Michael McHugh’s long road to recovery

*update

5/7: Uncle Mike is finally able to eat food after 30+ days ! His first craving was just ginger ale on ice. He has been successfully off the ventilator. He is even using a Walker to walk in the halls at the hospital. Although everyday has still been extremely difficult and depressing at most times, we keep reminding him of his amazing progress and we hope one step closer to going to a rehab facility. Uncle Mike has the speaking valve that he is able to use to speak through his trach! The first day we were able to hear his voice brought us all tears of joy. A voice we’ve been so eager to hear again.

Dear Friends and Family, 

Our Uncle Mike was admitted to Abington Hospital 3/20/24 with critically high carbon dioxide levels. 

He was placed on a machine to help him breathe, and was eventually able to breathe on his own.  

During his admission at Abington, his carbon dioxide levels went back up. He suffered a fall, a seizure, and his heart stopped. CPR was performed to save his life. Our uncle mike was brought back to us.

Since he is not able to breathe on his own he had to have a tracheostomy placed in his neck to help him breathe and a feeding tube to keep him nurshed. 

Currently, we have no answers to why his diaphragm is not working or when he’ll be discharged from the medical intensive care unit.

Uncle Mike is the sole caretaker of our beloved Aunt Tricia who was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, multiple sclerosis. She is unable to work or drive.

Aunt Tricia and our cousins, their two sons (Sean and Jordon), have been standing vigilant by Uncle Mike's side like he always has for them.  

Through it all Uncle Mike has shown us that even in the thick of it you can still show humor, wit and care for others.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this. The fund is to help offset some of the large medical bills and hopes to install a bathroom on their first floor in order to bring uncle Mike home.

Warmly, 

Uncle Mike's Family

4/9/24 update: Uncle Mike now has to undergo a procedure to get an I.C.D (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) implanted in his chest. This was recommended by his cardiologist to prevent any further cardiac complications. This device will deliver a shock to his heart in the event he has another life threatening heart arrhythmia.

4/16: Uncle Mike is now at Kindred Hospital, a smaller hospital that specializes in ventilators. He has taken a few steps with the walker and is monitored closely in attempts to wean his ventilator.