Joe Ruelle

Our dear friend, Joe, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive, inoperable brain tumor. On Thursday, January 26th, Joe left work thinking he had sinusitis, feeing a lot of pressure in his head. He came up to see me on Friday but went to bed when he arrived, feeling fluish. Then on Saturday, Jan. 28 he started getting confused and could not find his way around my house. For instance , he would get up to use the bathroom, and instead of going back into the bedroom, he'd wonder into another room or the garage or basement.  Thinking his sugar level was low, we tried to bring it back up with some orange juice. On Sunday morning he seemed a little better but by the afternoon he was becoming disoriented again. I went to school late Sunday afternoon to make sub plans in case Joe wasn't better on Monday. When I returned, I found him in his truck, motor running, with his puppy, wearing my black woman's coat. Thank God I got there before he drove off! I told my dear friends Marci and Fran, both in the medical profession, what was happening, and they told me to get him to the ER. We went to the Park Falls ER where they ran a number of tests. The CT scan showed a mass deep in his brain near the brain stem which we later found out was blocking a drainage tube in the ventricle, causing fluid buildup. That buildup was causing his confusion. He was transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield at 9 PM Sunday night. A shunt was put in his brain to allow the CFS fluid to drain. And, thankfully, Joe was himself again. He is doing OK as we run through the gamut of emotions that this type of trauma can cause. On a lighter note, Joe woke up thinking he was in an ice fishing suite at the hospital! Now there's a novel idea! And ladies, the next time you see Joe, hide your coats!


On Thursday, Feb. 2, Joe will have a biopsy to determine if the tumor is cancerous.  We should know the results of the biopsy by Thursday, Feb. 9.  Then the docs will determine the best course of treatment.  We will keep you posted. Thanks a million for your prayers, love and support!