Help ECFD Firefighter Robert Nuñez

Robert Nunez is a loving husband, father, career fireman, and part-time oncology pharmacy technician. His wife Katie is a nuclear technologist and they are expecting twins. The two also have a one-year old son, Harvey. On April 5th, 2018 the Nunez family was hit by surprise when their husband/father, Robert, was taken to the emergency room from his second job due to excruciating abdominal pain.  His wife Katie, who is currently 33 weeks pregnant with twins, stayed with him at the hospital where they waited for almost 3 hours before being seen while their one-year old son, Harvey, was with family at their home. Once Robert was examined and tests such as a CT scan were conducted, it was determined that Robert had a ruptured colon due to severe diverticulitis, which included multiple tiny perforations.  At this point, it became very serious and scary. A ruptured colon can cause bowel contents to spill out into the stomach which can lead to peritonitis, sepsis, and possibly death. Robert was experiencing a high fever, fast heart rate, and low blood pressure which necessitated prompt treatment. His many doctors initially had planned to prepare Robert for emergency surgery where they would remove the affected portion of his colon. However, the doctors concluded that with Robert's condition, surgery may be too risky. The new plan was that Robert would begin potent IV antibiotics and pain medication to combat the infection that was setting in due to the rupture along with resting his system through NPO status (nothing by mouth). Repeat scans were done and after a few days of the IV antibiotics, pain meds, and rest Robert began to start feeling a little better. Some of the perforations began to seal themselves and things were looking up. On the 12th, another CT scan was conducted which the doctors determined looked well enough for Robert to return home with rest and continuation of an oral antibiotic. The surgery which would remove the affected portion of his colon still needed to be done in due time. But, this would include a colostomy bag which Robert & Katie wanted to steer clear of for as long as possible because with a colostomy bag, Robert would miss out on the birth of their twins (one boy & one girl).

Unfortunately, Robert began to suffer from severe pain again on the 20th which prompted another ER visit. A CT scan determined that where the rupture in Robert's colon occurred an abscess had formed, yet another frightening complication. If the abscess were to rupture, fluid could leak into the abdomen and cause peritonitis putting Robert back in a life-threatening position. Robert was admitted to the hospital again and a procedure was done to insert a catheter into his abdomen which would drain the abscess. Through all this Katie, while pregnant with twins, was working full-time with a one-year-old at home. While at work, she began to experience labor pains and preeclampsia symptoms which prompted her own hospital visit. Thankfully, the twins weren’t quite ready to come out yet, and she was discharged. On the opposite side of the hospital, Robert contracted MRSA. He was beginning a new antibiotic to assist in alleviating the abscess and the MRSA. However, this new antibiotic sent him into Acute Renal Failure. On the 24th, Katie and Robert made the decision that a higher level of care was needed which could be achieved at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL. Robert was taken by ambulance on the 25th from Community Hospital in Munster, IN to Christ Hospital.

Once at Christ, a team of doctors assessed Robert and determined their plan of care. He was placed in isolation due to the MRSA and started on a different antibiotic to fight the infection and renal failure that was setting in. On the 30th, the drain was able to be removed and Robert was finally able to return home on May 2nd.

During his time in the hospital, Robert had not seen his son Harvey from April 20th-May2nd. Since MRSA is highly contagious, they could not risk him becoming ill. Robert will still unfortunately need the surgery which will remove part of his colon and continue a 5-medication regimen to stay on top of his health. But, getting home was a small victory for the family. In a short amount of time this family of 3 will turn to a family of 5; which will bring a much-needed happiness after a dark cloud. The expenses the family will endure from the lengthy hospital stay and treatment, as one could imagine, is extensive.  However, The Local 365 would like to help relieve the overwhelming expenses, as Robert is one of their own; an East Chicago Fireman. The fire department currently does not have an off the job injury policy in place but are helping in any way that they can to ensure Robert can come back to his East Chicago family. This is not a city sponsored fundraiser. This is who we are, we are doing this for our coworker and friend. Robert has been off work since April 5th and will continue to be unable to work at the fire department or his pharmacy technician job until cleared by his many doctors, which is expected to be in a few months. Katie is also currently out of work as she is nearing the end of her pregnancy. Her doctor determined that it was time to take it easy as twin pregnancies are considered high-risk. We are asking for your help, all donations made will go to Robert and Katie for medical expenses and recovery during this difficult time. Robert serves the East Chicago community and we would like to return his good service by helping financially in his time of need.
 

"Alone we are strong...but together we are stronger"