On Thanksgiving.........
Carter really can play Chess. He's pretty good at it! He had to remind Poppy of some of the "rules", lol.
click on photo to view larger!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
My Dad and Carter
On Thanksgiving.........
Carter really can play Chess. He's pretty good at it! He had to remind Poppy of some of the "rules", lol.
click on photo to view larger!
July 20th
I was too tired to update last night.......12 hours at the hospital takes everything out of you.
My dad had a major set back yesterday. I had told my mom to take the morning off so I arrived to find him having trouble breathing. The respiratory therapists were w/ him. His heart rate was 92 and his respiration, which had been 30, was at 45. I held his hand for 40 minutes while they worked on him. I have never, in my whole life, been so afraid.
When they stabilized him they took him down for a CT of his head and lungs. The Neurosurgeon resident that we've been dealing with, who I don't care for at all, said he'd be come back w/ the results right away. After an hour and 1/2 a medical student, who's been wonderful to us through all of this, said he'd go find him. So, said Neurosurgeon comes back w/ a mouth full of food apologizing for the delay and saying that his blood sugar was low and he had to eat something (OMG) and then w/ a mouth full of food says "anyway, Kraig has had a pulmonary embolism!". Turns out he had a blood clot in each lung and the ultrasound showed a DVT (deep vein thrombosis--blood clot) in his left leg that was on the move. They made the decision to put a filter in his Vena Cava to stop the other clot from moving. Normally they would give heprin in this situation but b/c of the brain bleed, they can't. The Dr. yesterday said this could cause his death (the PE). It's serious but we're praying!!!!!!!
On a positive note---the CT we saw yesterday showed that the bleed is considerably smaller and that the left side of the brain looks unaffected. The neurosurgeon felt hopeful b/c he said this is the side of the brain that does all the cognitive thinking, speech, etc. BUT his ventricles are swollen and he has a little hydrocephalus. If he requires more drainage they will need to drain from his spine as they took the drain out of his head a few days ago (too prematurely if you ask me and I questioned it when they did it). He feels like his progess has been slow b/c of all these secondary infections/problems. If my dad can get over this latest hurdle.......I think he'll start to see progess.
I just checked in w/ the hospital to see how his night was. She said it was good. There is no evidence of the clots moving. We just need to wait and pray and hope the clots are absorbed.
PRAY!
My dad had a major set back yesterday. I had told my mom to take the morning off so I arrived to find him having trouble breathing. The respiratory therapists were w/ him. His heart rate was 92 and his respiration, which had been 30, was at 45. I held his hand for 40 minutes while they worked on him. I have never, in my whole life, been so afraid.
When they stabilized him they took him down for a CT of his head and lungs. The Neurosurgeon resident that we've been dealing with, who I don't care for at all, said he'd be come back w/ the results right away. After an hour and 1/2 a medical student, who's been wonderful to us through all of this, said he'd go find him. So, said Neurosurgeon comes back w/ a mouth full of food apologizing for the delay and saying that his blood sugar was low and he had to eat something (OMG) and then w/ a mouth full of food says "anyway, Kraig has had a pulmonary embolism!". Turns out he had a blood clot in each lung and the ultrasound showed a DVT (deep vein thrombosis--blood clot) in his left leg that was on the move. They made the decision to put a filter in his Vena Cava to stop the other clot from moving. Normally they would give heprin in this situation but b/c of the brain bleed, they can't. The Dr. yesterday said this could cause his death (the PE). It's serious but we're praying!!!!!!!
On a positive note---the CT we saw yesterday showed that the bleed is considerably smaller and that the left side of the brain looks unaffected. The neurosurgeon felt hopeful b/c he said this is the side of the brain that does all the cognitive thinking, speech, etc. BUT his ventricles are swollen and he has a little hydrocephalus. If he requires more drainage they will need to drain from his spine as they took the drain out of his head a few days ago (too prematurely if you ask me and I questioned it when they did it). He feels like his progess has been slow b/c of all these secondary infections/problems. If my dad can get over this latest hurdle.......I think he'll start to see progess.
I just checked in w/ the hospital to see how his night was. She said it was good. There is no evidence of the clots moving. We just need to wait and pray and hope the clots are absorbed.
PRAY!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
My Dad the chef.........
Ask anybody who's tried it,
my Dad makes,
hands down,
the BEST pizza EVER!
It's been a while since I've had it.
We used to tell him that he needed to open a pizza joint and name it "Poppy's Pizza".
Apparently he made it like a week before his stroke.
