Dave Nommensen

Hello Friends,

Let me start by saying that Dave will cringe when he sees this, but life has taught me that sometimes it is better to help now and apologize later. Sorry Dave…

I’ve known Dave since the 4th grade and anybody who knew either of us in grade school or high school knows that we were inseparable and the best of friends. The fact that he first spoke to me because he was interested in my sister has nothing to do with what I’m about to tell you but when your bestie is down, and you still bust his chops, it serves as measurement of where your friendship stands.

We currently live hundreds of miles apart but how I feel about him hasn’t changed one bit. I love him like a brother. He was the best man in my wedding and to this day I know that he would do anything to help me or my family and I will certainly do the same for him.

Dave has been married to his wife Dee for over 23 years and they have 3 incredible boys. Logan 19yr who is a freshman at Grand Valley State University (Michigan), Dylan 17yr who is a senior at Lockport HS and Caden 15yr who is a freshman at Lockport HS. Dave is currently the Band Director, Choir Director and Fine Arts Division Chair at Lemont High School. For the past 25 years, Dave has taught, directed, and mentored thousands of kids. He has truly poured his heart and soul into teaching music and the arts, and I have always admired the work he put into it.

The morning of December 23rd, Dave had an ischemic stroke in his right brain hemisphere. Dee recognized there was an immediate problem and quickly called 911. Thanks to a quick responding ambulance crew, Dave was able to get to the ER at Silver Cross Hospital and receive the best clot-busting medicine within a crucial 3hr window. He spent the next 5 days in ICU (including Christmas) while the amazing staff at SCH stabilized his immediate issues.

Five days later, Dave was moved to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (acute rehab floor). The immediate situation left him with significant loss of movement on his entire left side. Unfortunately, on that same day, the facility needed to shut down all visitation due to the rise of active COVID cases. In a long list of hard moments, not being able to see Dee and the boys is definitely toward the top. Scared and alone, Dave dove headfirst into his rehab. His first rehab session resulted in him taking 5 tiny side steps (with lots of help). It was a sign of progress and worth celebrating with a family FaceTime.

Dave is finishing his second week of rehab. His left side is still not functioning as it should, though he has some control over his left leg. He is learning to walk on a weight assisted treadmill and with a hemiwalker (side walker). Every day he goes farther, faster, and with less help. He is working toward climbing stairs and movement to get in and out of vehicles. He does not have any control over his left arm yet, but muscle control is starting to come back in his left shoulder and back muscles. We are told that is good news as it is more important than getting hand movement. His hours of physical therapy are re-routing the brain signals to his legs to control those muscles for walking, flexing his foot, and adjusting his ankle. Much progress has been made, with more to come.

One saving grace to this stroke is that it did not affect his personality or his cognitive functions. His speech and the left side of his face have been somewhat affected, but he is making improvements with lots of practice and electrode therapy.

Ironically, a few days before his stroke he completed his final classes for his second master’s, this one in Educational Technology. The grit he needed to earn that degree with 16 straight months of classes, is the same grit that now gets him through the tough therapy sessions. Moving farther and faster each day and getting back home to his wife, his sons, and his work has his motivation at its maximum.

Right now, there is no long-term prognosis as stroke recovery is different for everyone. The main concerns are to prevent another stroke and get his brain and muscles re-connecting. He is taking meds to do all sorts of good things. Strokes don’t have tidy timelines. He is getting the best care and is a stubborn, hard-working guy with a family that loves him and needs him. Time will tell how he recovers.

Dee is AMAZING and she is using every ounce of her energy to manage her home, her job, her family, and Dave’s progress. The future is scary in that many changes will need to be made to adapt to their current situation.

The immediate need for the Nommensen family would be some major changes to bathrooms (changing bathtubs to walk-in showers and ADA-height toilets), therapy transportation and therapy sessions (insurance will only cover 50 sessions and that will run out in a couple of months), adaptive equipment for home/work and the continuation of your prayers/well wishes/positive thoughts.

Dave’s biggest shortfall is accepting praise and asking for help. I know that he would NEVER ask for help like this...SO I WILL!! This “ask” will put him in the most uncomfortable position he can imagine but I truly believe it is the best way that we can all help his family. Anything you can contribute will be much appreciated.

I will continue to use this platform as a way of updating Dave’s progress and answering any questions anybody may have.

Thank you

Mike Evers