Support Kaleb Sundstrom’s Medical Expenses

We are fundraising for Kaleb Sundstrom. Kaleb is a bright young man with a promising future. He has a large extensive and loving family. He is a graduate of Stuart’s Draft High School. On Tuesday May 23, Kaleb was in a traumatic car accident. The vehicle he was a passenger in lost control and hit a tree, ejecting Kaleb then the vehicle landed on him. His friends were able to lift the vehicle while Kaleb crawled out from under it and was life flighted to UVA’s Hospital where he is in the intensive care unit. He sustained life altering injuries. Kaleb has several fractures in his neck and spine, a broken hand with extensive nerve damage, a laceration on his other hand, he lost his ear, and has a small brain bleed. Today, he had an exploratory abdominal surgery to locate the source of fluid building up, and then he had spinal surgery to place a rod and screws in his spine to stabilize it. He still has 6 injuries in his spine and neck that are currently untreated. He may need future spine surgeries to help stabilize so it can heal. He is currently in a medically induced coma. His mother, Amy, has taken leave from her business to support Kaleb and stay by his side through all of this. This fund raiser is to help them with medical bills and life expenses as they navigate this very difficult time. We will update as we know more. Every bit will bless them greatly! Please pray for Kaleb for remarkable healing. We believe in miracles. Kaleb is a survivor!

We will update with his progress once we know more.

UPDATE: 5/25/23 Good Morning.

Kaleb was stable through the night. He was still in a medically induced coma and intubated through the night. They removed the tube and woke him up this morning and he is in an incredible amount of pain. Miraculously his spinal cord is still intact! When they woke him and told him the extent of his injuries, and his options to try and reconstruct an ear for him- he asked which option was least expensive. He was so distressed they sedated him again. Let’s continue to bless this young man who needs to be focused on healing and the best way to repair his body without concern for cost. His mom Amy has not left his side. Thank you all for your continued prayers and financial support!

5/26/23

Thank you all! We have reached each financial goal we have set so we are raising it again. The goal is to support Amy and Kaleb for the coming months as they are both unable to work as he recovers.

Kaleb woke up confused and disoriented as well he was feisty this morning. He is in bed on his back flat and unable to move at this time. He is immobile from the neck down but he can wiggle his arms and legs. He is on oxygen and they have been using anesthesia to keep him calm and comfortable. They tried to brace his back but because he is so tall and thin they will have to make him a custom back brace. His head is still wrapped to protect the would area of his missing ear. Kaleb is a warrior and he will keep battling through all of this. Please leave some encouraging words in the comments here for Amy and Kaleb. Thank you all again for your support and well wishes. It has shocked and amazed Amy the outpouring of your love and kindness.

PM Update: Rough day. They got his brace on but couldn’t get him to stand for X-ray, so they will take it off and try again tomorrow. Which means he still has a catheter can’t move and can not eat. He’s angry, he’s in pain, he’s having anxiety attacks on an off. Resting now and they will wake him soon to take the brace off.

5/27/23

Kaleb is vomiting this morning... no food since last Tuesday. They are trying to get his brace back on and him up and eating by lunchtime and talking of trying to get him out of ICU. His attitude is actually a little better- the night nurse said he was thankful an and appreciative. They are bringing nausea meds and giving what they can through iv but some of the medications there is not an another option other than pill form. They are about to get a team to get the brace on to try and get him upright so he can eat and hopefully have x-rays. He has no memory of the accident but he is aware of what happened. Thank you all for your continued love, prayers and support. Kaleb is a warrior!

5/28/23

Kaleb is out of the ICU!!! He's moved to a different unit with a nice room this afternoon. He is getting his last drain tube out of his back today. He seems to be more comfortable already. He is eating well!! We are so thankful for this amazing progress and your continued words of encouragement and support.

5/29/23

Kaleb had a rough night and was up until 3am with pain and panic attacks- which are stemming from the fact he is very uncomfortable in his back brace and he has some big emotions surrounding the accident. His male nurse was amazing, got him out of bed which is a big task, and down the hall for a walk, and new medicine to settle him back to sleep. They let him rest till about 9... therapy will come work with him and they are going to try to walk him up the halls so he's not so restless. Amy’s dad will sit with Kaleb today so Amy can go home for a few hours to shower.

Thank you all for your continued well wishes and prayers

5/30/23

Night have been really rough for Kaleb. His memories of the accident are returning in bits and pieces. His braces have been difficult to get accustomed to. Mental and physical hardships have caused anxiety that has been really hard for him to cope with, especially at night. Kaleb is walking up the halls with assistance!! He needs a lot of assistance to get out of bed and to walk. He will start therapies to help him regain strength and learn how to move with his braces. Because of his injuries Kaleb will need multiple items to make his home accessible. Tomorrow Amy is going to a medical supply store to purchase his lift recliner, shower chair and rails, and bed to accommodate his needs. These purchases will use up quite a bit, if not all, of this fundraiser. Thank you for helping Kaleb!! Amy has a lot to prepare to be able to bring him home. Please continue to share this so that they can get the support they need to help him on his healing and recovery journey.

6/3/23

Kaleb was released from UVA medical Center yesterday. He experienced complications in the night. Amy had to call 911 and he was rushed to AMC where they discovered a bowel blockage. He has a NG tube and is on antibiotics. They decided to transfer him back to UVA for further treatment. I will keep this updated when we know more. Please continue to pray for Kaleb and his team of providers and care givers. Thank you for your continued support.

6/7/21

We have passed the last fundraising Goal!! Thank you all so much . Let’s keep sharing and blessing Amy and Kaleb. Kaleb needed the NG tube 3 days and now possibly more.

Here’s the update from Amy this morning. 6/7/21

“Yesterday they said they could remove the NG tube but Kaleb asked it stay in and be clamped until they were sure it’s cleared. They assured him he was fine because his output was minimal. Kalebs instincts were correct...

He started vomiting last nite, just once, but is now back on iv. They did an X-ray.. which still would only show the actual blockage.. not the cause... they paged trauma Dr last nite... who still hasn't come to see him.”

6/11/23

I apologize for the delay in updates. Kaleb is Home!! He is adjusting okay and PT has been coming to his house to work with him. Kaleb got devastating news today, his dog that he has bottle fed since a new born puppy, and been inseparable with over the years, is dying. A cancerous mass has ruptured in his belly and he will be out down today. Kaleb is yet again facing another difficult time in his life. Please pray for his healing, as well as his comfort as he is mourning the loss of his best friend and companion. One he hoped would be by his side during his recovery from his injuries. It is a lot for his brain and heart to handle right now. Kaleb is recovering from a TBI and that is making this news much more difficult for him to process.

Thank you for all of the support during Kalebs road to recovery.

PM Update: This afternoon Kaleb started vomiting again and Amy just informed us she is calling the rescue squad.

6/22/23 Kaleb has been in and out of the hospital a few times over the past few weeks. Yesterday he had two seizures as a result of being taken off the seizure medication. He is experiencing a lot of troubles as a result of his traumatic brain injury. Sadly, Kalebs companion dog has a cancerous tumor and the time has come for his dog to be put down so it is no longer suffering. As you can imagine this is the absolute worst timing and very difficult for Kaleb. He will be in his braces for the next two months, and still has a long road to recovery. No word yet about reconstruction of his ear. Once he is out of his braces they will be able to address that. Thank you all for your prayers and kindness. You all are helping Kaleb tremendously. Thank you from his whole family.