James Flynn Recovery at Home
Donation protected
James Flynn (AKA Jamie) was diagnosed with Tonsilitis and put on penicilin. A couple of days later one side of his face started to swell up. He went to the Emergency Room to get checked out. A CT scan was done and an abscess was found in his face/neck area. The surgeon put in a couple of drains to clear the infection, as well as very strong antibiotics through his IV. They have found a blood clot in his neck, as well as high blood sugar and high blood pressure.
A second surgery was done. The surgeon cut open Jamie's neck and removed a bunch of infected tissue. He also found some blackening/necrosis on the sheaths of his muscles. During the second surgery, it was determined that the breathing tube still had swelling around it and a tracheotomy (or tracheostomy) was required. He is on a ventilator at about 45%. Since he is breathing on his own, he may be weaned off the ventilator and just breathe through the trache. He can be put back on the ventilator temporarily if it is required. The trache will make it easier for him since he will need multiple surgeries.
He will be kept on the feeding tube so that his nutrition can be closely monitored and also because it will be hard to swallow anything. He will also not be able to talk with the trache in. The surgeon called these 2 things creature comforts. We are more worried about whether the infection is gone now. He will either get better or worse.
Jamie will need multiple surgeries before this is over. There is a large wound on his neck/face that has packing in it. This will be repacked about every 3 days to check on it and see if there are any signs of infection remaining, or new infection starting. Each time they repack it, they will put a bit less packing in it. The idea being to keep it open so they can check on it, but it will slowly start to heal and close up, sort of like a zipper.
Jamie has been in intensive care since July 7, 2018. He had recently started a new job and does not have enough hours to go on EI. He will probably be in intensive care for a few weeks at best. He and I have 5 children from ages 5-16. I am currently on leave from work because of this situation.
These funds will allow me to remain at home instead of going to work so I can visit Jamie at the hospital as well as spend time with the kids. Most of the kids don't understand what's going on. They just know that their dad is in the hospital and they aren't allowed to visit him.
The funds are needed on an ongoing basis while Jamie is in the hospital. Although we do receive the Canada Child Benefit, this is not enough by itself to cover everything.
School supply shopping is coming up very soon and this will also be difficult to manage this year. All 5 kids will be in school, including 2 in high school. That is 10 pairs of shoes that will be needed as well as 5 backpacks, and all the random supplies the teachers put on their lists. Then there is also the clothing. We would have been okay this year because we were both working. Since it is already the middle of July and I'm not sure how long Jamie will be in the hospital, this goes along with the bills to pay.
If anyone wants to help in other ways without donating cash, we could also use gift cards to local stores, gas stations, or restaurants in Prince George.
Updates will be posted when I find out anything new. Hopefully no longer than every 2 or 3 days.
A second surgery was done. The surgeon cut open Jamie's neck and removed a bunch of infected tissue. He also found some blackening/necrosis on the sheaths of his muscles. During the second surgery, it was determined that the breathing tube still had swelling around it and a tracheotomy (or tracheostomy) was required. He is on a ventilator at about 45%. Since he is breathing on his own, he may be weaned off the ventilator and just breathe through the trache. He can be put back on the ventilator temporarily if it is required. The trache will make it easier for him since he will need multiple surgeries.
He will be kept on the feeding tube so that his nutrition can be closely monitored and also because it will be hard to swallow anything. He will also not be able to talk with the trache in. The surgeon called these 2 things creature comforts. We are more worried about whether the infection is gone now. He will either get better or worse.
Jamie will need multiple surgeries before this is over. There is a large wound on his neck/face that has packing in it. This will be repacked about every 3 days to check on it and see if there are any signs of infection remaining, or new infection starting. Each time they repack it, they will put a bit less packing in it. The idea being to keep it open so they can check on it, but it will slowly start to heal and close up, sort of like a zipper.
Jamie has been in intensive care since July 7, 2018. He had recently started a new job and does not have enough hours to go on EI. He will probably be in intensive care for a few weeks at best. He and I have 5 children from ages 5-16. I am currently on leave from work because of this situation.
These funds will allow me to remain at home instead of going to work so I can visit Jamie at the hospital as well as spend time with the kids. Most of the kids don't understand what's going on. They just know that their dad is in the hospital and they aren't allowed to visit him.
The funds are needed on an ongoing basis while Jamie is in the hospital. Although we do receive the Canada Child Benefit, this is not enough by itself to cover everything.
School supply shopping is coming up very soon and this will also be difficult to manage this year. All 5 kids will be in school, including 2 in high school. That is 10 pairs of shoes that will be needed as well as 5 backpacks, and all the random supplies the teachers put on their lists. Then there is also the clothing. We would have been okay this year because we were both working. Since it is already the middle of July and I'm not sure how long Jamie will be in the hospital, this goes along with the bills to pay.
If anyone wants to help in other ways without donating cash, we could also use gift cards to local stores, gas stations, or restaurants in Prince George.
Updates will be posted when I find out anything new. Hopefully no longer than every 2 or 3 days.
Organizer
Kelly Flynn
Organizer
Prince George, BC