Support for the Johnson Family

Hello community, 

Since 2017, my mom, who has been the provider for me and my grandmother, has been out of work due to continuous medical reasons.

This is about to get deep.

September of 2017, my mom was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation(AFib). AFib is an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.
When we found out we were shocked, as my mom has always been in great health.

Her cardiologist recommended that she do a simple procedure called a Cardioversion; a medical procedure done by sending electric shocks to your heart through electrodes placed on your chest and in result, returning your heart back into a normal sinus rhythm. 
The procedure was unsuccessful.

Her doctors then suggested that we continue treating the AFib pharmaceutically, before taking a more invasive approach. Unfortunately, in December of 2018,  my mom had a very serious reaction to the medley of medications that were prescribed by her doctors. Her heart rate was dropping to heart failure rates and she was having episodic "blackouts". 
She was hospitalized for two weeks at Emory for observation and treatment.

Her cardiology team discussed a surgical treatment called a Cardiac Ablation. This is a procedure that would remove tissue in the heart that's allowing incorrect electrical signals to cause an abnormal heart rhythm. 
She had the ablation in January of 2019. During the procedure her surgeon made a major error and ablated her right phrenic nerve. The phrenic nerve is the only source of motor innervation to the diaphragm and therefore plays a crucial role in breathing.

We were advised that it should heal within 6 months and she may have minor discomfort. 
To our dismay, my mom began suffering from severe shortness of breath. I mean, so short that she began stuttering in simple, seated, conversations. She could not make it up more than 3 steps of stairs in our house without my help. 

When my mother attended her post-op appointment, her doctor could not hear her right lung inflate and was extremely concerned. He referred her to a thoracic specialist; he came to the conclusion that my mom's "damaged" right phrenic nerve was in fact paralyzed and showed no signs of recovery. 
In order for her to find some respiratory relief, she would have to undergo an invasive procedure called a diaphragm plication. This surgery would stabilize her diaphragm to prevent the lungs from not functioning properly and relieve her of her severe shortness of breath and stutter. 
She had the surgery in May of 2019.

Since then, my mom has been unable to work during her painful recovery. Although she has come a long way from where she was prior to May of 2019, we are now entering 2021 and my mom is unable to do something as simple as making her bed. She cannot make it up a flight of stairs, in our house, without being completely out of breath. She experiences disabling pains daily. The quality of her life has decreased significantly.  And now, add the scare and stress of COVID-19 on top of all of this- It is overwhelming and beyond stressful (Also, If you know anything about AFib- this is TERRIBLE trigger for a crisis).

To add to the overwhelming stress, my mom lost her only son in October of 2019.
She has explained to me that she often feels like her faith is slipping away because all of her resources, her ability to work, her ability to exercise, her only son- the list really goes on and I'm not trying to make you cry- have been ripped away from her, one after the other. 

My Grandmother, who does not qualify for Medicare or other financial aid,  is currently being treated for metastasized breast cancer and her ongoing treatment and lab work is extremely costly. My mother has been the main caretaker and provider for my grandmother, despite all of her personal adversities.
At the beginning of December, we received a tremendous setback as we learned the drug therapy that my grandmother has been on has failed. The good news is that there are other therapy options that will potentially work for her, but they too, are very expensive. We are now in the process of pursuing the possibilities for my grandmother and seeking help as we prepare for the enormous expenses and challenges ahead. 

In September of 2019, I was offered and accepted a job in Sarasota, Florida. With God's grace and mercy, I was providing for myself, my mom and my grandmother and finally making ends meet.
Unfortunately, I recently lost my job and I am unable to continue to afford my family’s monthly obligations.

With everything being said,  we need your help. 
We are seeking assistance to help pay off some major obligations that have been outstanding and adding to the stressors of our family’s life. 

This goal amount would allow us to get a fresh start, relieve us of many of our overwhelming obligations, and kickstart our financial stability for 2021 and beyond.

Here are a few things this fundraiser will help us satisfy:
• Past due bills that have been in collections
• My past due rent
• My mother’s mortgage
• Prescription/medical costs for my mother and grandmother

Any donations, prayers, and/or job recommendations  for myself (Tampa Bay/Sarasota areas) are appreciated.

This goal amount is large, but I know it is achievable. If 2000 people donated only $10 each, we would accomplish this goal!

I have learned over the past three years that sometimes you have to put your pride aside and understand that asking for help is critical to receiving help. 

Many blessings to you all and thank you for your considerations and kindness. 

It takes a village. 

Thank you! 

P.s. Please share this fundraiser with friends, family, acquaintances, strangers (safely), etc.