US Handball Message Board

VernRoberts · Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 27

Tucson's Mr. Handball, Charlie Wicker, suffered a severe heart attack after his Friday noontime handball game at the Tucson Racquet Club. Not feeling well, Charlie called 911 and was convinced to take the trip to the hospital to get checked out even though he was starting to feel better. The heart attack came as he was entering University Medical Center and he couldn't have been in a better place at the time.

It took a lot of work by the cardio team, including 13 shocks with the paddles, but Charlie, 72, hung tough, as any of us would have expected. They also found an artery that was 100% blocked that caused the attack and that has been cleared. Charlie is sedated but answering the commands given by the neurologist.

The reason for this message is to ask you all to send whatever strength, spiritual or otherwise, to Charlie during these crucial hours. And, to squash the rumor that Charlie passed away yesterday. That's been very disturbing for Joan to hear and we'd appreciate your help in stopping that rumor.

More about Joan: "Hey, I'm an Air Force wife and I sent him (Charlie) to Viet Nam, so I'm stronger than I look," Joan said. There's never been a doubt in my mind about Joan's resiliency but she has told me that she'd appreciate some privacy at this point. So far her day has consisted of answering phone calls rather than talking with Charlie's caretakers. Obviously, she'd rather do the latter at this point.

We'll keep you up to date and let you know when Joan is ready to receive well wishers.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Vern Roberts

VernRoberts · Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 27

Charlie's awake and alert, and that's great news considering what he's been through to this point.

And, he's amazing the ICU staff with his strong lungs and recuperative powers at 72.

As soon as he gets moved out of ICU and has the breathing tubes removed, he'll be cleared for visitors and talking.

I'll look forward to being able to give you that news.

VernRoberts · Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 27

Charlie is an amazing patient!

He's sitting up in a chair and talking without the breathing tube stuck down his throat.

His nurse said he may be moved from ICU in the next day or so which will mean he'll be a lot more accessible. At this time, due to transplant patients in the unit, etc., no flowers and no more than two family members at a time are allowed.

Charlie was told that usually, no more than 5 or so shocks are administered but they kept going to 13 on him since he was showing some signs of a heart beat. Thank goodness they didn't give up on him!

We'll keep you posted.

VernRoberts · Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 27

Charlie's been moved from ICU and is already looking forward to going home. "But I'm their miracle man, so they don't want to take any chances with me," Charlie said.

Charlie's working on his breathing machine as he developed some fluid in his lungs, so they're keeping an eye on that. An EKG is scheduled for Thursday and he's hoping he'll be home sometime this weekend.

As you can imagine, Joan's much relieved now as well.

VernRoberts · Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 27

Charlie "Miracle Man" Wicker was sent home today (Thurs.), less than a full week after needing 13 electric shocks to get his heart working again.

While he joked about playing handball Thursday night, Charlie's more realistic and is looking forward to being back playing after the first of the year.

So, for all of you lining up to get even with him, you'll have to wait.

Of course, he and Joan are in great spirits with the treatment he received at University Medical Center and the amazing recovery he has made.

Charlie is definitely a testament to the benefits of staying in shape!

joe4d · Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Posts: 1

Yes Vern, I was looking forward to geting even with Charlie in the yes to kids tournement. Please send me his address so I can wish him well and tell him that five years ago I had a heart attack while playing handball. Two stints and six weeks later I was back playing handball. My doctor showed me a picture of all the extra arteries that had grown in my heart. He attributed them to handball and said that reduced the damage to my heart. I'm sure the same is true of Charlie's heart.

Joseph De Groote

VernRoberts · Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 27

Charlie and Joan were at Tucson Racquet and Fitness on Friday and Sat. a.m. with Charlie merely overseeing his Tournament-Director-In-Training, Vince SanAngelo and the rest of the tournament crew.

Charlie's heart rate and blood pressure fell on Saturday morning and he was very dizzy, so he wisely called 911 and took a trip back to the hospital. As of Monday a.m., all seems well as the doctors are lowering and/or taking him off the medications that cause the pressure to drop. Charlie's pretty confident that his pressure will be getting back up today and then he's planning to head home tomorrow.