Celebration of life for Damian Mulinix

On Monday March 18th close friend, award winning photographer and member of the Olympic Photo Group photo team Damian Mulinix suffered a MASSIVE STROKE at this home while with his family.  Damian was flown by helicopter from Ilwaco, Washington to Portland, Oregon to be treated for his injuries. Damian is currently in a coma at this time and has a long road to recovery as his body adapts to the trauma of having a stroke in the brain.

Damian has given the gift of award winning photography to all of us throughout the state of Washington for the past 20 years might it be in editorial, lifestyle, wedding, commercial, graduation, school or gymnastics photography.  His gift behind the camera has brought smiles to communities across the state of Washington for over 20 plus years.

On December 25, 2018 Damian started a new chapter in his life and proposed to his love Natalie St. John and their wedding is set for August 10, 2019.  This Go Fund Me page is being set up to help Damian as he starts his long road to recovery. Those that know Damian on a personal level know the passion he brings day in an day out might it be watching his kids play sports, singing a song with Natalie while playing a guitar at the house, experimenting crazy buffet foods with fellow photographers on weekend gymnastics meets and creating magic behind the lens of a camera. 

Damian to all of us has over the years has been a husband, a father, a friend, a co-worker, a photographer and now a fighter who will not let this small hiccup detour his next chapter in his life. All donations to this Go Fund Me fund will be used to help Damian and his family get past this hiccup as he gears towards the next chapter of his life.


- UPDATE 03/21/2019 
Damian was taken off the breathing machine and able to breath on his own today.  He was surrounded by friends and family as he opened his eyes for the first time and slightly gave everybody in the room a joyful smirk / smile as he started to wake up.  Those in the room took turns holding his hand, talking to him, hugging him and feeling Damian oh so softly touching them back.  Though he could not speak, and movement was limited he was able to hold our hands and look at the person in front of him talking to him at that moment.  Damiens Right Eye, Right Arm and Right Leg have been effected by this MASSIVE hemorrhagic stroke located in the center / left side of his brain.

-UPDATE 03/22/2019
Damian Mulinix's not out of the woods - swelling and bleeding on the brain are still a big risk for the next week. However, he is off of life support and recognizing his loved ones. He is very sad and confused and could use encouragement and reminders of what he's fighting for. So, Peninsula people, if you have a photo or a card you could share, Vinessa Karnofski and Jarrod Karnofski are there briefly today, and along with Nat's sister will be going by the Observer office in a bit and can collect things there. No live plants, please, they are not allowed in critical care. Thank you to all that have donated to this Go Fund Me, visited and reached out to us.

- UPDATE 3/24/2019
Damian is slowly coming along. With the switch of a female nurse from a male nurse his spirits have improved. No more trying to kick with his left leg at the male nurses head and more of a calm manner allowing the female nurse to wash him and brush his teeth.  Natalie has been a trooper never leaving his side 24/7 and at times seeing glimpses of the old Damian before this stroke might it be a look, smirk or popping a feel or as she puts it "He's still in there".  Damian is a fighter "HE'S GOT THIS" - Thanks to everybody who has donated, prayed and showed support.

- UPDATE 3/26/2019
Update, Damian has had a ruff 36 hours in the CCU unit.  The hospital staff has informed the family that Damian will be in the CCU unit longer then planned. Damian vomited so hard his feeding tube came out which is necessary for food and medicines and his nose starter bleeding so they could not put the tube back in. The radiologist replaced it yesterday after giving Damian good meds to put his body at ease . We still have (3) days till the swelling risk goes down.  The latest CT scan was unchanged despite slightly more swelling.  For those coming up to visit a Lord of the rings book has been placed near his bed for everyone to read to him.

-UPDATE 3/27/2019
Things are pretty scary right now. Damian had a seizure yesterday morning, caused by increased swelling in his brain. He has been asleep almost constantly for almost 24 hours, which may be partly exhaustion from a tough couple of days and a long seizure. But it may also be a sign that his brain is under far too much pressure.
There are not a lot of options for treatment if the current one stops working. He will have a scan later today that will guide our decisions about what happens next.
For the moment, his vitals are stable, and we are hoping against hope for a change. Family and friends are rallying around him, and the love and support from all of you is helping us get through this awful time. His care team is phenomenal. The family is absolutely humbled by the kindness and generosity you've blessed thm with in this awful, heartbreaking week. 

-UPDATES 3/28/2019
Damian had another CT scan yesterday with no signs of  swelling.  Yesterday he was more alert, more stable vitals but still needing LOTS of treatment. The family has decided to continue with the current treatment for as long as it works before deciding what to do next. Words from Natalia yesterday "I will still go the distance with him is that's what he wants and we make it out of this medical Hotel California".  There is a Facebook Page set up for Damian - Mulinix love find it a join. Today we practice patience. No changes to Damian’s progress. Wait for his brain to heal, give him and Natalie St. John space to rest and be together. Support and comfort family and friends. And wait. Patience and wait is all we can do at this time.

-UPDATES 3/30/2019
Sadly, Damian Mulinix’s journey is coming to the end. The decision to remove him from the CCU unit was tuff but it was time to place him in palliative care.  Life being institutionalized or severely, permanently handicapped was not a life he would ever want to live. Damian’s kidney’s are not flushing the meds out quick enough and his body is not recovering from meds / sleep and treatment.  

Damian is currently surround by family in the palliative care unit of the hospital until he passes in the coming night / weekend.  Thank you all for your love, support and prayers. We will post when it is over. Damian has his family at his bedside.

-UPDATE 3/30/2019
AT 2:49 AM DAMIAN'S FIGHT CAME TO AN END. DAMIAN IS IN A BETTER PLACE.

-UPDATE 4/01/2019
His celebration of life will be on May 11th, in Long Beach, WA. All are welcome.