Jim's Journey
Donation protected
JIM’S ROLLERCOASTER
While many may argue that 2020 was a rollercoaster of a year, the Henriott family would most likely argue that 2021 was more of a rollercoaster than any other year. On March 17th, Jim had difficulties getting out of bed and lost the ability to walk. Much to his dismay, Jim was immediately taken to Mercy Walworth Urgent Care. Later that day, the doctors had concerns about his heart condition and transferred him to Javon Bea Hospital Riverside in Rockford, IL. During this time, Jim was officially diagnosed with 80% blockage in one coronary artery and two other partial blockages. Due to previous health concerns and the severity of the blockage, there were discussions regarding a stent or triple bypass surgery. Finally, it was decided that a triple bypass surgery provided the best long-term outcome and outweighed the risk associated with the surgeries. On March 23rd, Jim was then transferred to Edwards Heart Hospital in Naperville, IL to undergo triple bypass surgery. During the entire time, visitors were either limited or nonexistent due to hospital COVID-19 policies. Luckily, due to many prayers and terrific hospital surgeons, Jim made it out of surgery without any major complications. At this time the Henriotts knew there would be a long road of recovery ahead of them, but what exactly lie ahead was more than anyone could anticipate.
On April 2nd, Jim was officially transferred to Van Matre Hospitalization and Rehab in Rockford, IL to begin the rehab journey. During rehab, Jim was able to regain minimal feeling in his legs, however the distance from home became a challenge. Therefore, on April 27th Jim was transferred to Holton Manor in Elkhorn, WI to continue his rehab journey. Unfortunately, during this time, he was required to quarantine for 14 days, however shortly after his arrival he tested positive for COVID. Given the fact that Jim had not yet had the chance to be vaccinated and had just undergone major heart surgery there was great fear as to what a positive COVID test would mean. On May 3rd, Jim went back to Mercy Walworth and was diagnosed with pneumonia. As a precautionary measure, Jim was then admitted to OSF St. Anthony’s in Poplar Grove, IL for further treatment for COVID and pneumonia. Luckily, more prayers were answered, and Jim was discharged on May 11th to Delavan Care Center to try and continue his rehab. While fortunate he was discharged with no serious complications from his positive COVID test, it did mean another 14 days of quarantine. However, Jim had to go back to Mercy Walworth on May 19th due to low blood sugar. During this time at Mercy Walworth, a MRI was finally conducted to try to determine the limited movement Jim had in his legs, and subsequently, a steroid treatment was administered to try to regain movement in his legs. Jim was then discharged on May 24th and returned to Delavan Care Center to restart his 14-day quarantine period until he returned to Mercy Walworth on May 29th for another concerning health issue, however he was discharged and returned to Delavan Care Center the same day. Much to everyone’s dismay, he had to start over with another 14-day quarantine period. At this point, one would think you would be close to the end of the rollercoaster, however, another loop presented, and Jim found himself back at Mercy Walworth on June 2nd for low blood sugar and an altered mental state. Finally, on June 7th, Jim returned to Delavan Care Center and finally completed a whole 14-day quarantine and was able to receive more than one visitor a day for the first time in over three months.
Flash forward to today and it has been over 6 months from when this rollercoaster began and a long way from the end of the ride. Currently, Jim still cannot move his left leg (the doctors still don’t know why) and has limited overall mobility due to a loss of muscle strength during this time period. However, on the bright side of things, Jim’s overall health is good with monitoring of his medications. We’re extremely thankful and grateful that Jim is recovering well and in overall good health!
Even with the physical limitations, the main goal continues to be to get Jim home! Currently, the Henriott family is in the process of adapting their current home with the equipment that is needed for Jim to maneuver and function at home. For this to be accomplished, Jim will now need a hospital bed, a sit to stand lift, a wheelchair, and a special shower seat. In addition, the family is in the process of acquiring a handicap accessible van to allow Jim to travel around. Currently, VIP offers limited transportation, but the current operations limit Jim’s ability to attend and participate in some of his favorite things including basketball games and pigs shows, which often take place outside of the designated time frame or days of operation. In addition to the new equipment, Jim will also require some type of nursing care or assistance to help accomplish the little things we take for granted such as showering and meal preparation while Darcie continues to work.
All funds raised will go directly to obtaining necessary medical equipment to allow Jim to live at home, a handicap van, nursing care, and medical bills.
At this point, this crazy rollercoaster ride has been a true emotional battle. The Henriotts are extremely grateful for the love, support, and prayers that have continuously been provided. With so much life yet to live the hope is to bring Jim home and continue this crazy ride of a rollercoaster we call life.
