Keith Whitehurst Medical Fund

I'm Heather Reisig. Keith and Heidi Whitehurst are dear friends of mine. Keith was in a horrendous car accident last Saturday night and has undergone multiple surgeries to save his life. He's been on a ventilator for a week, and it's seriously been touch and go as to if he would survive this. He had damage to his spine, bowel and liver.

To make matters worse, he was laid off last April from T-mobile (Sprint) where he worked for 23 years. His medical bills are going to be very, very high. Heidi is working two jobs just to keep the mortgage paid.

If you can spare a few bucks to help out Keith and Heidi, please consider doing so.

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These are facebook posts Heidi has put up that tell more of the story. I put them with newest posts at the top.

August 25 at 3:14 PM

Good news! Keith is off the ventilator The nurse just called to let me know. His first words were “let my wife know I’m ok” so grabbing a quick shower and heading back to see him. Keeping the visits short for now.

It will be a few more days until he has his phone, I’ve got to teach and get it replaced. On the meantime if you would like to send him messages use my information:

9134863542

[email redacted]

I’ll read everything to him, as I have been so far.

Thank you to each of you for your time, prayers and support. In some ways this is only the start of the journey, but we wouldn’t be at the start without all of you and the grace of God.

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August 25 at 10:51AM

The last day and a half has been a rollercoaster to say the least. This memory popped up and I thought it was fitting. This was Frank (Keith’s constant companion) watching over Keith while I was out of town. Though Frank is no longer with us I like to think he’s still watching him.

So Wednesday night into Thursday resulted in 3 surgeries in a 14 hour window. Honestly, it was not looking like things were going to turn around. His body has been through so much that it seems impossible anything more could happen. However, this is where the power of prayer takes over - because by late yesterday afternoon Keith was doing so much better, it was as hard to believe what we had gone through overnight.

Hopefully the ventilator will come out today. They are lowering sedation so he is opening his eyes and responding to yes or no questions. Best part though is that he was supposed to have his 7th operation in the last 8 days this morning. That was canceled a little bit ago because he’s doing so much better they don’t feel it’s necessary. Amen. Amen. Amen

If you ever doubt whether God is hearing your prayers - let this be a reminder that He is. 24 hours ago I was looking at planning a funeral, today I might actually get a “Hi” from my husband.

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August 23 at 11:13PMKeith’s surgery started several hours late today at 1:00 pm. Unfortunately there was a complication and he was taken back for another emergency surgery later this evening. I am still waiting for word from the hospital.

The road to recovery for Keith appears to becoming longer everyday. Please continue to pray for him ms the healing his body is going to require.

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August 22 at 11:35PM

Quick update Todays surgery got pushback several times they finally started around 1:00pm. Just got a call from a nurse in the operating room, he is still in surgery for the next 60-90 minutes

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August 21 at 9:47PM

Keith is pretty much the same today as yesterday. I saw him around lunch time, he wasn't really responding, but again his system has been through so much in such a short time. Pastor Ezekiel came in the early afternoon and got a response - he was opening his eyes and squeezed his hand. Ezekiel spent some time talking to him and praying with him, I believe that Keith heard it all and God did as well!

Struggles with the liver continue, but in talking with the Doctors they have said it's to be expected and are comfortable with his progress. I know I posted yesterday about the 'lull' it's my least favorite part of illness/recovery. I want surgery done and home tomorrow! We just continue to pray and monitor as they get him ready for the next surgery on Wednesday morning.

In between hospital visits, it was just one errand after another. I put 175 miles on the car today and the furthest I went was Overland Park (next town over). It's really amazing how much needs to be done to keep life moving. When two of us were accomplishing these tasks, I didn't think anything of it - now I'm beginning to think the tiny house life may be in our future, lol.

If there are no significant changes, I may skip an update tomorrow. Tuesday and Wednesday are my long days at the jobs (7:30-3;00 and 3:30-11:30). I just discovered I have overlooked messenger as a communication tool - so I will get through those and respond as soon as I can.

