Friends Rally to Help Ailing Chef

Chef Rob Macey’s culinary career was in high gear in 2008 when, without warning, he passed out in the kitchen at Macy’s Department Store in Chicago where he was the excecutive chef.

Rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the alumnus faced the news that he’d had a seizure. He was diagnosed with viral encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.

The non-smoking athlete, who’d enjoyed good health in the past, was given anti-seizure medication and advice on how to manage the condition, for which there is no certain cure.

“They tested him for 300 viruses,” said his wife Kim, who is also a Lake Zurich High School graduate, adding that the aim was to treat whichever virus it was that had somehow infected her husband’s spinal fluid.

But the seizures continued, despite the medication.

“My medication was not completely keeping me from seizures, so I couldn’t drive, couldn’t keep a job,” said Macey, who now makes his home in Port Barrington with Kim and their two daughters, Emily and Helen.

Things got progressively worse. So, after consulting with Northwestern Memorial’s medical experts, Macey decided to go ahead with a risky brain surgery.

On Feb. 28, part of his skull was removed so surgeons could place sensors on his brain to detect the location of the disease, Macey said.  On March 2, a portion of his brain was removed and his skull was put back in place.

“I was in the hospital for three weeks,” he said.

More than two months later, Macey is still recovering. He continues to take anti-seizure medication.

The hope is that Macey eventually will be completely free of seizures and will be able to stop taking medication.

“We maybe can wean him off the meds after six months,” Kim said.

Meanwhile, the family is dealing with “massive bills,” Macey said.

Though insured, Macey said the portion of medical expenses he is responsible for paying is sizable.

“I haven’t been able to work for about a year,” he said. “This last year and a half just killed us (financially).”

Fundraiser Planned

Macey and his family are getting a little help from their friends.

Deborah and Rich Rivera, owners of Ambrosia Euro-American Patisserie in Barrington, are presenting a fundraising evening on May 21 at their restaurant at 710 West Northwest Highway. The event will be held from 5-9 p.m.

“My husband Rich and I have known (Macey) for years,” said Deborah Rivera. “He’s just a very humble human being. This is to raise money to help the family with medical expenses. It’s a tough time for them.”

Rivera said several of Macey’s good friends, including Bill Kopanda, vice principal at Cary Grove High School, and Danny Warner, one of Macey’s cross-country skiing buddies, are helping to present “Sweet Relief,” an evening that will feature a savory, pastry and sweet buffet, live music and a silent auction. Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance at Ambrosia’s or by phone and $25 at the door.

“We’re all trying to pull together friends and acquaintances from our representative industries,” Rivera said.

Rivera said the Maceys are well known in restaurant circles.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Macey embarked on a culinary career that took him to places like Le Titi De Paris, Charlie Trotter’s, Montarra and ownership of the Harvest Moon Café in Woodstock.

He also worked as a corporate chef and taught at Elgin Community College.

The Maceys said they are grateful for the help.

“We’re lucky to have such great friends that are doing this,” said Kim Macey.

“I didn’t expect this. I feel like just a guy who got sick and my friends are just trying to help me out,” Rob Macey said.

For more information about Sweet Relief, call Ambrosia at (847) 304-8278.