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Bassenden Family

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On Saturday, October 10th, 2015, Donald Bassenden suffered a brain bleed due to an aneurysm.  It was very sudden and shocking to the family (wife Jehan, son Brandon and daughter Kiki).  Donald was transferred to Iowa University Hospital via helicopter later that day to undergo an emergency brain surgery that would evacuate the large hematoma in his brain. The surgery was successful, but Donald was placed in an induced coma so his body would be able to heal.  Once he came out of the coma, Donald continued to suffer from various infections and other discomforts.  The times he has felt most at peace with his situation were those when he was surrounded by his family and children.

Donald has recently been discharged from the hospital and was transferred to an intensive inpatient rehab at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, IA.  The hospital placed a gastric feeding tube before he was discharged.  Don was very happy when he knew that he was going to be discharged but when he was told that he was going to be admitted into a rehab facility, he said, " I just want to be with my family".   He gains his strength from his children and wife.

If everything goes well, the doctor from the University of Iowa Hospital will replace the hole in his skull after 6 weeks. For the meantime, in rehab, Don will be undergoing 3 hours of therapy a day. He is progressing slowly.  His mental status is relatively flat right now but at least he is responding when somebody is talking to him. His left side of the body is still not moving. There is hope that rehab will help him from that perspective.

The Bassenden's have no family here in the United States.  Jehan is traveling back and forth as often as she can between Donald's hospital in Waterloo and Des Moines.  Because she has to be in Des Moines to care for her children and make sure their needs are met and their lives are as "normal" as possible, Jehan is unable to spend long periods of time with Donald.   The children are able to see him for short visits only on weekends.

Medical bills and travel expenses have quickly begun to add up for this family. I am appealling to you on behalf of the Bassendens because of the generous spirit of the Saint Francis community  when one of its members is in distress.  Please consider making a monetary donation to the family during this time of great need.  Donald's recovery will be long and arduous and the family is appreciative of any support you can give.

Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

 "Let all that you do be done in love."
                                                      1 Corinthians 16:14
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Donations 

  • Peter & Barb Flynn
    • $50 
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Carol Gaul
Organizer
West Des Moines, IA
Jehan and Donald Bassenden
Beneficiary

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