~ Always look on the bright side of Life ~
October 16, 1965 - January 23, 2025
Embedded Files
If you are reading this you are most likely part of the large community that has been following Glenn's journey through the last five years. This is to let you know that Glenn has finally defeated cancer like the gladiators in ancient Rome would vanquish their foes.
To many this is a very sad occasion and words are of little solace. But if we can take a moment to think about this from Glenn's perspective, there really is only love, gratitude and happiness.
Love - Sharing in the experiences and opportunities that our lives provide for us all to empathize and appreciate one another. Glenn has been full of love for everyone in his life. He has always shared that love with a grace and spirit that was untethered.
Gratitude - Consider that Glenn has been thankful for every moment with every person in his life. If you know Glenn, you know this already to be true. Take a moment to to think about a time when you shared a special moment with Glenn and allow yourself to feel thankful that he showed you how special you are.
Happiness - More than ever happiness needs to be a bigger part of our lives. Glenn's energy has always been relentlessly positive with happiness as the natural outcome. Think about a time when you were around his energy and you came away feeling lighter, less burdened and most likely a bit happier.
Details for the Service
Details for the Service
Canale Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services will be providing funeral services and will be publishing the obituary so be on the lookout for that,
Services will be held on Monday, February 3, at Saint Louis the King Catholic Church, located at 264 Silver Creek Road, Marquette, MI 49855.
Visitation: 9-11 a.m.
Mass: 11-Noon followed by a luncheon reception.
See historical context below from 2023.
Saturday, March 25 2023 - 10:00 am -
Today is the day!
He got a shave while waiting on the paperwork.
Friday, March 24 - 9:00 am -
Mark it on your calendars, folks - If today goes as well as yesterday went...the docs say they will cut him loose.
After today he will be rid of all tubes. They will also be removing all staples (and a few paperclips).
Thursday, March 23 - 9:00 pm -
Glenn reports that everything seems to be going well. He's feeling good after dialing back a bit on his dietary intake, avoiding foods that may be too rich at this stage.
At this time it looks as though they are working toward a Saturday release.
Boredom is kicking in a bit (I think since he halted work on his escape tunnel). So, if your inclined to drop him a note, I'm sure it would be much appreciated.
Thursday, March 23 - 8:40 am -
No discharge today. The doctor wants to see a little bit better performance from his GI (Gastro-intestinal-thing-a-ma-bob).
Glenn has turned his attention to consuming foods that will slow things down.
Stay tuned...
Helix Pomatia - a.k.a. Escargot
Wednesday, March 22 - 2:50 pm -
So far so good. He's doing well. It appears the food agrees with him.
Update -
The medical staff are discussing the possibility of a hospital discharge as soon as tomorrow thru Friday.
Of course this is largely dependent on how his body's digestive system performs. but this is very encouraging. We'll see how dinner goes.
Wednesday, March 22 - 12:50 pm -
Wednesday, March 22 - 8:50 am -
Here we go...Glenn has shared his breakfast menu. My money is on him going for the, "Build your own omelet", selection. Whatever he goes for, he says it'll have to come with extra sausage. It's also been weeks since he's had coffee. Someone put a "do not disturb" sign on the door.
Looking forward to this phase of the recovery process which could signal he's getting super close to being able to leave the hospital.
For now though, here's to hoping Glenn has a great breakfast.
Tuesday, March 21 - 5:00 pm -
Okay, It's been a while since he ate this morning and he's had no problems. The doctor says if there are no setbacks he can eat a proper meal tomorrow. This is great news.
Tomorrow marks two-weeks since the surgery. Another drain tube has been removed and it feels like we're getting ever closer.
Tuesday, March 21 - 10:45am -
Beef Eaters need not apply.
Glenn is finally getting his first taste of food. Today's cornucopia consists of a plant/animal broth of the finest quality, an exquisitely chilled jello side and a cranberry-apple tea brewed to perfection with an age-old technique perfected by the artisans in the hospital food service department. Finally, there is a low-cellulose napkin to satisfy his dessert cravings.
Make no mistake though, this is a big step forward.
Monday, March 20 - 3:30pm -
From Glenn:
"It means EVERYTHING to have received so much support! I'm working hard to get home to friends and family as soon as possible. Thank you."
Aside from that he's hoping for the doctor to order a meal of Jello. Hopefully not the green minty kind with cat food in it.
Monday, March 20 - 9:30am -
Remember that big, honkin' nose tube? It's gone.
From Glenn; "So after I brushed my teeth, I cleared my throat and out popped my NG tube. It's staying out. Hoping for liquid diet order this morning."
