Steve Mainelli Healing + Recovery Fund
Donation protected
As many people close to our family already know, in September of last year, our dad, Steve Mainelli, was hospitalized with a severe case of West Nile Virus.
On a Monday morning, Dad visited his doctor with flu-like symptoms. By the end of the day he was having trouble moving his legs and was admitted to Methodist Hospital. After three days in the hospital, Dad was unable to eat or speak coherently. After an onset of seizures and worrisome brain scans, Dad was transferred to the ICU and placed on a breathing machine.
For the next few weeks the virus continued to attack his nervous and muscular systems, causing complete paralysis and bouts of pneumonia. In this severely compromised state, the doctors were honest about the possibility of Dad not waking up.
But he did. For the first time in weeks he opened his eyes and was eventually able to breath on his own again. 6 weeks after being admitted to Methodist, he was discharged to Madonna Rehab.
With the help of intensive physical, speech, and occupational therapy he regained the ability to speak and to partially move his upper body. As difficult and painful as it was to complete the therapy sessions, Dad fought hard and didn’t lose focus.
Around Christmas, we got our first glimpses of the Dad we know -- cracking jokes and regaining some of his lost clarity. He was able to eat solid food again and getting stronger every day.
In January, Dad was transferred to QLI where he continued his daily therapy, and on March 1, 2019 he came home - still unable to move his lower extremities.
Although he's come so far, Dad still faces a long road ahead. When he'll be able to return to work remains uncertain and insurance has limited the number of out-patient therapy treatments they're willing to cover.
We're all optimistic, though! Dad's doing as much strength training as he can at home, and continues to slowly regain muscle control in his legs.
The truth is, though, after months of round-the-clock care and innumerable procedures and tests, the bills are staggering. The ongoing cost of transportation to out-patient therapy, the prospect of purchasing a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle, and unanticipated home care expenses mean that debts continue to accumulate.
It's not an easy thing to ask for help, especially when we recognize how fortunate we are to have our dad/grandpa/husband/brother/friend still with us. Our family is already SO grateful for the support we've received from SO many during these extremely hard months.
If you're able to contribute even the smallest amount to Dad's return to a full and independent life, please know you have our endless, endless thanks and love.
- Mainelli family
On a Monday morning, Dad visited his doctor with flu-like symptoms. By the end of the day he was having trouble moving his legs and was admitted to Methodist Hospital. After three days in the hospital, Dad was unable to eat or speak coherently. After an onset of seizures and worrisome brain scans, Dad was transferred to the ICU and placed on a breathing machine.
For the next few weeks the virus continued to attack his nervous and muscular systems, causing complete paralysis and bouts of pneumonia. In this severely compromised state, the doctors were honest about the possibility of Dad not waking up.
But he did. For the first time in weeks he opened his eyes and was eventually able to breath on his own again. 6 weeks after being admitted to Methodist, he was discharged to Madonna Rehab.
With the help of intensive physical, speech, and occupational therapy he regained the ability to speak and to partially move his upper body. As difficult and painful as it was to complete the therapy sessions, Dad fought hard and didn’t lose focus.
Around Christmas, we got our first glimpses of the Dad we know -- cracking jokes and regaining some of his lost clarity. He was able to eat solid food again and getting stronger every day.
In January, Dad was transferred to QLI where he continued his daily therapy, and on March 1, 2019 he came home - still unable to move his lower extremities.
Although he's come so far, Dad still faces a long road ahead. When he'll be able to return to work remains uncertain and insurance has limited the number of out-patient therapy treatments they're willing to cover.
We're all optimistic, though! Dad's doing as much strength training as he can at home, and continues to slowly regain muscle control in his legs.
The truth is, though, after months of round-the-clock care and innumerable procedures and tests, the bills are staggering. The ongoing cost of transportation to out-patient therapy, the prospect of purchasing a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle, and unanticipated home care expenses mean that debts continue to accumulate.
It's not an easy thing to ask for help, especially when we recognize how fortunate we are to have our dad/grandpa/husband/brother/friend still with us. Our family is already SO grateful for the support we've received from SO many during these extremely hard months.
If you're able to contribute even the smallest amount to Dad's return to a full and independent life, please know you have our endless, endless thanks and love.
- Mainelli family
Organizer and beneficiary
Patrick Mainelli
Organizer
Omaha, NE
Stephen Mainelli
Beneficiary
