Go Fund Me -Cody's Final Sprint to Remission

• Report rights infringement
• published: 29 Jun 2015
• views: 458

Cody does not know that I have documented his last year’s battle against chronic Neuroborreliosis Complex, multiple co-infections, and encephalitis. In fact Cody made it a point to keep his current battle private from his friends and colleagues as Student Body President at USF – St. Petersburg. I have asked Cody to read this campaign and simply share the story on his Facebook with one request. If it is not possible to lend support to Cody during this time, please, please share this post. Cody does not know that, as his mother, I have documented his last year’s battle. In fact Cody made it a point to keep his current battle private from his friends and colleagues as former Student Body President at USF – St. Petersburg. However, medical insurance has only brushed the surface of the expenses for his treatment. This left our family spending roughly $47,000 in out-of-pocket expenses so far, not including what Cody has contributed to his own health. Cody has been traveling out of state every 4-6 weeks since his birthday in January to receive aggressive I.V. treatment that ranges $5,500-$6,500 every round excluding travel, blood tests, generic meds, and supplements. Cody travels once again to Washington D.C. on July 6th, a date which marks his halfway point through treatment on his journey to REMISSION. What Cody does not know is that due to our family’s current financial situation, we are running low on funds, and this could be one of his last trips to DC for the treatment that has so far helped him to seemingly get back on his feet once again. Cody is an Eagle Scout, a recent USF – St. Petersburg graduate, a young aspiring entrepreneur, an optimist, a dreamer, and a “yes” man. Cody’s passion to learn and grow is robust; his benevolence to his fellow peers is abundant, and his vision for his future community is boundless. And he always finds a way to make others feel a sense of connection and belonging. Unfortunately, through his camping adventures as an Eagle Scout and hunting white-tail deer with his father during the winters up north, Cody acquired the disease quite some time ago via multiple tick bites in the woods along the northeastern coast of the U.S. The neuroborreliosis did not fully present itself or become progressively debilitating until Summer of 2014 after battling a low immune system since a severe bout with mono related encephalitis in 2011. We cringe to watch him become frustrated, as he has a hard time keeping up with his friends, has lost his short term-memory, interest in hobbies, and even his avid interest in studying medical research and literature on his free time. His symptoms would range from muscular weakness, rapid weight loss, tremors, confusion, sleep disturbances, and worst of all his ability to comprehend written material, remember faces, names, or even his last meals. But what is most worrisome is the psychological toll this disease has taken on this young man.The realization of his despair was alarming and brought fear and tears. I can only hope that the most driven, caring, and optimistic man I know, does not lose hope. He has grown over the last year serving as Student Body President at University of South Florida St. Petersburg and I truly don’t think he could have made it this far without the support from USF, St. Petersburg, and Tampa Bay communities. As an aspiring future business owner, healthcare provider/leader, my son took the bull by the horns. So I know he is still willing to fight. He struggled through his last few semesters of college; but fortunately finished and is now a USFSP Grad as of May; doing so with tremendous reserve and resilience. As parents, his father and I are less concerned about our family’s current debt and financial hardships. We just want to continue to support our son's independence. I know he is working diligently to maintain his independence financially and health-wise, however I feel he may only be extending his recovery time and exacerbating his symptoms; I am campaigning here hoping to find him the support he deserves. I have waited until Cody graduated to post this in hopes he may feel more comfortable in revealing his year’s struggles. I have asked Cody to read this campaign and simply share the story on his Facebook with one request. If it is not possible to lend support to Cody during this time, please, please, please share this post to your friends, family, and colleagues to get the word out. In his final sprint to recovery from this chronic illness, I pray and know that he has it in him to finish his fight towards remission with any support he can get. Any aid toward Cody’s fight would certainly be contributing to a worthy cause. If you have any questions, concerns, or condolences please contact myself: Leslie Boyer @ GoFundCody@gmail.com OR Contact Cody directly at boyer.cj@gmail.com and follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cody.boyer.5