Jeff Hulbert Catches a Break

Many moons ago Jeff had cancer on the base of his tounge. Due to the radiation treatments he underwent, his jaw bone was compromized and has continued to deteriorate over the years. With many meetings and a great team of docs at Omaha Methodist, Jeff underwent procedures to remove a portion of his Fibula (smaller of the two bones in his shin) to reconstruct the right side of his jaw. There was a lot of prep to get him ready -- 6 weeks of Hyperbaric Chamber "dives" 5 days a week to get his body prepped for the healing process, post surgery. (Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves exposing the body to 100% oxygen at a pressure that is greater than what you normally experience. Wounds need oxygen to heal properly, and exposing a wound to 100% oxygen can, in some cases, speed the healing process.) Since it was unknown the extent of the damage caused to the nerves and vessles from the previous radiation treatments, this was proactively done to provide him with the best "foot forward" going into this surgery.

October 25 -- Jeff's surgery at Methodist. Jeff had planned to bring his computer and do work...the thought of "taking it easy" for the 5-10 planned days in the hospital was unimaginable. Oh, Jeff. With prior warnings from the team of docs, they had performed a tracheotomy on Jeff leaving him speachless...literally. But surgery went as planned and we were all so thankful! Eight days later, on schedule, he went home to Mary and Paco.

Mary has always been his backbone, his advocate and will "speak up" in his defense. (Maybe some times even unprovoked!) ;) Now, his physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse and round the clock caregiver. Dispensing meds and meals through the tube directly leading to his stomach, suctioning and sterilizing his trach multiple times a day and keeping everything running smoothly. No added help from home health and, at most, maybe an hour away from the house to grab meds and more supplies each day.

November 7th the two of them had left the house to go to an appointment for Jeff. Left the appointment to Jeff coughing blood through his trach -- Mary went straight to the ER at Bryan West. Jeff was scopd and they were unable to find the source of the bleed so was addmitted to the ICU. After a few hours the bleeding returned and was rushed to surgery with the stroke team. Again unable to locate the source of the bleed, but instead stumbling upon an area of infection. Jeff, in critical condition, was life flighted to Omaha Methodist where they took care of the infection.

Anyone who knows Jeff knows the spirit that is within this man. And here he can't talk. Surrounded by the unknown and royally feeling like crap. Discharged from Methodist for the 2nd time he was told that the typical stay at Select Specialty Hospital (for Rehabilitation) was 21 days. Shaking his head, he flashed his fingers (the decent ones), informing staff his plan was a six day stay.

December 2, Jeff put in his time and the discharge paperwork was filled out. Low and behold a new bleed surfaced, and back to Methodist he went. The man cannot catch a break! The third ambulance transfer lead him back to Omaha, and an exploratory surgery took place the next morning, finding the source and making the necessary repairs.

He has another rehabilitative stay after he leaves Methodist before he will be released home. Even after home and healthy, Jeff will be finishing this procedure with dental implants sometime in 2017.

Jeff and Mary knew the severity of the procedures that were being performed but have been caught off-guard with the number of setbacks and length of time that continues to go into his recovery. Mary has started back to work but it has ended up being very sporatic and hard to maintain a consistent schedule. Mary has exhasted all of her paid time off of work and is currently taking unpaid leave. And, although health insurance is being applied, they are on very high deductible plans that will need to be met for both 2016 and 2017.

Jeff and Mary have only just started having the bills come in (the life flight alone coming in at 48k!) Not knowing what insurance will cover, or where they'll be left with as this comes to an end , please know that any amount will be so graciously appreciated and allocated towards these bills. 

Reflecting on all of our blessings as we head into this Holiday season. We are a network of family and friends built with so much love and fierce spirit! Thank you endlessly for your support and kind words!