Did you hear the one about the ambulance that hit the moose? The punchline was the ambulance team went back to divvy up the moose meat. Well, it turns out the only one who didn't get any meat was our dad, Paul Kess, who was the unnamed patient in that ambulance. Unfortunately, the rest of the day didn't turn out so well for him. Unlike the moose, he wasn't harmed in the accident, but when he returned to the Ely ER to await another ambulance his condition worsened. After a transfer to St.Mary’s in Duluth, he had a series of seizures and was intubated to to get an MRI. The doctors found a mass in his brain- most likely a malignant tumor.
We are all in shock at Paul's diagnosis. After successful extubation, he was moved to from ICU to neurorehab, where he is working hard on regaining some muscle control. We are still waiting on the biopsy to come back from Mayo to get a better idea of the treatment plan as we try to prepare ourselves for the impossible. Most of these types of masses prove to be aggressive tumors, but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.
You might know our dad. Paul Kess, born and raised in Ely, has been an active member of our community: he was a sought-after teacher at the community college; he's been on city council and helped guide
our city through some thorny problems. He's a steward of the environment. He cares about his community and family— and he acts on that, taking care of everyone around him. If you've been on the other side of a debate with Paul, you might not have always agreed with him, but you knew that he cared about the issue and finding a way to make our community stronger.
He's been the best dad and grandpa we could ever hope for— offering support and encouragement and the occasional deserved ribbing. And he is the devoted, besotted husband of our mom, Laurie. You might know her from her years as beloved teacher, guidance, counselor, and principal over at our Ely High School. Or maybe you've seen her costumes and talent in the local theatre productions.
Both of our parents have taken care of so many. They are better at helping than asking for help. But we don't want our mom to worry about finances while we pull together to help Paul heal.
We are asking for your help to take care of them and bring Paul home. Already we are racking up bills for airbnbs and hotels to stay near the hospital (If anyone can spare some hotel points, or has a place to stay in Duluth we'd appreciate it!). There are co-pays and equipment to buy. And when Paul finishes therapy and treatment, we need to prepare his house to make it accessible. And find a way to get him back down to the lake and into the sauna. Any little bit can help.
Paul is up for the fight: he has been working so hard in rehab so he can get back to Burntside Lake for the summer and play with his grandkids on the dock. He writes,
“So, one of the most difficult things to wrap my mind around is how quickly my life has changed. From being a capable, charming, handsome, humble, and loving Grandpa to a still loving but bristly 73 year old who struggles to hold a glass of water is a mystery to me. It's the people here who have made the difference. From the charming nurses, the hardworking CNAs, to the expert brain surgeons: everybody who works here, they have ALL contributed to my progress. Thank you all. And I celebrated my 73rd birthday here! not on a hospital ward, but among family and friends at a moose-themed party.”
There's Paul, still thinking of others. And still with the jokes. He wants you to know that at least he is doing better than the moose.
Love,
Brian, Dana, and Sam