I didn't get to have any.
I hope I get to have some again.
And cinnamon rolls.........
oooey, gooey perfection.
I used to love to watch him make them.
He'd flour up the counter and spread the dough,
butter it up, roll it, stretch it, sprinkle it.......
I can smell them now.
Brings me back to a late Sunday afternoon winter as a kid.
He used to make us breakfast for dinner.
We always loved that.
He'd make fried dough sometimes.
Other times he would wrap those little smokies in dough......
we'd have them w/ maple syrup.
And spaghetti w/ pepperoni in the sauce.......
and eggs benedict........
homemade french fries
and homemade fudge on Christmas Eve..........
slightly burnt toll house cookies (every time)
and there was lots and lots of Jiffy Pop on the stove top too.
My sister sent this to me today......her and Dad!
my Dad makes,
hands down,
the BEST pizza EVER!
It's been a while since I've had it.
We used to tell him that he needed to open a pizza joint and name it "Poppy's Pizza".
Apparently he made it like a week before his stroke.
I didn't get to have any.
I hope I get to have some again.
And cinnamon rolls.........
oooey, gooey perfection.
I used to love to watch him make them.
He'd flour up the counter and spread the dough,
butter it up, roll it, stretch it, sprinkle it.......
I can smell them now.
Brings me back to a late Sunday afternoon winter as a kid.
He used to make us breakfast for dinner.
We always loved that.
He'd make fried dough sometimes.
Other times he would wrap those little smokies in dough......
we'd have them w/ maple syrup.
And spaghetti w/ pepperoni in the sauce.......
and eggs benedict........
homemade french fries
and homemade fudge on Christmas Eve..........
slightly burnt toll house cookies (every time)
and there was lots and lots of Jiffy Pop on the stove top too.
My sister sent this to me today......her and Dad!
July 19th
Yesterday they moved my father out of ICU and guess where they put him? Right back where he started from, before all this nonsense happened, on the 6th floor, in the same room, in the same bed. Perhaps this a good sign and a 2nd chance at things. Now his physical therapy can start and he can begin his long road to recovery. It will be nice to not have him behind locked doors and that means no more picking up the phone to get permission to come in.
As I mentioned in my last post, things are moving slowly. My Dad definitely has those moments when he is "there". In those moments it's so wonderful and heartbreaking to see him. I just sit there and think does he know what's going on? Is he afraid? Is he in pain? Does he know us? And then I think if he does know what's going on---that this is his worst nightmare come true (as I mentioned earlier, his grandfather had a stroke at 62 and was paralyzed), even if just temporarily. His lungs are so full of junk and it's so painful to sit there and watch him cough, or worse yet, be suctioned. I have been praying for clear lungs so they can take that trach out.
A great friend of mine said it best in a comment--that this is the kind of test that none of us ever want to face but eventually all of us will and that faith of all kinds is what will get us through these tough times. He is so right. I continue to ask God for strength for all of us. I know that NOW is when the really tough part starts and when Dad is going to need us the most. I intend to be right there by his side. Whatever he needs...........
As I mentioned in my last post, things are moving slowly. My Dad definitely has those moments when he is "there". In those moments it's so wonderful and heartbreaking to see him. I just sit there and think does he know what's going on? Is he afraid? Is he in pain? Does he know us? And then I think if he does know what's going on---that this is his worst nightmare come true (as I mentioned earlier, his grandfather had a stroke at 62 and was paralyzed), even if just temporarily. His lungs are so full of junk and it's so painful to sit there and watch him cough, or worse yet, be suctioned. I have been praying for clear lungs so they can take that trach out.
A great friend of mine said it best in a comment--that this is the kind of test that none of us ever want to face but eventually all of us will and that faith of all kinds is what will get us through these tough times. He is so right. I continue to ask God for strength for all of us. I know that NOW is when the really tough part starts and when Dad is going to need us the most. I intend to be right there by his side. Whatever he needs...........
Friday, July 17, 2009
July 17th
I may not post as frequently now as there is not much new to report. We are told progress will be slow and we really won't know the extent of damage until he fully wakes up. We are trying so hard not to lose faith and praying for strength. It's so hard for all of us to see him the way he is right now. He does some purposeful things but it's not consistent or constant. Time.......he needs lots of time. Continue to pray and I will continue to keep you updated when something new happens.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Never Alone
I heard this song on the way home from the hospital the other night. It made me smile, it made me cry. I thought of my mom, my dad, my sister, brother, my husband, my kids.........and the rest of my family. I just wanted to tell you guys that you're never alone. No matter what happens--I'm always here for you and I love you. Life can change in the blink of an eye.
