Donation protected
We as parents do our best to protect our kids. We make sacrifices that put our kids before us every day. But what happens when that isn’t enough? I want to introduce you to my friend Brian. I know he looks young (he should as he is 13) but he is one of the strongest kids I know. When he walks into a room, he will always greet you with a smile and try to make you laugh. He has a way of drawing you to him with his positivity and his genuine care for other people. He will seek out the person in the room that needs a smile and try his best to bring it to them.
Now that you know a little about Brian, let me elaborate on why I think he is strong. In June 2020 (yes, the 2020 that has caused so much heartache), Brian started to show symptoms of weakness and exhaustion. He stopped eating and began withdrawing from his family. His concerned parents took him to the pediatrician to see if we could figure out the issue as this was unlike him. It was decided he had Covid-19 and the test was given which came back negative (score right?). Well, he was not getting any better. Over the following month Brian had several visits to the ER and doctor. All COVID test were negative, but to be safe, Brian was kept in quarantine at home. In mid-July, Brian woke up that morning and his mother knew something was not right. You know what I mean. That gut feeling that something is off and that you need to fix it. So she took him back to the Pediatrician to demand answers. When he came in, they wanted to diagnose him with COVID again. His mom said no more. We know he does not have COVID after numerous negative tests.She demanded that more be done. They agreed to do some bloodwork to see if they could find out what was going on. They took his blood and he went home. Shortly after, they received a call that he needed to go to the Children’s ER for fluids and they called ahead to let them know he was coming. Finally, something to help him get better after 6 weeks of being sick.
This is not the part where I tell you he received fluids and walked away. This is the part where every parent’s nightmare starts. Brian went into the ER and while being evaluated, he crashed. His blood pressure dropped below 40/20 (in case you didn’t’ know, it should be closer to 120/80) and his oxygen level plummeted. Brian struggled to remain responsive. His parents stood by while the medical staff did all they could to stabilize him. They pushed fluids and EPI to increase his pressure and hydrate. They tried to warm him as his body temp dropped with fluids. They worked tirelessly to keep him stabilized. The hard work paid off and they finally had him stabilized. He made it out of the ER to the ICU. This is a miracle by itself.
He stayed in the ICU for 48 days battling kidney failure, pneumonia, GI issues, vomiting, low blood pressure, and a plethora of additional issues. Every step forward, three steps were taken back. Can you imagine fighting for your life that long? Let alone a young child doing it. But he did it. During this time, he was tested, poked, dialysis, MRI, and a wide variety of care items that was needed to help him heal. There has yet to be a determination as to what led to this nightmare.
Due to hard work of the nurses, doctors, staff, and Brian, he was finally released from the ICU to in-patient rehab on 9/2, where he remains, regaining his health. We are so happy to be where he is today and praise God that he is still fighting to heal.
Now the real hard work has begun for him. Due to the trauma his body has endured, he has suffered in so many ways and has lots to overcome to get back to normal. He now has to relearn things that we take for granted each day. For this, he needs specialist which are unfortunately expensive. As you can imagine, this has been very hard on his family. His two sisters miss him dearly. His mother had to take an unpaid leave of absence from work (because that is what good moms do) and his step-father has taken on a large workload (going from 2 incomes to 1) while managing the homefront with the girls and staying supportive in every way for Brian and Brandi, at the hospital.
This is where you can help. Brian's needs are far from being met because he will have an extensive recovery, followed up with many doctor visits. Brian will also require extensive rehabilitation to learn to walk, climb stairs, bathe, etc. I can only imagine the amount of stress and hardship that has fallen on this family. I know personally that his family is extremely giving, very active in their church community, and generally just wonderful people. Their close friends and family have helped where they could providing meals, running errands, picking up toilet paper (you know the fun in finding that), helping with the girls, sending many prayers, and the list goes on. There have been many reaching out to help during this challenging time. Currently, I think this fundraiser to help with the many expenses they have incurred is the best way to help them. I hope you find it in your heart to donate a little and if not, could you share our story so that maybe it will reach someone that can help.
