Update:  January 27, 2012
 

We have some great news to report on Art!  Earlier this week Art met with his neurologist for a review of a recent CAT Scan and his doctor gave Art a clean bill of health and authorized him to gradually resume his personal and work lifestyle!  Due to a seizure Art experienced on Thanksgiving Day, he still won’t be able to drive for another two months, so Jay and Fritzie will be taking on the responsibility of carting Art around as he inches his way back to a normal routine. 

Yesterday Art came back to the office for the first time since November 21st, and he had a smile from ear-to-ear during his 2-hour stint in the office.  It is great to have Art back with us!
 

Update:  January 23, 2012

Brian Hamel and his wife, Gail, visited with Art & Fritzie at their home on January 22nd.  Brian is pleased to report that Art looked great, was speaking without hesitation and had very sound reasoning.  Our continued prayers are with Art on his road to recovery.
 

Update:  January 9, 2012

Art continues with his recovery at home with a daily regimen of antibiotics being administered via an IV.  Art is anxiously awaiting a blood test in the coming days which will hopefully return successful results thus allowing Art to be removed from the IV.  We will report in at the end of the week with an update on Art’s recovery.

Update:  December 29, 2011

We are pleased to report Art was released from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor on Wednesday, December 28th and is now resting at home in Limestone.  Art will be undergoing two weeks of extensive antibiotic treatment to combat his recent brain infection.  Art reports he is feeling great and is grateful for your continuing thoughts and prayers.

Update:  December 22, 2011

On Saturday, December 17th, Art had a setback in his recovery when he was admitted to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle. On Wednesday, December 21st, Art was transported by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor where he underwent additional surgery to drain and test fluid that had built up after Art's previous brain surgery.

Today, Brian Hamel visited Art in Bangor and has reported that he was able to speak with Art and he is resting comfortably. Art's medical team is working diligently to bring Art back to health. As we all celebrate the joys of the holidays, we ask you keep Art, Fritzie and their family in your hearts and prayers.

Update:  December 12, 2011

Art continues to rest at home and his recovery is going well.  Art has been out walking with his wife, Fritzie, and his daughter, Barbie while she was visiting,and to no one’s surprise he’s already talking about when he will be allowed to resume his jogging routine!!  Brian Hamel visited with Art at his home on Friday, December 9th, and they had a great visit.

Art wanted us to pass along to all his well wishers how grateful he is for your prayers, thoughts and acts of kindness.

Additional 11/28/2011 Update:

We just received a call from Art to inform us he in fact has been released from the hospital and is on his way home!

Art & Fritzie have asked us to relay to all of their family, friends, colleagues and clients how much they appreciate your warm thoughts and prayers.  They feel very blessed to have you in their lives.

Update: 11/28/2011

Great news to report!!  Brian Hamel and his wife, Gail, visited with Art in the intensive care unit at Eastern Maine Medical Center on Sunday, November 27th and Art was doing great!  Shortly after Brian and Gail left the hospital, Art was transferred out of ICU to a regular room, and we received a report this morning that Art is scheduled to be discharged from the hospital later today and will be back in Limestone before dinnertime!!  Art will continue his recovery at home, but we know it won’t be long before he is ready to resume his daily activities. We want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers extended in Art’s direction.  They have certainly worked.

Update: 11/23/2011

Art continues to rest comfortably in the intensive care unit of Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor and is doing well.  This morning Art had a CT Scan and the doctors reported everything is progressing well.  Art is scheduled to have the drains removed today from the incisions in his head that were used to relieve pressure built up around his brain from the bleeding, and we are in hopes he will be allowed to leave the ICU and the hospital soon.  Brian Hamel spoke with Art twice on the telephone yesterday, and Art is already negotiating with the doctors for his release and a return to his active lifestyle.  So, obviously he is feeling much better!  On this day before Thanksgiving, we give thanks to Art’s improving health.

11/22/2011:

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for our beloved founder, Art Thompson.  As you may be aware, Art was airlifted by Fresh Air, LLC from Presque Isle to Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) in Bangor on Monday, November 21st after tests at The Aroostook Medical Center (TAMC) detected bleeding in his brain. 

Art underwent successful surgery upon arrival at EMMC to relieve the pressure built up on his brain from two bleeds.  He is now resting comfortably and is alert and well.  It appears the bleeding was caused by blunt force trauma to the head, which Art now believes may have occurred a couple of months ago.  Art will remain in the intensive care unit through Wednesday and will be assessed again to make sure there are no infections or additional bleeding.  The doctors remain optimistic Art will make a complete recovery and return to his active self in no time. 

At this time of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the immediate and first class care Art received from TAMC, Crown Ambulance/Crown Air, Fresh Air, LLC and EMMC, but we are most grateful to have Art with us for a very long time.

(Please check back as we will update Art's status and progress.)