Payton Russell

UPDATE!!!

I am continuing this fundraiser in an effort to help Payton and his family.  In addition to having another flare up of pancreatitis, Payton is now a diabetic and is having difficulties with gout.  He has new medications and has incurred more medical bills.  If you feel led to help, I know the family will greatly appreciate it.  Thank you.

Payton is a 21 year old college student at Lipscomb University. He is a 2019 graduate from Tellico Plains High School. He also volunteers at the Smoky Mountain Christian Camp.

On November 28, after Payton arrived back to campus from Thanksgiving break, he developed severe abdominal pain and had to be rushed by ambulance to Vanderbilt Hospital. He was diagnosed with Severe Acute Pancreatitis. After many days of testing with CT scans, blood work and an esophageal CT, it was found that he has multiple gallstones in the neck of his gallbladder. The doctors think that a gallstone tried to pass and got stuck resulting in Severe Acute Pancreatitis. We were told there are several degrees of pancreatitis and his was the worst. On the second day, he stopped producing urine and the doctors feared he was going into multiple organ failure from the severity of the pancreatitis. He stayed at Vanderbilt for 14 days. His mom and dad never left his side. They took turns staying with him while the other one went to a hotel to sleep.

With God’s Divine intervention, Payton is home and is healing. On December 15, he had surgery to remove his gallbladder, but once the doctor opened him up the inflammation was still too much to safely perform the surgery and it was discovered on his CT that he had developed a cyst from the necrotizing pancreatitis. He has more CTs and surgeries planed to drain the cyst and remove the gallbladder.

Payton currently owes over $10,000 in medical bills (after insurance paid). He still has multiple tests and surgeries to go. Payton’s mother has not been able to work since November to care for him, as well as her own health issues. This family is very special and would greatly appreciate any amount you can give. Please feel free to message me with any questions. Thank you!