Michael James Keenan

Dear Friends and Family,

As I sit here staring at my computer screen, contemplating just what to write, I realize that it is impossible to explain the inexplicable.

I’m not sure how to introduce you to what I’m about to write, so I am just going to get to the point.

At 12:00pm on Monday, June 18, 2007, Michael James Keenan was officially pronounced dead.

After four plus months of hospitalization, numerous operations, countless hours of rehabilitation, and the emotional ups and downs no roller coaster could possibly duplicate, the thing that finally felled our beloved Michael was truly unexpected. On Sunday night, after a nice visit with his father and Owen, Michael suffered a massive inter-cranial hemorrhage.

I am still asking myself, “How could this be?” Michael had come so far in his recovery. He was anticipating extubation on Monday, after his bout with pneumonia (which, as he had with all other inflictions, he beat). His wounds were nearly all healed and he was looking forward to his release from St. Francis Hospital to start his new life. It just isn't fair!

Sometime between 5:30pm and 7:00pm on Sunday, Michael’s blood pressure spiked (actually, soared). A team of doctors and nurses were quick to administer medications to bring his rate down, but they could not get it under control. Michael had been somewhat anxiety ridden the past couple of days, but nothing out of the usual considering his condition. He was still frustrated that he could not speak, due to the ventilator and feeding tubes, but was able to write as a means of communication.

At around 9:00pm, Michael was taken out of his room for a CAT scan. After he was brought back, the hospital radiologist, along with Michael’s attending physician, read the captured images and observed a large amount of blood surrounding the back quarter of his brain. They determined that he had suffered what is termed a “parieto occipital hemorrhage”.

On Monday, a neurologist administered an EEG to determine if there was any brain activity, but unfortunately found none.

Michael is currently being kept alive artificially in order to have his organs available for donation (yes, he’s kept on giving right to the end).

I wish I could be more eloquent here, but it’s too difficult for me right now. We will be planning a celebration of Michael’s life on Sunday July 8, 2007 We would like to have a public mourning for MK at Fort Funston in San Francisco (a favorite of MK’s and many dog walkers), with a private farewell at sea for close friends and family. We will fill you in on the final details here as they are solidified.

This has left an enormous hole in my life. Michael, I miss you dearly – you will always be a part of my soul…..

Grieving,
Dave