T-Bones Journey Back

Thomas Doverspike or T-Bone as many of you may know him has been a great asset to Valley Brook for many years. Whether he is helping out in the cart barn, painting in the clubhouse he is always there to greet you with a smile. Recently he was personally affected by Covid -19. He has and will continue to face many challenges in the future. On behalf of the members and staff of VBCC we have established a spot fund account in order to help relieve some of the financial burden of his medical costs. Please click on the link below if you would like to donate. Thank you in advance for your support!

T-Bone’s Journey Back

On March 22, 2021 T-Bone was having difficulty breathing. He went to Heritage Valley ER, where he tested positive for the COVID virus. His wife Tina, had left the hospital to retrieve items for him at home, not knowing about the positive results. Upon her return to the hospital - she was told that she could not see him. She was also told that due to complications with his heart, kidneys and liver, he would have to be sent to Allegheny General. On March 24th, he was transferred to the AGH - ICU, (where he stayed for 26 days). He was heavily medicated and placed on a ventilator for 10 days. During that time, he suffered two mini strokes. Tina was updated on his condition every day. His doctors said she almost lost him twice. She said it was a roller-coaster ride the whole month. Just when he seemed to be improving and she would have some hope; things would go the other way. When he was finally taken off of the ventilator, his doctor told him they would be moving him to CuraHealth for further care. He gave the doctor two thumbs up. T-Bone doesn’t remember that, or the whole month of April. He was transferred on April 20th. T-Bone was suffering from ICU delirium for the first few weeks. He had on-going chest congestion and was being treated for an enlarged heart, numerous blood clots, a pulmonary embolism, low platelet count & his volatile blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels. At one point, the nurses informed Tina that they were about to put him back on a ventilator due to an episode with his breathing and oxygen levels, but he improved. He had swallowing issues due to the ventilator, and had a feeding tube almost the entire time. He hadn’t had any type of food for almost 3 months. T-Bone now has a condition caused by the virus that may cost him some of his toes. He took a few aided steps before being discharged, and was then moved to Encompass Health for physical therapy. He was a patient there from June 11th to the 24th. He left with a walker, and a wheelchair. Physical and occupational therapists, and nurses visited his home, as well as a speech therapist. He will now be transitioning to rehabilitation, 3 days a week. He is walking with and without a cane. He is a miracle. He is still the T-Bone we all know and love. His sense of humor is still intact. He said that while lying in bed for all of that time, he had to decide whether to give up or fight, and he decided to fight.