Miles on Monday

 Ginny stopped over to see Miles last week. He was excited to see her and was all over her.  He even jumped up on the back and tried to ride "piggy back" but I wasn't able to get a picture of that.

I had a rather quiet week-end. I had a Home Board meeting in Boone on Saturday morning and then went to the grocery store.  Watched a couple of movies on Saturday night and read most of the day on Sunday.  Miles has some tennis balls which he likes to chase and so I threw the ball for him some and we enjoyed that.  Mostly the same old, same old and I like it that way right now.  Am still getting over the bout of what my Dr. said is "going around" so staying close to home is a good thing.  I got a small rib eye for supper and could only eat half of it.  Just not very hungry. That is a good thing. I think I am on a plateau as far as the diet is concerned but have no scale to be able to weigh myself so it is just a feeling.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hugs, j

Still waiting

Now I find out that my Wireless Router was also fried when the lightening struck.  I am waiting for a replacement so still having to use linksy.  Fun........

It is going to be a busy day today.  I have an Eastern Star Home Board Meeting this morning and the Arcadia Lodge annual Christmas Dinner is this evening.  I will try to take some pictures. 

Be gentle with one another.  Hugs, j

A response from the Secretary

I received a response from Tom Vilsack about the Shirley Sherrod incident. I put it on my original post here..

Lyssa's Dad - Follow up

For those of you who remember Dan Dusenbery's story from here earlier and who followed his fight for life and who prayed for him... here is the follow-up story from the Des Moines Register which puts the "frosting on the cake."

Lyssa and her kids are on the right hand side. I am so very grateful that this story had this ending.

Go look at it here.

Update on Dan - Lyssa's Dad -

This was written by Dan's Sister - I don't know her personally and have only met Dan a couple of times but I want to thank her for keeping us "in the loop" Kurt and Lyssa and their kids have become very close to me over the last couple of years and have helped me with a great many things. Kurt took my ideas and built them into a Masonic Lodge (Specialis Procer #678). Without them my life would be much poorer.

Just spoke with Dan this evening and learned he’s doing well, but tires easily and is always cold. He’s doing some hand-finger exercises to regain manual dexterity and can go out, so long has he was a ride. He was at his daughter and son-in-law’s (Lyssa and Kurt) house for dinner with their family tonight. Tomorrow (Monday), he has an appointment for physical therapy and will learn more about what his PT regimen is to be. He also has an appointment with his Family Practice physician, this week, and other appointments set up with the various specialists involved in his care. The word so far is that he’ll still be restricted from driving for 6 months. He’ll get more details on what his schedule will be like and what will be required for full recovery in the next few weeks. I know he’s looking forward to having the roll call retirement party he missed out on, as well as planning a bigger retirement party for a Saturday evening. My guess is that his mind and heart are ready to do so many things, now, and his body is saying, “Whoa, Nelly!” It will be so much more fun for him to do these things he’s looking forward to when his endurance is a little better. He’s always good for a story or two, though, so give him a call. He’ll tell you if he’s up for a visit or needs to go out somewhere. He’s really appreciative of the officers, active and retired, and the other friends who have offered to give him rides.

Just a quick note from me: as much as I would rather none of this trauma would have happened, one of the blessings for me has been getting to know so many of you who are Dan, Chris, Lyssa, Brian, and Jacki’s friends and loved ones, over the past few weeks – being lifted up by your prayers and many kindnesses, along with Dan and his whole family, and being touched by your care for Dan, Chris, and their kids and grandkids, and for me.

Also, I need to take this opportunity to say how much I enjoyed getting to know so many Des Moines Police Officers: the younger officers who work first watch, as I often came “on duty” at the hospital about when they did and got to visit with some at length in the quiet of the night; the second and third watch officers, many of whom Dan worked with over several years; the Chief and her leadership team who looked out for Dan and his family in so many ways – all gave me a renewed sense of gratitude for being a Des Moines resident, under the care and protection of what must surely be the finest police force anywhere. How great to be able to have that confidence in everyone I encountered, from the youngest to the most senior! Thank you all for your service and your character. . . . and your good humor, which helped relieve the stress. Now, when I pass by a police car, I sort of crane my neck to see if it’s someone I got to know, and it gives me a good feeling to know you’re always nearby. I’m so very proud of my brother for being one of the best for 38 years, 7 months, and almost-17 days and want to thank him publically, for his service, too, as well as thanking Chris for being a terrific wife under the incredible pressures the law enforcement profession imposes on a marriage. Hope I haven’t gotten too sentimental, here, but one conclusion I’ve reached through this whole experience is that it’s best not to let your honest appreciation for others go unspoken when it comes to mind, as you just never know what the next day or hour will bring and whether or not you’ll get another chance to express it.

