OBH Magazine Winter Edition - Oregon Bow Hunters

Twice Blessed Continued from page 17
upcoming hunting season, due mainly to the lack of practice. Well
fall came and went and in came the New Year. A couple days before
Jeff’s 45th birthday (Valentine’s Day) I received another phone call
that he had a stroke while at work. By the time I made it to the
hospital Jeff was ready to go home. He showed no ill effects from
the stroke but the hospital staff was waiting for more test results. He
remained in the hospital for a week waiting on the results when a
specialist discovered Jeff had some serious artery blockage leading
to his brain. He and his wife loaded up and headed to OSHU in
Portland where they did numerous tests on Jeff before determining
he was, once again, in need of surgery.
The doctors discovered that the main artery leading to the right
side of Jeff’s brain was over 90% blocked. They were to place a
wingspan stent in his neck, close to his brain to open the artery
allowing more blood flow. After many more tests and a mountain
of paperwork, the surgery was scheduled. Jeff made it through the
surgery with flying colors and after a day or two of recovery, he was
sent home. Jeff and Loris were only home a few days, when Jeff
strained himself, causing a brain bleed. After an ambulance ride to
his local ER, he and his wife were shortly aboard a life flight plane
headed back to OHSU in Portland.
He was placed in a medically induced coma to stave off any
more brain damage. My wife and I drove all night and made it to
OHSU before the sun came up. I cannot tell you how hard it was
to see my best friend, my brother, lying there with more wires and
tubes coming out of him than my trucks engine in a room with
more beeps than a Jerry Springer episode. They kept him in a coma
for about 24 hours as they continued to monitor the fluid draining
from his brain while pumping him full of Plasma infusions. When
they brought Jeff around one of the first things he asked was if he
had a hole drilled in his head? Which he did. Blurry vision was the
only lasting symptom that Jeff had from this deep brain bleed. He
was talking normal and suffered no facial paralysis common with
strokes and was soon walking around the hospital ward, which was
rare on the floor where he was admitted. In fact the staff couldn’t
believe it. Jeff remained in the hospital for observation for another
day or two and then we headed home.
Is he out of the woods? Unfortunately nobody really knows.
The Doctors have said they are in unchartered waters. The medical
term that is causing the arterial blockage is called Cerebrovascular
Disease. It is complicated by the Diabetic Neuropathy throughout his
body and heart disease. It is hereditary. Jeff and Loris have traveled
thousands of miles and have seen some of the best specialists but
have not been given any real definite answers. The medical team is
finding things that they have rarely, if ever seen. Jeff often says with
a laugh. “They are writing books about me, I am an anomaly”. He
periodically has some symptoms similar to blacking out; basically
his brain shuts off for a split second. He has fallen down and injured
himself due to these “episodes”. I personally have witnessed it and
it is not a pretty sight. Most of the time Jeff can sense when an
episode will happen and he can sit back down before he falls. If you
have a chance to see him you would think he was perfectly healthy,
like he says “I look great on the outside”.
Jeff and Loris have recently been blessed with their first
grandchild, Hudson. He has brought many hours of joy to their
recently troubled lives. As I mentioned before Jeff is the strongest
man I have ever met, he has the patience of a statue plus he is one
heck of a bowhunter. But more importantly, Jeff has become a
brother to me. In fact, my wife and I count Jeff and his family as very
OregOn BOwhunter WINTER 2013
important people in our lives. I believe our strong friendship has
helped us both get through these trying times. If you are fortunate
enough to have a Jeff Fenner in your life take a moment or two and
tell them how much they mean to you. I am twice blessed for having
a friend as a brother.
Jeff I love you brother. I can never repay you for what you have
done for me, the happiness and adventure you have brought to my
life. Thank you for allowing me to linger in your light. I cannot wait
until our next adventure. Here’s to the days that turned into nights,
with a friend who turned into family.
“Deadeye”
Turkish and Modern Longbows
Helix Arrowheads
Instructional Shooting DVDs
P.O. Box 9 • Montrose, CO 81402
(970) 901-9514 • www.stricklandarchery.com
Mike & Kelly Blaschka
2722 west Main
Medford, Or 97501
( ) -
www.dewclawarchery.com