Hello, Everyone! As many of you know, the last few weeks have been extremely difficult for me and my family.
It all began on July 15, 2016, when I woke up feeling weak. Over the next 2 weeks, I started feeling pain in my stomach and noticed that I was losing weight. I thought I must have caught a stomach bug. But, as the days went on, my appetite grew less and the constant, dull pain grew greater.
On the morning of August 20th, I rushed to the bathroom, after a long night of what I thought was diarrhea. I could barely walk because of how weak I felt. I realized that I had been passing black blood all night, instead of diahrrea. I then, began throwing up this same black blood, as well.
My wife and nephew rushed me to the emergency room of Tanner Medical Hospital in Carrollton, GA, where I would spend the next 4 days. The doctors discovered a bleeding ulcer in my upper intestine. They clipped and cauterized the ulcer on August 22nd. I was released from the hospital at 6pm on August 23rd.
I was exhausted and my blood pressure was low. On August 24th, at 12:30pm, I passed-out in the bathroom. I was hemorhaging from my mouth and nose. I came to, crawled to the telephone and dialed 9-1-1. I was bathed in blood and the EMTs thought I must have cracked my skull when I passed-out. As it turns out, all of the blood was coming from my mouth and nose.
Once in the hospital, I received 6 pints of blood. They cauterized my ulcer again, but could not stabilize my low blood count. I was hospitalized for 8 more days. The doctors could not locate the additional cause of my bleeding, now that the ulcer was treated.
I was sent home on September 1st, awaiting the results from the pill camera I had ingested. I had no real answers, other than that the Naproxin (the medicine prescribed by The VA for the inflammation and pain caused by my Severe Sphoratic Arthritis. I have been taking this medicine for the past 3 years). The doctors concluded that the Naproxin had eaten a hole in my upper intestine.
On September 6th, the hospital informed me that the pill camera showed a stomach infection and no more signs of bleeding. They prescribed more medicine and numerous follow-up appointments.
I have been recovering ever since, by eating well, hydrating and resting. I've lost 22 pounds, still feel weak and my appetite is very low. I am in constant pain and unable to work. I have completely lost my faith in The VA medical system.
It kills me to have to ask for help, as I served our country, in hopes that I could provide for my family. The bills are stacking up and the desperation is suffocating. I understand that not everyone can donate, but by sharing this GoFundMe, you can help me, as well. When my stepson, Marine Cpl. Todd Love, became a triple amputee after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan, people came out of the wood-work to lift my family in prayer. I ask that you envelope us in that same blanket of prayers now. I can never thank you enough for taking the time to read this.
God Bless You,
Jimmy Cox