Update on Lyssa's Dad

Just got an on-site report from Dan’s daughter Lyssa that his ICD (Implanted Cardiac Defibrillator) is now in place, and the procedure went well. He’s back in his room, drugged up and napping for a few hours. He probably won’t be geared up for visitors until late afternoon or early evening, then a few at a time, as the room is small. He does enjoy your visits and, as always, sharing stories. He keeps expressing amazement (often, with tears) at the number of people who have called, prayed, emailed him through the hospital site, sent cards, stopped by to see him, left messages on he Caring Bridge web site, and just sat silently keeping watch. He is so grateful for all of you. Also for the big batch of chocolate chip cookies from Kristi and Steve Little at Chef’s Kitchen! Be sure to take one from the big, glass jar if it isn’t empty by now! Thanks and blessings to you from Dan and his family.

Update on Lyssa's Dad

Posted on Facebook

SO PROUD of Dad- he is making so much progress, so quickly! Pacemaker/AED implant planned for Tuesday, then rehab... still unsure whether that will be inpatient or outpatient. Dad would like to meet and thank all the officers that stood guard while he was in the ICU, he is so moved by that loyalty. Thank
you to all who have prayed and supported us these past couple of weeks.

Dan has made incredible progress and is walking the "loop" around his floor! He spent today sitting in the chair in his room (that he got into on his own!), wearing his own lounge wear- no more hospital gown! He has been eating a regular diet, including cookies from Chef's Kitchen and strawberry shakes from Smokey Row. The contrast in his status from just a few days ago is absolutely amazing.

Nurses are enforcing quiet time on Dan's floor between 1:30 and 2:30 every afternoon. Visitors are welcome outside of that time, I think he really appreciates everyone that has stopped by to tell him hello. We are all so glad to have him back with us!

If you'd like to send him a greeting, the hospital has an e-card that they will print and deliver to his room:
http://www.iowahealth.org/send-a-card.aspx

Thanks again for all of your love, support, and prayers!

Addendum: Latest from the Caring Bridge

Got up to see Dan early this morning, on my way to work, and was able to catch his visits from the Physical Medicine doc (a resident, I believe) and the Cardiologist, Dr. Kassiotis. On the PT/OT (physical and occupational therapy) front – his depth perception seems to be a bit better, he’s walking more and able to get up on his own, and his ribs and right elbow still hurt. X-rays of the elbow have been ordered to be sure it’s nothing more than tendonitis. Sounds like Dan might be leaning toward PT/OT as an in-patient at Younker Rehab (another wing of Iowa Methodist Medical Center), as he’s told that will give him his best chance for quick and complete recovery.

On the cardiac front, the news is that he is now scheduled to have the defibrillator implant done late today (late afternoon or evening). Something unforeseen has come up that’s resulted in there not being a physician available who can do the job tomorrow (Tuesday), so he’ll be added to the end of today’s schedule. Dr. Kassiotis did not want him to have to wait until after tomorrow for this procedure, and he’d already eaten breakfast, so would not be able to have it done until late today, anyway.

If you were planning to visit Dan late this afternoon or evening, you might want to check in with Chris or the nurse’s station on North 3 first, or wait until tomorrow.

Dan is so appreciative of all the love and care he’s received from all of you – many of whom he does not even know. Those of you young officers who sat with him during the night, he still wants to meet you and thank you at some time, if he hasn’t had a chance to already. He asked me to include in this posting a sentence from the book of stories he’s been writing about his experiences as a Des Moines Police Officer. This sentence concludes the opening chapter, written to his children and telling them why he’s writing this book. This is written to all of you, too, now: “I want each of you to know that I am proud to say that I am a member of the largest street gang in America – The Cops.”

