James Bradley

My name is Dena Falletta and my nephew is James Bradley.  James is married to my niece Alex.  Together they have four beautiful children Jack age 11, twins Weston & Kallie age 7 and Wilder age 22 months old.  I have set up this fund to help this wonderful young family as they have endured an unexpected trauma in their lives.   James is 32 years old he was healthy, strong and hardworking.  He provided for his family and supported them in everything they did.  When James is not at his shop working as a mechanic you would find him teaching his oldest son the family trade by building a go cart together.  Or you might find him with his seven year old twins in the batting cage with Weston or doing cheers with his second love of his life his little girl Kallie.  Lastly, there is the youngest member Wilder who will follow his daddy around the garage wanting to help in every way!  James and Alex are not just a husband and wife they are indeed each others best friend and are partners in building dreams that they work hard to make possible.

Those dreams, hopes and wishes have changed to prayers and fears.  As some of you are aware James is in the hospital in critical condition.  On February 20th 2019 James went to an urgent care for what he thought was the flu.  The Flu test was negative and was told he had pneumonia.  He was given antibiotics and steroids his oxygen level was at 90 (normal oxygen levels are between 90-98) he was sent home to rest.   The next day James started with a chronic cough and shortness of breath.  James continued having trouble breathing he was taken to the ER immediately.   When James arrived at the ER his oxygen levels had dropped to 60 he was immediately treated with a breathing device and levels dropped again to 40!  At this point they tried to get James onto a ventilator they were unsuccessful.  James needed to be transferred from Dickson County, TN to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville an hour away from where he was.  The ER staff began to bag him at this point to keep him alive.  That continued for six hours until he was transferred and finally put on a ventilator which he still has today.   James was immediately admitted to the ICU unit for critical care and still remains there.

On  February 22, 2019 James tested positive for Influenza A type H1N1.  He was also diagnosed with pneumonia and an acute respiratory distress syndrome.  The ventilator was not enough to support him he was also placed on an ECMO machine (another type of a life support).   At this point James was heavily sedated and given medication to paralyze his body.   On February 23 James's kidneys begin to fail and he is now put on dialysis.  February 27th James was given a tracheotomy connected to the ventilator.   2/28/19 x-rays show condition has worsen and James develops a fever. A  secondary infection is diagnosed.  

After nine days on March 2, 2019 James opens his eyes!  He is restrained so not to pull any equipment from himself.  After some time he becomes  aware of his condition and surroundings.  He is not able to move independently, speak, write, eat or drink anything. Machines are still working for James as he is not able to regain the ability to do for himself yet.

Progress comes at a slow rate, there are not many answers to questions.  He remains in ICU and will for an unknown amount of time.  When the time does arrive that James can leave the hospital he will than be sent to a rehabilitation center.  James has a very long recovery ahead of him he can be in the hospital for months and rehab the same.  He may not get back home or to work for six months to a year.  

Alex has not left her husbands side since his illness has begun.  She continues to be there with him not knowing what lies ahead.  The children are well taken care of by family.  Everyone has been affected by this and will continue to do all they can for them.  

The struggles a young family have are real and we all know them too well.  You sacrifice your own well being for that of your family.  James does not have any medical insurance.  He does not have long or short term disability for his job.  Expenses are going to begin to add up very quickly and any help would be appreciated.  Please consider donating to support The Bradley Family during this extremely difficult time in their lives!  Not only will your donations help with medical expenses it will also help maintain their home, food, children's needs and so much more. 

Your thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated for James's health, Alex's strength and the children they love until they can all be together again as a family.   Thank you.