Tag Archives: hospitals

Day 222: Steve

A good friend of mine found out last week that he has stage 4 lung cancer. He’s 44 or 45, a nonsmoker and in great shape. He’s been extremely active all of his life playing competitive lacrosse, football, hockey – you name it. You cannot find a nicer guy and I was stunned when I heard the news.

While this is a devastating blow and his health has been in the most precarious of states this last week, he manages to fight. A loving husband and father of four, he’s got a lot to fight for.

He’s still got his sense of humor though. I saw him Sunday night and even though he was under heavy meds and had breathing tubes in his mouth preventing him from talking, he tried to get the nurse to go out on a date with me. You gotta love’em.

Steve can beat this – he’s a champion at heart and physically is as strong as they come, but if you have a minute today, I ask you to send him and his family some positive thoughts.

Day 222

Steve,

It was great to see you on Sunday. I thought I’d send you a little old school mail today. So many people are praying for you and sending their love and support to you and your beautiful family: Forlenza, Herman, Sasse, Richie, Hubbard, Kristy & Val Windom, Bubbles, Tobey, St. Amour, Landon, UNC …the list goes on.

You’re doing great and I heard they took you off the ventilator today. That is awesome news. Stay strong, keep fighting and know that TEAM MUIR is all in this together.

Keep fighting brother!
Reed

Day 167: Anonymous note left at blood lab

Yesterday was the Worldwide Day of Giving. It’s a day that celebrates altruistic giving and was born out of my first year-long project: the Year of Giving. It was a lot of fun and if you want to read the story about who I gave my $10 to, check out my blog post yesterday.

Today, I continued the giving. I went to GW Faculty Associates lab this morning to give some blood, well not really give, but have some collected to check my cholesterol. I don’t enjoy getting my blood taken, and don’t think I’m alone on this, so I thought I would leave an anonymous letter with a little surprise inside.

Day 167

Hello!

Nobody likes to have lab work done – so here’s a little something to brighten your day. Who doesn’t like to find an envelope with money inside?

Enjoy!

 

Day 160: Michael

I received terrible news that a friend of mine and leader in the community suffered a stroke on Sunday and was hospitalized. I went over to see him at the hospital. Unfortunately he is in a coma, they lower his sedation a few times a day and he does respond to commands. The medical evaluation concluded that the stroke took place very close to the brain stem and that it could have severe implications. And while the gravity of the situation was clear, I find some hope in the words of Dr. Richard Harvey, director of stroke rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

“Dramatic recovery from a brain stem stroke is possible because brain stem strokes do not usually affect language ability, the patient is able to participate more fully in rehabilitation therapy. Most deficits are motor-related, not cognitive.”

I sat with my friend, held his hand and spoke to him. I told him how much we all love him and are hoping for his speedy recovery.

Keep fighting Michael – we need you brother!

Day 160

Michael,

I stopped by to see you and let you know how much all of us at Street Sense are thinking about you. You are an inspiration to me on how to effectively work with the community to help our less fortunate neighbors. We love you and wish you a speedy recovery.

Reed Sandridge