Dire situation

I have thought long & hard about posting this. But given the forum name "families helping families" I couldn't think of a more appropriate place.

My family has found ourselves in an unthinkable situation. My intention in sharing this is to inform, ask for ideas, suggestions, prayers, and any support you can offer.

In Feb my brother in-law wasn't feeling well. He thought he had a bad cold and tried to nurse himself back to health by sleeping and resting. He was never one to rush to go to the doctors.
After about a week he felt worse & agreed to go to the emergency room. Immediately they admitted him & put him in ICU. He was in respitory failure. Within 24hrs he was in multi organ failure. Our family vwas in shock. The doctors concluded HE HAD THE FLU. And as a result of waiting to long to be treated he also had pneumonia.
He was transferred to a different hospital where his condition continued to deteriorate. He was put on life support, needed emergency (multiple)surgeries and mega doses of antibiotics and medications. The family was told he would not survive. His heart, lungs and kidneys were functioning with the aid of machines.
For a month he fought and fought. We prayed and prayed. He survived!!
Unfortunately, the same medication that saved his life caused his extremities to lose blood flow. (The blood was going to the vital organs...to keep him alive). This caused our family to make some very difficult decisions. In the process, my brother in-law required double amputions. He lost both of his feet.
Almost 2months later he is recovering. He is still on a ventilator and unable to talk. But is getting stronger every day. He truly is the strongest person I know. The day is approaching quickly that we will need to explain what happened. Our family wants more than anything to enable him to regain the full and happy life. We have never done anything like this before...but we have set up a gofundme page for him.
We thank God for the miracles he has bestowed on us. (There have been many- as the doctors prepared us for the very worse outcome & he has astonished them at every turn).
I am looking for any help you can offer.
The more people we reach with our support page the more likely we can provide the necessary care he will need for prosthetics. Just by sharing/reposting/tweeting we will be grateful. Thank you for anything you can do to help us!!
https://www.gofundme.com/5hv393zw

Message edited 4/6/2016 10:43:39 PM.

Dire situation

It would probably serve you best to post this on your personal fb page. People around here are a bit jaded with donations. Too many past scams.

Re: Dire situation

Thanks for your response. And yes, our family has posted on f/b pages. I understand the reluctance with all of the scammer out there. Given the lack of responses, I think you are right.
I was looking to gain some insight from other posters who have found themselves with an overwhelming health/life crisis & if they had recommendions as to how to reach prospective contributors. Or what they did to get help for their love one.
We felt the more people we reached, the more likely we will network with people/companies/organizations that may be able to help.
I appreciate your reply!!

Dire situation

Sad but true..
Too many people have been taken advantage of.
75k is a large goal and wish you the best.
I would hope insurance was part of the solution


If nothing else, its a vivid reminder to take our health seriously and not delay seeing a doctor. I personally have a 72hr rule. If I see no improvement in 72hr I go to a doctor. That's only when I 'think' I can push through. Because if I'm really sick, why wait?

Re: Dire situation

I'm so sorry your family is going through this.

Re: Dire situation

I have a few friends that do direct sales maybe someone could do a fundraiser for you.

Re: Dire situation

I am handling a lawsuit where it is a very similar story with the same outcome. Its terrible and I'm sorry your family is enduring that. In my case, a local social club - like the masons, or K of C, or PTA or something- ran a fundraiser for her as did her church. Also, I know somebody else who was able to get Governor's comedy club to do a fundraiser for them some time ago. It was a big success. Also, ask the social worker involved in your BIL's case. They may have some other suggestions for free resources available to him.

Re: Dire situation

so sorry!!

Re: Dire situation

Thank you for your thoughts and support. It means a lot to me that you took the time to respond.

Those suggestions to reaching out to local organizations (KofC etc) was a great avenue they we haven't contacted as of yet. We do have a family friend that has offered to help organize a fundraiser. We are grateful for that.

I appreciate all of your responses and good wishes!!
Thank you!

Re: Dire situation

Praying that you raise the money needed