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A remeberance page for Alec Mounkes, 13, Lyndon, has been
set up on Facebook - visit it at R.I.P
Alec Mounkes.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alec Mounkes, a 13-year-old seventh-grader
from Lyndon, died Thursday at Children’s Mercy Hospital
in Kansas City, Mo., following complications from blood clots
and infection, said Lyndon USD 421 Superintendent Brian Spencer.
“On his 13th birthday, Oct. 6, Alec suffered a sprained
ankle in a middle school football game,” Spencer wrote
in a press release issued to area media Monday.
“His family took him to an emergency room where his
ankle was x-rayed and they were told it wasn’t broken
and to stay off it for a while. Over the next few days, despite
another trip to an emergency room, instead of getting better,
the injury worsened.”
Spencer said that five days after the initial injury, a trainer
from Kansas Orthopedics who visits the school each week, made
a determination that Alec needed immediate medical attention.
He was transported by ambulance to Stormont-Vail in Topeka,
where he went into cardiac arrest shortly after arriving.
“After the emergency room crew got his heart started
again, he was flown by helicopter to Children’s Mercy
Hospital in Kansas City,” Spencer said. “After
arriving there, he went into cardiac arrest again. He was
once again revived and placed on a heart and lung machine.”
Spencer said the source of the problem was blood clots, and
the blockage was so severe in Alec’s right leg, surgeons
had to amputate his right leg at the knee Oct. 15.
“Over the next 12 days, Alec and the medical staff at
Children’s Mercy, with the outstanding support of his
family and community, fought a valiant fight against the blood
clots and infection to save his life,” Spencer said.
“Unfortunately, following surgeries on Oct. 26 and 27
to further amputate Alec’s right leg at mid thigh, his
left leg above the ankle, and clear his lungs of infection,
Alec was unable to continue the fight and passed away.”
Spencer dismissed school at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday to allow students
and staff to attend Alec’s funeral at 1 p.m. at Mt.
Pleasant Community Church, Lyndon. Grief counseling has been
made available to all students.
“This is a difficult time for everyone involved,”
Spencer said. “As with most small towns, everyone is
involved and trying to help. Alec is a great kid from a great
family. He will be missed greatly. The beauty of a small town
is how everyone is able to rally together, and that is what
we are all trying to do. Our best advice is simply for kids
to hug their parents, and parents to hug their kids. Life
is too short and precious to take for granted.”
Memorial funds have been established and will all be directed
to the family. Lyndon State Bank, 817 Topeka Ave., has established
the “Team Alec Account,” and Citizens State Bank,
1400 Topeka Ave., has established an Alec Mounkes Memorial
Fund. Cards, flowers and memorial funds may also be sent to
Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka, Ave., Lyndon KS, 66451.
• An obituary for Alec Mounkes appears on Page
2A of this edition.
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