Iola man faces medical complications

By Holly Neumann

A medical benefit for Doug Hines will be held later this month.

The benefit is scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at Silver Lake Lanes in Scandinavia, and will feature an eight-pin bowling tournament, raffle baskets and more.

Funds raised will be used to help offset Hines’ medical costs and complications related to COVID-19.

The Iola man spent 98 days in the hospital in 2020 and continues to recover as medical bills keep adding up.

Hines’ family, including his daughter, Ashley Gunderson, is organizing the benefit.

“The benefit will offer our dad the ability to help with the ever-mounting bills from all his post-hospital conditions he has been trying to treat or recover from,” she said.

Ongoing treatment

“He has had his vocal cord treated and treatment for continued neuropathy in his feet,” Gunderson said. “He has continued treatment for his Stage 5 kidney disease, to which has maintained that status, but is being closely monitored, as he is in the beginning phases toward hopefully getting on a kidney transplant list.”

The ordeal has resulted in roller coaster of emotions for Hines and his family, Gunderson said.

“At the time of his illness, treatment was limited,” she said. “It could go one of two ways: treatment and then go home or treatment, ventilator and possible death.”

She said her family feared the worst, but prayed for the best.

“We were constantly seeking more information about the disease and treatment, which led to many sleepless nights,” Gunderson said. “There were times when we thought Dad was turning a corner in the right direction just to have some major setback. If it wasn’t for one physician who really took control of Dad’s care in Marshfield, we still don’t know if he would be here with us today.”

Hines continues his fight

“He has to deal with lasting effects from the illness,” Gunderson said. “He continues to suffer from neuropathy in his feet, which tends to be extremely painful at times, and his vocal cord, likely injured from prolonged intubation. He has made some improvement with the treatment he has done, especially with shortness of breath. Who knew how much the vocal cord played a part in breathing?”

Hines’ lungs have bounced back and are in good condition, other than some scarring.

“The biggest deficit he’s still suffering from is kidney damage,” Gunderson said. “He’s been in Stage 5 kidney disease and has been able to maintain with the help of ongoing treatments, but he has been told by his nephrologist to plan for dialysis and/or a kidney transplant.”
Hines has kept a positive attitude, according to his daughter.

“He always saw things as glass half full and he still does, but I know he has a different perspective on life,” Gunderson said. “He always has been thankful and kind, but I can tell by the way he talks about things and the way he does things, he is even more grateful. He knows if it was only him in the fight for life, he would not be here. He is appreciative the fight his wife and kids did for him to have this opportunity at life again.”

Gunderson said Hines told her he thought he would be back to normal by now.

“It is a difficult reality when one day your life is normal and just suffering from a cold to then being treated and hospitalized, not being able to recall the last month of your life and suddenly you can barely lift a finger from the bed you are laying and are unable to speak,” she said.

Family organized benefit

“Since the beginning of his illness and the time we started preparing for the benefit, we have come across so many kind and thoughtful people,” Gunderson said. “We are grateful for the people who have prayed and continue to pray for our dad; for the people who stopped to talk to us about him even if they didn’t know him that well; and for the people who supported our mom and family throughout this journey.”

A Venmo account has been set up at venmo.com and donations go directly to the benefit account, which can be reached at PapaFresh21. Anyone wishing to donate can also stop at Premier Community Bank and make a deposit to the Doug Hines Benefit Account.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your ongoing support,” Gunderson said. “It has been humbling and so rewarding to see how caring and kind this community is.”