Hank's Hopeful Hearts

On Friday, June 7th, 2019 Hank Honebein wasn't feeling well and headed home from work.  His wife Brenda called him from the Mexico Elementary School, like she always does on her lunch break, to find out how his day is going, where his work has taken him for the day, and just to hear his voice.  Instead of the usual "oh, I've been from Watertown to Pulaski and back three times already", she instead heard "Honey, I don't feel well.  I think you better come home."  Brenda knew right away that something was seriously wrong because this was completely out of character.  When she got home she knew right away he needed to get to the hospital immediately.  Brenda rushed Hank to the closest Emergency Room in Oswego Hospital where they evaluated him and provided the care they could.  The rest of the family was called in from Oswego and Jefferson Counties.  Things weren't going well for Hank and he was airlifted to St. Joe's in Syracuse where he was rushed into surgery and it was discovered that due to a car accident he had 30 years earlier, his internal organs were not where the doctors would have expected.  Hank and his family remained for the next 48 hours at St. Joe's in the ICU and the waiting room while the doctors determined the best way to proceed.  Sunday afternoon Hank was transported to Rochester to the Strong Memorial Hospital where he will be cared for by an expert team of medical professionals.  Hank remains on life support while further treatment is determined due to his complications.  While Hank is there his wife Brenda, daughters Jessica, Bree, and Kate will be staying in Rochester at a nearby hotel.  

Hank was scheduled for surgery Monday morning June 17, 2019 @7:30am.  He was stable and alert in the hours going into surgery, and the surgery to put in the VAD (ventricular assist device - a mechanical heart pump) is expected to take 4-6 hours.  We will share an update as we know more.  

This fundraiser is to assist with medical costs, the hotel room for the family to stay nearby, and lost wages.  

Please consider donating; every $1, $5, $10 helps.  And whether you can donate or not, please share this campaign to help reach the goal.

#HopeForHank