Today is my sons 8th birthday! It's bittersweet. We are big on birthdays around here and always get together to celebrate each and every persons. My father will be missed today. He sings happy birthday really "silly" and makes Carter laugh. He would love the chocolate cake w/ chocolate frosting that I made.
Happy birthday to my big little man. He so reminds me of my dad in so many ways. I've always said that (my mother in-law has always said so too)! From the way he bites his lip w/ his upper teeth to his engineer wired brain!
Today is my sons 8th birthday! It's bittersweet. We are big on birthdays around here and always get together to celebrate each and every persons. My father will be missed today. He sings happy birthday really "silly" and makes Carter laugh. He would love the chocolate cake w/ chocolate frosting that I made.
Happy birthday to my big little man. He so reminds me of my dad in so many ways. I've always said that (my mother in-law has always said so too)! From the way he bites his lip w/ his upper teeth to his engineer wired brain!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
July 15th
Today I woke up to the sun shining and a smile on my face. I thought, once again, of my Dad saying "look at this beautiful day that God has given us". My mom came over and we went up to the hospital together.
We arrived to find my Dad sleeping but he soon woke up and opened those beautiful blue eyes for us. When I say opened his eyes--think newborn baby. They are only 1/2 open and not for long periods of time. You can tell the light bothers him and he is not moving his eyeballs around. Just opening them and blinking. I do believe he sees us and recognizes us though (probably through a vaseline induced haze)---we'll say, for example, "dad you know mom is here right? blink your eyes if you do...." and he does and he'll hold his hand out for her. Today he kept bringing his hand to his head and using his fingers to "trace" the staples. It's a big cut and he knows it's there. I can only imagine what it feels like to him. He seemed confused and definitely afraid. so I spent a lot of time giving him an abbreviated version of what happened and reassuring him that he was okay and that there were things he couldn't do right now that were to be expected for where he is in his recovery. We talked to him, I read to him and eventually he dozed off. It's so hard to leave him when he keeps holding his hand out to you.
This morning they clamped the drain in his brain........he did great all day w/ it clamped. In the past when they did this his blood pressure would go really high but today it remained low. Tonight they completely removed the drain! The more things they get out of him the better, they said.
He's moving his right side so well. You can see him testing things out. My Dad is an engineer and you can just see his mind at work. Move the foot at the ankle, wiggle the toes, spread the toes, bend the knee, lift the leg......move on to the arm....so far the only thing he hasn't moved is his left arm (although I've seen his left shoulder move and he is trying to move that arm---I say he does it eventually). YES--- he moved his left leg today all on his own.
Another day of progress. We'll take it. I'll say it again, God is good and he hears every single one of your prayers!! My entire family thanks you for all your love, prayers, thoughts and comments.
We arrived to find my Dad sleeping but he soon woke up and opened those beautiful blue eyes for us. When I say opened his eyes--think newborn baby. They are only 1/2 open and not for long periods of time. You can tell the light bothers him and he is not moving his eyeballs around. Just opening them and blinking. I do believe he sees us and recognizes us though (probably through a vaseline induced haze)---we'll say, for example, "dad you know mom is here right? blink your eyes if you do...." and he does and he'll hold his hand out for her. Today he kept bringing his hand to his head and using his fingers to "trace" the staples. It's a big cut and he knows it's there. I can only imagine what it feels like to him. He seemed confused and definitely afraid. so I spent a lot of time giving him an abbreviated version of what happened and reassuring him that he was okay and that there were things he couldn't do right now that were to be expected for where he is in his recovery. We talked to him, I read to him and eventually he dozed off. It's so hard to leave him when he keeps holding his hand out to you.
This morning they clamped the drain in his brain........he did great all day w/ it clamped. In the past when they did this his blood pressure would go really high but today it remained low. Tonight they completely removed the drain! The more things they get out of him the better, they said.
He's moving his right side so well. You can see him testing things out. My Dad is an engineer and you can just see his mind at work. Move the foot at the ankle, wiggle the toes, spread the toes, bend the knee, lift the leg......move on to the arm....so far the only thing he hasn't moved is his left arm (although I've seen his left shoulder move and he is trying to move that arm---I say he does it eventually). YES--- he moved his left leg today all on his own.
Another day of progress. We'll take it. I'll say it again, God is good and he hears every single one of your prayers!! My entire family thanks you for all your love, prayers, thoughts and comments.
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