| Wednesday, January 31, 2007 |
| Infection |
Discovered by Diane (nurse practitioner) for Dr. Hoffman & she listened to dad telling her his throat was sore. Everyone else thought it was from the bronchoscopy but she checked his throat and noticed that he could have a yeast infection because of all the antibiotics that he was taking so she immediately contacted the pharmacy or whoever else she needed to contact and got medication to relieve his soreness. She is certainly on the ball. We want to thank her for her conscientiousness.
There is a good possibility that Friday is the day for dad to go to the Spa/Rehab at Victor Lakes. He is so looking forward to it as he says he wants to meet more people. This is a good sign.
Generose |
posted by Generose @ 8:11 PM  |
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| Spa/Rehab??? |
At 6:00 am this morning phoned the hospital to see how dad's night went and the nurse on duty said that he was a little confused during the night. He said he was going to the spa and has to get ready for therapy. I explained to Lisa, the nurse, that is what we call his next step to recuperation. She said she will have to make a note of it for the others who are taking care of him. She told him that she too would like to go to the spa for a massage treatment. She got a chuckle with that. Dad is constantly making the nurses and aides laughing. As he tells everyone, you must have a sense of humor to get better.
Generose |
| posted by Generose @ 4:23 AM |
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| Tuesday, January 30, 2007 |
| Tuesday & going strong |
Dad wants to get out of bed and go to therapy. He is using his legs when he is in the chair and is very happy when a strong gentleman comes to help him in and out of bed. Meals are well eaten and Kara (the speech therapist) is recommending many different sounds to strengthen his throat muscles. He does them throughout the day.
Today we had Paula & Jeff and Eva & George come to visit and that made dad's day. He seems to like company as it makes him feel special, which we know he is.
As yet, they haven't told us when he will be discharged to the spa (Rehab) but it shouldn't be long. It appears they are waiting until he is through with heparin and then onto the coumadin medication. He asks the nurses a lot of questions and wants answers. He likes to hear the positive things they have to say.
For some reason last night he pulled out his "pic" line where he is hooked up to intravenous medication and why he did that we don't know. The nurse practitioner told him that she once did that when she was in the hospital. She informed him that oftentimes when you are under medication you react differently to things and I believe that relieved him. He told the night nurses that he worked in maintenace and he can do things like that in the dark because he didn't believe they were necessary. He said he worked with many cords and plugs and he knew what to do. He did promise that he wouldn't do it again so I have to believe him.
Charlotte will be leaving on Wednesday and I am sure I can handle dad until Rosemarie arrives on Friday.
Generose |
| posted by Generose @ 6:58 PM |
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| Monday, January 29, 2007 |
| Test at 2:30 |
It's done and we are waiting for results which will take at least 48 hours. Infection is cured. On the way to the spa (rehab) any day. Maybe even tomorrow. Dr. Hoffman said that Dad will leave with oxygen. The catheter will come out tomorrow. Talk to everyone at 7pm Chicago time.
Love,
Mom and Charlotte |
| posted by Generose @ 2:21 PM |
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| Sunday, January 28, 2007 |
| Dad looks GREAT |
Hi everyone,
I'm here with mom and saw dad earlier, he looks great. It has been such a pleasure to talk to him. We will be in as a family mid February.
Love,
Charlotte |
| posted by Charlotte @ 6:30 PM |
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| Correction |
That is me (Generose) with the flowers from the McLaughlins & the Belskis. You should be seeing a few more pictures when I transfer them.
Today (Sunday) was a nice busy day with a lot of activity. Dad sat in the chair from before 9:00 am until 2:00 pm and then back to bed for 3 hrs. & up for 3 hrs. while eating dinner. Charlotte arrived in time for dad's dinner as anticipated.
There was Auntie Jean & Hattie who paid dad a visit; then Donna Freiburger & Ed Dudek and then Joe & Joyce Ptasienski. Golly I forgot to take pictures of Joe & Joyce. Hopefully when they pay dad a visit, if not at the hospital, when he goes to the spa (Rehab).