Dan's Update

It’s Saturday night. Dan had a busy morning, filled with lots of company, as always, and the following achievements: walking 300 feet this morning and even further this evening, working out his arms with the occupational therapist, graduating from a soft diet to a regular diet, and trading in a hospital gown (so cute!) for his own t-shirt and pajama pants Chris had brought in last night. He got a real shower before bed tonight and got to wash his hair, so the Woody Woodpecker look is gone. His vital signs are very stable, and the only discomfort he reports are significant pain along the underside and along the length of his right arm (from fighting with whomever didn’t pull his tubes out as fast as he wanted) and in the right side of his chest from the bruised or broken ribs inflicted by the excellent and effective chest pressure applied by Officer Charlie Negrete during CPR. Dan’s not really complaining about that one, aside from hollering, wincing, and asking for drugs. He knows the rib damage and his ability to feel and holler about it are evidence Negrete did his job correctly.

He’s got a couple of side effects from this whole event that are curious, one aggravating and, he hopes, temporary, and the other a pleasant surprise that he’s hoping is permanent. First, his depth perception has left him, making feeding himself a more adventurous experience. On the upside, he seems to have regained some hearing function. He’d been wearing two hearing aids for a year or more, and one was lost somewhere between the Waveland Café and the Cardiac Care Unit. He hasn’t starting using the other one, yet, as he doesn’t seem to need it. Hears everyone and everything just find, no shouting or repeating required. Go figure!

The defibrillator implantation is likely to on Tuesday of next week (May 11th), and on Wednesday or Thursday, he’ll be released from Telemetry (the unit he’s on, now). Depending upon his progress, which has been rapid, so far, he’ll either go home or to a room in Younkers Rehab for another week or two of physical and occupational therapy. If at home, he will likely need to go to out-patient PT/OT at Younkers (meaning rides will be needed) or in-home PT/OT from visiting therapists.

One note to family and friends, the staff began today enforcing a no-visitor nap time during the early afternoon, so plan visits and phone calls in the morning or later afternoon/evening. One social highlight today was a visit from his son, Brian, and Brian’s friends on their way to the Roosevelt High School prom. Brian was spiffy in his size 50 Long tux and 15 ½ dress shoes – a sight Dan’s glad he didn’t miss, as it’s not likely to happen again for awhile.

Thanks again for everything.

Specialis Procer Lodge - Update on Dan

Chris, Kurt, Mat and Aaron

I am still hacking but it was a really good day today. For one thing the house was cleaned last night while I was a Lodge (Arcadia) and Miles has not messed it up yet. I was able to finish reading Hadrian's Wall and started another book. I think I will enjoy it. It is ont that will make me think.

I had lunch with Kevin. We ate at Panera's and it was nice to eat with him. He was going to be in Ames today and called and asked if I wanted to have lunch. I did and so we did. I enjoyed myself tremendously.

I have been keeping up with several blogs and they all are writing about the same thing. I am getting tired of reading them. I need to find some Pollyanna Blogs - or at least something lighthearted.

Tonight we had Specialis Procer Lodge in Des Moines and initiated a new Brother. He is in the middle in the picture above. The Master (Kurt) is wearing the hat and two of his other friends who work with him helped out with the degree. The four of them are really nice guys and i am glad to call them Brother. 8 of us went to Chucks for dinner. I had prime rib and we had a great Jazz group playing while we ate. Great singer. I got home about 11:00. I apologize for the quality of the picture I did not take my camera in and had to use my palm pre.

Here is an up date on Dan from his sister.

Dan’s been sitting in an easy chair in his room at IMMC for the past 45 minutes, and I’m sitting right across from him. He looks more like himself every day. He’s walked twice, today, with the help of a walker and a couple of staff folks – once 20 ft. and tonight 60 ft. He’s eating just about anything and enjoying his favorite peach flavored green tea. He’s reading his cards, talking with visitors, and telling stories. Pretty good for a guy who died 9 days ago and was unconscious, for the most part, until day before yesterday. So many people to thank – starting with Charlie Negrete and Chris Curtis, Fred Brewton and the folks at Waveland Café, Fire Medics Mike and Marc and their co-workers, the physicians and other skilled folks here at IMMC, all the officers who stood guard, friends, family, acquaintances and strangers who prayed, and on and on.

