Memory Book

We're putting together a memory book for Alan's family. Family and friends (if you haven't yet), please send a favorite memory of Alan to katespjute@gmail.com. Thank you! And thank you for all the love and support you've been showing to the Spjute family.

Blood Drive

The blood drive will still be held tomorrow, August 13, from 9am-1pm on the corner of Peach and Nees, NOT peach and Herndon. Come get your coupon for a free pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream. We are so grateful that blood was available for Alan, and we would like to replenish that supply so other families can have one more day with the ones they love.

Thanks so much for your love and support. Your prayers of peace and comfort have been felt.

Obituary

Alan Harmon Spjute passed away August 4, 2011 surrounded by his family after a sudden illness. Alan was born the youngest of six children on July 25, 1992 in Fresno to Kent and Linda Spjute. From early on his sensitive, sweet, and playful spirit was evident. He was an active member of Boy Scout Troop 110 where he enjoyed backpacking and hiking. Alan was the first of the Spjute family to hike to the peak of Mt. Whitney, capping a six day sixty mile backpacking trip. He graduated from Buchanan High School in 2010 where he excelled academically. Throughout high school, Alan participated in marching band and jazz band. His jazz band performed twice on the main stage of the annual Monterey Jazz Festival, including a solo performance showcasing Alan’s talent on the trumpet. Alan also experienced success with Science Olympiad and Odyssey of the Mind, regularly placing in competitions where he was able to use his inventiveness and natural intelligence, such as creating catapults and self-propelled cars. Alan continued to pursue his affinity for math and the sciences at California Polytechnic State College where he completed his freshman year in engineering.

Alan was an avid reader, especially enjoying science fiction and fantasy novels. Some of his favorite series included Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and The Shannara Series. Alan also enjoyed games with family and friends; in particular, he could spend hours playing strategy board games like Epic Duels, Risk, and Axis and Allies. He was thus appropriately voted “Most Likely to Take Over the World” by his fellow high school band members.

Of all Alan’s accomplishments, however, his greatest was what he contributed to his family and many friends. His contagious laugh and affable spirit always lifted the room. His keen awareness of others’ feelings made anyone feel comfortable, included, and special. Alan had a loving and generous heart, as his family and friends experienced first hand. His example in life encourages us all to be more generous, more devoted, and more Christlike.

Alan Harmon Spjute is survived by his mother, his father, his stepmother Dale Spjute, his siblings, Aaron Spjute, Alex Spjute, Adrienne Elder, Adam Spjute, and Ashley Relitz, as well as his grandparents Edwin and Jacqueline Spjute.

He will be missed beyond measure but will ever remain in our hearts.

Update 8/4/11 @ 1:24PM

Alan passed away peacefully around 12:15AM. There will be an open viewing at Farewell Funeral (660 W Locust Ave # 101‎ CA‎ 93650) Home on Monday, August 8 from 5:00PM-8:00PM. The funeral service will be on Tueaday, August 9 at 11:00AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Peach south of Herndon (220 North Peach Avenue Clovis‎ CA‎ 93612). There will be a short viewing from 10:00AM-10:45AM before the service.

We are all very saddened by the loss of such a great friend, brother and son, and yet grateful for the overwhelming support, thoughts and prayers from all of his friends. For those wishing to send flowers, please send them to the Farewell Funeral home. We encourage everyone that can to donate blood in Alan's behalf either at the blood drive or at their local blood bank. Thank you again for all of your support.

Update 8/2/11 @ 11:08

Alan still remains on high pressure (PEEP of 16) and high oxygen (100%) on the respirator. The nurse told us this evening that the swelling he has is a normal side effect from the high pressure he is receiving from the respirator. It is called subcutaneous emphysema (Click here for more information) which is basically air under the skin. He said that as soon as they decrease the air pressure from 16 it should go away in 4-6 hours time. Alan remains off of the paralytic now. The charge nurses have seen the importance of maintaining the continuity of care with Alan, thus he will have the same nurses he has had before from here on out.

Update 8/2/11 @ 8:15PM

Alan is still at 100% oxygen support with oxygenation at 93-94. The PEEPs is at 16. He is off the paralytic and blood pressure is around 88. He is still very swollen (with air) and the hope is that it will go down through the night.

Update 8/2/11 @ 2:20PM

The bronchoscopy showed no bleeding/clots and very little fluid. They are trying to wean him off the paralytic and still keep him sedated so that he will be calm. The bedsore looks good and is not a large, open wound like before. His oxygen support is at 100 with oxygenation at 92. He is extremely swollen in the upper torso due to the air leak in the space around his lungs, but this is expected to take care of itself. His nurse, Ashlee, is working to balance all of his meds so he can start to make progress.