Algonquin chief discusses road to recovery

Algonquin Police Chief Russell Laine's medical condition was so dire that doctors weren't sure he'd live to celebrate his 58th birthday.

Laine didn't know, either, because he spent nearly five weeks of his four-month hospital stay in a coma.

The village's chief of 23 years ended up receiving treatment at three local hospitals to rid him of the double pneumonia that caused serious complications, spread into his blood stream and required doctors to put him in a medically induced coma for treatment, Laine said Wednesday.

The Elgin resident also was on dialysis because his kidneys weren't working properly, Laine said.

He began physical rehab once he could finally breathe without a ventilator.

Laine, who was released from Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin on Aug. 6, returned to work last week 70 pounds lighter.

He's been to work every day this week. And Wednesday, he crossed the station's threshold in a polo shirt and shorts because he can no longer fit into his police uniform.

"It's amazing how you lose your muscle tone and mass when you're not using it," Laine said.

He thanks the village, fellow police officers, his family and friends for looking out for both him and his wife, Patty, during his ordeal.

Hundreds of get-well cards, some from friends living in Europe, were there to greet Laine on his first day back. "At the last count, I had heard over 400 and I know more came in after that," said Deputy Chief Ed Urban.

Laine continues to undergo rehab at home three days a week to regain his strength and will work part-time at the station as his body allows.

Urban said he missed having Laine around not only as a friend - the pair have worked together for 21 years - but as someone who has the institutional knowledge and experience that comes with running a police department. "It felt like the first few days I was walking on a tightrope without a net underneath," Urban said. "We're glad to have him back."

For his part, being at police station among friends and colleagues is exactly the kind of therapy Laine said he needs for his soul.

"It's wonderful," he said. "It's the best medicine you can find."

Laine intends to spend the rest of the week cooling his heels in the Wisconsin cabin he shares with his wife.

The pair left for their trip Wednesday night.

"I'm taking an extended Labor Day weekend," Laine said. He then quipped: "I haven't had much of a vacation all summer."