Stay tuned...
Look ma! No more nose tube.
Sunday, March 19 - 7:00pm -
Well, the honkin' nose tube is still in today. Sounds like it's just a small wait period to make sure all is well with his GI system kicking in. Pretty confident it will be removed tomorrow if things continue as as they are now. Then he can move on to the eating phase where they introduce him to real food again. He might be able to shed another surgery drain tube tonight because things appear to be healing up well.
After its all said and done, he will probably have enough material to write a book about the characters he has met in the hospital. Be on the look out for that.
Saturday, March 18 - 6:00pm -
The tubes continue to be pulled and there are signs that his system is starting to kick in.
One of Glenn's drain tubes was pulled to day. That leaves a couple more but it is headed in the right direction. Apparently this one in particular wasn't the most comfortable, so, good that it's gone.
That honkin' drain tube running through his nose is still in place but signs are pointing to a possible removal tomorrow. If it all goes as hoped and it is removed, that means his system is awake and that real food is in his near future. So far it is looking promising...fingers crossed!
His walking continues. He's getting his exercise and whenever they do kick him out of here, he will be more than ready.
In the posted image, he took to the runway to model his new t-shirt.
None shall pass.
Friday, March 17 - 7:45pm -
Glenn got his 5 miles in yesterday and nearing completion of his 5 miles for today. I have a theory that he's giving up on digging the secret getaway tunnel in favor of the all-out long distance run to freedom. I think that's the reason for the endurance training.
He donned his kilt today in honor of the holiday and received many compliments followed by questions about whether or not the rumors are true.
Really, his biggest challenge right now is he's still waiting on getting his digestive system back on track. He has not been able to consume real food at this point. (Reminder that he is now getting nutrition thru a PICC line they inserted on Tuesday.) Since the food choices have been nil, today we smuggled in some contraband. He got to suck the flavor out of a nice crispy strip of bacon. We're hoping his system will realize what it's been missing and stop lollygaggin' about.
Flowers and gifts have been finding their way to his room and he's really appreciating that. They are doing a good job of covering up all the medical equipment.
Baaacooon!
Thursday, March 16 - 12:20pm -
Good day. He is completely off his pain meds. Clotting seems to be dissipating and Glenn is getting his nutrition - slow and steady. He has been very active today logging 2.5 miles already. He plans to complete 5 miles today prompting me to ask myself how many miles I plan to get in...
He is setting himself up to get released as soon as the doctors say go. This hasn't happened yet, but he'll be ready whenever he gets the all-clear.
Wednesday, March 15 - 9:45pm -
Celebrating with his first meal in about 10 days. Glenn is about to partake in tonight's special, the "Surf & Turf" platter. Here's hoping the Juicy Fruit didn't spoil his appetite. Seriously though, This will be huge and has been long awaited. Matched with another good night's rest this should be just what the doctor ordered... (figure of speech, but also, it actually is what the doctor ordered).
He's determined to get out of the hospital and go home sooner rather than later. At the rate he's going I think they will discharge him before he finishes digging his tunnel to freedom. Hoping tomorrow will be a good measure of where he's at regarding a timetable for achieving and honorable discharge.
More tomorrow. Everyone have a good night.
Wednesday, March 15 - 6:30pm -
Glenn is still waiting for his nutrition drip but the doctors have given the green light on gum and hard candy. Right now he is in Juicy Fruit heaven. He claims that if he were to have another child, they would be named Juicy Fruit. Not sure how Laila would feel about that.
Right now he is trying his luck with Soccer Stars (game on phone). If you wish to challenge him to a game you can hit him up by searching his username, Glenn_4912. He's getting better with each match so don't dawdle.
Wednesday, March 15 - 3:25pm -
Overall, Glenn is feeling pretty good. Results of the CT scan showed some clotting in his small intestine. That explains some of the delay in his system bouncing back and docs have a solution for that. So, they will be treating this issue.
Tonight, he is scheduled to be dining on a nutrition drip consisting of only the finest cuisine.
Wednesday, March 15 - 11:10am -
Glenn finally got some good sleep last night. That seems to have made a lot of difference. He finally had some water last night as well, which is no small thing. It's nice to see him without any lines hooked up to pumps and bags, etc. Just one hose to go, that pesky line going through his nose. But now when he does his rounds to check on the nurses, he doesn't have to haul a rolling utility pole with him.
Just finished up a lap, chatted a bit, and now he's off to get a CT scan just to check the stomach area.
