Join Freddy's Fight to Recovery
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On Saturday, September 12, 2015 our brother, Freddy Gozum, suffered a brain stem stroke and entered into the battle of his life! A healthy, athletic (former Penn State volleyball player) and vibrant man with 3 young children (ages 2, 4 and 8 yrs old). Freddy awoke in the early hours of the morning, was extremely dizzy, felt tingly on his right side and lost the ability to swallow. Fortunately, EMTs immediately responded to the 911 call, and he was admitted to the hospital.
After 2 days of testing and watching his condition worsen, we were told that Freddy had a brain stem stroke which impacts his balance, ability to swallow and ultimately his breathing. Freddy was intubated twice, and he eventually had surgery for a tracheostomy and was given a gastrointestinal feeding tube. Our hearts are broken as we have watched our brother (who has always been the picture of health) lying motionless in bed, sedated all day, and hanging on to every breath. Due to complications from his initial tracheostomy, Freddy was emergency transferred to Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick to undergo a 3 hour surgery.
We know God is doing His work on Freddy as we continue to pray for his recovery and healing! Today we witnessed a smile and his ability to sit on the side of his bed for 5 minutes! This is a huge accomplishment!
This has all been so unexpected and came with no warning signs. His doctors are still trying to figure out why this happened in order to prevent future strokes! He will continue to need medical attention, therapy and rehabilitation to learn how to swallow, breathe and walk again when (not if, in our minds) his balance is retained.
Family, friends and colleagues have generously asked how they could help, and we would like to help Freddy and his family with their mounting medical bills and expenses as he embarks on his long journey to recovery. All donations will go directly to support these expenses as it is uncertain how long his recovery will take; we have been told to measure progress in months, not weeks. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and concern for Freddy and his family since this happened. I know he will be so surprised, touched and grateful to know so many people are there to support him during this time! Thank you for your love, prayers and support!
With love,
Sylvia and Jamie Shubert (Sister and brother-in-law)
Trish and Celso Sanchez (Sister and brother-in-law)
.
After 2 days of testing and watching his condition worsen, we were told that Freddy had a brain stem stroke which impacts his balance, ability to swallow and ultimately his breathing. Freddy was intubated twice, and he eventually had surgery for a tracheostomy and was given a gastrointestinal feeding tube. Our hearts are broken as we have watched our brother (who has always been the picture of health) lying motionless in bed, sedated all day, and hanging on to every breath. Due to complications from his initial tracheostomy, Freddy was emergency transferred to Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick to undergo a 3 hour surgery.
We know God is doing His work on Freddy as we continue to pray for his recovery and healing! Today we witnessed a smile and his ability to sit on the side of his bed for 5 minutes! This is a huge accomplishment!
This has all been so unexpected and came with no warning signs. His doctors are still trying to figure out why this happened in order to prevent future strokes! He will continue to need medical attention, therapy and rehabilitation to learn how to swallow, breathe and walk again when (not if, in our minds) his balance is retained.
Family, friends and colleagues have generously asked how they could help, and we would like to help Freddy and his family with their mounting medical bills and expenses as he embarks on his long journey to recovery. All donations will go directly to support these expenses as it is uncertain how long his recovery will take; we have been told to measure progress in months, not weeks. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and concern for Freddy and his family since this happened. I know he will be so surprised, touched and grateful to know so many people are there to support him during this time! Thank you for your love, prayers and support!
With love,
Sylvia and Jamie Shubert (Sister and brother-in-law)
Trish and Celso Sanchez (Sister and brother-in-law)
.
Organizer
Sjmi Shubert
Organizer
Somerset, NJ