Dad didn't want me to leave this evening as he found so many things for me to attend to but luckily they came in to do the breathing treatment and when he gets that he can't talk so it was my time to leave.
As yet, the doctor didn't phone to let us know what time and which procedure is going to be done tomorrow so I am going to phone them shortly.
Generose |
| posted by Generose @ 6:28 PM |
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| Paparazzi strikes again |
| Mom has taken a few more pictures to share with friends and family...check out the Gallery for the "latest hits". |
| posted by Carlene @ 8:51 AM |
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| Saturday, January 27, 2007 |
| Changing of the guards |
After Mass on Sunday and a visit to the hospital, Madeline will be returning to Ohio. It was great having her at the hospital, doing errands and at home. At dinner time Charlotte will be here just in time to see Carl eating his dinner. I am sure she will be so excited to see what a great change that has taken place since her last visit. There will be tears of joy to see and hear Carl's happiness and hear the many jokes that he tells the nurses. He is in no pain and is regaining his appetite and strength as well. There won't be any formal therapy but he is so conscientious in doing his prescribed therapy on his own.
Keep praying as Monday is another day and at this time we aren't sure of which procedure they are going to use. They want to be sure of the next step in his treatment. Presently he is on steroids. |
| posted by Generose @ 5:46 PM |
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| Sitting Up Saturday |
Dad had a good Saturday starting out with finishing breakfast just as we came in. He practiced his K and G sounds on us but forgot to stick out his tongue. He is eager to do all of his therapy whenever we ask and sometimes when he thinks we are asking but didn't hear right. His speech improved dramatically even from this morning. He talked all day long even during his breathing treatment which got him a reprimand from the therapist because he isn't supposed to talk.
The physical therapist came to take him to therapy where he was able to walk a few steps. As soon as he came back he wanted to sit in a chair. Unfortunately he couldn't do that until he got doctors approval. Shortly after lunch where he ate his whole meal and left only the parsley for mom, they put him in a chair.
He spent the afternoon up in the chair talking about visiting each of us while giving each nurse a hard time. Tom and Jeanette came to visit and to tell jokes. Dad believes humor is the best medicine. After being in the chair all afternoon he felt woozy and asked to lay down. We know he will sleep well since he never once closed his eyes all day. We left him with two nurses taking care of him so he was anxious for us to go so they could start the party. |
| posted by Mad @ 5:10 PM |
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| Friday, January 26, 2007 |
| FROM ONE PATIENT TO THE NEXT |
For all of you who are following, yes, Ralph had his "procedure" today to remove his 7 mm Kidney Stone. All went well. He is just very sore. He still has the other Kidney and associated stones to deal with. Hopefully soon as well. Hopefully we will get an idea of what caused them....seeing that he had only one prior incident 22 years ago. Not quite the stone I would like to get:)
Glad Dad is doing well. I lost my voice in the process. I guess 3 states and 2 patients in 7 days took its toll on me. Thank goodness tomorrow is Saturday. So PLEASE don't call early, I think hibernating is in order.
Love from Vegas--
Maryann |
| posted by Tara Anna @ 8:36 PM |
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| Big decision day & then some |
Things are going great. Dad looks great and feels wonderful and such a delight to be with. He smiles and jokes a lot. Perhaps on Monday they will do a procedure bronchoscopy but whether it will be down with a tube or a needle is still unknown for sure. Dr. Hoffman will no doubt consult with us either Saturday or Sunday and if we don't hear from him we should have him paged. We are wondering which one would he would recommend and perhaps go with his recommendation.
My big concern this evening is how Ralph is doing as he had his procedure done today. Maryann please call and let us know.
