Celebrating Hope
and Spirit
Incredible things do happen...
Hope & Spirit Honoree: Keith RuelleLife hit a sour note for Keith Ruelle nearly a year ago when he was diagnosed with cancer. The popular music teacher and dean of students at Racine’s St. Catherine’s High School learned he would have to have a tumor removed from his bile duct.
The surgery, done on Sept. 29, 2005, lasted more than nine hours. The recovery period stretched in to eight months of being in and out of the hospital. He had complications. More operations were required. He also developed a rare liver problem.
Through it all, Keith’s spirits remained high as he moved back and forth from the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and 3 North Tower. He celebrated many holidays at Froedtert, including Christmas. His choir students came during the holiday to sing carols.
Finally on April 27, he was discharged. He was off his feeding tube and free of drains. He would be able to make his annual band camp trip to Pennsylvania.
Keith was nominated by Magnet Nurse Ambassador Michelle Clark from 3 North Tower.
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