March 16

Chuck and Loni had just celebrated their 6th anniversary by enjoying a second honeymoon in Tennessee. On the morning of March 16th Chuck woke up with pain in his chest and was having trouble breathing. Loni rushed him to the hospital and within a few hours Chuck was admitted to the ICU, on a ventilator, and paralyzed from the neck down. Doctor's were unsure what was wrong with him, they just knew that they needed to figure it out quickly. After running multiple tests they decided to start treating him for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but weren't positive that was it. Since Friday Chuck has been on a ventilator and only able to communicate by blinking his eyes. It was confirmed that Chuck does have Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown, but it is often preceded by an infectious illness such as a respiratory infection or the stomach flu. Luckily, Guillain-Barre syndrome is uncommon, affecting only 1 or 2 people per 100,000. There's no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness. Most people recover from Guillain-Barre syndrome, though some may experience lingering effects from it, such as weakness, numbness or fatigue.

This hit them out of nowhere and as of right now, they just have to wait and see how things go. There is no way to tell how long Chuck will be hospitalized, but we are all praying that he recovers quickly so he can get back to his family. Those of you that know Chuck know that he is a fantastic husband and an even better father to his five boys, Alex (14), Chasen (12), Brandon (10), C4 (4), and Emry (1).

Worries about finances should be the last thing Loni and Chuck should have to think about. We are working on holding a benefit auction for their family. If you have items that you would like to donate please contact us. If you would prefer to make a monetary donation you can do so through this blog. Loni will also be setting up a donation account through her bank. I will post that information as soon as it becomes available.

Prayers for a full recovery are greatly appreciated.