Sent more pictures so check the gallery. |
| posted by Generose @ 6:53 PM |
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| Fantastic Friday |
Dad had a very busy day. He started out with feeding himself breakfast of eggs and yogurt using his swallow techniques he learned yesterday. He then had the speech therapist in to practice more techniques to get his tongue exercised and his annunciation of Ks and Gs. He had the respiratory therapist in checking on him as well to make sure he is doing his breathing exercises every hour. The physical therapist was also in to get him to stand up and walk 3 steps. He had a busy morning and was ready for a nap, but lunch came. He practiced his swallowing technique again and stuck out his tongue at us (to practice what the speech therapist told him). The afternoon continued to be busy with a visit from Dr. Chow who said his heart rate looked good and a breathing treatment from the respiratory therapist which made dad feel so good he was ready to go home.
He had a visitor Luanne, from Catholic Charities visit. She knows dad from Meals on Wheels. She had specific instructions from 3 different people to make sure she saw how he was doing. She talked about the nursing homes/rehab centers. We decided we didn't like either one of those names so from now on it is the SPA that dad will be going to next.
Dr. Rudnick came to visit dad too. Dr. Rudnick said that dad looked "marvelous" which made dad feel great. And he does look marvelous. Dr. Rudnick said that there were 3 options to his biopsy. The first is open surgery which is not being considered. The second is a needle biopsy which would be a needle into his lungs. They would have to see if the "mass" was in an appropriate place to do that. The third way is down his throat. They plan on doing the procedure on Monday. The schedule would mean he would be in the hospital into next week before he went to the SPA. Dr. Hoffman will be in for the weekend to determine which procedure would be best for him.
We left dad after dinner which he ate a lot of potatoes, bean, fruit cocktail, thickened milk which mom snacks on as well. He does well feeding himself which is a big step from us playing "open the hanger" with him yesterday. |
| posted by Mad @ 6:33 PM |
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| Thursday, January 25, 2007 |
| Phone number |
Yes, dad asked for me to post his home phone number. I put it on a post it and yes he did phone me. Checking up to be sure. He just wants to talk and sounds so happy. Things are looking good and he ate 1/2 teaspoons of solid food and then "thickened" liquid.
I tried to take a few pictures of the board and each of us sitting next to dad in his bed and hopefully will be sending them to you so they can be added to the gallery on the blog so look for them. I am having trouble with pictures that are on the camera. What is on the SD card seems okay but for some reason some stayed on the camera. |
| posted by Generose @ 6:42 PM |
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| TIME TO PASS THE BATON TO MADELINE |
I just left today for Las Vegas. Madeline arrived about 10 minutes after me. Dad is in great spirits today. I opened the blinds so he could see outside. Two sets of flowers arrived. Really made Dad's day. Thanks Jeff/Paula and Char/Dan/and girls.
Mom and I worked all last night on a huge poster board to hang in Dad's room. It is colorful with pictures of the lake, our family, and his brothers and sister. We titled it "The Best" with a big picture of Dad in the middle (courtesy of Car). We left plenty of space for "autographs" so come on down and sign the board. It's hung on the wall right in front of Dad (under the TV). He still wants his rocker and wine. We asked if maybe they can hijack a rocker from OB for him.
Dad worked with the physical therapist today and he got himself up and standing. She asked him to move his feet like a waltz, but I think he was actually doing the polka since he was lifting them up an down.
OHHHHH....BIG NEWS!!!!! They want to kick him out of the hospital to a Rehab unit SOON. Maybe he had the right idea with that party last night. Though he did say it was a little too quiet. Dad asks everyone to sign his board, so it is filling up. Madeline, check to make sure he is not collecting telephone numbers, he does need to find some time to rest.
Got a quick picture of Dad with Mom (yes, in bed). Didn't last long, the buzzer rings at the nurses station when the bed weight shifts. MOM>>>>>>>>>>>Madeline, keep an eye on her too. Got to watch those youngsters.
I am going to miss the conference call tonight, I will be flying, but I will call in later.
Love
Maryann |
| posted by Tara Anna @ 1:27 PM |
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| Wednesday, January 24, 2007 |
| Excellent progress!!!! |
Yeah, well did we expect less? On the biopsy part, if you want to have a second opionion, Johnna (now a PA) is happy to help. Just let me know (though I think Mar is medically inclined enough to be a pit bull on results and treatment!)
I'm looking forward to coming home the first weekend in Feb (baring weather, of course). We need to start discussing our 'stock picks'.
