Kevin Huttner Needs Our Help!
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My brother Kevin’s heart stopped beating as he was nearing the end of a long bike ride on a sunny afternoon, the Saturday before Labor Day of this year. Had his heart stopped at any other time that afternoon, he likely would have died. This not just a heart-attack, this was full cardiac arrest. His heart stopped. He had no breath. No pulse. He was dead.
But Kevin did not succumb to death that afternoon because he had a lot working in his favor. His faith. His strength. The love of his wife, Kathleen, and that of his family. But topping the list was his luck. Kevin was lucky he was noticed as he began having difficulty and fell from his bike. Lucky there was more than only one person to come to his aid. Kevin was very lucky that one was an off-duty paramedic who quickly began chest compressions and CPR while another called 911. He was lucky it only took about 4 minutes for the ambulance to arrive, any more time could have meant his death.
The arriving medical team used defibrillators to shock his system back to life. His heartbeat returned, and he was rushed to nearby Swedish Covenant hospital (in Chicago). Upon arriving, doctors performed emergency surgery to implant a stent and clear the 100% blockage of his right coronary artery (also known as the “widow maker”). By the time Kevin made it through surgery, he was a part of a very small percentage of people who survive similar circumstances. Without CPR, 92% of the people who suffer from a sudden cardiac arrest will die before they make it to the hospital.
Kevin made it through surgery, but his fight was far from over. His doctors then shifted their concern from his heart to his brain. While in cardiac arrest, Kevin’s brain was without oxygen. This is a condition which can kill brain cells, additionally, a damaged brain can continue to cause further damage even after the heartbeat has been restored. To guard against the risk of further damage, a decision was made to sedate and cool down Kevin’s body to about 90 degrees for a 24-hour period. This is process known as Hypothermia Therapy and helps prevent continued brain damage. Doing this procedure come with some risks, but Kevin again beat those odds and made it through the cooling process.
By September 5th, Kevin’s body was warmed back to normal temperature and he was removed from sedition and awoke. His breathing tube was removed, but things took a turn for the worse as within a few minutes, Kevin’s oxygen level fell and his heartbeat began to elevate. Doctor’s made the discovery that Kevin had pneumonia. He was re-intubated and re-sedated and then remained in very critical condition for the next few days.
By Sunday, September 9th, Kevin’s lungs showed enough improvement that a decision was made to again remove him from sedition and the breathing tube. This time, his oxygen stabilized, and he was finally breathing on his own. Over the course of the next week, Kevin’s motor-skills and his memory began to return. He ability to talk began with only groans, but then he moved to saying one word, then two, and finally full sentences. Soon he was even able to smile and laugh.
Kevin is recovering but he will need more surgery to clear further blockages around his heart.
Kevin’s luck, faith, strength and the love and support of his wife, family, friends and co-workers has helped him through the worst of this storm – but his struggle continues.
Kevin needs our help.
Even though he is currently employed and insured, Kevin faces a mountain of medical bills to even pay the required deductibles. Moreover, Kevin has recently learned that his 30-year employment with Anixter will be ending by the end of October. Sadly, just prior to his heart-attack Kevin learned that his entire department was sold to IBM where it will be outsourced and sent overseas. Kevin is losing his job and his ability to earn an income ahead is uncertain.
On behave of Kevin, Kathleen and my entire family, I have set-up this “Go Fund Me” with the goal to raise $6000.00. This cash is very much needed for Kevin and Kathleen and help them manage immediate, pressing bills, pay for much-needed items and help them through this dark chapter of their lives. Any amount donated would be helpful for Kevin and Kathleen and would be very much appreciated.
Thank you,
Mike Huttner
But Kevin did not succumb to death that afternoon because he had a lot working in his favor. His faith. His strength. The love of his wife, Kathleen, and that of his family. But topping the list was his luck. Kevin was lucky he was noticed as he began having difficulty and fell from his bike. Lucky there was more than only one person to come to his aid. Kevin was very lucky that one was an off-duty paramedic who quickly began chest compressions and CPR while another called 911. He was lucky it only took about 4 minutes for the ambulance to arrive, any more time could have meant his death.
The arriving medical team used defibrillators to shock his system back to life. His heartbeat returned, and he was rushed to nearby Swedish Covenant hospital (in Chicago). Upon arriving, doctors performed emergency surgery to implant a stent and clear the 100% blockage of his right coronary artery (also known as the “widow maker”). By the time Kevin made it through surgery, he was a part of a very small percentage of people who survive similar circumstances. Without CPR, 92% of the people who suffer from a sudden cardiac arrest will die before they make it to the hospital.
Kevin made it through surgery, but his fight was far from over. His doctors then shifted their concern from his heart to his brain. While in cardiac arrest, Kevin’s brain was without oxygen. This is a condition which can kill brain cells, additionally, a damaged brain can continue to cause further damage even after the heartbeat has been restored. To guard against the risk of further damage, a decision was made to sedate and cool down Kevin’s body to about 90 degrees for a 24-hour period. This is process known as Hypothermia Therapy and helps prevent continued brain damage. Doing this procedure come with some risks, but Kevin again beat those odds and made it through the cooling process.
By September 5th, Kevin’s body was warmed back to normal temperature and he was removed from sedition and awoke. His breathing tube was removed, but things took a turn for the worse as within a few minutes, Kevin’s oxygen level fell and his heartbeat began to elevate. Doctor’s made the discovery that Kevin had pneumonia. He was re-intubated and re-sedated and then remained in very critical condition for the next few days.
By Sunday, September 9th, Kevin’s lungs showed enough improvement that a decision was made to again remove him from sedition and the breathing tube. This time, his oxygen stabilized, and he was finally breathing on his own. Over the course of the next week, Kevin’s motor-skills and his memory began to return. He ability to talk began with only groans, but then he moved to saying one word, then two, and finally full sentences. Soon he was even able to smile and laugh.
Kevin is recovering but he will need more surgery to clear further blockages around his heart.
Kevin’s luck, faith, strength and the love and support of his wife, family, friends and co-workers has helped him through the worst of this storm – but his struggle continues.
Kevin needs our help.
Even though he is currently employed and insured, Kevin faces a mountain of medical bills to even pay the required deductibles. Moreover, Kevin has recently learned that his 30-year employment with Anixter will be ending by the end of October. Sadly, just prior to his heart-attack Kevin learned that his entire department was sold to IBM where it will be outsourced and sent overseas. Kevin is losing his job and his ability to earn an income ahead is uncertain.
On behave of Kevin, Kathleen and my entire family, I have set-up this “Go Fund Me” with the goal to raise $6000.00. This cash is very much needed for Kevin and Kathleen and help them manage immediate, pressing bills, pay for much-needed items and help them through this dark chapter of their lives. Any amount donated would be helpful for Kevin and Kathleen and would be very much appreciated.
Thank you,
Mike Huttner
Organizer and beneficiary
Mike Huttner
Organizer
St. Charles, IL
kathleen huttner
Beneficiary
