Hi Everyone, my name is Brandy and I am fundraising to help our family.

Back in October 2024, our family got sick. Our son healed fast. I got pneumonia and healed with antibiotics. My husband Chris got sick and he hasn't been the same since. He was finally admitted to the hospital the first time with pneumonia and a partially collapsed lung. When he was admitted on 11/10, there was a little bit of bruising on his stomach side area. I randomly took pictures; next thing you know, it grew to cover the side of his body. It was a hematoma. The doctor there just kept saying, "Oh, it's a bruise, it will go away." He was discharged. Ten days later, on 11/20, he was admitted again. This time they tapped his lungs and drained part of it—71cc of fluid, but it was thick like jello. We thought he was all better. He kept saying his chest hurt and it was hard to breathe. So back to the ER we go. It was so full in the waiting room we left and went to a different hospital in the area. On Dec 2, he was admitted again for pneumonia and a partially collapsed lung. He broke his rib rolling over in bed right where the fluid made a pocket. They drained more jello-type fluid and put a drain tube in. He kept the tube until 2 days before Christmas, and it shifted and came out. The doctor decided to do one of two surgeries. The first was an exploratory surgery on Jan 2, which ended up being a mini thoracotomy, about a 6-inch incision. His lung was stuck to his lung lining, so they couldn't get the cameras in there without opening him up. On Jan 16, he had the full thoracotomy. The doctor ended up cutting out part of his lung because it was sticking so bad. She cleaned out all the pockets of fluid, put drain tubes in, and closed him up. He's been hurting, and the pain was getting bad. Then they found an antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the CT scan and X-rays. Yesterday morning, 1/22, he had an emergency surgery, reopened his original 12-inch cut, and had to clean/vacuum everything out really well. Than she left open the 12 inch cut to be packed with gauze until it heals. He will be in the hospital for awhile and then come home. I havent seen him since Monday. I came down with the flu, and I really don't want to share that with him. I do talk to the doctors there, and they hope this fixes his issues from the last few months. Fingers crossed.

Here is where the problems are. I spent extra on fuel and parking charges every day he's in the hospital. Im trying to keep our sons life as normal as possible and that includes his sports. Our househould bills are still due. He is our only breadwinner. I haven't worked since 2018 when I was diagnosised with Idiopathic Transverse Myelitis that has never been cured. He was gone 9 months last year; he missed our son's whole 4th-grade year and sports by working his butt off for us. We have asked for help from Veteran Services and other places to no avail. I know we aren't the only ones hurting in todays society. Thats why I put off doing this for so long. We have no savings left, and to top it off, his FMLA runs out here soon, and his work can choose to fill his position and terminate him. We are hoping they choose not to do that. He has had the same job for 16 years and has worked really hard to get where he's at. So he's worried about money and having no income to replace it and keeping his job. Without his job,We lose our home, we lose insurance, and the ball keeps rolling. Really, the only thing he needs to worry/stress right now about his healing. Recovery time for him will probly be 12 weeks. So at this point, nothing is too small, and we will be forever greatful any help we get. If you have any questions, please just ask. Thank you for your time in reading this its greatly appreciated.