Update regarding Bruce 06/08/25: 

I’m sorry I haven’t really given an update the past few weeks. There were a lot of setbacks and unknowns after Bruce’s admission. He wound up getting a peg tube put in, after he got the NGtube. His body didn’t like the peg tube and was basically rejecting. A hematoma had developed at the site of the peg tube, which became infected. The doctors finally decided to pull it. They put an NG tube back in and he’s been healing from that setback. 

We have now found out, NONE of Bruce’s short term disability will be covered by his insurance. The rehab hospital he was supposed to go to and got accepted to, is now denying him because of him having the NG tube rather than the peg tube. The doctors plan to release Bruce to go home with his NG tube and he will be receiving a set amount of in-home therapies. If Bruce does not regain his swallow function in the next 2-4 weeks, he will have to get another peg tube put in place. The NG tube is for short term use.

Original:

Hi everyone, this is Caitlin, Bruce’s younger sister. I’m trying to find the words to type but this is something that we never thought we’d have to do. Bruce went to the hospital yesterday, May 14th, he woke up and knew something wasn’t right with himself. After multiple tests and spending the day in the ER, the MRI revealed he had a mini stroke. Bruce has some lasting effects from the mini stroke. With rehab and time, they are optimistic he will recover well. Things are still very fresh so there is still a lot of unknowns. As was just stated, he will need to spend some time in a rehab facility. This means he will be out of work for a while, even after getting released from rehab.

With that being said Bruce is ALWAYS the first person that is ready and willing to help anyone and everyone. That includes giving the shirt off of his own back. He is an Advanced EMT and has been working EMS full time for the last 13 years. Before that he was in the junior fire department. Needless to say Bruce has been helping people professionally since he was 15! He is the best son/grandson/nephew/brother/uncle/cousin anyone would be lucky to have. He is literally a one in a million kind of person.

Now it is our turn to help him. Even though he is in the hospital and will be going to a rehab center, the rest of the world doesn’t stop. He still has rent, car payment, insurance, phone bills etc. that will just keep coming in. While he does have disability coverage, it’s not going to come close to what he makes as Bruce works a lot of over time. He is going to need our help. It is our turn to help someone who helps people on a daily basis without expecting anything in return. We normally never post family stuff like this or ask for help publicly. We thank you for any donations you are able to make!

sincerely,

Caitlin-on behalf of our whole family

P.S. Bruce is set up as the beneficiary, everything raised is going directly to him! He will use it to help cover bills or to assist with travel expenses.