Julian O’Bannon’s Road To Recovery

Story

On the morning of April 2nd, life changed forever for our beloved Julian.

That day, Julian wasn’t feeling well and called in sick to work. My sister Bobbi, concerned, asked a friend to drop off some Gatorade at their home. She called Julian and told him it was on the porch and to get it within ten minutes or she was coming home—he groggily said he’d get it. She checked her home camera footage, and saw that he had never made it to the front porch.

Concerned, Bobbi left work and rushed home. She found Julian on the couch, barely responsive. Paramedics arrived and initially insisted that nothing was seriously wrong, but Bobbi knew better. She demanded they help her get him into the car, and she drove him to Methodist Hospital in Richardson.

That decision may have saved his life.

While being admitted, Julian fainted in the hospital bathroom. When he came to he stumbled out and collapsed onto a bench in the waiting room. My sister requested medical attention and they transported him into an exam room. After an examination, blood work and a CAT scan she was told that he was in stage 4 acute kidney failure brought on by Metformin toxicity, a rare but severe complication from a common diabetes medication.
An hour later he stopped breathing and had no pulse. The medical team immediately began chest compressions, intubated him, and admitted him to the ICU.

Julian was heavily sedated and placed on dialysis for several days as doctors worked to clear the toxins from his system. When they finally weaned him off sedation and he woke up, we were hit with another devastating blow: Julian was paralyzed.

He had some movement in his upper arms but no control over his hands or any movement in his legs. A CAT scan later revealed bulging discs in his neck and back, and he underwent surgery in hopes of improving his condition.

Today, Julian is in a rehabilitation hospital in Dallas, where he will remain until mid-June. His recovery is uncertain. We don’t yet know if he’ll ever walk again—or regain full use of his hands, however we know that God is faithful and we are trusting in His plan and praying for a miracle.
Medical bills from just the first hospital stay have already exceeded 200,000, and that number is only growing. Bobbi and Julian are now facing a completely different life ahead—one that involves wheelchair accessibility modifications to their home and bathroom, a specially-equipped vehicle, ongoing physical therapy, and daily medical supplies.

We started this GoFundMe to help lift some of this enormous financial burden from their shoulders. If you’re able to contribute, in any amount, it will go directly toward Julian’s recovery, home modifications, and future care needs.

From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for taking the time to read Julian’s story. Your support, prayers, and generosity mean the world to our family during this incredibly difficult time.

With gratitude,
Steven Sangster

Organizers :

Co-organized
StevenBeth Sangster and 1 other are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Bobbi OBannon.