A WARRIOR ON THE ICE
Rob grew in the Boston playing area hockey in the late 60’s and played goalie up through high school. After high school he received a scholarship to Westfield State to play baseball. But he continued to play hockey and over the last 20 years has been an active member of the Rocky Mountain hockey community until about 7 months ago. Over the last 10-15 years he has faced numerous injuries but was always determined to return to the ice and his teammates. Seven seasons ago he had a spinal fusion to go along with 2 knee replacements. During the pre-operative visits for his first knee replacement the doctors discovered he had a life threatening bi-cuspid valve issue and an aneurysm in the thoracic aorta. On top of all that, he still continued to play hockey and has played in numerous tournaments and leagues including the Evergreen pond hockey tournament and numerous DAWG Nation events. He has played in over 40 leagues and most recently in the Rocky Mountain Hockey League on the Finley’s Pub team.
NEW CHALLENGES
Just 7 months ago, Rob’s spinal fusion collapsed just above the original rods and screws. He had a nasty ice collision and an MRI revealed the damage. It left him barely able to walk, unable to work, and most importantly he had to give up his beloved game of hockey. He was hoping for another spinal fusion which might give him a better chance of getting back to work and back on the ice with his hockey buddies. But recently Rob collapsed and was sent the ER for a loss transfusion and during a CT scan the doctors discovered a mass in one lung. He had lost 40 lbs and 2 pints of blood to go with all his other travails. The original diagnosis was Stage 4 Lung Cancer which was a shock to all who know him as he has never smoked and has taken good care of his health even with all the medical issues.
AN UPDATE AND THE ROAD AHEAD
But there’s good news! After a recent heavy dose of antibiotics the mass in Rob’s lung shrank and disappeared, and it was determined that the mass wasn’t cancer but rather a byproduct of an extremely rare infection. It just took a long time to figure out and get the proper treatment.
Rob did have his 2nd spinal fusion surgery but apparently it must have damaged his colon as he was rushed back to the ER for an emergence appendectomy which could not be done arthroscopically and required full abdominal surgery (to go along with the fusion surgery). But he is in recovery and is expected to heal up fully. Rob remains out of work and will likely be so for months, and along with more treatments the financial burden is significant. Rob may be down but he’s not out, but he could use a helping hand.
Please join DAWG Nation in rallying to help this fellow hockey player. We can lift some of the burden through your generous donation today.
Your donation will help Rob Fairfield, who DAWG Nation has selected as a grant recipient from its charitable class. Your contribution is made with the understanding that DAWG Nation has complete control and administration over the use of all donated funds in pursuit of its charitable purposes and in support of its charitable class.
