Dick Smith's Medical Recovery
Donation protected
We need our everyday hero back!
Whether it's helping neighbors, family, church members or total strangers; Dick Smith has always been there.
Now he needs us.
Recently, Dick endured a long hospital stay. He was admitted with excruciating pain in his leg due to blood clots. These quickly moved to his lungs. During his first stay in the ICU he was given clot-busting drugs until stable and then moved to a regular room. A quick acting nurse found him unresponsive and seizing because he was bleeding in his brain. This was caused by a side effect of the clot dissolving drug and so that had to be stopped and a filter implanted to catch the clots. Back to ICU he went. The brain bleed was stopped, but his oxygen saturation was so low that he needed to be put on a respirator. Tests also revealed a rampant staph infection in his blood. It also attacked a valve in his heart, but no surgery was required. Under heavy sedation, he was unaware of the vigil maintained by his wife, Carolyn, son Matt and his wife Andrea as well as many other family members and friends.
Eventually he was well enough to be moved to a regular room again, but his pain was increasing. Many cat-scans and MRIs later and it was found that he has 5 fractured vertebrae which will need to be fixed, too. The source of the infection is still unknown, but he will require daily IV-administered doses of antibiotics for the next 6 weeks. In addition, he needs to use an oxygen tank at night and requires weekly visits from a Visiting Nurse. Physical therapy will be needed as well when he's ready.
Dick has a long road ahead of him, but he is strong and with your help, he will be back to his active life! Please help us out with a donation in any amount. As you know, medical costs today can be overwhelming. With your help they don't have to be.
Thank you for your support, donations, shares and thoughtful comments.
Whether it's helping neighbors, family, church members or total strangers; Dick Smith has always been there.
Now he needs us.
Recently, Dick endured a long hospital stay. He was admitted with excruciating pain in his leg due to blood clots. These quickly moved to his lungs. During his first stay in the ICU he was given clot-busting drugs until stable and then moved to a regular room. A quick acting nurse found him unresponsive and seizing because he was bleeding in his brain. This was caused by a side effect of the clot dissolving drug and so that had to be stopped and a filter implanted to catch the clots. Back to ICU he went. The brain bleed was stopped, but his oxygen saturation was so low that he needed to be put on a respirator. Tests also revealed a rampant staph infection in his blood. It also attacked a valve in his heart, but no surgery was required. Under heavy sedation, he was unaware of the vigil maintained by his wife, Carolyn, son Matt and his wife Andrea as well as many other family members and friends.
Eventually he was well enough to be moved to a regular room again, but his pain was increasing. Many cat-scans and MRIs later and it was found that he has 5 fractured vertebrae which will need to be fixed, too. The source of the infection is still unknown, but he will require daily IV-administered doses of antibiotics for the next 6 weeks. In addition, he needs to use an oxygen tank at night and requires weekly visits from a Visiting Nurse. Physical therapy will be needed as well when he's ready.
Dick has a long road ahead of him, but he is strong and with your help, he will be back to his active life! Please help us out with a donation in any amount. As you know, medical costs today can be overwhelming. With your help they don't have to be.
Thank you for your support, donations, shares and thoughtful comments.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kristen Smith
Organizer
Tomahawk, WI
Carolyn Smith
Beneficiary
