|
Published: April 19, 2008 02:37 pm
Community rallies to help Wellness Center manager
By Susan Brittingham
Features Editor
McAlester resident Joe Filippo spent Saturday, his 40th birthday, still in the Intensive Care Unit of Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa.
In a telephone call from the ICU waiting room, Dana Leaman, a college friend of Ashley Filippo, Joe’s wife, talked about his condition Friday afternoon.
First she wanted to thank everyone who has or will donate to the medical fund that has been set up for Filippo, the manager of McAlester Regional Health Center’s Wellness Center. The fund has been set up at the First National Bank, 235 E. Choctaw Ave., McAlester, OK 74501. The phone number to the bank is 426-0211.
MRHC Chief Executive Officer Shaun Beggs said the fund “was established to help defray medical and other expenses while he remains hospitalized.”
At first, it was believed that the father of two had the flu when he first became ill on March 31, but he just kept getting sicker and sicker. When he began having trouble with short term memory loss, his wife took him to MRHC. Soon Filippo was being transported by medical helicopter to Tulsa. Doctors discovered that he had endocarditis, an infection in one of his heart valves.
“Bacteria got into Joe’s blood and attacked his heart valve,” Leaman said. “They had to do a valve replacement. He’s had some other issues that have come up because of his surgery.
“The doctors said the infection in his blood caused some blood clots, and some of them went to his brain. They think he’s had some mini strokes.
“He hasn’t spoken since they took him off the ventilator Monday, but he has been breathing on his own.
“But, his kidneys are ‘out of whack’ as the doctors have been calling it, so he’s had dialysis.
“We’re making progress, but it’s slow.”
It is not known how long Filippo might have to stay in the hospital, and how much the final bills might tally up to, which is why MRHC has set up a medical fund for him. Dr. Elliott Metcalf said “Joe was a great employee here — still is. The success of the Wellness Center is due to his diligence and hard work.
“He has a young family in town, and a family here at McAlester Regional, too. We treat all of our employees like family.
“We have a history of coming together when someone has been stricken by illness.”
The Filippos have two children. Katheryn is 7 and Joseph is 3.
Family friend Emily Mouser, vice president of Human Resources, said “The Filippo family expressed that they have been overwhelmed at the support and concern from the community.
“The family has established a Web site to keep everyone updated on Joe’s condition and to receive continued words of support and prayers.
“Please continue to remember Joe and his family as he continues his recovery.”
Filippo’s story and medical updates can be viewed at www.caringbridge.org/visit/joefilippo.
Contact Susan Brittingham at 421-2029 or e-mail her at sbrittingham@mcalesternews.com.
|
|
|
|
 |
Beare Manor
now hiring LPN’s with new wage scale and new nursing management. If interested please apply in person at 1300 North Dri...>MORE
Experienced sales
PROFESSIONAL 169 yr. old lubricant co. seeks exp. sales person to work as indep. contractor. Ex line of ag, ind, a...>MORE
Happy Days Motel
now hiring for Desk Clerk for the Midnight to 8am shift. Please apply in person. Hwy 69 Bypass South across from Stoc...>MORE
ARE YOU A SPORTS FANATIC?
If you love high school sports and want to share your enthusiasm, consider joining the McAlester News-Capital Team. We’r...>MORE
NEW COMPANY
SEEKING FINANCE MANAGERS!!! Do you have experience in financing? We offer benefits and training! F...>MORE
Red Oak Schools
has an opening for a secondary English/Speech and Drama Teacher for the 2009-2010 school year. Intere...>MORE
Do you like to write?
Do you enjoy telling stories? Are you computer savvy? Would you like to work side by side with a group of ...>MORE
Tire Tech needed.
Competitive pay must have valid D.L & transportation. Benefits include: insurance, vacation, & retirement that’s 100...>MORE
Now hiring
Part-time housekeeping/Janitorial Call 918-423-4567 EOE...>MORE
Country Mart
is accepting applications for Meat Cutter & Deli Clerk. Apply in person at 6th & Wyandotte....>MORE
See all ads |
Atoka Livestock, LLC.
Will have a sale on Monday, July 6, 2009. Next horse sale is July 10, 2009. Tack @ 5pm & horses @ 7pm. Hope everyone h...>MORE
Chicken Fried Steak Dinner $2.49 +tax.
Tuesdays at KFC. Cole slaw, mashed potatoes, gravy & biscuit included. ...>MORE
Car bodies
$60ton, Alum. cans 25¢ lb Scrap Corp. 429-0505...>MORE
Dr. Marcia Gillespie
of Women To Women Gynecology; Specializing in Gynecology and Pelvic surgery is still accepting new patients. 918-426-77...>MORE
SEWER & DRAIN Service
McAlester Plumbing 426-4519...>MORE
PACE AIR
for Spring service & repair. 426-4519...>MORE
Puppies:
Toy Poodles, Rat Terrier, Shih Tzu. COLOR! 426-0169 ...>MORE
Terry & Johnny’s tree service.
Tree trimming and removal, stump grinding, 40’ bucket truck, fully insured. 470-9547 or 470-9915...>MORE
Just back from market!
Loads of t-shirts & jewelry 20% off. Utopia in Krebs...>MORE
Brandy Satterfield,
NLMT Massage. Special: Prepay for 5 massages, get 1 free. Prepay for 10 massages and get 3 free. $40/hr or $1 a minute....>MORE
See all ads |
3 bed. 2 bath
quiet area, nice clean manufactured home. $800/mo. McAlester. 429-9753 or 429-9754...>MORE
1995 Fleetwood Mobile Home
new laminate flooring and carpet, new appliances, and a new roof with 3 inches of insulation, very nice home. $13,500. ...>MORE
2 bdrm.
CH&, DW, $450 + dep. Krebs. 423-7556 or424-2487...>MORE
For Rent
3 bed., 2 1/2 bath, fenced back yard, garage. side by side fridge/freezer, stove & dishwasher. Ask about pets. $650/mo.,...>MORE
For Rent
2 bedroom newly remodeled, $850/mo. Call 918-302-6781...>MORE
525 S. 2nd
For lease 1800 sq. ft. 918-423-6006 OR 470-9406 (Cell)...>MORE
TASTEFULLY REDECORATED
3 bed, 2 3/4 bath, formal living, formal dining, den & oversized 2 car garage @ 2205 Cardinal Lane in McAlester. Larg...>MORE
For Sale By Owner
Renovated 4 BR, 1 1/2 bath, kitchen, LR, DR, big utility room and attached garage. Centrally located, near park & schoo...>MORE
7th & Hereford
large corner lot for mobile home or RV. Storage build., $200/mo. + utilities. Call 918-423-9137...>MORE
Brick 3 bed. 1 ba.
with washer/dryer hkups, at Lone oak on 1 acre. Avail. 7/1/09. $750 + $750 deposit. Refs. req. No smoking. 297-3581 or ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|