Keith P. Rojek DDS PC

05/21/2024

Well it has been two years since my practice was acquired by Dr Mansi Mehta, and Smiles of Northlake. I no longer use this site for any office information so if you would like to keep in touch, go to my personal page, Keith Rojek.
Retirement is good, I hope you all are well, staying healthy , and enjoying your loved ones.

10/10/2015

Well, a little less than three weeks ago I had surgery to correct an issue I have been dealing with the past 5 years. I have had a hemi facial spasm, or more commonly, a twitch in the right side of my face. When it first started, it was more in my eyelid and progressed to my cheek and more recently my forehead. When the twitch was more pronounced, I sought treatment, from supplements to acupuncture to electrical stimulation but no real improvement was happening. After diagnosis, the choice of control by Botox was chosen to paralyze the muscles. This allowed for no twitch of the muscles, but I still felt the impulse of the twitch. The Botox lasted for about 4 months, the first month a bit of drooping, two months of “normal”, and the last month of reoccurrence of the twitch sporadically. Then back to the Botox which consisted of 12-15 injections around my eye cheek and forehead. After several rounds of this, it became evident that this twitch was becoming more expansive, and the cause was a looped artery lying on my facial nerve. Every time my heart beat, the movement caused irritation of the nerve causing the twitch. After all the tests and preparation, I had the artery moved off the nerve, and a cushion placed between them. Immediately the problem was resolved and I am grateful for a very quick recovery. Everything is good. Another chapter in my array of crazy experiences. The procedure done was a sub-occipital craniotomy to allow for microvascular decompression of the facial nerve to resolve a hemifacial spasm. (try impressing people with that one).

After this surgery, I wanted to say to people and friends to live a full life, work and fight to stay healthy ,active and optimistic, trust in good healthcare providers, and be in charge of your life and health. Also a big thank you to my wife Liz and family for their love help and support. Also thanks to my staff to keep us going and watching out for me during my short recovery. Stay healthy everyone!

08/20/2015

I am sorry I have not been posting here for a while. Besides being busy, we were getting through some health issues with Sonia. I have again gone on another mission trip to Honduras, to the rainforests of Gracias a Dios, to a village called Rus Rus. We are back after an excellent adventure. Go to this link for a story and many amazing pictures

http://medicorusrus2015.shutterfly.com

01/30/2015

Pics of our Christmas outing Then out shopping

11/04/2014

I am back from Honduras, another successful trip completed safely. pleas go to this link for interesting pictures and account of the trip.
Http://moskitia2014.shutterfly.com

10/16/2014

A long journey of hope.

Back on my last mission trip to Gracias, Lempira, Honduras, the medical team had the opportunity to visit the local hospital where Medico had partnered to improve and expand the local hospital for the residents of that region. This area is so underserved, there is only one dentist in the area with a very small one chair office in the hospital, and where there is a huge lack of equipment and supplies. In the Maternity ward, we saw the rooms where 3 new mothers shared one bed with three newborns, and there were three beds per room. Yes 18 Moms and newborns PER ROOM! The conditions were very poor, and going through the pediatric wards was a touching experience that pulled on ones heart.

When I returned the image of the hospital was in my head, and I wondered what could be done. I had asked my Son, Daniel who works in a hospital in southern Illinois if the hospital there ever donated any old equipment. Dan was able to get two used incubators that the hospital was eliminating from service and asked if I could use them. I traveled down to St. Louis on Mothers Day and put the incubators into my truck and brought them, through a tremendous rain storm back to my home.
I called a patient, Rick W. who has a shipping company and he arranged for the incubators to be picked up, wrapped and shipped to Dallas, where my friend, Dr. Tom Brian lives. Dr. Brian is the founder of Send Hope.Org. , which has an orphanage in Puerta Lempira that we had visited last October. Tom had obtained the use of a shipping container from a company that ships here, and he uses it on the return trip, to ship items down to the orphanage. The incubators were sent to him and he had them shipped through the ports and customs in Honduras, all the way to Puerta Lempira. The incubators arrived at the hospital in Puerta Lempira last month, and have been immediately put to use. What a great end to a long journey and my gratitude to all who had a part in this good deed.

