Rocky's Recovery
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There are those who dedicate themselves to a sense of honor, to a life of courage and the commitment to something greater than themselves. They have always defended this nation and each other, they still do. Those are America's Marines and the reason why SSgt. Rocky Loera, my husband became one of The Few, The Proud, a Marine.
Rocky proudly served 9 years with 3 years overseas fighting among America's most elite fighting force. Rocky also a black belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor personified a Marine of great ambition, intelligence, motivation and consciously a healthy triathlete with a perfect physical fitness score in the Marine Corps of 300.
Early on in his career, Rocky exemplified a prideful Marine who strongly believed in the brotherhood of the Marine Corps. This motivation and commitment led to continuous meritorious promotions and opportunities at broadening his career. In 2011, Rocky received orders to Recruiting Duty in Chicago it was within the first 6 months of arriving that he was provided the opportunity of the position of Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of the Recruiting Station in Oak Park. It was this admiration, mental and physical endurance that led Rocky to motivate his recruits each day.
However, sadly on January 29, 2013, Rocky was on a routine training run with United States Marine Corps recruits when a vehicle that ran a red light struck him.
Rocky was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center, where he underwent 2 life saving brain surgeries within the first 48 hours of admittance. Due to the severity of his brain injury doctors aggressively moved forward with placing him into a medically induced coma.
By the 2nd week of his medically induced coma, the entire neurosurgery team and I, sadly concluded that if there were no significant improvements within the next 6 weeks, all medical procedures and tactics would be terminated.
It was on February 27, 2013 my birthday, my husband of 10 years, followed his first command! It was his actions that day that brought hope to his recovery and to date provided the best birthday gift a wife could ever ask for. His doctors also strongly believe, that the healthy lifestyle and continuous physical training that Rocky followed contributed to saving his life.
From that day forward Rocky continued to improve well enough that his doctors allowed him to transfer to a facility to remove him from a ventilator. After just two weeks, Rocky was safely removed from the ventilator and was then transferred to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to begin his rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, after a month and a half of rehabilitation therapy Rocky became ill and was immediately transferred back to Loyola University Medical Center where he was diagnosed with an infection. This infection lasted 8 months and turned out to be a devastating factor in his recovery as it led to multiple surgeries along with physical and neurological regression.
As of today, Rocky has experienced 14 surgeries.
Everything that Rocky has undergone since his injury is unimaginable even for his medical team to believe. However, his doctors, nurses and therapist's can contest that Rocky possesses a strength and determination that is completely indescribable. Rocky has and will continue to overcome and fight to regaining his life back.
Sadly, for the first time, we find ourselves asking for help in providing for Rocky's needs. We ask, if possible, to please provide a small donation to help us.
Unfortunately, Rocky's journey will be long but I would like to show him that while it may be long it is and always will be surrounded with love and support.
If you would like to make a donation by check. Please feel free to visit your local Wells Fargo Bank and make a donation to the "Rocky Loera" account.
Rocky proudly served 9 years with 3 years overseas fighting among America's most elite fighting force. Rocky also a black belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor personified a Marine of great ambition, intelligence, motivation and consciously a healthy triathlete with a perfect physical fitness score in the Marine Corps of 300.
Early on in his career, Rocky exemplified a prideful Marine who strongly believed in the brotherhood of the Marine Corps. This motivation and commitment led to continuous meritorious promotions and opportunities at broadening his career. In 2011, Rocky received orders to Recruiting Duty in Chicago it was within the first 6 months of arriving that he was provided the opportunity of the position of Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of the Recruiting Station in Oak Park. It was this admiration, mental and physical endurance that led Rocky to motivate his recruits each day.
However, sadly on January 29, 2013, Rocky was on a routine training run with United States Marine Corps recruits when a vehicle that ran a red light struck him.
Rocky was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center, where he underwent 2 life saving brain surgeries within the first 48 hours of admittance. Due to the severity of his brain injury doctors aggressively moved forward with placing him into a medically induced coma.
By the 2nd week of his medically induced coma, the entire neurosurgery team and I, sadly concluded that if there were no significant improvements within the next 6 weeks, all medical procedures and tactics would be terminated.
It was on February 27, 2013 my birthday, my husband of 10 years, followed his first command! It was his actions that day that brought hope to his recovery and to date provided the best birthday gift a wife could ever ask for. His doctors also strongly believe, that the healthy lifestyle and continuous physical training that Rocky followed contributed to saving his life.
From that day forward Rocky continued to improve well enough that his doctors allowed him to transfer to a facility to remove him from a ventilator. After just two weeks, Rocky was safely removed from the ventilator and was then transferred to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to begin his rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, after a month and a half of rehabilitation therapy Rocky became ill and was immediately transferred back to Loyola University Medical Center where he was diagnosed with an infection. This infection lasted 8 months and turned out to be a devastating factor in his recovery as it led to multiple surgeries along with physical and neurological regression.
As of today, Rocky has experienced 14 surgeries.
Everything that Rocky has undergone since his injury is unimaginable even for his medical team to believe. However, his doctors, nurses and therapist's can contest that Rocky possesses a strength and determination that is completely indescribable. Rocky has and will continue to overcome and fight to regaining his life back.
Sadly, for the first time, we find ourselves asking for help in providing for Rocky's needs. We ask, if possible, to please provide a small donation to help us.
Unfortunately, Rocky's journey will be long but I would like to show him that while it may be long it is and always will be surrounded with love and support.
If you would like to make a donation by check. Please feel free to visit your local Wells Fargo Bank and make a donation to the "Rocky Loera" account.
Organizer
RockyBrenda Loera
Organizer
River Forest, IL
