Leaving a Legacy

Andrew Tod Thompson, a healthy young 23-year-old, was diagnosed with the flu on November 23, 2022, where he received Tamiflu. It only seemed to help temporarily. Andrew, continuing to feel bad the next day, returned to urgent care in New Iberia, where he and his family were told all tests seemed to look clear. On November 25th, he was still not feeling right and went to Iberia Medical Center. IMC sent Andrew home with the diagnosis of an anxiety attack. This seemed strange because he had a fever of 103 degrees. The next day, Andrew developed extreme chest pain, which led to him being taken to Lourdes in Lafayette. They admitted him into the ICU not too long upon arrival. It was then and there that he was diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, otherwise known as ARDS.

The medical experts started him on high-flow oxygen, and he was fighting hard. As time went on, Andrew became restless and agitated, and a sudden “Code Blue” was called for immediate care. Doctors and nurses responded to do CPR, revive him, and made the decision to intubate him, where he remained stable. The plan was to transfer Andrew to Shreveport, Louisiana, for ECMO to help his breathing. Unfortunately, while lining up the transfer, his body became septic and couldn’t continue fighting off the infection. We lost him at 5:24 a.m. on November 27, 2022.

To have known Andrew before ARDS took over his body was to know a true man of faith, love, and hope. His smile and laugh were contagious. His kindness and love were inspiring. We were so blessed God chose for us, all who knew Andrew, to be loved by his spirit. He leaves behind a legacy that has touched many lives. We hope we may carry forward his legacy through his memory and the love which he gave so freely.