On The Fly

Heartbroken, in tears, at a complete loss for words . . . it can’t be! This was my overwhelming and immediate gut-wrenching reaction when I received the following text message at 10:46 a.m. on October 9, 2019. “Your sister is no longer with us.” “But, she was recovering?!” Just a few days prior, her personal team of doctors; heart, lung, 24/7 on-duty nurse, ECMO   technicians, and an arsenal of other specialists at the University of Chicago Medical Center were optimistic - what happened, why - how is this possible . . . So many thoughts and emotions poured through my entire being.  “She's Tough,” said the doctors. Michele beat the odds and made it through a complication in her condition that required surgery to remove a blood clot and fluid buildup on her heart. I had just returned home from the Chicago hospital. And said to my wife Lori, “She regained consciousness, recognized me, and blew me a kiss.” Really, my beautiful Lil' sister Michele Luc