We have detected that JavaScript is currently disabled. CaringBridge is best viewed with JavaScript enabled.

Mitch’s Story

Site created on November 4, 2020

Welcome to Mitch’s CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Mitch can use all the prayers and positive thoughts you are willing to offer at this time. - bobbi

Mitch started feeling ill last Friday (October 30th.) He struggled through the weekend with a stomach flu and spent most of the weekend in bed. As Monday came around he said he was feeling better, but by Monday evening he wasn’t and was extremely weak. On Tuesday, I asked to take him in to the walk-in, but he refused because he said he was feeling better. In the early evening he came out of the bedroom and said I needed to take him to the ER. I ran up the stairs to get him and he started making odd noises and mumbled that he couldn’t move. He fell backwards into the kitchen island. I called 911 and when the EMTs/Sheriffs Department arrived he was on the verge of passing out. They were able to keep him awake until the Ambulance arrived. The EMTs estimated that due to the symptoms he was presenting it was likely a drug interaction issue after they went through his med list.

He was transported to the ER at Essentia and by that point was completely unresponsive. They ran a battery of tests and had thought he might have an infection in his pancreas and lungs. Around 10pm he was moved to the ICU as they determined there was no trauma (he didn’t hit his head when he fell or was otherwise injured from the trip to the Hospital) to treat in the ER.

In the ICU, he was still unresponsive and they continued to test. He was having trouble breathing so a respirator was put in place. His kidneys were showing some signs of failure as well. I was sent home around 10 pm due to COVID restrictions on visitors. (Tests showed that he does not have COVID.)

At 3 am on Wednesday (11/4) I received a call that his kidneys had completely failed and that he had high amounts of acid in his system (due to the kidney failure) that they were treating, along with an infection in his lungs. He was still unresponsive and the Dr was concerned that he was deteriorating fast. He said he would call with any updates.

I was able to return to the hospital at 9 am (visiting hours restrictions) and met the team doctoring him doing the rounds at his room. He is still unresponsive, has been diagnosed with pneumonia, has complete kidney failure (is on dialysis), liver function issues which are causing extremely high amounts of acid in his body. The acid is now concerning to the Dr in regards to brain function and mobility. They also noted a blood clot in his leg that they are watching closely. As he recovers, physical therapy will likely be needed to get him back to 100%. The Dr said best case scenario is that he will be out of the ICU in three-four days, but we are far from out of the woods at this point.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Bobbi Bricker — Nov 19, 2020

**Final Post**

I’ve been trying to find a way to put all the words together. Thank you. I’m overwhelmed. My work families (Forum Communications and Scheels) and Horace Elementary have been so amazingly supportive through it all... Mitch’s death and the past days have felt all a bit surreal. But, even if I’ve been a little quiet, please know I’m SO thankful. My little family has been blessed with so many gifts, cards, meals, gestures, and more... I was joking with my boss yesterday that I have a pretty fantastic way of making myself awkward, and now this. 🤷‍♀️ Please know we (me and the boys) are OK, we are working our way through our new routine, taking time to feel the feels, but also doing our best to put one foot in front of the other. For anyone who watched the funeral, we are focusing on getting through the valley, not pitching a tent and living there. In so many ways Mitch gave us a gift he will never know. We find peace that the earthly struggles he dealt with are no longer. We find peace knowing that we will meet again and he is with us always ❤️

(And for all who are wondering, we have no answers... His passing was a succession of bad luck. The dehydration, pneumonia, kidneys failing, then pancreas and liver, caused a chain of reactions his body couldn’t handle. The EMTs thought it was a medication reaction, but none of his meds were new to him and it didn’t appear he took a wrong dose. Please appreciate those you love, it is out of our hands, our earthly bodies are just rented...)

Read More of the journal titled "November 19, 2020"

Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.

Help Mitch Stay Connected to Family and Friends

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

Comments Hide 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