What Was Meant to Be a Peaceful Family Trip Turned Into a Nightmare
What started as a fun, peaceful vacation to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons turned into every family’s worst nightmare.
Vic healthy, vibrant, and excited to explore suddenly began experiencing severe pain and swelling in his left leg. Within hours, he was struggling to breathe. His heart was racing. Something was terribly wrong.
He was rushed to the ER in Jackson, Wyoming. Doctors quickly realized the situation was dire. Vic was airlifted to a hospital in Idaho Falls, where he was diagnosed with severe sepsis and acute kidney failure. An infection had taken hold in his artificial left knee joint and spread rapidly into his bloodstream.
He was placed on emergency dialysis and admitted to the ICU fighting for his life.
He’s Still Fighting
Thanks to skilled doctors and Vic’s will to live, he made it through those terrifying days. He’s now out of the ICU, and his kidneys have started to show signs of improvement.
But his fight isn’t over.
What’s Next
To fully clear the infection, Vic will need another major surgery to remove his prosthetic knee, followed by 6+ weeks of IV antibiotics, physical therapy, and extensive rehab. Only after all that will doctors consider whether it’s safe to place a new joint.
He will be dependent on full-time care and support for months to come.
The Urgent Challenge
Vic is still too medically fragile to fly commercial. He needs a long-distance medical transport team to bring him home safely to St. Louis, where his recovery can continue surrounded by family and his trusted doctors.
He still needs help getting out of bed. He cannot sit upright for extended periods. But insurance has refused to cover the transport—and the cost is more than his family can bear alone.
To make things harder, his family cannot afford to remain in Idaho for the months he’ll need to recover. The emotional and financial toll is crushing.
❤️ How You Can Help
Every dollar raised will go directly toward:
Medical transport to get Vic home safely
Ongoing recovery and rehabilitation costs
Support for family travel and basic needs during this medical crisis
✨ Why This Matters
Vic is a father. A brother. A friend. He’s a fighter, but he shouldn’t have to do this alone, far from home.
He needs to be with his family. His son needs to see his dad.
Healing doesn’t just happen in hospitals it happens with love, support, and home.
Please if you can give anything at all, know that it will bring Vic closer to what he needs most: a chance to heal, and a path back home.
Every share, every prayer, every gift makes a difference.
From our hearts to yours thank you!
Vic’s sister, Colleen, and Family
