Benefit for local radio personality raises thousands

Local musician Robbie Frish was overwhelmed with gratitude at a benefit in his honor Saturday at Haffy’s Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Poplar Bluff. The event raised more than $5,000 to help him in his recovery,

Frish, who didn’t know he was diabetic, spent 16 weeks in four different medical facilities after suffering diabetic ketoacidosis.

His daughter, Kristen Frish, who is a nurse, said, “my dad is truly a miracle. My family is so grateful for every day. He has an army of love and support from all his friends and family that was truly humbling throughout the entire journey. He still has a lot to overcome, but he is a fighter.”

Recounting “my dad became very sick Nov. 17,” Kristen Frish said. “He had stopped answering my mom’s calls and was in Poplar Bluff at the radio station alone. My older brother Adam and I drove to Poplar Bluff after I talked to my mom and was concerned something was wrong. Adam arrived, first finding him with rigid muscles and very confused. 911 was called and he was transferred to the PBRMC ER.”

Kristen Frish shared her mother “was able to go to his room, where she stayed until around 7 a.m. We found him at 11 p.m. He was severely dehydrated and had a blood sugar of 1330 in the ER and was in diabetic ketoacidosis( DKA). They started fluids and an insulin drip in the ER. Due to the lack of ICU beds, it took a while to find somewhere to send him, and at one point we thought he was going to have to be sent states away. Around 3 p.m. Nov. 18, he was transferred to St. Claire hospital in Fenton, Missouri, thanks to our cousin Julie Ferguson.”

While everyone was enjoying themselves, Lisa Frish was remembering to give the “glory to who it belongs” as she recalled Robbie Frish’s days on the ventilator, his kidneys beginning to fail, dialysis, aspiration pneumonia, bilateral DVT’s (blood clots) in both arms due to being confined to bed, high blood sugars and electrolyte imbalances caused swelling in his brain which caused his brain to be functioning at a much slower rate.

On day 17 he was successful with a breathing trial and the ventilator was removed.

The family rejoiced when he was able to say “hello” and “I love” when the nurse called the family, Kristen said. He remained on dialysis for another two weeks and then his kidneys began to improve. After five weeks in the St. Claire hospital, he was transferred to Breeze Park for rehab. He had developed two, stage-four pressure ulcers due to being bed bound. He remained confused and in severe pain. After six days, he was seen by the wound nurse, who had concerns of infection with his wounds. He was sent to Barnes-Jewish St. Peters, where the wounds were treated. After starting IV antibiotics again and having multiple surgeries, he finally started to have some mental clarity. After a week and a half in Barnes, he was transferred to Select Specialty long-term acute, where he received wound care, IV antibiotics and therapy. He remained there for five weeks. While there he learned to walk again, techniques on how to dress himself laying down, and he had no appetite and struggled with getting the nutrition needed. He had also lost 100 pounds.

He was then transferred back to Breeze Park for continued therapy. While there, he slowly gained his appetite back and continued getting stronger. After exactly 16 weeks, he was able to go home March 9. He continues to use a wheelchair for getting around due to a low heart rate and dizzy spells.

“Him and my mom both had a lot to learn about his medications, wound care, transfers and how to adjust to their new life,” Kristen Frish said. “They have both taken it with such stride and resilience. He will be getting a heart monitor Wednesday and may need a pace maker due to damage from everything that has happened. He doesn’t remember the first seven weeks of this journey, but once he was alert he never stopped pushing forward, even on his bad days.

While Robbie Frish and his family, which also includes daughter Cayla of Union, Missouri and son Casey of Rolla, Missouri, were battling for his life, his friends in Poplar Bluff were praying for his recovery and offering help in other ways.”

He has been in radio 40 years, said Craig Meador of Poplar Bluff, listing the names of where he’s worked, which includes most of Poplar Bluff’s radio stations. Presently, he’s associated locally with KZMA and KLUE.

When Frish became ill, Meador and Jim Borders of Poplar Bluff stepped in to help Frish. Not only did Meador help with the work on the air, he and Borders helped with the business side of the stations.

His friends knew Frish was fighting to recover and they wanted to continue helping him. They began planning last weekend’s benefit several weeks ago, with Jeff Jaynes ramrodding the event

“I have known Robbie for years,” Kim Baughn of the Nuthin Fancy Band said. “Robbie has played guitar with every band here. He is a good guy and a good cause. He has done this (helping others) for years.”

“We are doing for Robbie what he usually does for others,” a member of another band said.

Meador said, “people were just amazing” as he listed people and businesses like Tracy and Tami Edington of Money Mizer, Richard Sheppard of Richard’s Roadware LLC, Whitworth’s Gift Chest Jewelers, B & K Trading Post, Earl’s Dinner, The Camp, and Tasteful Creations, who donated to the auction and auctioneer Don Cooper.

“Larry and Lisa Haffard, we cannot thank them enough,” Meador said.

Among the special guests were Roy Ward, Brandon Bates, Greg Yates and 97-year-old Duard Mattingly, who sang a song he performed with county singer Ray Price 60 years ago at the Blue Moon.

Among the other bands performing were Just-Us, Kool Edition, Zeds Dead, As Is Band, Cinder Block, Red Zeppelin and Roger Mattingly.