Thursday, September 30, 2010

Here we are on the last day of September, 2010. My dad told me this morning that he was happy to see a new month coming in.... In his world, which was forever changed on 8/23, moving forward on the calendar is everything!! He has been spending much time in the therapy room as well as sitting in the reclining chair. Everyday doing a little bit more than the day before. He has started to notice/see improvement which is a milestone in that it was previously everyone except him who noticed & told him of his improvement. HE is finally seeing it himself! When we talk of improvement we are many times speaking of tiny tasks that one would not even think about doing like touching your left ear with your left hand! He understands everyday what a long road he has ahead of him BUT he/we are very encouraged!

If anyone has been wondering when a good time to visit would be, this weekend would be good! I will be out of town and Kim will be working off/on over the weekend. Thanks to everyone who has visited, prayed, sent a card or called! It is because of you and faith that my dad has found reason to keep going every single day!

Rehab - what fun

I went to see my brother yesterday. I found him in the therapy room working weights with each hand alternating. Then he had arm stretches and worked his fingers in his left hand. The OT had him using pegs for muscle control and had him doing other things to strengthen his arms and hands. I missed the part where they were working on his legs. He has therapy every day for at least an hour and it really wears him out. But he does work hard to get his strength back. He doesn't complain and always has an upbeat attitude.

He was tired when he got back to his room. It took some time for the staff to get him back to bed as they have to use a lift and it was in use. He had to wait his turn.

All in all it was a good day but he does tire after all the therapy. He enjoys getting cards. He has quite a collection. He appreciates all the cards and prayers.

Friday, September 24, 2010

My dad was moved back to Heartland in Waterville, Room 508, last night. He's is in much better spirits, eating normal foods again and working on stretching his left hand (along with everything else that he can move). Still very weak & says he feels like a rag doll. Joe & I are going to set the new HD television up in his room tomorrow. That should make for much more pleasant TV viewing since all he's had is a 9" swing out from the wall with no remote. Small blessings!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Dad continues to move forward. He is now in Ortho unit, room 234. Ortho docs were in at their usual 5:00 a.m. time:) They reported the x-rays taken yesterday of all the surgical sights looked very good & removed the left arm wrappings. That was huge for my dad:) Now all the staples & sutures are out & although no weight bearing, he sort of has 2 arms again! GI is coming along, although still experiences some lingering effects from Saturday's events. BTW, the diagnosis was bleeding stress ulcer, which was caused by all the stress to his body following the accident. Apparently, this complication is somewhat common in these circumstances. Diet is going to be gradually increased to soft solids. Broth, soda, jello & ice cream are growing old as you can imagine. PT was in this afternoon while Kristie was there. She reports it's more stretching than what one would think of typical PT. If all continues to go well, discharge should be within the next day or two.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

First, thanks to Aunt Janet for posting the update on Saturday and sorry it has taken me so long to add to it!

As previously stated, the weekend was very stressful. It was clear on Friday my dad wasn't looking or acting good and by evening his blood pressure was very low. He had gone through a tough physical therapy session earlier in the day and the thought was he just overdid it. By Saturday morning it was obvious that was not the case. He was rushed to St. Luke's & right away the nurse could tell he was losing blood, likely site, upper GI. Throughout the day he was given 3 untis of blood, numerous boluses of fluid & multiple meds to keep him stable. Plan was to admit to ICU and consult the GI docs. The OR's were full as were the ICU beds, so the wonderful ER nurse (who has 5 years experience in ICU) tracked down the GI doc, explained my dad's situation/history & asked if was possible to perform the endoscopy right in the ER room. Doc agreed (thank you God!) so around 4:30 p.m. they moved the equipment into the room & did their job. An hour later the door opened & we got the good news they found the bleed site, it was cauterized & bleeding stopped. Horray!! Kim & I were able to go right in with him at that time & he looked better immediately. His comment "it felt like the kitchen sink went down his throat!!" Ahhh... the procedure was done with very little pain meds as to not lower his BP any further. It was either that or back on the vent and NOBODY wanted that. Another hurdle he passed.

Still no available ICU beds so it was off to St. V's via ground Life Flight. I had the pleasure following the unit and could see the male nurse & my dad chatting the whole way. Such a nice sight!! Since then he as been poked at least 50 times for blood since they are closely monitoring his hemoglobin, potassium and other things. He has required 1 additional unit of blood, but the nurse said that was not unusual given the amount he lost. He had probably been bleeding sporadically for a week or longer. No wonder he wasn't hungry!!

My dad has advanced from ice chips to a liquid diet & cleaned his tray entire this morning! Small blessings:) He's still in the ICU, but has been cleared for transfer to a step-down room. Just waiting for a bed to become available... Hmmm we seem to be hearing this a lot lately! The ortho docs were in this morning and said his surgery sites were looking good, wound care nurse agreed.

Kristie arrives this afternoon and my dad is looking forward to seeing her. As you can imagine by now, there are many complications that could arrive, uninvited, at any given time. Thank God each one has had a happy ending to date. We pray for my dad to continue moving forward with his recovery. We have been blessed thus far in this long road to recovery. Praise God!

