Jim’s Story

Site created on November 30, 2023

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place.  On October 19th Jim was lifting a grill and had a hard time breathing, when he tried to speak no words would come out, and what did come out didn’t make sense. He caught his breath and moved on with his day. He started coughing a lot in the weeks to come and went to Spring Grove Clinic. They performed an ECG and X-Ray and said he had a heart attack. Tuesday November 28th Jim fell at home around 4 am and Trina took him to the emergency department at Gundersen in La Crosse, WI. When he arrived his blood sugar was as low as 20. He was able to still communicate but had a difficult time breathing. The cardiologist explained that Jim has a blood clot in his heart, heart failure on both sides of the heart, coronary artery disease and emphysema. Two major arteries are 100% blocked. Jim was also diagnosed with Stage III Kidney Disease in 2017, and his kidney and liver function is low. He was transferred to Abbott Heart Hospital CVICU in Minneapolis Wednesday November 29th and is currently still there. More in depth updates are under his journal. We appreciate all the prayers and kind words. 

Newest Update

April 26, 2024

Journal entry by Trina Scanlan —

Jim is doing very good. He was moved out of ICU last night to a regular cardiac room, which is a huge suite. He is talking and was sitting up in a chair already yesterday. Now to get chest drain tubes and fowley out. There will be lots of education on how to care for LVAD and his wound. His doctor made a comment that he would like to get Him home next week. I think that's wishful thinking! He is happy to see some of the same nurses that he had before and is being overly nice 😂
Some of you asked for his address.
His address here is:
Abbott Northwestern Hospital 
H400, Patient Care Unit -
James Scanlan Room H4026
800 E. 28th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407-3799
Read More of the journal titled "April 26, 2024"
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Jim Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Jim's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Leave a comment of support for Jim

Did you know? A quick comment, no matter the situation (positive or negative), can boost morale by 28.2%.

Comments Hide comments

Load more comments
Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser
Support Links
Helpful Requests
Go to Ways to Help
SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top