Keith's Memorial Fund
Donation protected
**Update 1/11/2018**
I am overcome with grief as I write this update. My brother, Keith, passed away yesterday morning after fighting like a beast in the ICU for 72 days for his wife and 10 year old son. The days and nights were long for him in the hospital as he worried about his family. But, he just kept fighting. That was my brother. He lived hard and loved big. His death came a day after a difficult surgery to remove his spleen, gallbladder and the necrotic portions of his pancreas. Once the surgery got underway they found a failing liver, a hole in his stomach and colon, and discovered that his blood wasn't clotting. The pain is crushing and unbearable. A few weeks ago when when he was having a pretty bad day he asked me to help take care of Mick (his son). It is a responsibility that I won't take lightly. But, I really need your help...Amy and Mick need your help. The donations gathered from this page will take on a new meaning as we support them in moving forward. Some of their intial expenses will include: a Celebration of Life service for Keith, medical bills, loss of income, and grief counseling for both Mick and Amy. There will be countless unexpected financial expenses in the months ahead. On behalf of our entire family, we sincerely appreciate all who have given so far and we thank you all in advance for any donations moving forward.
-------------
As many of you know, my 43-year-old brother, Keith, collapsed at work on Tuesday Oct 31st with a fatal heart arrhythmia. He was given CPR for 45 minutes and his heart was shocked with an external defibrillator 15 times. He was taken to Parkview Reginal Hospital in Ft. Wayne Indiana where he received extraordinary care in the Coronary ICU.
This past Monday Nov. 27th he was air lifted from Parkview to the Medical ICU at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was greeted by a team of doctors and specialists that will, in addition to his heart, be treating his pancreas, liver and kidney issues that are a result of his heart trauma. He has severe acute pancreatitis with necrotic tissue, decreased liver and kidney function, a large mass on his right kidney, infection and swelling in his abdomen and low hemoglobin resulting in the need for blood transfusions. Future treatment plans at this time include: Weeks to months in the hospital, surgery to remove necrotic tissue from his pancreas, surgery to remove his gallbladder, extubation and tracheostomy to improve long term airway access, surgery to place a defibrillator/pace maker and ongoing rehabilitation. The medical professionals that we meet continue to explain to us that it is a miracle that Keith has made it this far and unbelievable that he has such a high level of brain function. We are unclear on what his particular deficits are at this time, however, while he was briefly extubated on 11/25 he was able to remember all of his family members, ask meaningful questions, complete simple commands, and use his sense of humor.
If you have never met my brother in person, I will try my best to tell you a little about him. He is a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, friend, business partner, neighbor and an all-around good guy. He is the co-owner of The Pier Place in Angola, Indiana where he sells and services docks and boat lifts for the lakes of northern Indiana. He has an amazing wife, Amy, who is a dental hygienist. Keith and Amy were high school sweethearts and I have adored her since the first time I met her when I was 11 years old. Keith and Amy have a super cool and talented 10-year-old son named McCartney “Mick” who is in 4th grade. Keith is friendly, kind, funny, helpful and caring. He is the type of guy that would do anything for anyone and is known everywhere he goes. He literally has friends all over the world that he has collected and maintained over his lifetime. Maybe the best way for me to tell you about my brother is to share some of the comments I have gathered from those that have been visiting him in the hospital. “He is the most generous guy.” “He is the hardest worker I know.” “He is the best dad.” “There is literally nothing that guy can’t do.” “We could all really use a dose of his optimism right now.” “Keith is always the first to show up to help someone.” “He is such a great friend."
Keith gets up before sunrise and completes more things before breakfast than most people do in an entire day. Our family has an unofficial Fitbit challenge where we compare our daily steps with each other. It is a running joke that Keith’s Fitbit must be broken because he averages 20k+ steps a day…sometimes before 9am.
As the reality of Keith’s condition sets in, it has become clear that the scope of his medical bills, lost wages, future surgeries, rehabilitation, and travel costs are going to far surpass their insurance coverage. If you have the ability to give any amount it would be greatly appreciated as it will help assure Keith, Amy and Mick can focus on a full and complete recovery.















