Mike Dattilo

Many of the visitors here know Kristi's brother, Mike, and know that 2007 was not a good year for him. For those who aren't aware, Mike contracted Goodpasture's Syndrome last summer. Goodpasture's is an autoimmune disease that attacks the organs and it really did a number on Mike's kidneys. He spent several weeks in a coma, followed by rehab before he was finally discharged in October. A couple of weeks later, he suffered a stroke that put him back in a coma for another month. At that time, the doctors didn't know the full extent of the damages but they said that if Mike lived, there was a good chance that he would be blind, unable to speak, and partially paralyzed.

When we arrived on Dec. 20, Mike was still at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. If I had to describe his condition, it would have been "good, not great." His vision was fine and he was talking non-stop (just like normal, huh?). However, he had practically no movement on his left arm and leg. He was bed-ridden and taking all his nutrition thru a tube directly to his stomach.

On Dec. 26, Mike moved to a rehab facility in Indianapolis and the change has been amazing. Within a few days, he was sitting in a wheelchair and feeding himself. The facility tries to get the patients back to some type of normalcy so they require that he be dressed everyday and he has to take his meals in the lunchroom. He has started physical, occupational, and brain therapies and continues to improve. He reads the newspaper and has started doing puzzles. A few days ago, he stood (with assistance) for one minute and he can now lift his left leg. It may not sound like much but these are huge improvements.

Mike still has a long way to go. It will be months before he can go home. In the meantime, he has a lot of gruelling rehab to go thru. If you can, please send him a card letting him know he has people pulling for him. Even if you don't know him, send him a note introducing yourself and just say Hi. His address is:

Mike Dattilo

Community Hospital East

c/o Hook Subacute Rehab

Bldg 1, 3rd Floor

1500 N Ritter Ave

Indianapolis, IN 46219