Kroekers help develop lodging facility for patients' families

After recently surviving a heart attack, Ed Kroeker and wife Joyce are eager to spread the word about Terry's House, a planned lodging facility for families of Community Regional's critical patients.

The joke in the Kroeker family is patriarch Ed would be late to his own funeral. But Ed Kroeker wasn’t late to his funeral – in fact, he didn’t show up at all. “I wanted to proofread my own obituary,” the 78-year old chuckled.

It was no laughing matter, however, seven months ago when Ed had a heart attack. The situation seemed so bleak that doctors told the Kroeker family to make funeral arrangements. The plot and casket were purchased, songs selected and eulogy written.

On Oct. 25, 2008, Ed, who already had two stents placed in his heart and had survived prostate cancer, came home ill from a mechanic’s shop where he had been looking at one of his hot rods. Joyce said he looked funny, so she got him into the car and when she put on his seat belt, the way he looked alarmed her.

“I said, ‘Ed, we are not driving you anywhere, you are having a heart attack.’” She dialed 9-1-1 and an ambulance took Ed to a local hospital.

The family was told only 2% of people in Ed’s situation would survive. He flat lined seven times. One physician told them, “I am sorry, there is no hope.”

Then the physicians found what they called a window of opportunity to do something. That window led to another stent, a defibrillator and the journey for Ed to not only survive, but learn to walk again. He was transferred to Community Regional Medical Center on Nov. 19 and returned home just in time for Christmas.

This story has an interesting twist. Rewind to February 2008 when the company Ed founded, Kroeker Demolition, gifted its services to tear down an old Community Medical Centers building to make room for Terry’s House, the planned 17,000-square-foot lodging facility that will allow families of critically injured or sick patients to stay near their loved ones.

As Ed stood at the demolition site across from the entrance to Community Regional at Fresno and R streets, he wasn’t thinking he’d be a patient there within the year. It gave the family added perspective on the need for Terry’s House.

“If we had lived farther away and had a long trip, I can’t imagine doing that every day or getting a hotel,” Joyce said. “What a blessing Terry’s House is going to be.”

Ed said the love and support of family and friends was key to his recovery, another reason having them near is so critical. “The patient needs someone to be there and the family often needs a place to stay.”

The Kroekers have given to Community throughout the years. Now, Ed joins the ranks of grateful patients, eager to spread the word about Terry’s House. “We want to give back to Community,” Ed states. “Community has always been good to us.”

The Kroekers are proud of son Jeff for co-chairing the Terry’s House Development Council. Jeff, his sister Jill and grandchildren Kevin and Kristi are involved in the operation of the demolition company.

“The Kroeker family represents a true American story of an enterprising spirit and commitment to family and community,” said Rob Saroyan, vice president for Community Medical Foundation. “Jeff and his father Ed have stepped up in so many ways and their selfless acts continue to benefit the mission of Community. Jeff’s decision to co-chair the Terry’s House campaign will ensure a very positive outcome. To this end, we honor Jeff and his family for being a model to others.”

Joyce’s mother once told her, “Promise me, don’t have wishes, go out and make memories.” The meaningful memories for this family will include two days they are eagerly awaiting – the day enough funds are raised to start building Terry’s House and the day the first families walk through the door.

This story was reported by Bonni Montevecchi. She can be reached at MedWatchToday@communitymedical.org.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009