Hectic Saturday

The information I have was gotten though phone calls, a lot of phone calls. My brother was not feeling well and was given a milk of magnesia type of medication. His stools were very dark and shortly after his blood pressure dropped quite a bit. He was taken the St. Luke's Hospital as it was the closest. He was given two pints of blood, I think, as they tried to figure out what was wrong. They thought it might be internal bleeding. They did a scope down to his stomach and found a small stress ulcer in his stomach. They were able to cauterize it.

He was transported back to St. Vincent's hospital since they are familiar with him. They took him there last night and he will be there for another day or two so they can keep an eye on things.

I talked to my brother Bob this morning and Tip is doing good. He is alert and talkative. He knows he didn't feel well but doesn't remember all the rest, which is probably good.

It was a stressful day for all of us but especially his girls. I didn't go to the hospital because Jim and I both have colds and we didn't want to spread the germs.

By the way Kay, HAPPPY BIRTHDAY! Now you can relax and enjoy your day. You have something to celebrate with your dad doing so well again.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Dad continues to show improvement while in rehabilitation. He can move both legs together now which is huge! He says the legs "talk to each other" once again. Along with healing of all the surgery sights, the biggest challenge he faces each day is how to deal with laying in bed. Blaaa anybody that knows my dad knows he doesn't do well when he's not on the move & not in control! He is counting the days until his next doctor visit which is 9/28. Hopefully he'll get a good report and a time frame as to when he can begin putting pressure on his left leg & left arm.

To celebrate my birthday this weekend I am buying him a new TV, one with a remote. Hard to believe the facility doesn't have one, but they do not. Sunday we will share a special treat from the restaurant of his choice. He's supposed to be thinking about what food he's craving. So far, nothing has struck home! Wish us luck & pray for continued recovery!

Thanks:)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

My dad was cleared by the cardiologist today for discharge. Whatever procedure needing to be done from the cardio standpoint is not urgent and the doctor recommended it wait until my dad is further along in his recovery. He was in much better spirits this morning and once again, improving after a major surgery. Even though his body has been treated like a machine, we must remember he is not! Physical therapy has been working him hard bedside bending him every which way and sitting him on the side of his bed, feet dangling, him mumbling. He continues to accomplish tasks that he thought he would not be able to do.

As I write he is on his way back to Heartland of Waterville and as far as he was concerned, this trip could not have come soon enough. Although he has had excellent care, he has had enough of the hospital! I guess it was best he slept through the first 8 days:)

Please continue to pray for his recovery, that the Lord provide him with the strength, positive attitude and will he needs to move forward each day. Also, feel free to call or occasionally stop by & visit him in Waterville!

Thanks for all your support thus far!

Monday update

A test was done today on his heart, probably because of his history. There is a minor partial blockage but the doctor doesn't seem too concerned about it. At some future date a stent might be in the picture. Tip would like it later, others in the family would prefer it to happen while he is still in the hospital.

He wants to go back to rehab at Waterville today but it will most likely be tomorrow. He is getting stronger by the day and hopefully he will be able to strengthen his upper body. It will be some time before he can put any weight on his legs. He has his cell phone with him in Heartland of Waterville. He does get bored at times but we aren't sure right now how much time will be spent in rehab once he returns.

He will need strength and support from family and friends as he goes through what most likely will be a long recuperation. Thanks again for all the good thoughts and prayers. I might have mentioned this before but I want to mention it again, I think we have seen a miracle.

Friday's surgery

He did well. The doctor was happy that they were able to do all they planned on doing. When asked if there would be more surgery he said none is planned. He actually smiled - for the first time - when speaking with us. He had been poker faced and would always say what "might" or "could" happen. He seemed very upbeat and that reassured all of us.

He will remain in the hospital a day or two so they can keep an eye on him. He will then return to the nursing home/rehab center. I would imagine that there they will work on strengthening him in ways they can. His left arm has to heal as both bones were broken so that will take awhile. Also he is not allowed to put any weight on his legs for several months.

It will be a long recovery and in rehab. This will be hard on him because he wants to do things now. Thank you everyone for your support in this first phase of his recovery. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Thursday September 9, 2010

Dad's surgery to repair his R tibia and remove the fixator bar is scheduled for tomorrow, (Friday, 9/10/10). He will be in the hospital again for 1-3 days & hopefully this will be the last stay for a while. He is a little nervous stating this is the first surgery he has been awake for! Totally understandable statement.. I tried to reassure him that the doctor said tomorrow's surgery should be quick compared to the others, but not sure that helped. Also pretty tired from yesterday's therapy saying if the therapy people forget to come get him today that would be just fine:) Please pray for successful surgery & continued recovery.

Dad did well in his PT. He gets tired easy, but moving in the right direction. The surgery postponed until tomorrow. Kay has explained to me that "Dad is a MODEL patient"!!!

