Support Guy's Recovery
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On Wednesday, October 8, 2014, my forty-nine year old brother Guy Pilote, suffered a catastrophic left ischemic stroke in his Lewiston, Maine home after his morning workout and a three mile run. His life was saved by his daughter Nicole's quick thinking, and quality care given at our local hospital.
Guy has spent his life helping others. After 4 years of service in the US ARMY, Guy became a police officer for the Lewiston Police Department. During this time, Guy received the State of Maine Top Cop award for his bravery after saving a baby from a burning building. He also went to Washington DC to be honored there as he represented the State of Maine for this award. A few years later he changed careers and became a fire fighter for the City of Lewiston and completed his college degree. Guy just retired in 2014 from the Lewiston Fire Department to work full time for his new business, Tancrede Building Movers, that he recently purchased from his brother-in-law who succumbed to terminal cancer in August of 2013. Guy has been a life long resident of the community and together with his wife Susan, raised his family, Justin and Nicole and step-son Devon while serving the community and supporting his extended family and his church in countless ways.
The events of October 8th have changed our lives forever. Guy's stroke caused tissue death in approximately 75% of his left hemisphere and he needed life saving surgery to remove his skull cap to help reduce swelling. Guy is receiving excellent care at Maine Medical Center but has a very long and expensive road to recovery ahead of him. He has suffered some complications that have extended his stay in ICU. It is expected that he will spend 4-6 weeks in the hospital before going to an inpatient rehab facility, most likely in the Portland area. He will have moderate to severe communication deficits, little use of his right arm, and we are hopeful that he may be able to walk with a cane. It is also a long term goal that Guy will return home, semi-independent but he will be unable to work at the level he is accustomed to, if at all.
Guy's wife Susan has not left his side during this journey and is now faced with quickly mounting medical bills as well as living expenses while she is at his side in Portland. In addition to the out of pocket medical expenses, as we get closer to his return home, modifications will need to be made to their home. A first floor bedroom will be a necessity as well as modifying the set up in their home's only bathroom. Sue may also need to purchase transportation that will accommodate his ever changing physical needs as well as other expenses we haven't even considered yet.
We live in a fabulous community and that is why I am asking for a little help for my brother and his family. Those of you that know him, understand that Guy is typically the one offering his help, or a hand, or support when others are in need. He would never ask for help for himself and has worked incredibly hard throughout his life for all that he has. He is in the fight of his life, FOR his life, and knowing that his family has the support of our community will allow him to focus on healing his mind and his body as far as God will allow. Please consider helping in any way that you can.
A benefit is being planned for January 10, 2015 at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston to celebrate Guy's 50th birthday and help with his recovery expenses. Guy's sister-in-law Lisa Laliberte will be sharing details as soon as they are finalized, and we hope to see you all there so please save the date.
Also, any donation you can make or to simply share this link to their story so others might help, will be greatly appreciated by all of us. Please keep sending your prayers and positive thoughts....they re mking such a difference. Thank you all!
Guy has spent his life helping others. After 4 years of service in the US ARMY, Guy became a police officer for the Lewiston Police Department. During this time, Guy received the State of Maine Top Cop award for his bravery after saving a baby from a burning building. He also went to Washington DC to be honored there as he represented the State of Maine for this award. A few years later he changed careers and became a fire fighter for the City of Lewiston and completed his college degree. Guy just retired in 2014 from the Lewiston Fire Department to work full time for his new business, Tancrede Building Movers, that he recently purchased from his brother-in-law who succumbed to terminal cancer in August of 2013. Guy has been a life long resident of the community and together with his wife Susan, raised his family, Justin and Nicole and step-son Devon while serving the community and supporting his extended family and his church in countless ways.
The events of October 8th have changed our lives forever. Guy's stroke caused tissue death in approximately 75% of his left hemisphere and he needed life saving surgery to remove his skull cap to help reduce swelling. Guy is receiving excellent care at Maine Medical Center but has a very long and expensive road to recovery ahead of him. He has suffered some complications that have extended his stay in ICU. It is expected that he will spend 4-6 weeks in the hospital before going to an inpatient rehab facility, most likely in the Portland area. He will have moderate to severe communication deficits, little use of his right arm, and we are hopeful that he may be able to walk with a cane. It is also a long term goal that Guy will return home, semi-independent but he will be unable to work at the level he is accustomed to, if at all.
Guy's wife Susan has not left his side during this journey and is now faced with quickly mounting medical bills as well as living expenses while she is at his side in Portland. In addition to the out of pocket medical expenses, as we get closer to his return home, modifications will need to be made to their home. A first floor bedroom will be a necessity as well as modifying the set up in their home's only bathroom. Sue may also need to purchase transportation that will accommodate his ever changing physical needs as well as other expenses we haven't even considered yet.
We live in a fabulous community and that is why I am asking for a little help for my brother and his family. Those of you that know him, understand that Guy is typically the one offering his help, or a hand, or support when others are in need. He would never ask for help for himself and has worked incredibly hard throughout his life for all that he has. He is in the fight of his life, FOR his life, and knowing that his family has the support of our community will allow him to focus on healing his mind and his body as far as God will allow. Please consider helping in any way that you can.
A benefit is being planned for January 10, 2015 at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston to celebrate Guy's 50th birthday and help with his recovery expenses. Guy's sister-in-law Lisa Laliberte will be sharing details as soon as they are finalized, and we hope to see you all there so please save the date.
Also, any donation you can make or to simply share this link to their story so others might help, will be greatly appreciated by all of us. Please keep sending your prayers and positive thoughts....they re mking such a difference. Thank you all!
Organizer
Susan Cote Shaw
Organizer
Lewiston, ME