Brian and his family continue to ask for your thoughts and prayers. We greatly appreciate all the love that has been provided.
Now that you know a little about Brian, let me elaborate on why I think he is strong. In June 2020 (yes, the 2020 that has caused so much heartache), Brian started to show symptoms of weakness and exhaustion. He stopped eating and began withdrawing from his family. His concerned parents took him to the pediatrician to see if we could figure out the issue as this was unlike him. It was decided he had Covid-19 and the test was given which came back negative (score right?). Well, he was not getting any better. Over the following month Brian had several visits to the ER and doctor. All COVID test were negative, but to be safe, Brian was kept in quarantine at home. In mid-July, Brian woke up that morning and his mother knew something was not right. You know what I mean. That gut feeling that something is off and that you need to fix it. So she took him back to the Pediatrician to demand answers. When he came in, they wanted to diagnose him with COVID again. His mom said no more. We know he does not have COVID after numerous negative tests.She demanded that more be done. They agreed to do some bloodwork to see if they could find out what was going on. They took his blood and he went home. Shortly after, they received a call that he needed to go to the Children’s ER for fluids and they called ahead to let them know he was coming. Finally, something to help him get better after 6 weeks of being sick.
This is not the part where I tell you he received fluids and walked away. This is the part where every parent’s nightmare starts. Brian went into the ER and while being evaluated, he crashed. His blood pressure dropped below 40/20 (in case you didn’t’ know, it should be closer to 120/80) and his oxygen level plummeted. Brian struggled to remain responsive. His parents stood by while the medical staff did all they could to stabilize him. They pushed fluids and EPI to increase his pressure and hydrate. They tried to warm him as his body temp dropped with fluids. They worked tirelessly to keep him stabilized. The hard work paid off and they finally had him stabilized. He made it out of the ER to the ICU. This is a miracle by itself.
He stayed in the ICU for 48 days battling kidney failure, pneumonia, GI issues, vomiting, low blood pressure, and a plethora of additional issues. Every step forward, three steps were taken back. Can you imagine fighting for your life that long? Let alone a young child doing it. But he did it. During this time, he was tested, poked, dialysis, MRI, and a wide variety of care items that was needed to help him heal. There has yet to be a determination as to what led to this nightmare.
Due to hard work of the nurses, doctors, staff, and Brian, he was finally released from the ICU to in-patient rehab on 9/2, where he remains, regaining his health. We are so happy to be where he is today and praise God that he is still fighting to heal.
Now the real hard work has begun for him. Due to the trauma his body has endured, he has suffered in so many ways and has lots to overcome to get back to normal. He now has to relearn things that we take for granted each day. For this, he needs specialist which are unfortunately expensive. As you can imagine, this has been very hard on his family. His two sisters miss him dearly. His mother had to take an unpaid leave of absence from work (because that is what good moms do) and his step-father has taken on a large workload (going from 2 incomes to 1) while managing the homefront with the girls and staying supportive in every way for Brian and Brandi, at the hospital.
This is where you can help. Brian's needs are far from being met because he will have an extensive recovery, followed up with many doctor visits. Brian will also require extensive rehabilitation to learn to walk, climb stairs, bathe, etc. I can only imagine the amount of stress and hardship that has fallen on this family. I know personally that his family is extremely giving, very active in their church community, and generally just wonderful people. Their close friends and family have helped where they could providing meals, running errands, picking up toilet paper (you know the fun in finding that), helping with the girls, sending many prayers, and the list goes on. There have been many reaching out to help during this challenging time. Currently, I think this fundraiser to help with the many expenses they have incurred is the best way to help them. I hope you find it in your heart to donate a little and if not, could you share our story so that maybe it will reach someone that can help.
Brian and his family continue to ask for your thoughts and prayers. We greatly appreciate all the love that has been provided.
Organizer and beneficiary
Alaina Fair
Organizer
Cumming, GA
Brandi Cornwell
Beneficiary