Help Piotr and Danielle with Medical Expenses

Life can change in an instant and it did for Piotr on March 31, 2021. Piotr was coming home from band practice when he fell down a flight of stairs at his home. Thankfully Piotr’s wife Danielle and their neighbor Karen acted quickly and contacted 911. The fall resulted in subarachnoid and parenchymal hemorrhaging in Piotr’s brain and a seizure from a traumatic brain injury. He was rushed to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and then transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital where he would spend the majority of the next two months.

Piotr’s time at the St. Luke’s was spent in a medically induced coma. During this time, doctors and nurses helped Piotr battle through the complications that result from a traumatic brain injury. Piotr would have a trach and PEG tube placed to reduce the irritations in his airway. Subsequently, when his coughing dislodged his trach, his lungs would briefly collapse. Chest tubes were then placed to help remove air and fluid in his lungs. Piotr began to make steady uphill progress and was finally able to wake up 38 days later, asking for water, his wife, and his mother.

A few weeks later he would be transferred to Sunnyview Rehabilitation in Albany, NY. At this time Piotr was unable to walk, eat, or function normally. After a month of hard work and aggressive physical, speech, and occupational therapies, Piotr was finally discharged to come home. His determination and resolve has been incredible, however he is still working to return his body and mind to condition they were in prior to the accident.

Danielle spent her evenings after work at the hospital. She would sit with Piotr for a few hours each night, playing music, talking to him, and facetiming their friends and family so that they could also speak to Piotr while he was in his coma. She did not miss one day with him until he was transferred to Sunnyview and then was only able to visit 3 times a week due to the hour-long drive and restricted COVID-19 visiting times.

Danielle found tactile tools for Piotr to hold and help stimulate Piotr’s senses. She would help with his personal hygiene at the hospital and rehabilitation center when he was unable to do so for himself. When Piotr came home, Danielle made the difficult decision to stay home from work with him until he is able to be independent. From the moment of the accident, Danielle has tried to advocate and fight for the best care that Piotr could possibly receive.

With the support of family, friends, and medically professionals, Piotr has come miles from where this terrible story began. However, this accident has come at a great financial cost. Three weeks prior the accident, Piotr had started working in a recording studio in Oneonta, NY. Piotr is a sound engineer and musician, but had been working in a restaurant while he was waiting for an opportunity to pursue his passion. While the studio owner is eager for Piotr to return to work, he is unable to drive until further notice due to the seizure that occurred and the medications he is on.

Additionally, while Danielle was out of work she was ineligible for paid leave and had to go without pay during this time. She also incurred many expenses traveling to visit Piotr for emotional support, providing tools to help with Piotr’s recovery, and paying medical copays.

Piotr and Danielle are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported them through this journey.

Thank you in advance for your donation. It means so much to Danielle and Piotr for your support as they have a long road of financial recovery ahead of them.

Any donation amount is greatly appreciated. No gift is too big or too small.