“Life is like a rollercoaster ups, downs, twists, and turns, but what a ride!” – Lisa Layden
While many may argue that 2020 was a rollercoaster of a year, the Henriott family would most likely argue that 2021 was more of a rollercoaster than any other year. On March 17th, Jim had difficulties getting out of bed and lost the ability to walk. Much to his dismay, Jim was immediately taken to Mercy Walworth Urgent Care. Later that day, the doctors had concerns about his heart condition and transferred him to Javon Bea Hospital Riverside in Rockford, IL. During this time, Jim was officially diagnosed with 80% blockage in one coronary artery and two other partial blockages. Due to previous health concerns and the severity of the blockage, there were discussions regarding a stent or triple bypass surgery. Finally, it was decided that a triple bypass surgery provided the best long-term outcome and outweighed the risk associated with the surgeries. On March 23rd, Jim was then transferred to Edwards Heart Hospital in Naperville, IL to undergo triple bypass surgery. During the entire time, visitors were either limited or nonexistent due to hospital COVID-19 policies. Luckily, due to many prayers and terrific hospital surgeons, Jim made it out of surgery without any major complications. At this time the Henriotts knew there would be a long road of recovery ahead of them, but what exactly lie ahead was more than anyone could anticipate.
On April 2nd, Jim was officially transferred to Van Matre Hospitalization and Rehab in Rockford, IL to begin the rehab journey. During rehab, Jim was able to regain minimal feeling in his legs, however the distance from home became a challenge. Therefore, on April 27th Jim was transferred to Holton Manor in Elkhorn, WI to continue his rehab journey. Unfortunately, during this time, he was required to quarantine for 14 days, however shortly after his arrival he tested positive for COVID. Given the fact that Jim had not yet had the chance to be vaccinated and had just undergone major heart surgery there was great fear as to what a positive COVID test would mean. On May 3rd, Jim went back to Mercy Walworth and was diagnosed with pneumonia. As a precautionary measure, Jim was then admitted to OSF St. Anthony’s in Poplar Grove, IL for further treatment for COVID and pneumonia. Luckily, more prayers were answered, and Jim was discharged on May 11th to Delavan Care Center to try and continue his rehab. While fortunate he was discharged with no serious complications from his positive COVID test, it did mean another 14 days of quarantine. However, Jim had to go back to Mercy Walworth on May 19th due to low blood sugar. During this time at Mercy Walworth, a MRI was finally conducted to try to determine the limited movement Jim had in his legs, and subsequently, a steroid treatment was administered to try to regain movement in his legs. Jim was then discharged on May 24th and returned to Delavan Care Center to restart his 14-day quarantine period until he returned to Mercy Walworth on May 29th for another concerning health issue, however he was discharged and returned to Delavan Care Center the same day. Much to everyone’s dismay, he had to start over with another 14-day quarantine period. At this point, one would think you would be close to the end of the rollercoaster, however, another loop presented, and Jim found himself back at Mercy Walworth on June 2nd for low blood sugar and an altered mental state. Finally, on June 7th, Jim returned to Delavan Care Center and finally completed a whole 14-day quarantine and was able to receive more than one visitor a day for the first time in over three months.
Flash forward to today and it has been over 6 months from when this rollercoaster began and a long way from the end of the ride. Currently, Jim still cannot move his left leg (the doctors still don’t know why) and has limited overall mobility due to a loss of muscle strength during this time period. However, on the bright side of things, Jim’s overall health is good with monitoring of his medications. We’re extremely thankful and grateful that Jim is recovering well and in overall good health!
Even with the physical limitations, the main goal continues to be to get Jim home! Currently, the Henriott family is in the process of adapting their current home with the equipment that is needed for Jim to maneuver and function at home. For this to be accomplished, Jim will now need a hospital bed, a sit to stand lift, a wheelchair, and a special shower seat. In addition, the family is in the process of acquiring a handicap accessible van to allow Jim to travel around. Currently, VIP offers limited transportation, but the current operations limit Jim’s ability to attend and participate in some of his favorite things including basketball games and pigs shows, which often take place outside of the designated time frame or days of operation. In addition to the new equipment, Jim will also require some type of nursing care or assistance to help accomplish the little things we take for granted such as showering and meal preparation while Darcie continues to work.
All funds raised will go directly to obtaining necessary medical equipment to allow Jim to live at home, a handicap van, nursing care, and medical bills.
At this point, this crazy rollercoaster ride has been a true emotional battle. The Henriotts are extremely grateful for the love, support, and prayers that have continuously been provided. With so much life yet to live the hope is to bring Jim home and continue this crazy ride of a rollercoaster we call life.
“Life is like a rollercoaster ups, downs, twists, and turns, but what a ride!” – Lisa Layden
Organizer and beneficiary
Katie Mathesius
Organizer
Elkhorn, WI
Darcie Henriott
Beneficiary