Lee and Dena Van Slyke were in an automobile accident late Saturday afternoon. Lee sustained injuries. Dena, Lee’s soul mate, did not survive.
Dena has been a member of the Center for more than 20 years and served on several committees. She was our building’s Suites leasing broker for three years, retiring from that position June 1st. Dena was deeply involved in community, professional, and arts related organizations in San Clemente and Idyllwild.
Rev. Alice says of Dena, “she was an enthusiastic and energetic member and key leader in our community who really cared about her Spiritual community and its members. Beyond her creativity and endless ideas, I will miss her tender and generous heart.”
The accident occurred in North San Diego County. It is unknown how many vehicles were involved in the accident, which was caused by an erratic driver.
We will have more information in the days and weeks to come about Dena, Lee, and plans for a memorial.
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8/17/2023
Lee is scheduled to be released from Encompass, the rehab hospital, Saturday, August 19th. From there is will head to Oregon to stay with is son David, for the next phase of his healing. I hope to have more information within the next few days.
8/3/2023
Lee’s stay at Encompass has been extended to August 19th. After he is discharged, he will travel to Oregon to continue healing at son David’s home.
7/31/2023
Lee is open for visits from friends and family, and will be at the rehab center for the next two weeks. If you are unable to visit, feel free to send cards and letters to Lee:
Lee Van Slyke
c/o Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Room 127
15120 Kensington Park Drive
Tustin, CA 92782
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7/30/2023
Lee enjoyed visits yesterday from Orange County friends! More will be visiting today and in the weeks to come.
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7/28/2023
Lee is settled into his new digs at Encompass in Tustin. It sounds like he will be there four a couple of weeks, and then will go with son David to his home in Oregon, spending the end of August and “the beginning of Fall” there, so that a family member can be with him 24/7.
David is really encouraging friends and family to visit him during the next few weeks, which will help him with lucidity and memory. Visiting hours are 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Tustin, 714-832-9200
Lee Van Slyke
c/o Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Room 127
15120 Kensington Park Drive
Tustin CA 92782
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7/27/2023
Lee had what I think may have been the final angiogram this morning, which went well. This afternoon he was being transferred to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Tustin where he will received advanced rehab.
Lee’s cognition has suffered some as a result of the aneurism. We think visits from friends and family will help this part of his recovery.
Dena’s Celebration of Life is in the pre-pre-planning stage. I don’t expect it will occur before September, or possibly October. Lee’s son, David, posted a Google document where you can read and share remembrances of Dena. The information on the first page with the UCSD hospital is out of date. “Mourning Dena” begins on page three. Access the document here.
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7/22/2023
Yesterday, Lee’s external shunt was removed and an internal one was placed (internal shunts are not uncommon). He will probably move from ICU to intermediate care today. Now that Lee is doing better and anesthesia is decreasing, he is noticing his discomfort more. No one like pain and discomfort, but it is a positive trade off.
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7/18/2023
Lee is being weaned off of the shunt draining fluids from his brain. Doctors are keeping a close eye on the process, which sounds like it will take several days. When that process is complete, Lee will start on blood thinners in preparation to have the stent placed, reinforcing the aneurism.
As you may recall, Rev. Alice went through this process for her unruptured aneurism a few years ago. Some time on anticoagulants, and then placement of the stent.
Once the stent is placed, Lee will move from the ICU into intermediate care, which sounds like a big step forward.
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7/14/2023
Early yesterday morning, Thursday, Lee experienced a vasospasm – a spasming of the blood vessels in the brain. He was placed back on a ventilator, and a shorter, simpler angiogram was performed to medically relieve the spasm. A little later, he experienced a small clot, which blocked the tube still draining fluid. The surgeon changed the tube and the problem was immediately relieved.
Lee is now off of the ventilator and supplemental oxygen. He is still a little spacy and feeling the sedation, but he is talking well. Physical therapy will begin again today.
Vasospasms are the most common side effect of aneurisms.
David, Lee’s son, is with him during visiting hours, interacting with and reading to Lee. And, by the way, Lee is being treated at a very highly ranked hospital in San Diego.
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7/13/2023
Today, Thursday, Lee unexpectedly needed another procedure and was placed back on a ventilator.
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7/12/2023
Lee had his second angiogram yesterday, Tuesday, which went very well. The surgeon was quite pleased. Lee will have his third and final angiogram in about a week, at which time they will place the stent. I have a hunch the rest of this week and into the next will be a time of adjustment and restarting rehab.
Lee continues to be surrounded and supported by his family.
— Pam
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7/9/2023
Update on Lee Van Slyke
As you may know Lee and Dena were in an automobile accident two weeks ago. Lee was injured. Dena did not survive. Lee is in the hospital and is recovering from his physical injuries. He is surrounded and supported by his family.
Update on Dena Van Slyke’s Celebration of Life
Plans for Dena’s Celebration of Life will begin to come together when Lee is more able to be involved. For now, the attention is on Lee’s recovery.
I will have more information available on a private page attached to the Center’s website early next week.
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