Tuesday, March 14 - 5:40pm -
Sorry for the lull. Yesterday was mostly a day of waiting for things to advance and I think that at times we expect things to go at a smooth and steady pace, when that isn't necessarily how it works. Yesterday was a day where things just needed to happen at their own pace which was slower than we all would have liked.
The docs want to see that Glenn's digestive system is back on track and it is slowly waking up so they are working on some things to try and help it along - Unfortunately, eating a 🥙 shawarma isn't in the cards yet. But they do need to get him taking in more nutrition so they're setting up a process for that.
The other thing is that he has not gotten quality sleep the last couple of nights, so nutrition and regenerative sleep are probably two pretty important things for his system at this point.
I think that the honeymoon is over with regard to the hospital stay and he's ready to be home. We'll look forward to some positive developments, hopefully within the next day.
Sunday, March 12 - 2:30pm -
Big "Thank you!" from Glenn for the flowers and well wishes. He's feelin' the love. :)
Sunday, March 12 - 11:30am -
Continuing to progress with plans to remove that pesky tube going through his nose at some point today. He is progressing well and as you might expect, he even inspires the staff who are floored by is recovery process.
For those interested in sending cards, flowers or whiskey, here is Glenn's address:
Glenn Sarka
c/o 5151-2
U of M Hospital
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Still no timeline on his release as there is still ground to cover with his recovery. Expect at least a week more at minimum.
Saturday, March 11 - 12:25pm -
Whoa. Glenn has already gotten 5+ laps in for today, so, he's ahead of schedule there. A couple fewer tubes as of this morning as well.
He's been spending more time out of bed and was able to crack his back a bit and that was a relief. Still waiting on the "go ahead" to eat solid food but that should be coming soon.
Friday, March 10 - 6:25pm -
Getting ready to knock out walk 3 of 4. Other than that business as usual. Steady steps forward. He got lucky with these nurses too - they take great care of him.
Friday, March 10 - 2:20pm -
Went for walk #2. He's continuing to improve. Still a way to go yet but he's moving in the right direction and making some good distance.
Friday, March 10 - 11:25am -
Took his first walk of the day a bit earlier - went very well. Resting comfortably without much pain. Occ therapy is checking in with him right now. She's come to the realization that he's making her job too easy. He aims to please.
Friday, March 10 - 9:25am -
Good morning. Well, late last night we were proved wrong and Glenn was moved into his new digs. He is now residing in room 5151 Rm 2. He is settled in, feeling a bit more energetic and targeting a four-walk day. His system is beginning to wake up and get back to functioning again. All-in-all, he is doing very well in his recovery process.
Thursday, March 9 - 9:20pm -
Glenn went for a second walk around the ICU block. The doctors like that to happen to help get his system going. With Vince looking on, his split-time was .8 seconds off the mark set by his first walk. He's settling down for the night, getting his rest to make a go for his PR tomorrow.
Looks like a room move isn't in the cards for tonight. Most likely tomorrow.
This concludes our broadcasting day. Good night.
Thursday, March 9 - 6:30pm -
Serious napping took place this afternoon. Glenn says he feels surprisingly good. Of course the epidural with pain meds doesn't hurt.
Met with the surgeon this evening for a debrief. He felt like they were able to achieve their objectives and are confident in the results. To top off the procedure, they gave him a chemo bath and gently rocked him back and forth by hand for 90 minutes.
Next up, we're waiting for his general room to open up so that he can move out of the ICU. This could happen tonight yet, but if not, tomorrow for sure.
Thursday, March 9 - 1:30pm -
Glenn has been fitted with a corset to help compress his surgery wound, or go to the dance - not sure which. Settling down maybe for a bit of a nap.
Thursday, March 9 - 12:55pm -
Glenn had a 14-hour surgery last night. It was a very thorough procedure and the doctor was confident with the results.
He has since been up, out of bed and did a lap around the 5th floor with two nurses chasing after him. If you know Glenn then you know this is not a joke. He is in great spirits.
Thursday, March 9 - 11;26pm -
Mike is hitting the road. Thanks, Mike, for coordinating the communication regarding proceedings. He mentioned that Glenn needs a nap but he certainly doesn't appear to be nap-ready. His nurse Melina has been taking very good care of him.
Glenn was able to see Laila and Heather this morning along with Dan and Caroline. They are heading back home - Safe travels to them.
Thursday, March 9 - 8:00am -
Ok, fantastic news. Just talk to Glenn's nurse, they removed the ventilator tube, he's already cracking jokes and flirting with nurses! Will be going to see him in an hour, one more update from me after that, stay tuned. Thanks for all the prayers, they make a difference!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse