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Chuck has had a rough time as of late. He has been in and out of the hospital since February 2018. He first went to RW hospital with an irregular and fast heart beat (Atrial Fib). He was there for about a week, came home and went back with shortness of breath so they transferred him to Mayo in Rochester where he stayed for about another week. They discharged him and he was home for about 48 hours and was admitted to the RW hospital because his blood pressure dropped very low and his heart started racing, yet again. He has congestive heart failure as well as pneumonia due to aspirating food into his lungs. Due to the aspirating, he had a peg tube placed in his stomach to provide the nutrients he needs that he can no longer get through food. He is also on oxygen and moving about is very taxing for him. He was at the hospital in Lake City in a "swing bed" for a couple of weeks and on April 5th he was transferred to Red Wing Health Center to finish his rehab. Where he will go from here will depend on how his rehab goes and how much care he will need on a long term basis once he is done with rehab.
Chuck has been a model patient and remains in positive spirits, rarely complaining despite his long hospital and now nursing home stays. He keeps his nurses and doctors laughing with his wit and "jokes". Although he is quite sleepy he has enjoyed reading and watching TV but he misses having friends to talk with and share his jokes with. Now that he is back in Red Wing, it would be wonderful if you have a few minutes to stop by and say hello and chat with him for a bit. He does not have a phone in his rooms and therefore cannot take phone calls. We are hoping to move him to an assisted living situation where he and my mom can be together as soon as he is well enough to do so.
Thank you to all the wonderful friends and family who have been so supportive through this situation. Please continue to keep Chuck and Dawna in your thoughts and prayers.
If you wish to send him a card or note, please send it to their apartment at the Plaza and Mom will deliver them on her daily visits: Chuck McMillen 434 West 4th St. Apt 811 Red Wing, MN 55066
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