Fighting to Breathe, Fighting to Live: Late Gov. Thompson’s Granddaughter Battles Long COVID’s Grip
‘I Want to Live’: Long COVID Survivor Carter Thompson Fights for Diagnosis, Dignity, and Hope
By T.S. Carter
Carter Thompson is overwhelmed with medical information and medical bills in her fight for life.
LOWNDES COUNTY, Georgia – At 62 years old, Carter Thompson has faced more medical challenges than most people endure in a lifetime. A longtime resident of the Lowndes County area, Carter is now asking for help from her fellow Georgians and beyond as she continues a courageous fight to reclaim her health after being diagnosed with long COVID and complications from reactivated Epstein-Barr virus.
“I was diagnosed with long COVID in 2023, and I’m still trying to get a proper diagnosis to understand what’s happening to my body,” said Thompson. “I want to live.”
Despite being vaccinated, Carter’s health declined dramatically after contracting COVID. The complications forced her into early retirement, and she now survives on a modest Social Security check. Unable to drive due to neurological symptoms—including confusion between the gas and brake pedals—she relies on the kindness of others for transportation to and from a growing list of doctors across Thomasville.
Carter’s medical team includes a cardiologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, infectious disease specialist, and rheumatologist, all of whom are working to piece together a complex puzzle of symptoms that include:
- Severe tremors
- Memory loss and cognition issues
- Heart palpitations and breathlessness
- Chronic joint and muscle pain
- Pain under his ribs, suspected to be linked to the liver and spleen
- Digestive distress and neurological weakness affecting mobility
She uses both a cane and a walker, and has even been through hospice care, only to leave it in pursuit of further diagnostics.
“Frankly, I want to live. I came out of hospice because I’m not ready to give up,” she said.
To avoid homelessness, Carter found a modest but affordable RV, which she now calls home at a local park. Her faith remains strong in the face of immense hardship.
“I am a devout Christian. If God wants me to suffer with Him, I will. If He wants me to heal, I will. And if it’s time to cross over, I will do that too—without fear.”
But for now, Carter’s mission is to pursue answers—and that mission comes with mounting costs.
Having given up on traditional housing, Carter Thompson continues to try to manage by herself and lives in an RV despite the fact that she is often too weak to manage herself.
How You Can Help
Carter has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for:
- Travel to out-of-town medical appointments
- Uncovered healthcare expenses
- Costs not reimbursed by insurance
- Basic needs as he applies for disability assistance
She is asking for help not just to survive—but to receive the proper diagnosis that may finally offer a path forward.
“Your donation could mean the difference between clarity and continued uncertainty. I’m just trying to figure out what to do next,” she said.
🟦 Donate or Share Carter’s Story
Visit Carter Thompson’s GoFundMe at:
[Insert GoFundMe Link]
Even if you cannot give financially, sharing his story with others can help connect him with the support he urgently needs.
A Go-Fund-Me campaign has been started to help Long Covid patient Carter Thompson with her financial difficulties. Follow this link
RELATED STORY: Read how a tale of the dead made Valdosta’s M.E. Thompson governor after historic ‘Three Governors Controversy’…
https://www.laniercountynewsonline.com/2025/05/01/a-tale-of-the-de…ot-of-his-progre/
Read more about Carter Thompson’s struggle:
https://www.laniercountynewsonline.com/2025/05/01/late-gov-thompso…-with-long-covid/
