The Octagon House

The Basic Story

My name is Tara and I’m 23 years old. I married my husband Floyd, 26, in 2005. We got pregnant at the end of 2006. Although we were thrilled, this is when our troubles began. I developed toxemia and eclampsia, and after suffering from two seizures the doctors knew there was no holding off the arrival of our son. Grady was born 9 weeks early on August 6th, 2007, weighing only 3 pounds 14 ounces and measuring 15 inches long. After a long NICU stay, our little guy got to come home just before his actual due date of October 5th. He was our little miracle and while we were incredibly grateful that he was safe, I did not seem to be recovering from my pregnancy.

In April of the following year I had my first of 5 strokes. The doctors didn’t know it was a stroke, not imagining that a 22 year old was likely to have one! This began a horrible year of seeking a diagnosis. In 2008, I had 5 strokes, saw over 35 doctors, had dozens of tests done, drove hundreds of miles to Mayo clinic twice, desperately trying to find answers to my crooked smile and aching body. Doctor after doctor offered me no help and no sympathy. It was incredibly hard because I had no answers no matter how many doctors I saw or how much money slipped from my pocket into theirs. Finally in March 2009, I was officially diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder called Antiphospholipid Syndrome. I was also diagnosed with another autoimmune disease called Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder.

While it is a praise to finally receive a diagnosis, I’m still left with the lasting effects of the strokes, other very painful symptoms of an autoimmune disease and thousands of dollars worth of medical bills. My husband works as much as he can during the week and weekends. I would love to be able to work and contribute, but its hard enough for me to care for my son some days. There are mornings where its actually hard for me to get out of bed without help. Where we had no problem before paying everyday bills like a house payment, car payment and more, now everyday is a struggle to make ends meet. Trying to pay for medical bills, current doctor’s visits and prescriptions, we are sinking fast.

As a solution to some of our money problems, my husband and I decided to search for a cheap house so that we could lower our mortgage payment and hopefully have more funds. I started looking online for solutions to a new cheap house. While searching I discovered a home that looked incredible! This was a way to combine our need for a cheaper mortgage and our love for older homes! The Octagon House in Sparland, IL. The house was incredibly cheap due to it having been foreclosed on and needing a lot of repair. Its actually registered in the National Register of Historical Places. It has an amazing history and the home itself is just amazing. But it does need a lot of work.

We decided this house needed someone to love it and give it the care that it deserves. So with much appreciated help from family, we were able to collect the funds to purchase the house. Now the work begins! And this is where we need help! This is an amazing historic piece of property in central IL. We want to restore it and keep it safe for decades to come. There is so much work and its a lot for two people to do. While we are up for the challenge, we were hoping that perhaps other people would want to help preserve some local history. On top of the work, I’m still not 100% healthy and quite frequently find myself on bedrest.. I’m eager to find help so that he can have assistance and this house can be protected!

Any assitance would be welcome! We are desperate to be a bright spot in the community and attempt to rescue ourselves from drowning in our medical bills.

About Floyd
By: Tara

When I met Floyd 5 years ago, I knew he was someone that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I had prayed my entire life that I could find someone as smart and caring as my dad never dreaming how much my prayer would come true. Floyd is a “Floyd of all trades.” You name it, he has done it or is willing to try it. And usually gets it right on the first try! He rebuilt our first house from the ground up and did an amazing job doing it. He is a responsible and incredibly loving father and a self sacrificing adoring husband. In 2008 I began a medical journey, trying to diagnosis some very overwhelming symptoms. I’ve never met a more loyal man. The poor guy would often get so angry at doctors who were more then willing to give up on me, that I would swear steam would pour out of his ears! He is the definition of a husband standing by the vow “in sickness and in health.” Often I’ve wondered why God would allow me to go through the pain and illness that I’ve endured, but I would choose being sick every time if that meant I got to keep my amazing husband. I love you Floyd!

About Tara
By: Floyd

Tara is my wonderful wife of nearly four years. I can honestly that I never thought anyone like her existed! She is my primary reason for hanging out in this crappy world. I don’t know what she did in her past life for God to stick her with me but I am sure better off for the deal! Although we have very much in common, we both love to learn, read and joke around, She has some very different interests than me. Between scrap booking, playing/writing music, loving hostas and mobbing it up she adds a much needed spice to my rather bland landscape. She also puts up quite well with all my insane plans and varied pursuits. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful companion though these adventures!

~Floyd~

Grady

Grady is our two year old son. He is a miracle in and of himself as he was born 9 weeks early at 3 pounds 14 ounces(later dropping all the way to 3 pounds), 15 inches long. He is a stocky active little guy that has way too much energy for his own good. But he is SUCH a good boy! He has been so good for us as we traveled our rough road in the past year. We are excited to watch him grow up in our new home!