Wednesday September 8, 2010

My dad continues to improve. Very much in tune to everything that has happened and going to happen. This morning he was put in a recliner which is only the 3rd time he's been out of a bed in 16 days. The therapy people were coming to get him when I was leaving. Not sure how much they'll be able to do, but just sitting up & working his right arm will be huge steps in the right direction. He's making friends with his caregivers and basically everybody that comes into his room. Praise God for healing thus far!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Lots to report since the Saturday update. My dad is doing really, really well all things considered. He is much more oriented to his surroundings, the accident, the present & the future. He has differentiated what was a dream & what really happened. On Sunday he was happy to wake up & know where he was! He can now pick up both arms & stretch them above his head, adjust his upper body a bit in bed, operate his remote bed, his cell phone & feed himself. All these things make him feel a little independent, which is very important in his world right now. I talked to the therapy people and they are going to be putting him in the reclining chair (with wheels) and take him for rides to get him out of the room. Also, they'll sit him on the side of the bed (he's been asking) and do some strengthening with his right arm. His face looks great and his swelling is gone. Kim brought in his high school football picture which has turned out to be a great conversation starter for everybody who walks into his room. No surprise there:)))) He is grateful for life & for the love and care he's received from all the professionals, family & friends these last two weeks. The next surgery is scheduled for Friday 9/10/10 at 8:30 a.m., St. V's. The plan is to fix the right tibia & remove the last stablizing bar. Doctor said it will be done outpatient so if they keep him overnight that will be the extent of the stay. Please pray for a successful surgery!!

Saturday's visit

Tip was having a day of rest. He talked to the rehab person and they discussed a plan. Not much happening this weekend as it is a holiday weekend. He did pretty good eating. He is getting better movement of his right arm and said he'd be glad when the left arm, which has a cast on it, would be more useful. He watched some football on TV. But mostly he rested after a busy day on Friday.

Friday's update

He had quite a day today. The Dr. saw him early this morning and said he is doing well. He may have his final surgery late next week. He had rehab and PT both today. They wanted him sitting up with his legs over the side of the bed. He can't do it by himself yet but he did his best. He received more cards today and enjoyed reading them.

Then around 4:30 the "bus" came and took him to Heartland of Waterville for rehab. He will be there until the next surgery which will be done at St. Vincent's. One of the doctors talked to his daughter Kay today and said Tip is doing remarkably well. He also said in his opinion he will be able to do anything he did before the accident.
That is HUGE. I don't think any of us thought this would be possible.

He was resting around six oclock this evening so that he would be awake to watch the U of Toledo game against Arizona tonight on ESPN. He was supposed to be at the game. He's had season tickets for years.

He is at Heartland of Waterville, 8885 Browning, room 508. Take Antony Wayne Trail west through Waterville. Just beyond Farnsworth Park turn right on Neowash Rd. and then right again at Browning.

Thursday's progress

I didn't see Tip on Thursday but according to his daughter he was sitting in a chair for two hours. His right arm and hand aren't as stiff as they were. He is in good spirits and enjoyed a friend from work that visited with him for a couple of hours. His coloring is better each day. He slept better Wed. night and seems alert.

It looks like he will be moving on to another place on Friday. I will put that information on here as soon as I know.

Eventful day

My niece Kristie wrote about Tip's morning. He afternoon was busy. They moved him to step-down ICU and removed all sorts of tubes, wires and whatall. He had lunch, again real food, and they also had him dangle his legs! This is with two broken legs, one severly. Unbelievable that he can do this. He's doing all the things the Dr. and nurses ask him to so he gets better. He's had a load of company today. He didn't sleep last night, might be because he slept for 8 days. They wanted him stimulated late afternoon and into evening so he would be tired tonight. So we'd ask him questions and talk about all kinds of things. He ate part of his dinner and then had a milkshake that he really enjoyed. He was disappointed the Cleveland Indians game was at noon and he had missed it. He finally seemed tired a little after 8 o'clock and we left.

He is on very little pain medication. The pain meds he was on earlier are wearing off but make him a little fuzzy. But basically he is doing quite well. It's nice to have our brother back and my nieces and his grandchildren are thrilled with his progress also.

Like my sister Kay said, we are sooooo thankful to have are father with us. I had the opportunity to speak with him briefly. Mentally, he seems to be taking this news well. He was able to sit in a chair today for 15 minutes and 1 second! He ate breakfast, but got tired pretty fast...to be expected. Thank you for all of your kinds words, thoughts and prayers...I believe it all helped! We are still worried of course, but are so very thankful that he is alive!!!!!

Tuesday Follow-up

Much has happened after the last post. All good things... feeding tube out, central line out of his chest & now in his arm, neck brace off, talking more clearly, ate 2 helpings of jello and mind is less fuzzy. Believe it or not, there have even been a few chuckles:) God Bless my dad and love him:) He is obviously in complete disbelief, can't believe this happened, but did say he is up for the challenge it will take to recover. I don't think there is a man possessing more stubborness & determination. There have been times I thought these were not great attributes (ha!), but as with all things in life, there is a reason and by golly, this just may be the reason! Looking forward to going back to the hospital in a few hours to seeing him again. If all goes well, he will most likely be transferred out of ICU within the next day and from there we are hoping for one of the Rehab Centers, Flower or MUO. This health care system doesn't let one settle in any one place too long. This may be a good thing for my dad... he likes to keep moving!!!