We are certain many of you are missing Geary Mallek’s wonderful posts and photos. He has been so instrumental in stirring our memories, getting us interacting, and chuckling at the young people we once were. Now Geary needs our help.  This tab "Geary Mallek Updates" is here for us to share updates on Geary's progress.  For the story and background, please scroll to the end .

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTO IN RECOGNITION OF GEARY'S EVER PRESENT SPIRIT OF PLAYFULNESS

 

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY JOY - GEARY IS HOME!!!!!! 

 

 

 

MAY 23, 2022: GEARY MALLEK UPDATE

Geary is “cautiously optimistic” that he will be able to attend our reunion. He has come a long ways in 6 months of hospitalization and rehabilitation. He continues his long climb to full health with great determination and fortitude.

Jack Campbell visited with Geary at his rehab facility in Elmhurst on Saturday, May 21.  They had a fun time chatting about memories.  Geary is currently off the ventilator, eating, and able to talk using a valve placed in his tracheostomy.  Strength and endurance continue to be goals.  He is receiving a full array of therapies.  Progress over the next 3 weeks will determine whether or not he will be able to reunite with us in person at Angelo’s on June 11.  

Geary is now able to welcome visitors.  Please contact Kathy Merrick Shuler (call/text 847 341-3195) or Jack Campbell (call/text  630 258-7802) for details on visiting protocols. Geary is at a rehab facility in north Elmhurst.

Geary continues to express gratitude for everyone’s notes and cards and other expressions of support.  In particular he appreciates all of our prayers.  So keep it up, Geary, and keep it up, supportive classmates!  We hope and pray we will be seeing Geary soon.

MAY 14, 2022: GEARY MALLEK UPDATE FROM HIS SISTER

Geary had a very good week and has turned several major corners in his recovery.  He no longer requires a feeding tube and he is finally able to eat AND to talk.  For the past couple of days, he has been ventilator-free during the day, with just some oxygen support.  

Go Geary! Let’s keep those cards, notes, and prayers coming!  

APRIL 28, 2022: GEARY MALLEK UPDATE FROM HIS SISTER

The good news for this week is Geary had a barium swallow study and he has been cleared to eat solid foods.  Up until now, his swallowing has been compromised.  The hematoma Geary had was truly in a precarious position, impacting so many critical things that we take for granted.  When asked what foods he has been craving, his reply was ice tea!

Geary is still on the ventilator. The weaning is a very slow process.  Geary and his family continue to very much appreciate our prayers and support.  

APRIL 21, 2022: GEARY MALLEK UPDATE FROM HIS SISTER

Geary’s doing good this week. He has been weaning from the ventilator for about 10 days now and he’s doing good. They are hoping to get him breathing on his own by next week. He will still need oxygen, but it will be thru an oxygen mask, not the ventilator. We’re praying that everything goes well (and the power stays on!)*

Thank you again for your prayers and support. Words cannot describe how much it helps! 

*Last week, during high winds, a nearby transformer blew and Geary’s rehab center lost power for several hours.  Yikes!

APRIL 14, 2022: GEARY MALLEK UPDATE

Geary continues a long, hard recovery. He is at a rehab facility in Elmhurst. His daily schedule includes respiratory, physical, and speech therapy.  His recovery involves a delicate balance of increasing his endurance while battling extreme fatigue and weaning from the respirator while maintaining delicate airway tissue.  He remains optimistic despite frustrating setbacks and the arduous climb of recovering and healing.

Geary has the loving support of his sisters who are by his side daily.  He needs our continued support and prayer as he continues to recover and regain strength.  He enjoys receiving cards and notes so please continue to send correspondences to his home address.   Prayers for continued strength, stamina, and courage are very much appreciated. 

APRIL 6, 2022: GEARY MALLEK UPDATE FROM HIS SISTER

Today Geary’s sister  shared that it is hard for the family to give updates sometimes, because just when they think that Geary's on track, he gets a setback. But the good news is Geary was released from Holy Family Hospital last Wednesday and is now doing his rehab in Elmhurst at “The Grove” which is off of York Rd, south of Grand.

“I would like to thank everyone for all the cards and letters that you are sending to his home. I bring all of the cards and letters to him and he thoroughly enjoys each and every one of them! He is truly blessed to have such good friends. Words cannot express how grateful our whole family is for the outpouring of support that Geary has received from everyone. It is truly amazing.” 

MARCH 27, 2022:  GEARY MALLEK UPDATE FROM HIS SISTER TO TOM NENSEL

“He’s doing good. He’s off the ventilator during the day and breathing on his own, and then at night they put him back on to rest his lungs. Eventually they will close up the tracheotomy and he will be able to breathe normally. Hopefully that will be soon. “

MARCH 22, 2022: GEARY MALLEK UPDATE FROM HIS SISTER

“Right now Geary’s pressure support is at a 5 which means that he is almost ready to get off of the ventilator, hopefully in the next couple of days! I will let you know where he will be going once they release him. Thank you for spreading the word about Geary. He is getting so much love and support from everyone!”

Photo (from our 69-70 yearbook) is of the Yearbook Photographers Frank Short, Geary Mallek, and Tony Zambon.
 

MARCH 2O, 2022  GEARY MALLEK UPDATE FROM HIS SISTER TO CAROLE LISSON

"Hi Carole! Geary received your text about the reunion and he is planning on being there. He’s still in the hospital right now, but they are talking about releasing him soon. I will keep you updated on his progress!

She asked me to thank everyone for praying for him."

MARCH 2022 THE BACKSTORY
In late November, Geary had Covid, and, as Covid goes, he was recovering slowly but surely. Then, he developed a hematoma in his throat, restricting his breathing and requiring emergency tracheotomy with ventilation. His hospital course was hampered by an infection. 

The medical staff report his lungs are heathy and the hematoma is reduced in size. Next steps are to wean off the ventilator now that his airway is clearing and then on to rehab. He has been immobile with all this so he will need help with walking again. His prognosis is excellent for a full recovery.

Geary let us know it is okay to share this information with you. His sister will keep us updated and she will share mail with him. As of yesterday, Geary and his family have a new goal: GEARY WILL ATTEND OUR REUNION IN JUNE! 

This is where we all come in. It would be such a beautiful gesture for Geary (and for all of us) to rally together and help Geary achieve his goals of full recovery and class reunion participation. To that end, let’s flood Geary’s mailbox with cards, notes of encouragement and many best wishes.

Cards and letters can be sent to his home address: Geary Mallek, 18W360 Stone Ave, Addison, Illinois. 60101.

Years have separated us, but we still are classmates in spirit. Go Geary. We are with you in spirit. God be with you until we meet again in June.