Support Andrew Walker's Unexpected Medical Journey

If you know Andrew Walker, you know that he's strong, athletic, hilarious, kind, generous, intelligent, and the life of the party. He loves his wife and sons—he's the "fun dad," and he works his butt off so Aspen can stay home with them.

On Christmas Eve, Andrew began experiencing severe pain in his right ankle. It was fine earlier in the day, but by evening it was swollen and painful. By 11 pm, he knew something was very wrong and thought it must be a bad case of gout, so he had Aspen call the neighbor, an ER nurse, to come check him out. Andrew's no wimp, but the pain was excruciating, so they made their way to the ER while Aspen stayed home with the boys. By 3 am, the pain was still not really under control, but assuming it was just a bad case of gout, he received what seemed like appropriate meds and went home hoping it would feel better in the morning. He was told to come back if it didn't resolve.

By lunchtime on Christmas Day, the pain had only continued to worsen, and he could barely stand to move. So again they made the trip to the ER to see what more could be done.

When he got to the ER, they quickly realized he was very sick, far beyond just his ankle, and began treating him. Unfortunately, his body did not respond as a normal, healthy, young person's body should. He continued to deteriorate through the afternoon and evening until he was admitted to the ICU and they intubated him.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were difficult days. Andrew improved a little, but not as fast as everyone hoped. His right foot and ankle never improved, and after doing their best to save his foot, on Sunday morning the doctors decided to amputate.

Andrew is strong and has continued to fight. Even while intubated and sedated, he has managed to respond at times.

This is all very sudden and completely unexpected. On Tuesday, Andrew was seemingly perfectly fine, and by Sunday morning, he was having his foot amputated and his lungs and kidneys needed significant support. There are many questions, but medical professionals still do not have a definitive answer for why things have transpired the way they have.

Andrew appears to be improving slowly, but we don't know how long this road will be. From ICU, to inpatient, to a rehab facility, to home—his time away from work will be significant, and the financial strain will only grow. Andrew and Aspen have worked hard to be good stewards of their money—they have insurance, and a little in savings, but this catastrophic life event would put a strain on any budget.

We, their friends and family, want to rally around them and support them however possible. Financial support is just one way to lessen the burden of what is clearly a life-changing event for Andrew and his young family. Our initial goal is $15,000, but there is no way to know what their eventual needs will be.

We greatly appreciate your sensitivity regarding Andrew and Aspen's little boys. The events that have occurred are hard for grown-ups to comprehend, let alone small children. For now, they only know that their dad has been very, very sick, but that is the extent of it. Understandably, Aspen would like to be the only one who gives them new information about their dad's health, in her own time and in her own way. This means that if you have young children, would you please refrain from telling them these details, so that they don't accidentally say something to Dax or Leo that they haven't already heard? Thank you in advance for that consideration.

Your prayers, acts of kindness, and financial support, are greatly appreciated.