EVERYDAY

Identifying people in need in our community.

On June 14, at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, Woodstock resident Andrew Troxell, 24, was enjoying the festival with his sister, Emily, and her boyfriend.

“The first few days were amazing, listening to our favorite musicians until Andrew began feeling bad,” Emily said. “On June 16, Andrew woke up complaining of tightness in his chest and indigestion. He never complains about anything. Later that day, Andrew’s complaints were louder and walking became difficult. We immediately found the event’s medical tent.

“Once inside the tent, Andrew’s heart rate was 180 beats per minute. After the staff’s several failed attempts to bring his heart rate down, they called an ambulance to transport him to a local hospital. As I rode with him in the ambulance, he started coughing and became nauseous. I called our mom, and she was quickly on her way.”

The scans performed at the hospital revealed that his lungs were filled with fluid, and he needed to be intubated immediately. His condition was rapidly deteriorating. “My mom arrived, and we knew he needed to be at a larger hospital,” Emily said.

“Andrew was air-lifted to Erlanger, Chattanooga. By the time he was loaded in the helicopter, his condition was extremely critical. We were terrified he would not make it there. When the helicopter arrived at Erlanger, Andrew went into cardiac arrest. Thankfully, they were able to resuscitate him. Andrew’s lungs and heart were failing, and he required life support. Additional tests revealed that his liver and kidneys were not receiving enough oxygen. Surgeons needed to help his heart with an Impella pump, to circulate blood throughout his body.

“On June 19, Andrew was transported closer to home to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, where a team was waiting to resume his care. Sedated, intubated and on dialysis, his team concluded that he would require a larger Impella, as his heart needed time to rest and heal while his other organs were being supported. Life support, dialysis, infection and blood transfusions have sustained Andrew, but each week there are days of progress and setbacks,” she said.

The infectious disease team said he tested positive for H influenza, which they believe began in his lungs and quickly moved to his heart, affecting his other vital organs.

Andrew is a 2017 graduate of Etowah High School and attended Kennesaw State University. He manages the Quik Trip off Bells Ferry Road in Woodstock. Until now, he has always been healthy and the family has not uncovered any underlying health issues that could explain these recent events.

Andrew’s mom, Stacy, is a widow and has not left his side since June 16. Emily set up a GoFundMe account so all who know and love Andrew and their family can help them.

“We’ve had to be strong before. Eight years ago, our dad tragically took his life, and my mom, Andrew and I vowed to stick together no matter what. Through our heartbreak, we drew closer and became stronger together,” Emily said. “Today, we find ourselves in another difficult season as Andrew fights to recover from a sudden illness.

“We never imagined another tragic event like this would happen to our family, but we are trying to stay as strong as possible for Andrew, and I keep telling my mom there is no other option than for him to recover, so I have faith that he will,” she said. “Thank you everyone, once again, for your love, support, prayers and donations for our family. We are so thankful to have such amazing friends and a compassionate community who has always been here for us.”

If you would like to encourage this sweet family, you may donate to their GoFundMe or through Everyday Angels, if you would like a tax receipt.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal, or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in our community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.