I am overcome with grief as I write this update. My brother, Keith, passed away yesterday morning after fighting like a beast in the ICU for 72 days for his wife and 10 year old son. The days and nights were long for him in the hospital as he worried about his family. But, he just kept fighting. That was my brother. He lived hard and loved big. His death came a day after a difficult surgery to remove his spleen, gallbladder and the necrotic portions of his pancreas. Once the surgery got underway they found a failing liver, a hole in his stomach and colon, and discovered that his blood wasn't clotting. The pain is crushing and unbearable. A few weeks ago when when he was having a pretty bad day he asked me to help take care of Mick (his son). It is a responsibility that I won't take lightly. But, I really need your help...Amy and Mick need your help. The donations gathered from this page will take on a new meaning as we support them in moving forward. Some of their intial expenses will include: a Celebration of Life service for Keith, medical bills, loss of income, and grief counseling for both Mick and Amy. There will be countless unexpected financial expenses in the months ahead. On behalf of our entire family, we sincerely appreciate all who have given so far and we thank you all in advance for any donations moving forward.
-------------
As many of you know, my 43-year-old brother, Keith, collapsed at work on Tuesday Oct 31st with a fatal heart arrhythmia. He was given CPR for 45 minutes and his heart was shocked with an external defibrillator 15 times. He was taken to Parkview Reginal Hospital in Ft. Wayne Indiana where he received extraordinary care in the Coronary ICU.
This past Monday Nov. 27th he was air lifted from Parkview to the Medical ICU at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was greeted by a team of doctors and specialists that will, in addition to his heart, be treating his pancreas, liver and kidney issues that are a result of his heart trauma. He has severe acute pancreatitis with necrotic tissue, decreased liver and kidney function, a large mass on his right kidney, infection and swelling in his abdomen and low hemoglobin resulting in the need for blood transfusions. Future treatment plans at this time include: Weeks to months in the hospital, surgery to remove necrotic tissue from his pancreas, surgery to remove his gallbladder, extubation and tracheostomy to improve long term airway access, surgery to place a defibrillator/pace maker and ongoing rehabilitation. The medical professionals that we meet continue to explain to us that it is a miracle that Keith has made it this far and unbelievable that he has such a high level of brain function. We are unclear on what his particular deficits are at this time, however, while he was briefly extubated on 11/25 he was able to remember all of his family members, ask meaningful questions, complete simple commands, and use his sense of humor.
If you have never met my brother in person, I will try my best to tell you a little about him. He is a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, friend, business partner, neighbor and an all-around good guy. He is the co-owner of The Pier Place in Angola, Indiana where he sells and services docks and boat lifts for the lakes of northern Indiana. He has an amazing wife, Amy, who is a dental hygienist. Keith and Amy were high school sweethearts and I have adored her since the first time I met her when I was 11 years old. Keith and Amy have a super cool and talented 10-year-old son named McCartney “Mick” who is in 4th grade. Keith is friendly, kind, funny, helpful and caring. He is the type of guy that would do anything for anyone and is known everywhere he goes. He literally has friends all over the world that he has collected and maintained over his lifetime. Maybe the best way for me to tell you about my brother is to share some of the comments I have gathered from those that have been visiting him in the hospital. “He is the most generous guy.” “He is the hardest worker I know.” “He is the best dad.” “There is literally nothing that guy can’t do.” “We could all really use a dose of his optimism right now.” “Keith is always the first to show up to help someone.” “He is such a great friend."
Keith gets up before sunrise and completes more things before breakfast than most people do in an entire day. Our family has an unofficial Fitbit challenge where we compare our daily steps with each other. It is a running joke that Keith’s Fitbit must be broken because he averages 20k+ steps a day…sometimes before 9am.
As the reality of Keith’s condition sets in, it has become clear that the scope of his medical bills, lost wages, future surgeries, rehabilitation, and travel costs are going to far surpass their insurance coverage. If you have the ability to give any amount it would be greatly appreciated as it will help assure Keith, Amy and Mick can focus on a full and complete recovery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Valerie Walters
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN
Amy Walters
Beneficiary