Thank you for all the on going prayers of support and good health. He will get through this, it will be slow, but it will happen.

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August 20 at 10:39PM

Good Evening everyone - sorry for the late update, it's been a long day full of errands and trying to get things caught up and back on track.

First off, Keith's surgery went well, no surprises. He will remain on the ventilator and have another surgery on Wednesday. I'm happy with no surprises! Today he was pretty unresponsive, but that is to be expected, the anesthesia (in addition to all the other drugs being pushed into his system) takes longer to work it's way out of the body when there has been so much disruption in the abdominal area. They did remove the gall bladder, hopefully we will start to see positive results in his numbers starting tomorrow. As we expected he will be remaining on the ventilator through at least the next surgery on Wednesday morning. As side effects from anesthesia wear off they will continue to lower the vent, and push his lungs to take over as much function as possible. I got the opportunity to just sit quietly with him this evening and talk, not certain if he could hear my, but I don't want him thinking he is all alone.

We will have a few days in the "lull" where nothing really changes and time passes slowly (hopefully) - I'm OK with that, a chance to regroup before Wednesday.

For me, I took a break early this morning from the hospital and headed to LUMC Church in the park - talk about spirits lifted! It was wonderful to see, hug and talk to so many familiar faces (friends). It's Keith's favorite service - outside at Sar Ko Par, there's a sandhill crane that seems to attend every Sunday, a breeze coming through. For a moment "God is in his kingdom, and all is right with the world." I could almost hear my dad saying that as I sat and listened to the sermon.

Also made it to the grocery store - pretty proud of myself, as the grocery list has been sitting on my car sit since last Wednesday.

We are blessed by the support each of you have given us. Thank you!!

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August 19 at 4:23PM

As always my heart is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support shown for Keith and I. Thank you, we will get through this because of all of you!!

Keith is scheduled for his second surgery at 6:00am tomorrow. The surgeon will be checking for additional infection, ulceration and confirming the perforations are closed on his j-pouch/small intestine. He will also be removing his gall bladder and insert a feeding tube, due to the I ternal damage identified thus far.

On the positive side his fever has broken, his blood pressure is rising and today he opened his eyes and shook his head confirming he heard me talking to him. They continue to turn down the ventilator when possible to help keep his lung function as good as possible. Right now it’s sounding like he will remain on the ventilator until at least his 3rd surgery on Wednesday.

Thank you to everyone!

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August 18 at 10:38 AM

Thank all for the words of encouragement, prayers and support. He made it through the night , taking it one day at a time

Keith was moved to 1:1 ICU late yesterday afternoon. The first surgery went well, but the surgeon discovered more damage (ulcers, scar tissue, multiple perforations and leakage into his abdomen) than he at first suspected. He will continue to remain on the ventilator at least through Sunday. There is a 2nd surgery scheduled for 6:00 am Sunday to do more exploration of his abdomen. If things are looking better they will take twos to remove him off ventilator. If not he will remain on the ventilator until Wednesday when there is a 3rd surgery scheduled.

Once we can get him pst this portion of the journey, it’s a long recovery mode. He has been down that path before back when he first had the surgeries to remove his colon. It’s a rough path, but he can do it!

It’s hard waiting through this part, I just want to know what the damage is and get him better, my impatience is showing, even though I know this is the important part.

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August 17 at 5:35 AM

Prayers are needed for Keith this morning. As many of you know he was involved in a serious vehicle accident on 8/5. He had damage to his spine and required surgery to rebuild vertebrae I’m his lower back. He has been struggling with pain and they have now realized that there is a perforation in his small intestine and is in emergency surgery this morning, hopefully they will be able to repair the damage and the internal damage is minimal.

He is usually a pretty private person, but I can’t keep up with who to text or call etc, so I’ll post updates here.

Prayers for healing and his mental health are needed. Thank you to everyone that has supported us through this