Caring for Jack Hoffmann
Donation protected
If you know Jack Hoffmann, you know he is one of the hardest-working people you will ever meet. And he can talk to anyone he meets. Talk to him long enough and you’ll discover his quick wit. A devoted father, husband, grandfather, and loyal employee he has been. He loves caring for his yard, his house, and his beehives. He can pack a moving box or shipping box better than a pro. Driving long-distance is in his blood. Dancing, however, is not.
But all of these things, and more, came to a halt the night of December 9, 2018, when Jack had a tragic fall, probably from a ladder while hanging Christmas lights from the roofline of his house. Jack was home alone when his accident happened so we can only speculate on how it all happened. By the grace of God, Jack’s wife of 41 years, Louise, arrived home and found Jack outside unconscious on the sidewalk. We cannot know how long Jack was unconscious before Louise found him. The fall resulted in fractured ribs, a punctured lung, a fractured clavicle, two broken vertebra, and most seriously, head trauma resulting in brain bleeding and a blood clot on his brain.
Following emergency brain surgery to remove the blood clot, Jack spent 3+ weeks in the University of Wisconsin Hospital neuro ICU, the first 7 days in a medically induced coma, hosting a breathing tube and a feeding tube. Slowly, slowly, Jack was prompted to move his fingers and toes, was brought out of the coma, only to speak in jumbled language. Some weeks have passed now, and Jack is progressing. He attends three different types of therapy each and every day. Reasoning and speaking skills are returning as well. Soon, he will be able to come home, but will still be in need of intensive and extended care.
What’s Next?
Jack and Louise’s family and friends have been strong and steady supporters, the house a flurry of comings and goings. Any and all gifts of meals and companionship have been so very welcome. And now, we come to a new phase of this traumatic experience. Jack and Louise are in need of financial support. There are medical expenses not covered by insurance, and living expenses that, without Jack’s income, are pressing. Ironically, Jack enrolled in disability insurance through his employer in late 2018, but the coverage is not effective until 2019. Sadly the accident happened in 2018, just weeks before the coverage would have begun. Jack has been the primary income for the family while Louise has been getting started in real estate. Louise is back working with clients as of the beginning of the New Year (and do call her if you have a real estate need!) but the world of real estate is an up and down world. And, to quote one of Jack’s favorite expressions, “Holy, Moly, Mucanoly”, getting back to work for Jack is a long way down the road.
Any amount that you can donate to assist with medical and living expenses is greatly appreciated. Jack and Louise help so many others simply out of the goodness of their hearts. May you find it in your heart to help them during this difficult period. Thank you for your support and your prayers.
Meanwhile, at the suggestion of his son, Jake, those Christmas lights remain lit while Jack recovers.
But all of these things, and more, came to a halt the night of December 9, 2018, when Jack had a tragic fall, probably from a ladder while hanging Christmas lights from the roofline of his house. Jack was home alone when his accident happened so we can only speculate on how it all happened. By the grace of God, Jack’s wife of 41 years, Louise, arrived home and found Jack outside unconscious on the sidewalk. We cannot know how long Jack was unconscious before Louise found him. The fall resulted in fractured ribs, a punctured lung, a fractured clavicle, two broken vertebra, and most seriously, head trauma resulting in brain bleeding and a blood clot on his brain.
Following emergency brain surgery to remove the blood clot, Jack spent 3+ weeks in the University of Wisconsin Hospital neuro ICU, the first 7 days in a medically induced coma, hosting a breathing tube and a feeding tube. Slowly, slowly, Jack was prompted to move his fingers and toes, was brought out of the coma, only to speak in jumbled language. Some weeks have passed now, and Jack is progressing. He attends three different types of therapy each and every day. Reasoning and speaking skills are returning as well. Soon, he will be able to come home, but will still be in need of intensive and extended care.
What’s Next?
Jack and Louise’s family and friends have been strong and steady supporters, the house a flurry of comings and goings. Any and all gifts of meals and companionship have been so very welcome. And now, we come to a new phase of this traumatic experience. Jack and Louise are in need of financial support. There are medical expenses not covered by insurance, and living expenses that, without Jack’s income, are pressing. Ironically, Jack enrolled in disability insurance through his employer in late 2018, but the coverage is not effective until 2019. Sadly the accident happened in 2018, just weeks before the coverage would have begun. Jack has been the primary income for the family while Louise has been getting started in real estate. Louise is back working with clients as of the beginning of the New Year (and do call her if you have a real estate need!) but the world of real estate is an up and down world. And, to quote one of Jack’s favorite expressions, “Holy, Moly, Mucanoly”, getting back to work for Jack is a long way down the road.
Any amount that you can donate to assist with medical and living expenses is greatly appreciated. Jack and Louise help so many others simply out of the goodness of their hearts. May you find it in your heart to help them during this difficult period. Thank you for your support and your prayers.
Meanwhile, at the suggestion of his son, Jake, those Christmas lights remain lit while Jack recovers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Brenda Lohry
Organizer
Madison, WI
Louise Hoffmann
Beneficiary