Landon’s Battle with Encephalitis
Donation protected
This GoFund me is for my cousin, Landon Freeman’s medical expenses. For those of you who may not personally know Landon, let me give you some background. Prior to encephalitis, Landon was your average 19 year old. He had just graduated high school the year before his diagnosis and had began working on achieving his dream. His dream was to be a pilot. Landon was enrolled in pilot school where he was taking courses to get him one step closer to his dream. While Landon was taking college courses, he also worked a job. In between college and work, he enjoyed spending time with his friends and his dog, Sky.
During the night of September 23, 2020, Landon began having stomach virus type symptoms. It was assumed that he had a common bug of some sort that would quickly run its course and be gone. By Saturday September 26, it was evident that something else was going on. Landon began showing signs of confusion and personality changes, which sent up a red flag. That’s when my aunt and uncle decided to take him to the hospital. Upon arriving at Coffee Regional Medical Center and getting a CT scan, they found that he had a cyst on his brain. Landon was air lifted to Jacksonville immediately, on Saturday. That’s when our entire world got flipped upside down. Landon arrived at St. Vincent hospital where they quickly made the decision to transfer him onto the Mayo Clinic. We all believe this was an answered prayer. We know that someone prayed for Landon to receive the best possible care out there, and that’s why he was referred onto Mayo. Since he has been at Mayo, we have learned that he has Encephalitis of the brain, and a cyst that is believed to be unrelated, but that will require removal after the infection clears. The Encephalitis is all over his brain and is causing many complications for Landon. He is fighting so hard and has made great gains, but still has a very long road ahead.
My Aunt Peg and Uncle Rod are some of the most caring, giving, selfless, and humble people I have ever known. These are two people I have always looked up to growing up. Whatever they have had to face throughout life, they have always done it with complete, rock-solid faith and a smile; this obstacle being no different. Where many of us would say no, these are two people who always say ‘yes,we will’. For those of you that know Landon or anyone in the Freeman family for that matter, you know how hard of workers they are and how they would give you the shirt off their back.
There’s no amount of preparation a person can do to adequately prepare for something like this. They are about to have the burden of medical expenses and travel expenses. Many of you have reached out to see how you can help, or see if you can donate money. I know they would be so appreciative and grateful for any donations; although, I know they would never ask. If you are not able to make monetary donations, please, please send your prayers to this family. Pray for complete healing over Landon’s body. Pray that God guides the doctors and nurses to make the best decisions. Pray for strength for my Aunt Peg, Uncle Rod, Emily, and Katie. Pray for rest for them all, Landon included. Landon’s parents are not able to be at the hospital at the same time with him due to Covid restrictions. Uncle Rod stayed with Landon throughout his first weekend being in Jacksonville and part of the first week. They ended up switching out after a few days, so that Uncle Rod could come home to tend to their business. Aunt Peg will be staying with Landon for the duration of his stay and treatment. They will not be able to switch out again. This has taken a physical, mental, and emotional toll on them all.
We have faith that Landon will be a walking testimony. It may be a long road ahead, but Landon has the biggest support system behind him. He will pull out of this and be completely healed! Whatever God’s plans are for Landon’s life, we know it is much greater than anything we could have planned or imagined.
Thank you all so much for standing behind Landon, Aunt Peg, Uncle Rod, Emily, and Katie and praying for them! It’s during times like this when you see how a family, church, and community can bind together to give one another strength when tragedy strikes.
We love each of you! Please continue to pray for Landon on his road to recovery.
During the night of September 23, 2020, Landon began having stomach virus type symptoms. It was assumed that he had a common bug of some sort that would quickly run its course and be gone. By Saturday September 26, it was evident that something else was going on. Landon began showing signs of confusion and personality changes, which sent up a red flag. That’s when my aunt and uncle decided to take him to the hospital. Upon arriving at Coffee Regional Medical Center and getting a CT scan, they found that he had a cyst on his brain. Landon was air lifted to Jacksonville immediately, on Saturday. That’s when our entire world got flipped upside down. Landon arrived at St. Vincent hospital where they quickly made the decision to transfer him onto the Mayo Clinic. We all believe this was an answered prayer. We know that someone prayed for Landon to receive the best possible care out there, and that’s why he was referred onto Mayo. Since he has been at Mayo, we have learned that he has Encephalitis of the brain, and a cyst that is believed to be unrelated, but that will require removal after the infection clears. The Encephalitis is all over his brain and is causing many complications for Landon. He is fighting so hard and has made great gains, but still has a very long road ahead.
My Aunt Peg and Uncle Rod are some of the most caring, giving, selfless, and humble people I have ever known. These are two people I have always looked up to growing up. Whatever they have had to face throughout life, they have always done it with complete, rock-solid faith and a smile; this obstacle being no different. Where many of us would say no, these are two people who always say ‘yes,we will’. For those of you that know Landon or anyone in the Freeman family for that matter, you know how hard of workers they are and how they would give you the shirt off their back.
There’s no amount of preparation a person can do to adequately prepare for something like this. They are about to have the burden of medical expenses and travel expenses. Many of you have reached out to see how you can help, or see if you can donate money. I know they would be so appreciative and grateful for any donations; although, I know they would never ask. If you are not able to make monetary donations, please, please send your prayers to this family. Pray for complete healing over Landon’s body. Pray that God guides the doctors and nurses to make the best decisions. Pray for strength for my Aunt Peg, Uncle Rod, Emily, and Katie. Pray for rest for them all, Landon included. Landon’s parents are not able to be at the hospital at the same time with him due to Covid restrictions. Uncle Rod stayed with Landon throughout his first weekend being in Jacksonville and part of the first week. They ended up switching out after a few days, so that Uncle Rod could come home to tend to their business. Aunt Peg will be staying with Landon for the duration of his stay and treatment. They will not be able to switch out again. This has taken a physical, mental, and emotional toll on them all.
We have faith that Landon will be a walking testimony. It may be a long road ahead, but Landon has the biggest support system behind him. He will pull out of this and be completely healed! Whatever God’s plans are for Landon’s life, we know it is much greater than anything we could have planned or imagined.
Thank you all so much for standing behind Landon, Aunt Peg, Uncle Rod, Emily, and Katie and praying for them! It’s during times like this when you see how a family, church, and community can bind together to give one another strength when tragedy strikes.
We love each of you! Please continue to pray for Landon on his road to recovery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Erica Simmons
Organizer
Douglas, GA
Peggy Freeman
Beneficiary