Dad is back and the thought takes my breath away.
Love,
Ro |
| posted by Rosemarie @ 6:00 PM |
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| Great Day - Room 210 |
| A private room, wonderful nurses, happy camper with plenty of smiles, excersing both legs & arms and eating and drinking thick food, nothing watery - the reason is so that he doesn't have the liquids go down the airway and into the lungs for pneumonia to set in. He is such a pleasure to be with. His comments are that he had gotten another chance. We don't know how long but we are enjoying each day with him and he with us. He sings and wants to converse and is in such a jovial mood. What a change a day can make. |
| posted by Generose @ 5:41 PM |
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| BYO PARTY IN ROOM 210W!!!!!! |
Dad had another great day. They took him to swallow therapy and then down to a private room. He then began singing a "water" song. He has been asking everyone for water and they won't give it to him until his throat muscles get stronger. So from asking he decided to start singing it. From there he progressed to lifting opposite arms and legs. Then he teased about starting a morning exercise show for the geriatric unit. He said he might even try dancing with the therapist who is going to start his walking tomorrow.
They still continue to monitor his blood sugar (teases the nurses by calling them "blood thirsty"). Dad has been a treat!!!! He is eating mashed potatoes, mush chicken, beans, thickened coffee, and applesauce. Breathes hourly into a tube for exercise (said it should be set up like a slot machine so that when he hits the right number he can win something). Next he started playing with the bed controls. I told him that the bed is not a disneyland ride. I actually think he is trying to get kicked out of the hospital.
At 6:00 pm Dad said we could go (now i am suspicious).....though I did overhear that he was planning a party in his room. The receptionist at the desk even said she was planning on going. He even asked Mom to set the room lights low. I told him not to stay up late, he said he would take a small nap first, watch "deal or no deal" and take it from there.
GOOD GRACIOUS DAD!!!!!
Love
Maryann |
| posted by Tara Anna @ 4:59 PM |
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| Wednesday 6:00 am update |
Spoke to the nurse in ICU at Condell Hospital and he said he had a rather restless night and he was a little confused as he wanted to be home. Everything looks good as can be expected. His one concern was that he wants me to be sure to bring his glasses. The glasses are in my purse so he will have them when I arrive at the hospital.
I did tell the nurse that it was the night previous that he removed his ventilator and probably didn't sleep too much that night and appeared quite tired during the day so maybe he has his nights and days mixed somewhat. This was a different nurse but of course all that is in his record so I probably am not telling him anything new. |
| posted by Generose @ 4:04 AM |
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| Tuesday, January 23, 2007 |
| Chocolate ice cream & THICK coffee |
Dinner before we left was quite interesting. I started with thickened orange juice, the mashed potatoes and gravy; a tad of macaroni and cheese; thick coffee and chocolate ice cream. He did okay for the start of regular food. There were other things like a bun, pineapple and cut up green beans but he had no interest in them. It was an effort to eat but he had enough for his just starting regular food.
He also had a doppler test because his left arm appeared to be swelling so they took a doppler test and after the radiologist looked at it they believe there was a little blood clot so they immediately gave him heparin.
Every hour they prick him for blood as they do testing for diabetes. He has never had diabetes but I guess something with starting regular food things do something to your blood. Also it has something to do with all the different medications that he is taking.
Today his blood pressure and heart rate and oxygen level were quite good so we are hoping for the better day tomorrow. He was quite tired this afternoon.
He had the sacrament of the sick on Saturday by Father Dean from St. Gilbert and today a minister of care from St. Joseph did a blessing and gave me Holy Communion. Looking forward to the coming days to be better and Carl become stronger. Keep those prayers coming. |
| posted by Generose @ 6:37 PM |
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| Thanking Intensive Care staff |
Yes, I know that Dad is still in intensive care but it would be worth while to figure out how we can thank the staff that we've bonded with. Oh yeah, and let them know that we are grateful that they relaxed the two person rule to visitation.
