Xavier's Road to Recovery
Warning!
I apologize if these photos are too graphic for some people, but I am using them to help write one of my worst nightmares that came true for our family. Thank you for understanding.
Introduction
My name is Christina Rojo. I am starting this Gofundme for my little brother, Xavier Fabian. Below is his story. Please bear with me, for it is a lengthy and painful one. I want everyone who is donating to know what we have endured and are still enduring from this nightmare.
This is my baby brother, Xavier.
On the morning of November 6, 2016, my little brother was involved in a fatal collision in Miami, FL.
He was rushed to The Ryder Trauma center at Jackson Hospital where doctors had to resuscitate him. To make matters worse, our family did not receive notice until 4 hours AFTER admitting him to the hospital. When I received notice, I was 8 hours away from Miami. I reside in South Carolina. You can imagine the hell I went through trying to calm down and make it to my baby brother in time to see him alive...even if it was his last day on Earth.
This was how I found my baby brother in the ICU:
The Battles He Faced
The trauma doctors told my family that he was not going to make it. Even though it wasn't his time to leave us, his health was in critical condition. Death tried to take him away from us again; this time in secrecy. On November 8, 2016, he was rushed for an emergency surgery after complaining of terrible stomach pain. The following life complications were discovered:
1- Part of his colon was dead
2- Another part of his colon was dying
3- Blood transfussion was needed to save the dying part
The surgery resulted in a temporary ileostomy.
Xavier continued to have issues with his colon after the emergency surgery, forcing surgeons to leave his abdomen opened for over 2 weeks in case of another emergency. His wound contracted an infection which caused him to have very high fevers for days. The nurses, as well as our family, worked really hard on bringing his fever down by placing cold, wet wash cloths on his head.
However, these fevers never went down. Another surgery was called for. This time, to place drains that would help remove the infection from the inside.
That did not work.
(The long sheet in the middle of his stomach is covering his scar.)
The drains were too small for the pus to flow out of them. Another surgery was performed to get the right size drains put in. Finally, things were starting to get better.
He still had surgeries awaiting him, but nothing could be done at once. The doctors were not going to put so much stress on his heart....
The Breakthrough
On December 4, 2016, my little brother was finally out of the ICU and no longer considered in critical condition. Xavi had to begin to adjust to his new, mangled body. He fractured his left wrist. Although he had surgeries to correct it, his wrist may not function normally ever again. He fractured his radius of his right forearm, which resulted in plates and screws holding it together. He had an ileostomy bag to be careful with. He could not eat normally due to his heavy medications and dietary restrictions placed by the doctor. His entire body was bruised and covered in abrasions. With all that being said, my brother had to relearn the simplest things we take for granted every day. He had to learn how to breathe, walk, sit, use the bathroom, and get into and out of bed. He says, "With the help of my beautiful family and friends I am able to do these things on my own now."
My brother, Xavier, endured 8 surgeries within a month span. This is him ready for his first surgery after being released from the hospital, making it number 9. It was to remove the plate in his wrist while it healed.
Hopes and Dreams
These are my brother's words on his future: "My last and final surgery (#10), hopefully, is the reversal of my ileostomy and the date is still to be determined. Hopefully by the beginning of 2018, I will be able to attend school again. During the time of the accident I was a full time student at Miami Dade College working hard towards my computer engineering degree and was hindered from attending school for a year because of this accident."
Plans for Donations
The goal is to eliminate my brother's debt and future debt. I, along with my sisters, refuse to let him go into bankruptcy for an accident at which he and his best friend were not at fault for. Unfortunately, the people at fault, were not insured, leaving my brother with a hospital bill which is more than $600,000 and growing. Some of the money will also be used to help with the cost of medical supplies such as gloves, saline, 4x4 gauze pads, ileostomy bags (which are changed often due to its small size or tend to explode while he sleeps), tape for his wounds, and the list goes on. The supplies also include disinfectant wipes, Lysol for his room, air filters for the air purifier used to help keep germs out of his wounds, dietary fiber supplement (NutriSource), paper towels, and so on.
NOTE:
The amount on the page as of 5-24-17 is not an "official" amount needed for his bill. He is trying to get a specific amount from his medical insurance. I will update that soon.
Thank you for taking your time to read this.
May good karma be in your future for helping him in any way possible. Please send good vibes and prayers. He is recovering well, but still has a long way to go.
-Christina Rojo
"Peace, love, and happiness to all. Thank you in advance for all those who donate and share." - Xavier