Fundraiser for Garrett Zacharias

Garrett Zacharias....everyone knows him as "the miracle boy" who defied all odds when he was born 3 months premature, weighing only 2 lbs. and underwent open heart surgery just one month after he was born.  Today he has grown into a very loving, sweet-natured, polite little man who loves everyone and who is an inspiration to anyone that meets him or is somehow involved in his life.  He never complains, always gives 110% in any sport he has been involved in and loves his teachers and classmates and teammates.  He beat the odds when he was born and unfortunately, he is, once again, trying to beat the odds once more during the past couple of weeks.  He went to the emergency room because of pains in his stomach which turned out to be his appendix that had burst and leaked into his belly; along with bronchitis.  He was in Wilson Memorial Hospital for a few days longer than normal because his appendix had burst, which meant he had to have a drainage tube inserted and it had to be drained throughout the day.  Also, antibiotics were administered for his bronchitis and the combination of surgery and bronchitis, he lost his voice for a few days.  After a few days he was released from the hospital and went home under the care of his dedicated and loving Mom, Kristen and Dad, RJ and knowing it would be a slow recovery, helped get him back on the road to being his active/talkative self again (since he had basketball practices/games coming up)!  Then, after a few days home, Kristen's "Mom-Intuition" told her something wasn't right.  He developed pain on the opposite side of his surgery, strange color in his drainage tube, bad odor from tube, weak to the point of passing out when he stood up at one time, and not looking like he was getting better, but actually getting worse.  She immediately took him back to the hospital and they did some tests (CT Scan, blood work, etc.) and reassured her that this was normal and that he would just need more time to heal.  After 2 more days, Mom was "not happy" and "very frustrated"(which is an understatement) and sensed that things were, in fact, even getting worse.  So, back to the hospital he went and he was readmitted today and said that his lung had collapsed and he had pnemonia, along with a very bad infection from the leakage prior to his appendectomy.  Very strong antibiotics are being administered intravenously, intensive lung therapy, still has a drainage tube in his stomach and a specialist was sent in to evaluate him and said he will need to be in the hospital for quite a few more days and possibly sent home with antibiotic administered intravenously for quite some time.  Folks, I am Kristen's Mom and Garrett's grandmother, and I know from being around Kristen, RJ and Garrett that they are struggling to stay positive and hopeful for their son's sake while he recovers from these complicated medical issues; and I know that Kristen hasn't left (and won't leave) Garrett's side and RJ has to work during the day at his new job; and with the holidays coming and Kristen being out of work for so long, I am hoping that those of you who know Garrett, Kristen and RJ could please help this family out by donating something (no matter how much or how little) to help with medical expenses, gas and food expenses, Christmas expenses, house expenses etc.  I know, us, as their immediate family, would certainly appreciate it and I guarantee that Garrett, Kristen and RJ would be so grateful for any help with these expenses.  They haven't asked for anything but prayers and thoughts during this difficult time;  but knowing how many people Garrett has positively affected who know him, who race with him, who goes to school with him, who plays sports with him, or who has had the priviledge of being around him,  I'm sure anything you can do to donate would make this family very happy and grateful, especially during this time of year -- the season of giving!  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you...Grandma Vick