially since the devastating loss of Chris's brother 2 years ago. After 20 years of marriage,  neither of them were prepared to know how to deal with this. Their love and faith in God, family, and eachother has kept them all hopeful that Chris will survive this and it will only make them stronger. With a long road ahead of them I ask that you all share this story and lets find a way to make this family more comfortable in their journey ahead. My hope for them is that we can raise 5000.00 or more so that they can rest easy through this trying time. Your donations can be large or small but your prayers are priceless.