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During Thanksgiving week, Gerald was feeling a little down and out and figured he had caught a cold. He kept up his routine but would go home and rest as much as he could. He stopped by both of the boys homes over the weekend but didn't stay long as he we just getting tired. Monday, November 28th Gerald texted Ray and said he would not be able to walk Felix (Ray & Rhonda's dog) that afternoon because he was just too tired. Gerald walked Felix twice a day, every day. When Ray got the text he called Gerald to see if he needed to go to the doctor. Gerald said to check in on his way home from work. When Ray got to Gerald's Gerald was packed and ready to go to the hospital. Ray took him to St. Francis in Shakopee. He was evaluated in the emergency room and found to have pneumonia. They admitted him to the hospital but had no extra beds. They kept him overnight and through the next day in the emergency room. At 2:30 am Wednesday morning 11/30 Chad got the call they were transferring Gerald to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis as they wanted to perform a bronchoscopy to help remove phlegm from his lungs. When he arrived at Abbott it was decided that his lungs would not handle the procedure and they admitted him into the ICU.
At this time he also tested positive for Influenza A. They would not allow Gerald to have visitors. He was in the ICU until Sunday, 12/4 and then moved to a pulmonary and respiratory care area. He is now able to have visitors.
What we have learned so far is that his lungs are in pretty bad shape and he struggles to absorb oxygen. 5-6 years ago, he was in a similar position with pneumonia and was put on a ventilator for a couple of weeks and in an induced coma. This time the doctors do not feel that his body could handle this and Gerald's wishes were to not be put on a ventilator again.
Gerald was given the option to just be made comfortable or fight a little longer. He chose to keep fighting as he was feeling pretty good and was coherent. We have spent quite a bit of time with him this past week and he has had several family members and friends stop in and visit.
The doctors do not know how long he can keep this up and we will continue to spend the time we can with him as his numbers slowly decline. We have some pretty great nurses taking care of him and giving him the care and attention he needs.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 20, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan, with an additional visitation on Wednesday, December 21, from 10-10:45 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 am, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 24425 Old Highway 13 Blvd, Jordan. Gerald will be laid to rest at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.
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