03/16/2026
Hudson is a 14 year old boy, full of wit and wisdom he is creative, loves to read and sketch, he was learning the banjo (will be again) and enjoys nature. He has a big and kind heart, a great love for Jesus and his family. On the 10th of December, after struggling with headaches and blutlrred vision for a few days, Hudson had a seizure that sent him to the ER where a CT scan identified a substantial brain bleed, what has since identified as a non-traumatic hematoma due to an AVM in the right parietal lobe. After 3 days in PICU at Nationwide Children's, the pressure on his brain reached a point where the neuro surgery saw his best option to be a craniotomy along with the placement of an EVD to relieve and monitor his cranial pressure. This is also where they discovered the mass of veins believed to have been the AVM that was the source of the bleed. Since the brain is damaged by blood,
Hudson's brain damage had resulted in temporary loss of motor function in his left extremities and a permanent loss of his left field of vision (think peripheral vision on the left side) as well as cognitive challenges. After 9 days in the PICU, Hudson was moved to the neurology floor and the ultimately the rehab floor. During this time, we celebrated Andrea's (mom) birthday, Christmas, my (dad's) birthday, New Year's and his twin sister's birthdays. Through determination, frustration, tears, joy and pain, Hudson progressed quickly in his rehabilitation and was discharged on January 16th to come home and continue his therapies as outpatient. Great but scary as his mobility was good but still a challenge given his vision and improving strength. After having rearranged the first floor to accept his bedroom, Hudson was home, sore and tired, but home. During that month at home there were multiple follow up appointments and therapies that required several trips to the main campus in Columbus every week. His strength grew but he started to become more tired and less motivated. In the middle of February we took him to the Childrens urgent care in Marysville where a blood panel with odd results led to us returning to the main campus and being admitted for testing and observation. After several MRI's and CT's showed small and inconsequential strokes in the back of the brain an esophageal echo was performed that ultimately confirmed that his mitral heart valve had a leak and created a pocket of turbulence that permitted strep veriadan bacteria to grow in his heart. This vegetation had to be removed and his valve repaired or replaced. So, after a week on the neurology floor, Hudson was moved to the cardiothorasic ICU where he was ultimately prepared for surgery. Two weeks ago
on Tuesday, the 24th of February, Hudson underwent open heart surgery and was placed on bypass while they removed the vegetation and were ultimately able to repair his mitral valve. By God's grace and mercy Hudson two surgeries had the best possible outcomes. He was discharged to come home that following Saturday, the 28th, and was sent home with a PICC line for his continuous antibiotic. He is 2 weeks post op now from the heart surgery, and almost 3 months from the brain surgery. His energy levels are the best they have been since last summer. The, sometimes debilitating, neck pain we battled post neuro surgery is now gone after his heart surgery. His left arm and hand are still in the process of "waking up" and his left foot and leg are being strengthened every week through therapies. Hudson is still working on things like getting dressed by himself and reading. He has recently started a home school curriculum that carries with it some frustration as somethings don't come as quickly and easily as they used to. This young man has shown an amazing resilience and strength and still carries compassion for those around him. He worries about how much sleep his mom gets and if I'm drinking to much coffee. He misses being able to go outside and run around with the dog and sitting down to play his banjo, both things that the doctors expect him to be able to do again. How are mom and I doing? This is a common question and one that is hard to really comprehend. The short answer, we are focused on what is in front of us today. Hudson and his recovery, his 4 siblings, Andrea's school and my job, the crazier schedule and the IEP for his additional therapies. Navigating insurance and Medicaid and making sure vehicles are ready for the continued trips to Columbus.
It is hard for him and for us, but we are so grateful for his healing and the God ordained timing that resulted in his surgeries at the right time and with the right people. We are so grateful for the community that has surrounded us from our church, Calvary Christian school and so many other churches, friends and family. This is the most amazing display of community that we have experienced.
