Support John Hudson's Fight Against West Nile Virus

On July 27th, 2024, my dad (John Hudson) went out to Whataburger on I-10 and Tully to grab lunch but never came home. He had been feeling under the weather for a few days leading up to this day but had shrugged off the flu-like symptoms as a bug or the common cold.

After not returning home, my mom (Sharon Hudson) called his cell several times but received no answer. This is completely unlike my dad, so mom went looking for him at the last place he said he was going. When she arrived at Whataburger, she found dad slumped over the steering wheel, conscious but confused, disoriented and unable to speak. He had his phone and keys but could not seem to figure out how to open the phone or start his truck. When the paramedics arrived, he had extremely high blood pressure as well as a high fever. He seemed to recognize my mother but did not know where he was, who the president was nor general circumstances he was in.

After he was rushed to the hospital, he spent the night in the ER and a day later was placed in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Over a week later and after several tests were done it was finally discovered that he had contracted West Nile Virus, most likely from an explosion in the mosquito population after the most recent hurricane. Since then, he has been battling for his life daily. It seems that one problem leads to another and continues the roller coaster of ups and downs in his ongoing fight.

He is mostly paralyzed with only the ability to wiggle his big toes and slightly squeeze his fingers together. Since he entered the ICU he’s had high fever, extremely high or bottoming out blood pressure, internal bleeds within his stomach that requires surgery, intubation to assist him with breathing which led to a tracheotomy, a feeding tube surgically inserted in his stomach, full body swelling, sepsis, dialysis to support his failing kidneys and the list goes on. He has from time-to-time muttered single words but currently cannot speak.

I currently live in Upstate New York with my wife Brianna and nearly two-year-old daughter Hollyn but was able to fly into Houston and spend three days and nights by his side in the hospital while my family remained in NY. The doctors and nurses are doing a great job but the testing, poking and prodding never ends. My heart breaks to see such a strong man suffering in such immense pain and in such a frail condition. I sat by his side and reminisced about our past fishing and camping trips, the times he and mom came to visit me while I was stationed elsewhere in the Army. I told him all about my wife, daughter and our current adventures like going to the beach in Maryland or hiking through the falls in New York. I believe he heard me. During those three days I witnessed his fight and determination to live as this virus wreaks havoc on his body.

My brother Taylor currently lives in South Texas, a six-hour drive from Houston, but has made the trip multiple times to see dad and support mom to the best of his ability. He has a wife and two young boys that he must return to as well.

Mom is holding strong but still must continue going to work as a schoolteacher. At the end of the day, she heads straight to the hospital to spend time with dad and get updates on his condition. She is running on fumes but continues to dig in and endure these hardships. When I asked her how she was holding up, she simply responded that she’ll worry about herself later and that God will provide.

The doctors are hopeful that they can move him to a rehab clinic that specializes in his condition, but it seems that he just isn’t making enough progress to leave the ICU. It has now been a month since that day he went to the hospital.

Unfortunately, the bills don’t stop just because one falls ill. We don’t know yet what medical expenses will have to be paid out of pocket and what will be covered by insurance, but we do expect heavy medical expenses even with insurance due to the extensive stay in the ICU and the expected rehab to come. That does not include the regular monthly bills and expenses that must be kept up with such as the mortgage, cell phone, car, groceries, gas etc. that my mom must manage without dad on just her schoolteacher’s salary.

We ask that if you feel it in your heart to give any amount to support my mom and dad through these uncertain times, please do so on this Go Fund Me account. There is no amount too big or too small. My Wife Brianna, my brother Taylor, my mother Sharon and all our extended family are grateful beyond words for whatever you may contribute. All the funds will go towards bills, food, gas and whatever expenses are incurred during this time.

Even more importantly we ask for your prayers for mom and dad. Even if you don’t have anything to give that is ok. We simply ask for your prayers to our Lord for healing and protection over mom and dad. We know God is bigger than all of this. God is good, all the time and all the time God is good.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4

-Nicholas and Brianna Hawkins