The nurses that have taken care of him that we've interacted with have been fantastic. We need to let the hospital rep know about them and their professionalism. |
| posted by Rosemarie @ 6:08 PM |
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| DAD IS BEING HIS USUAL SELF--Maryann |
GREAT TUESDAY!!!!!!!
Dad did take out his ventilator tubes last night to everyone's surprise. We had him breathing on his own yesterday so we figured he didn't think it was needed anymore and he had to move things along. Now that he is talking, he asked the nurse to take off the hand restraints (promised not to pinch them), then he figured he is really on a roll, so he asked for the boots to be removed again, and they conceded. Next he asked for water, but they drew the line since he was suppose to have a broncoscopy.
By 11:00 Dr. Rudnick (sp?) finally came by and said they decided not to do the test. Not worth stressing his lungs now, there is no rush since he has been living with these issues for a long time. So they are going to rethink about what to do next. They did take xrays twice today for comparison.
So Dad asked for water again, but they said they have to have a swallow specialist check him out first...so he then asked for wine :) Then he decided he wanted to sit up, so they reconfigured the bed to be a chair. He is really moving right along.
Speech therapists have now come and gone and they have approved soft foods but they do not want him to have water just yet since there is danger of it going into the lungs if his throat muscles aren't yet strong enough to protect the air passage. The request for a Pina Colada also didn't fly. But they expect by tomorrow he should have the throat muscles back in use. He is also working on his breathing strength by exercising his lungs. Next will be walking. We are hopeful he will be moved to a regular hospital room shortly.
Dad did say he dreamed that he won the lottery and that he was able to go home and have his rocker and a glass of wine.
Home soon DAD!!!!!
Love from us here
Maryann |
| posted by Tara Anna @ 12:40 PM |
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| another few words |
| Sarah, It is good to see that you got on and also if you want to see a few pictures you can go on the gallery links. Rachael, my granddaughter and Carlene's 17 year old was the one who worked on it did a quick and superb job. |
| posted by Generose @ 4:21 AM |
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| You won't believe it |
| This morning I made my regular 6:00 am phone call to the hospital ICU and talked to his night nurse and Carl pulled out his tube and he is without it since 11:30 last night. He is not on any sleeping medication because they wanted him to be alert when they will be doing his test this morning but they didn't expect that. Even with his restraints he managed. The nurse said he walked out briefly and when she returned he had it out. He wants to go home and he wants his rocker and also he wants water. I even got to talk to him briefly. He told me that he loves me and I did likewise but he said he was tired of waiting for them to remove it so he did. That is Carl for you so determined. Otherwise he is doing okay. |
| posted by Generose @ 4:16 AM |
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| Monday, January 22, 2007 |
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I appreciate being informed of Carl's health situation, thank you for the update. I will be thinking about all of you and pray that his treatment brings him comfort. Please say hello to him for me and give him my best. I enjoyed seeing Carl when I was home this past summer!
Love, Sarah |
| posted by Sarah Berrett @ 11:41 PM |
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| Hi, everyone |
This is going to be so much fun talking to each other and sharing things. I can't wait to tell you all the good news that will happen tomorrow (Tuesday).
Love,
Generose |
| posted by Generose @ 6:12 PM |
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| Good News on Monday |
The news on the 8 pm family conference call was encouraging. Maryann and Mom shared with us that Dad was breathing on his own for two hours. GREAT NEWS! It was just two days ago that Dad could only breathe less than two minutes without help. Looking forward to tomorrows call. See you at 8 pm est.
-Love CarleneLabels: Updates |
| posted by Carlene @ 5:31 PM |
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| Thanks Rachael |
Hi everyone,
First of all, thanks Rachael for setting us up. Hope everyone has a great week, especially Dad.
Love,
Charlotte |
| posted by Charlotte @ 4:01 AM |
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| Sunday, January 21, 2007 |
| Camp Cadillac- Welcome |
| Welcome to the soon to be website of "Camp Cadillac". We are still under construction, but you are welcome to add your news once you have been invited and get registered. |
| posted by Rachael @ 5:33 PM |
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