Austin Tong's Long Battle with Covid-19
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My name is Brandon and my brother Austin Tong was diagnosed with Covid-19 on December 16, 2020, one day after his birthday. He is a student at GCU and despite being careful, he still contracted Covid-19. He was admitted to Banner Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ 2 days later with a high fever, bad cough, and double pneumonia in both lungs with infiltrates. They put him on the medication regimen for covid, steroids, and oxygen but he wasn't improving.
On Christmas Day, he had to be transferred to ICU and intubated on a ventilator because his lungs were shutting down and he was not getting enough oxygen. Things would only get WORSE. In the next coming weeks, the coronavirus took over his body and he had to be put on maximum Lung Support, Heart Support, and Kidney Support. He had inflammation throughout his body and the heart and kidneys started to fail. I remember doctors telling us that Austin was one of the sickest covid patients on the ward.
As a last resort, the cardiac surgeon put Austin on the Advanced Life Saving ECMO machine. ECMO pumps deoxygenated blood out of his body ,filters it, and returns it back into his artery. It functions as an artificial lung and heart because his lungs and heart was essentially not working.
With complications along the way, it was not looking good at all. He had very low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat in the 130's , MRSA infections, blood clots, and later on, a nosebleed that lasted about 10 days. The neurologist had to embolize and inject medicine from his leg catheter up to his nasal cavity in order to stop the bleeding. It made his recovery very difficult on top of everything else. The doctors told us that they have Austin on 3 forms of Life Support , but he is just not meeting us halfway.
Despite being in an induced COMA for 5 weeks, my brother did not give up. Prayers and support continued from friends, family and pastors as we did not give up HOPE.
After about 5 weeks in the ICU, there was finally some improvement. Austin was starting to respond to the treatments. His heart got stronger and they removed him from the heart ECMO and a few weeks later his lungs improved enough to be taken off the Lung ECMO. Miraculously by the Grace of God, he fought and fought and after 8 Intense weeks in the ICU , he was leaving ICU.
My brother was in Banner Hospital for a total of 80 days. He is now at a PT Rehab Center to regain strength and mobility.
God is the ULTIMATE HEALER and we truly believed that the Lord performed a MIRACLE on Austin. Austin has a tattoo on his arm of "Isaiah 41:10". "Do Not Fear, for I Am with you, Do not be Dismayed, For I am your God, I will Strengthen you and Help you, I will uphold you with my Righteous Right Hand". It is clear that God has a plan for Austin here on earth. My brother's battle has been short of miraculous and I hope his story will touch the lives of those who read it and be a ray of Inspiration....
My brother is the ULTIMATE FIGHTER and the Tong Family want to thank the Medical Team of doctors and nurses at Banner for their utmost care and to all of our friends, family and pastors for their Love, prayers, support , and generosity.
Any donations to help with Austin's medical expenses would be greatly appreciated. God Bless.
On Christmas Day, he had to be transferred to ICU and intubated on a ventilator because his lungs were shutting down and he was not getting enough oxygen. Things would only get WORSE. In the next coming weeks, the coronavirus took over his body and he had to be put on maximum Lung Support, Heart Support, and Kidney Support. He had inflammation throughout his body and the heart and kidneys started to fail. I remember doctors telling us that Austin was one of the sickest covid patients on the ward.
As a last resort, the cardiac surgeon put Austin on the Advanced Life Saving ECMO machine. ECMO pumps deoxygenated blood out of his body ,filters it, and returns it back into his artery. It functions as an artificial lung and heart because his lungs and heart was essentially not working.
With complications along the way, it was not looking good at all. He had very low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat in the 130's , MRSA infections, blood clots, and later on, a nosebleed that lasted about 10 days. The neurologist had to embolize and inject medicine from his leg catheter up to his nasal cavity in order to stop the bleeding. It made his recovery very difficult on top of everything else. The doctors told us that they have Austin on 3 forms of Life Support , but he is just not meeting us halfway.
Despite being in an induced COMA for 5 weeks, my brother did not give up. Prayers and support continued from friends, family and pastors as we did not give up HOPE.
After about 5 weeks in the ICU, there was finally some improvement. Austin was starting to respond to the treatments. His heart got stronger and they removed him from the heart ECMO and a few weeks later his lungs improved enough to be taken off the Lung ECMO. Miraculously by the Grace of God, he fought and fought and after 8 Intense weeks in the ICU , he was leaving ICU.
My brother was in Banner Hospital for a total of 80 days. He is now at a PT Rehab Center to regain strength and mobility.
God is the ULTIMATE HEALER and we truly believed that the Lord performed a MIRACLE on Austin. Austin has a tattoo on his arm of "Isaiah 41:10". "Do Not Fear, for I Am with you, Do not be Dismayed, For I am your God, I will Strengthen you and Help you, I will uphold you with my Righteous Right Hand". It is clear that God has a plan for Austin here on earth. My brother's battle has been short of miraculous and I hope his story will touch the lives of those who read it and be a ray of Inspiration....
My brother is the ULTIMATE FIGHTER and the Tong Family want to thank the Medical Team of doctors and nurses at Banner for their utmost care and to all of our friends, family and pastors for their Love, prayers, support , and generosity.
Any donations to help with Austin's medical expenses would be greatly appreciated. God Bless.
Fundraising team (3)
Brandon Tong
Organizer
Austin, TX
Steve Tong
Beneficiary
Tracy Tong
Team member