ASSISTANCE NEEDED

Deacon David Fabula suffered a very serious stroke early Friday morning, May 29th. A clot in his carotid artery caused severe damage to about 80 percent of the right side of his brain. He was flown from Delta, Colorado, to Grand Junction by Life Flight, and spent about three weeks in the Critical Care Unit that specializes for stroke patients, at Saint Mary’s Hospital. During that time he underwent a craniotomy, where the surgeon removed a hand-sized portion of the right skull to permit the damaged brain to swell without causing inter-cranial pressure and further damage. That part of his skull is preserved and at some point in the future, it is expected to be put back in place.

During the week of June 15th, he was moved from the intensive care unit to the neuro-trauma unit for further observation and possible rehab. That has yet to be determined. It is expected that either he will become a candidate for rehab, or the hospital will release him into a long term specialized nursing facility.

In any event, a long and uncertain recovery period is ahead for Father David and his family. At present his visitors are limited to 2 to 3 persons at a time, for about 20 minutes. The left side of his body is immobilized and in neglect, that is, he is not aware of it. He is not able to swallow reliably on his own and all nourishment is through a feeding tube directly into his stomach. He tires easily and sleeps a lot. He is not comatose, he is responsive when engaged, and sometimes initiates conversations. His speech is audible and understandable but not lengthy.

We know Father Deacon David as a man filled with joy and kindness. Always outgoing and inclusive of others. Deacon David has served at Saint Andrew’s in Delta, for over twenty years as a real presence of the diaconate on a parish wide basis, as well as being known throughout the local community. He and Diakonissa Janet have a farm, raising animals and cultivating several plots of land which they own and lease. Their youngest son, Joe, who has spent extensive time on the Holy Mountain (Athos) lives with them and helps with the daily farm tasks. Their middle son, Jesse lives here in Grand Junction with his wife Christina, and little sons, Jeremiah and Jonah. They are expecting their third child this Autumn. Their oldest son, Nicholas, lives in Seattle with his wife. He just graduated with a PhD in physical therapy.

Deacon David is a humble, loving, and worthy servant of the Lord. He is known throughout the diocese. He has served in the youth camps, in construction projects in Alaska and in previous years, help to construct some the buildings at Saint Michael Monastery in Cañones, New Mexico. Please keep Deacon David and his family in your prayers.

Because of the on-going nature of this illness and the financial burden placed upon the family, both by Deacon David’s absence, as well as the lengthy recovery expected, the family is in need of any financial help possible. Saint Andrew’s parish continues to provide what is possible, and additionally has established an account so that anyone interested may donate funds for the help of the Fabula family. Checks may be made to, and sent to Saint Andrew’s Orthodox Church, with a notation for the Fabula family.

Saint Andrew’s Orthodox Church, 298 Bert Street, Delta, CO, 81416