Dennis Dillingham Recovery & Rehabilitation Fund

Please help us raise money to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of our dad, Dennis Dillingham, a loving husband, father of 7children, grandfather of 28 and a great grandfather to a baby boy who was born the same day he entered the hospital.

On October 11th Dennis went into the hospital for a routine surgery, 4 days later he was discharged and sent home. A few hours after returning home he became very sick, he was readmitted later that day. After a CT Scan and some other tests, it was determined that he was suffering from internal bleeding related to the surgery and a gastric ulcer. After spending a couple hours in the hospital, he was transferred to the ICU, early the next morning, he went into full cardiac arrest due to a significant loss of blood. He was successfully resuscitated and spent the next 50 days in the ICU, for 30 of those days he was in a medically induced coma on a ventilator due to a severe case of pneumonia and lung infection which set in a few days after returning to the hospital. During his time in the ICU he received over 34 units of blood, and had several scopes and another surgery. While in the ICU he also experienced kidney failure and had to begin regular sessions of dialysis. On December 12th Dennis was transferred from the ICU to an Acute Rehabilitation Hospital where he began his long and painful journey of rehabilitation. He has started an intensive program learning how to eat, how to stand and walk and how to care for himself. His sweet companion of over 50 years, Jacque, is right there by his side each day from morning until evening. Their endearing love for each other is evident in all they do as they work together through the most difficult situation either of them have ever had to face.

Dennis is a humble and faithful man who at the age of 73, until entering the hospital, has continued to work hard every day to make ends meet. He is determined and is currently working on physical and occupational therapy and conditioning for several hours a day. In the past few days with the assistance of his physical therapist he has been able to take his first steps in over two months. We are thrilled with each baby step of progress, but we also understand his recovery and rehabilitation will take many months and the impact of his extended hospitalization and critical illness will result in many permanent changes in our parents lives.

The love, faith, prayers, and words of encouragement from so many friends and family members over the past months have been greatly appreciated. We truly have seen miracles and many tender mercies as our dad has been able to survive and to make it as far as he has. There have been many who asked what they can do to help, we have established this GoFundMe which will assist with some of the medical expenses that are quickly piling up.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you – Dan, Shawna, Mishelle, Shelena, Alicha, Chandra, Kristyn