Aspiring Author, Annette Broussard, to Share Grief Journey

Dear Go-Fund-Me Readers,

Meet my oldest son, Antoine. It’s been 16 months since he passed away, and now, I finally feel strong enough to share his story. Let me tell you… absolutely nothing can prepare you for the vulnerability you feel when your child, regardless of their age, faces a serious health crisis.

My son, Antoine, had always been the epitome of vitality, athletic, strong, rarely falling ill, so the news of his hospitalization in February 2023 was pretty shocking. He had been feeling ill and checked himself into the hospital.

Doctors eventually informed that he had developed a rare life-threatening illness caused by bacteria, possibly contracted during a dental procedure, and it became evident that he needed more than medical treatment. He needed unwavering support and a familiar presence to navigate the storm ahead.

Each day brought new challenges, but we faced them head-on, a team against the merciless intruder wreaking havoc within my son’s body. Being there for him, witnessing his resilience and bravery in the face of uncertainty, illuminated the profound strength of human connection. In the quiet moments between medical procedures and doctor consultations, we found solace in our love for one another.

They delivered the life-altering news – heart and aorta surgeries were needed due to the severe damage inflicted by the bacteria. As if the weight of the impending surgery wasn't daunting enough, the scarcity of hospital beds required him to be moved to a different medical facility. Initially planning the surgery for the following week, there was a sense of urgency, so his surgery was promptly scheduled a few hours after his arrival.

As a mother, the scariest thing you can hear is that your child is in need of critical care. I remember feeling like the world was crumbling beneath my feet, which caused a lot of fear and anxiety. I felt a huge glimmer of hope when told my son’s heart and aorta surgeries were successful. The discussion of how my son could be helped through his recovery was talk of the day; however, fate had other plans in store.

In an unexpected turn of events, we learned the bacteria found its way to my son's brain through blood clots, and popped, triggering a life-threatening cascade of events, which required two back-to-back surgeries. He fell into a weeks-long coma (he never woke up).

As the days turned into agonizing nights, my family and I found ourselves consumed by an all-encompassing mission to advocate for Antoine. Every conversation with the medical staff, every decision made on his behalf was infused with our fierce determination to safeguard him, to fight for his chance at life amidst despair.

On March 17, 2023, Antoine's battle came to an end. He was 33. His passing left behind a huge void that seemed insurmountable. We grappled with the harsh reality that Antoine’s dreams of becoming a businessowner, husband, and father would forever remain unfulfilled. Losing a child is an indescribable pain one that I still wrestle with to this day. This harsh reality still seems unreal.

Here we are, on July 21, 2024, a few days shy of my son's 35th heavenly birthday. These recent weeks have been a blur of emotions, navigating through the profound loss of Antoine. His fight for survival, his last breath in my arms – each moment etched in my memory, each emotional scar a testament to the trauma his sister, brother, dad, and I bear every single day. The weight of grief is extremely heavy, unrelenting, a burden that seems too great to bear at times.

Embracing vulnerability and walking through the depths of grief can often lead to unexpected discoveries and profound revelations. My recent conversation with a major book publisher (who will be disclosed after I sign the contract) has sparked the realization that my personal odyssey, intertwining my grief journey AND my quest in researching my family’s ancestral roots, might hold the key to inspire and enlighten others.

For the few who knew about my journey this past year, their responses, have made it evident that I need to share. And so, my long-time goal of becoming a published Author will soon be a dream come true, but I need your help.

Please consider a donation of $10 or more to help fund a way for me to get Antoine’s experience, my grief journey, and my ancestral journey published as one collective. I'm certain my future first book will provide education, encouragement, inspiration, and hope to many people across the world.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Annette Broussard

(Antoine's Mom)

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