Eric Olson Eric Olson (Ole)

Eric Peter Olson, known to many as “Ole” is in the Intensive Care Unit at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. On Halloween morning Eric went to leave the yard and ended up at the end of the driveway repeatedly falling down, talking jibberish, was very confused, and freezing.  He complained of a stomach ache and flu like symptoms a few days before, blaming a new med change for the foot he had surgery on this summer. 

An officer happened to drive by and saw Eric lying in the driveway, and returned to assist as we were trying to lift him out of a frozen puddle.  He couldn't stand or walk.  The officer called 911, responders arrived and the Amery ambulance loaded him up.  They then decided that he needed to be airlifted to a trauma center like Regions.  The helicopter arrived in the hay field next to our driveway and Eric flew away.  

We arrived at the emergency room where Eric was more coherent but soon deteriorated, becoming less able to talk and had rapid heart rate and breathing.  After 5 hours he was moved from the ER for ICU on the 6th floor.  His breathing was so rapid the doctors incubated him and the machine is now breathing for him.

Overnight he worsened and this morning the doc gave a grave report.  The family all arrived.   We met with the docs mid-morning when they were a little more optimistic.  He will remain on the respirator for at least 3 days and probably be hospitalized for at least 3 weeks, depending on his condition. The doc said Eric is probably the sickest patient he has on this ICU floor.  He is not out of the woods yet.

Eric is being treated with multiple IVs including 3 antibiotics, vitamins, supplements, platelets, and other things. He has a very serious E Coli infection, zero platelets to clot his blood, numerous serious abrasions from falling in the driveway including both knees, both buttocks, both elbows and the back of his shoulders and head.  They are also treating for alcohol withdrawals, pneumonia, and whatever else.  

We hope and pray that Eric can improve and get well. He is heavily sedated for now and unable to respond.  While we appreciate all of you who would like to come and visit him, please wait and give him a few days to improve so he will know you are here and enjoy your visit. They are still doing a lot of tests and the staff are in and out constantly; we want to give them plenty of space during these initial days.  We will post his progress as things change.  Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.  Sherry Gjonnes, Eric’s mother.