Rich Kirschke

This CaringBridge website is for Rich Kirschke.  Dee will use it keep family and friends updated on his recovery.  We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.  Thank you for visiting. 


Many Thanks to Walter Smith for setting this up for Rich and I. (Dee)

Rich is currently at UNC hospital in Chapel Hill, NC.  He continues to show small improvements each day.  Recovery from brain trama is a slow and tedious process.  For now, Dee request no visitors at this time.  He becomes easily tired and needs rest for his brain to heal.  His daughters are here now and are assisting with his care.     Dee will update this page with journal entries.  Subscribing to the email and text updates will keep everyone informed on his progress.
Rich is scheduled to be moved to the UNC rehab floor on Tuesday.  Please continue to keep him in your Prayers.  Send cards to:
Richard Kirschke
Room 7340
UNC Medical Center
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC  27514


I'll backtrack a little to fill everyone in.  I know how things can get muddled when passing along information.
Tuesday, January 9, Rich and I were trying to fix a blind on the upper window in the living room.  He was on a 15 foot ladder and after we struggled with the blind, we decided to give up.  He turned to hand me the screwdriver and in doing so, lost his balance.  Thankfully, he was able to turn himself in mid-air and land facing down.  He was unconscious for 15 minutes.  When he awoke, he could not speak.  This was the determining factor in the paramedics sending him to UNC Chapel Hill via helicopter.  (Thanks to Charles Pope and his beautiful field/landing area ). He has 5 segmentally  broken ribs and a traumatic brain injury.  
Since admission to the ICU, he has improved significantly.  This weekend his daughters, Heather Feldner PT PhD and Jillian Kirschke OT MS, flew in and worked with him.  Before leaving, they gave me a very encouraging prognosis.  Brain trauma causes many different symptoms, depending on where the major part of the injury is.  One thing that is consistent for all patients is fatigue.  To heel the brain, rest is very important.  After a session with the therapist, he is very tired.  Therefore, we are asking for folks to hold off visiting until he has more stamina.
If you need to speak with me, my cell is (910)850-8528.  I will be updating this log as the days progress.  The prediction is for a slow and, hopefully, steady improvement.  He will be in the Rehab Unit here at UNC for 2 to 3 weeks.  
Please continue to pray for him, it's working.  I am also benefiting from being surrounded by prayer.
Peace,   Dee