Main fundraiser photo

Joshua's Recovery

Joshua recently had surgery on his brain to remove an AVM which is an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in his brain. If left untreated it was likely to bleed causing a stroke or worse. During the surgery there were a lot of complications including catastrophic bleeding and swelling to his brain. We were told that Joshua's chances of survival were slim.

After 16 hours in theatre, the neurosurgical team managed to get the bleeding under control. Due to the servere brain swelling, they were forced to leave a part of Josh’s skull off until the swelling reduced. Joshua was kept in a medically induced coma in a stable but critical condition for 2 weeks, unsure how he would wake up if he did at all. 

When Joshua woke up, it was a miracle. The doctors weren’t sure if he would have brain activity. He has been working hard on his entire recovery and physiotherapy learning to walk again, although it has been very restricting due to having no skull. It is dangerous for Josh to do anything to put himself in risk of falling, or hitting his head even slightly. Which means that he is unable to drive or work until the his skull has been put back. 

Although Josh is now awake and alive, he is still fighting every day. Josh currently has an infection in his head. He has had 3 surgeries since to wash out the infection so it doesn’t spread to his brain or the rest of his skull. He is on multiple antibiotics and is getting regular scans and medical treatment to ensure the infection is getting better. Josh’s skull won’t be put back in until the infection has cleared completely. 

Josh is due to be a father in less than a week now which is stressful for any parent. Josh is a New Zealand Citizen and although he has spent most of his schooling and working life in Australia, he is not entitled to any form of financial help as he returned to New Zealand for 10 months to continue study, before deciding Australia was were he wanted to stay.

I am now over 39 weeks pregnant and I had to take early maternity leave through work to be by Josh’s side during his hospital stay. Josh is out of hospital and I am caring for him helping him with showering, dressing, helping him up and down the stairs of our house, dressing his wounds and day to day living. Now neither of us own a car to help with transport which makes our situation more difficult. We are struggling to get Josh to and from appointments, pay for his medications, and our basic living expenses. Our baby is due on the 17th of October and although we aren’t usually the type of people to ask for help, any donations or shares would be very appreciated to help support Josh’s recovery and help get our little family back on our feet. 
Thank you so much.

Donations 

  • Terry and John Judd
    • $30 
    • 6 yrs

Organizer

Jess Hayes
Organizer
Griffin QLD

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.