Health update 11/07/09 from downtown Chicago
On November 7, the anniversary of Fr. Andrew Greeley’s tragic accident, his sister Mary Jule Durkin, and family wish to express their profound gratitude to all who have kept him in their prayers. On his behalf, we ask for your continued prayers for him and for all victims of traumatic brain injury and their families. We express our thanks to the skilled medical personnel, caregivers, and rehabilitation therapists who have cared for and encouraged him during this difficult time. We will continue to work so that, in spite of his injury, he can enjoy a quality of life in keeping with his imagination, intelligence, and service to his Church and community. Through the years, we have observed first hand his deep commitment to his friends, academic colleagues, readers, fellow priests, and parishioners. We know that Fr. Greeley blesses you for your concern.
Health update 10/04/09 from downtown Chicago
Father Greeley still has rigorous therapy sessions three mornings a week. He is
working hard and continues to make progress in physical, speech, and occupational
therapy. His family and friends are always near-by and very hopeful. We are sure he
will continue his progress. It is often a long road to recovery. Best wishes.
Health update 04/05/09 from downtown Chicago
Father Greeley is home where he continues intensive therapy. He has been making some excellent progress. The sessions are hard, but Fr. Greeley is tenacious. He and his family continue to appreciate your kind messages. Thanks to all.
Health update 1/15/08 from Chicago:
Father Greeley’s Health Update
Father Greeley has been discharged from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) and returned home where he will continue intensive therapy for traumatic brain injury. His family wishes to express deep appreciation to the RIC physicians and support staff for the outstanding care he received, and to all his friends and fans who have been praying for him and leaving such kind comments.
More updates will be posted immediately as they become available.
Additional information:
Father Greeley’s family has been in contact with the young California couple who helped when they saw the accident. The man is training to be an EMT. The woman called 911 immediately as he used her scarf to stop the bleeding. They both kept him warm and talked to him. The family have thanked them and referred to them as his guardian angels. We all hope their story will inspire others to act as Good Samaritans.
Their story can be found at http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Good-Samaritans-.html.
Father Greeley was wearing his Obama cap at the time of the accident. He was so excited about the outcome of the elections, as anyone who knows him might have guessed.
– We would like to thank Julie Montague very much for the updates and other news.
Until further notice, we are opening this forum up to those who wish to leave a message for Father Greeley. We ask those awaiting further news to please be patient. When any news is available, it will be posted here immediately – promise!
Peace, good health, and may God bless everyone.
Updates will be posted immediately as they become available.
Thanks to everyone for the kind words and prayers!
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From the Chicago SunTimes 11/08/08 - By Shamus Toomey (Staff Reporter)
Father Andrew Greeley, the best-selling novelist and Chicago Sun-Times columnist, fractured his skull in a fall in Rosemont Friday and is listed in critical condition at a suburban hospital, his family and friends said this afternoon.
How the outspoken priest was hurt is still being pieced together by his family, but hospital workers told them Father Greeley, 80, snagged his jacket in taxicab door at about 4 p.m. Friday and fell, hitting his head.
Father Andrew Greeley, best-selling author and Sun-Times columnist, fractured his skull yesterday in an accident. He is in critical condition at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
“Right now he’s critical but stable, very stable,” his niece, Laura Durkin said. “Doctors are hopeful and pleased with his progress from last night to today. They’re pleased with his current condition.”
He was lecturing Friday at a convention of the Religious Education Association, which is being held at a hotel near O’Hare Airport, Durkin said.
In his fall, Father Greeley fractured his skull and the left orbital bone near his eye, his friend and attorney Terry Goggin said.
He suffered bleeding on the brain, and doctors installed a monitor in his skull to gauge pressure on his brain, Goggin said. C-T scans are also being used to monitor his injuries.
Father Greeley was transferred from the emergency room at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge to the surgical intensive care unit, Goggin said.
Other than the implantation of the pressure monitor, he has not had surgery, Goggin said.
Although swollen and bruised, Goggin said his color looked good and he was resting Saturday.
“He looked good this morning,” Goggin said. “He was resting comfortably.
“You know, he’s a fighter and a tough guy. He was restless last night. He’s got everything they want in a patient. All the signs are very positive.”
Goggin praised the doctors and nurses at Lutheran General, saying “they’ve been just wonderful.”
Father Greeley had delivered a 2 p.m. lecture Friday on the conversation between fiction and religion at the annual Religious Education Association conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont, said W. Alan Smith, executive secretary of the association.
He was joined by Chicago-born writer Stuart Dybek.
“Both of them were received very well,” Smith said. “Greeley was very generous, and very funny, as you’d expect. He and Dybek began with their elation over Obama’s election. It was a great experience.”
The lecture lasted until about 3:30 p.m. Friday, said Smith, who was notified of Father Greeley’s accident by a reporter Saturday.
“It’s really shocking to hear that,” he said.