We’re not sure yet when the defibrillator will be implanted or when he’ll get to go home. More tomorrow.

Kurt left the restaurant to go down to see him. I think it is an incredible story of what modern medicine is capable of doing. I am so grateful that his grandkids are going to grow up knowing their grandfather.

Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

and the good news is...

. . and the good news just keeps coming. Between yesterday when the vent was removed and almost noon today, we’ve been getting Dan back. Pretty quickly, actually. Once he was free of the sedative for even a short while – and even though his throat was extremely sore, making speaking difficult – he started making requests, answering questions (correctly), giving directions, and ribbing people – starting with me. He was tired of the CPAP (which made talking more difficult) after a short while and wanted it off. His nurse, Harry, got a nasal cannula for him to hook over his ears and feed oxygen into his nose as a replacement. I told Dan he was going to get one of those “old people oxygen tubes” (my alternate term for “nasal canuala”), and then I said, “But, that’s appropriate – you ARE 60.” He inhaled deeply and exhaled what sounded like an attempt at words. I asked him to repeat it so Harry could hear and interpret for me. He did: “Dan says, ‘You’re older.’” True. Cruel, but true.

But, seriously, folks . . . it’s gone on like that up to the present. In the middle of the night, he told me to be sure each officer who took a shift outside his door came in to introduce himself or herself. “I’ve got my days and nights mixed up anyway,” he said, “and I’ve been sleeping for a thousand years. So, just wake me up; I want to thank each and every one of them and shake their hand.”

Then, later on, after we’d talked about several folks who’d come to visit, called, or emailed, tears welled up in his eyes, and he said, “I don’t know how anyone can have so many friends.” And finally, “I want to see Curtis and Negrete. I want to thank them for saving my life.” Save it, they did. When Dr. Kassiotis, (cardiologist who’d seen him last week) came in and explained to him what had happened, he described it this way: “Your heart is weak and doesn’t pump strongly as it needs to. Last Wednesday morning, you experienced what we call ‘sudden death.’ You died. Your colleagues saved your life. Had they not arrived so quickly and acted as they did, we would not be having this conversation.”

So much to report, but I’ll cut to the chase: Orders have been written for Dan to be moved to a room on the floor today. Which floor, I don’t know; we’re waiting to see if and where a bed is available. His he’s now free of all IVs and catheters, and food has been ordered for him, starting with the ever-popular soft diet. He will be evaluated by a Physical Medicine Specialist, who will prescribe a regimen of physical and occupational therapy to restore his physical and mental functioning. (I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right: I couldn’t resist commenting with astonishment on that last part!) He’s had one physical therapy treatment, sitting up on the side of the bed and raising both hands. He could be here a couple of weeks, but Dr. Hicklin promised he’d go home able to climb the stairs to his second floor bedroom. He wanted to know if he could swim, which he does regularly, and was told by his cardiologist he will not be allowed to swim OR DRIVE for 6 months, due to the nature of his heart condition and the need to be certain it’s controlled and contained by the medication and the implanted defibrillator.

All of your prayers and support mean so much to him. He just can’t get over it all, and is moved to tears of gratitude and wonder over and over again. I’ll let you know when he’s moved to a room and which one it is and will continue to keep you all posted. As always, many thanks from Dan and all of us. Tomorrow, I’ll ask him to dictate a message to you in his own words.

Addendum : Quick update: Dan's been moved to a room, just above the Emergency Room at Iowa Methodist. He had orange jello and lemon Italian ice for lunch and is resting, now, after the big trip upstairs. Blessings to all, Victoria

Joyful News

Good news! Dan’s ventilation tube was removed (intentionally) at about 10:15 this morning – and the feeding tube from his nose (unintentionally, getting caught up with the vent tubes and tapes) at the same time, giving him much relief. He nodded his head in response to questions, squeezed hands, and wiggled feet. Before you know it, he’ll be doing the Hokey Pokey! They put a plastic mask over his mouth and nose right away to deliver oxygen, and through the mask he clearly said to Chris – “CPAP!” Meaning, that he wanted the Constant Positive Air Pressure device over his nose, which he applies whenever he goes to sleep to treat his sleep apnea. So, I think we can be pretty sure the brain cells are functioning. By the way, while all this was happening, no fewer than 6 police officers (Lt., Sgt., and Patrolmen) were just beyond the curtain with Chris and Pastor Rachel. His daughter Lyssa was just beyond the foot of his bed eyeing her dad’s face, and I was employing my weapon-of-choice (the Rosary) in a corner chair. Security was covered all around! And, to the credit of the consistently excellent staff caring for him, no one seemed to blink an eye at this cordon of care – the only comment was, “It’s really secure around here!”

