Help Matthew Boyett with Emergency Crisis Support

I, Susanne Wilson, am Sr. Airman Matthew Boyett’s mother. I got a call at work on Thursday, January 19th that no mother should ever receive. I answered my cell to hear the voice of a major in the US Air Force. He introduced himself as Matthew’s Squadron Commander at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. He then proceeded to tell me that Matthew was critically ill and had been rushed to a hospital in Alamogordo, New Mexico and was in very, very critical condition. As I choked back sobs and tried desperately to breathe, I called my husband Darrell, Matthew’s stepdad, and Michael Boyett, Matthew’s father and relayed the devastating news.

I then rushed home and packed and made all the necessary arrangements. The next morning at 4 AM, I met Michael at the airport in Jacksonville, Florida. We had booked the earliest flight to El Paso, Texas. This is the nearest airport to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where Matthew was. We obtained a rental car and drove an hour and thirty minutes to the hospital.

Upon Arrival at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, we were met by a very kind and empathetic critical care doctor. He told us that Matthew was in a full-on coma that was not medically induced, but his condition had improved a bit. He was now in very, very critical condition, however stable. He went on to explain, and I quote, “When I first assessed Matthew upon arrival, I determined that Matthew’s chances of surviving the next 24 hours were less than 1%”.

This compassionate doctor indicated that he initially wanted the Major from the base to refrain from notifying me so that he wouldn’t have to make two calls if Matthew didn’t make it. He went on to further explain to us that, in 35+ years as a critical care and emergency room physician, he had never witnessed a patient make such an improvement overnight. It was a miracle, in his opinion. Our dear son had been immediately placed on a ventilator upon arrival and was now facing multiple organ failures. He was fighting for his life.

Within an hour of our first seeing Matthew, they airlifted him to Las Cruces, New Mexico to receive more specialized care for his organs, primarily his heart. The results of a heart catheterization he had received indicated left and right ventricular failure. Once the helicopter had taken off, we quickly checked out of our hotel rooms and made the one-hour drive to Las Cruces. We checked into a new hotel and rushed over to Memorial Hospital’s ICU to be at Matthew’s side and speak with the new ICU doctors. The doctors said that they would, of course, do everything in their power but, Matthew’s prognosis for survival was still very bleak.

I doubt either his dad or I slept that night. The next day brought new obstacles in the form of uncontrolled gastrointestinal bleeding. The doctors felt that it was imperative to quickly transfer Matthew to yet another hospital for urgent care. This hospital was across town. We once again checked out of our respective hotel rooms and rushed to Mountain View Regional Medical Center to be at Matthew’s side and meet a new team of physicians.

We believed that we were in the right place now to get the care Matthew so desperately needed. He received procedures, treatments and medicines that began his healing and it has been nothing shy of miraculous. In just a few days Matthew was weaned off the ventilator and his organs have begun the long healing process. A short time later, he was transferred out of the ICU and into a room on a regular medical floor. His father and I could now breathe our first sighs of relief since this nightmare began.

I am now able to stop and create this GoFundMe.com account to ask for your assistance, no matter how much, to help alleviate the huge financial burden this has created. Matthew needed the hospitals, doctors and his family and friends to be there every step of the way. All monies donated will be used to cover the following expenses.

• Michael and I each bought one-way airline tickets. We had no idea what would transpire once we arrived.

• We both still need to get airline tickets to get home again once this ordeal is over and Matthew is once again on base. (The Air Force will see to any follow-up care needed once he is released from the hospital)

• We rented a car at the airport in Texas and will return it to the airport in El Paso, Texas upon leaving.

• We have had hotel rooms in 3 separate hotels due to the changes in hospitals.

• Both of our bosses have indicated that we have jobs to come home to; however, the loss of wages is quite a strain on both of our households.

• Additional expenses include gas, food and some miscellaneous necessities while we have been in New Mexico.

Michael and I want to assure you that we have worked very diligently to be accountable and minimize the costs as much as possible.

• We were prudent to seek the lowest airfares.

• We chose the most economical car rental agency and vehicle availability.

• We have sought out hotels with low cost and the fewest amenities.

• We are conscientious to check gas and food prices. We have eaten either at the hospital or nearby fast food options.

Michael, Matthew and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your thoughts, prayers and any help you can provide. We wouldn’t have made it this far without you!

I promise to continue updating you, with both words and pictures, as Matthew continues on his journey back to a healthy life and the Air Force career that he so loves.