10/16/2014

I am heading back with Medico, to Puerta Lempira Honduras next week for another Dental Mission trip in The mosquito coast with a team of 10 veterans volunteer dentists, physicians and nurses as well as support leaders will be working in very difficult conditions to provide much needed care. It is in a very remote area where we will be working in the towns of Laka Tabila and Krata. I will have stories and pictures when I return.

09/06/2014

9/11
As some of you may know, last month I was in New York City where I was able to see the new 9/11 memorial and museum. It was quite an experience, very well done and very emotional. To see the site, and remember the feelings of that day and time brought back recollections of that time thirteen years ago, and made me think of all that has happened since. The amazing thing was to see how the area has recovered, and the resolution and will of the people to restore the area, yet remember the people and heroes that were involved in this history. It was if a new tree emerged in the area of ashes.

Personally, I also remembered the feelings after the day, and how I knew America would again survive and grow stronger because of the resolve of the people. I was also saddened to realize that the further we get away from those days the more people get away from how they felt toward each other immediately after the tragedy. The impact of daily events and the bickering are taking a toll on each of us. Remember how strangers opened doors, helped each other and genuinely cared for courtesy and patience? My hope on this Remembrance Day is that we also remember that we are all in this together, we NEED to pull together to continue to make our country greater and stronger. We have faced problems before and together we survived and grew stronger with optimism. UNITED States of America!

06/12/2014

First of all Congratulations to my daughter Kelly Marie for being named "Teacher of the Year" as a Physics,Engineering teacher in the 11th grade at Johnson College Prep high school in the inner city of Chicago. Even more amazing is she is a first year teacher. .....

Next week I will be participating again in the third Illinois Mission of Mercy in Peoria Illinois. Every two years, the Illinois State Dental Society sponsors this event that provides Dental care, as well as preventative medical screenings to thousands of people. Over 1000 volunteers provide these services over three days. A hundred portable dental chairs are heavily used. This is an event that has events in many states many times throughout the year. It never ceases to amaze me how many healthcare people of many backgrounds come together to volunteer their time and services both at home and in many other countries throughout the world. The funny thing is we get back far more than we give.

03/26/2014

Back from Honduras, another incredibly busy week with lots of people needing our help. The team was again outstanding, lots of good was accomplished, from education of the areas' medical providers, and hospital providers, to eyeglass exams and glasses, to lots of extractions, fillings ,fluoride, instruction, and medical as usual solved many serious problems from infections to parasitic infections, lice, and even a few severe lacerations. We also had an emotional visit to the Gracias hospital, where we saw the lack of resources for the much needed care. The hospital had a very small dental clinic, with one chair which was to take care of 360000 people. No wonder we were so busy! The lines in the area we were in were long, starting in early morning. On Thursday, people started to line up at 4:30 am for care. I again had the honor of working with great dental providers, Dr. Nadia Malik , Dr Rob Ritter ,Kathleen Connelly Van Eyck hygienist, and Gail Ritter, Dr Robs wife a therapist who did some great things with her physical therapy skills.
If you have time all my pictures can be seen at www.hondurasmedico2014.shutterfly.com. I will whittle them down when I get a chance.

03/07/2014

One week until my next MEDICO mission to Honduras. We are going again with lots of veterans into the mountainous region near La Iguala. I get to test my newly repaired rotator cuff. At least it will be warmer than Chicago . And greener

02/27/2014

Here is the link for my album of pictures from my last trip to the rainforest of Honduras. Check out the culture of these people and see our amazing trip

Www.hondurastrips.shutterfly.com

Www.hondurastrips.shutterfly.com