Covenant News

Chaplain Recovering in Chicago Hospital

CHICAGO, IL (January 14, 2004) - Covenant Village of Northbrook chaplain Bruce Thorson is currently recovering in a local hospital after receiving a double transplant of a liver and kidney on January 1.

The 54-year-old Thorson, a chaplain for more than 10 years after serving as pastor of a Covenant church in Aurora, Nebraska, had been in a convalescent unit as an intermediate step to going home to recuperate. Doctors were optimistic, although some minor physical problems were being examined.

Last night, Thorson underwent an MRI test and doctors found fluid buildup that caused him to be hospitalized at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. "This is a setback, but is not a disaster," said chaplain Richard Bergstrom, who received the information from Bruce's wife, Merileen, on Wednesday morning.

Thorson, a resident of Round Lake Park, Illinois, had undergone a liver transplant previously, according to Bergstrom. During tests to his new liver, doctors discovered that there was significant kidney damage and Thorson was put on dialysis in 2003. He was put at the top of a transplant list due to his deteriorating health.

Bergstrom added that notes of encouragement may be sent to Thorson's email address at BEThorson@CovenantRetirement.org or to his home.

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