He’s off all meds except the final day of the antibiotic to treat the pneumonia, and that seems to be about cleared away, save some fluids that naturally still accumulate from the original aspiration and, the way I understand it, some artifacts of all that’s transpired. The lungs are still being treated with respiratory therapy and suctioning. His pulmonologist, Dr. Greg Hicklin, said he may need to do some deeper suctioning with a scope of some kind through the nose later this evening. The focus now will be on clearing the lungs further and keeping them clear. He’ll be in the Cardiac Care Unit at least another day, possibly two, for that purpose, and to be certain his respiration continues to do all it needs to unaided. Dr. Hicklin and Resident Dr. Rose explained that there’s a 10% chance that his lungs would tire so much that they’d need to reinsert the ventilator for awhile. By all indications he’s in the 90% category right now, and we expect he’ll stay that way.

Cardiologist Dr. Fleming said the defibrillator implant would be done as soon as he’s declared stable off the vent – could even be in the next couple of days – and that it only takes 30 minutes or so.

So, I expect Chris and I will trade off again tonight, and won’t it be great if he gets to be moved to another room, and the next stage of recovery tomorrow? If not, we’ll be patient, as he’s over a big hump today, and should be more conscious and communicative as time passes.

Please join our prayers of thanksgiving – with continuing supplication for full recovery, of course. Also, we’ve shared experiences with others along the way, while here, and have collected other prayer requests. I can’t name them – God knows the names. Just please add “and for all those for whom Dan’s family has been asked to pray” before your “amen.” Thanks again, and many blessings. Victoria

Update on Lyssa's Dad

Lyssa just posted this on Facebook. Please keep praying.

Progress was made today. Turned off all meds except the sedative (wiki: Propofol) & Dad reacted well.
Pulmonologist made rounds near 2PM, wants to get Dad off ventilator... suggested that some people can't be weaned & need to be cut off cold turkey- the plan is to turn off the Propofol & remove the ventilator around 9AM. Dad was awake & understanding tonight, he seems upset & scared. Please keep praying.

Kurt and I felt awful leaving Dad tonight to get home to put kids to bed. (Mom and Vicki will take shifts and will be with him all night.)

Dad really seems to be understanding that he is in the hospital and that we've all been very worried about him. He seems scared about his situation and we're trying to comfort him and let him know that we are there with him.

We're not out of the woods yet, but very encouraged by his progress tonight. If he has difficulties without the assistance of the ventilator, the Dr. today mentioned the possibility of either a temporary trach (supposed to be less painful than the vent), or placing a new ventilator.

Please keep praying. Your love and support means so much to us and has helped us more than you know. Thank you so much for everything.

A message from Dan's Wife

Thanks to one & all for your warm wishes & encouragement, & most importantly, for your prayers for Dan's recovery. We are worried & tired but supported by an amazing web of caring friends & family, holding us up & keeping us going. We are truly grateful & indebted to you. Please continue to keep the prayers & prayer chains going...Dan needs them to win this fight!
Love to all!
Chris & family

Dan's Update

Sorry to be so late in posting this update. Have been waiting to see just what I could accurately report about Dan’s progress and prognosis. Progress today has been a little slower than we had hoped – but it’s progress nonetheless. He rested comfortably all night on a combination of sedatives and pain medication, along with medicine to keep his blood pressure up – and, of course, the ventilator.

The oxygen level had been turned down to 40 (from 100 originally), and yet he was keeping his oxygen readings at 90-95, so that was a good thing. His lungs still appear to be clear, thanks to respiratory therapy and antibiotics that zapped the pneumonia, so that’s good, too. His pulmonologist/critical care specialist was in with a slew of residents at about noon and determined that the best approach would be to leave his pain meds where they were, or even increase them, and let up on the sedative to see if he could gain consciousness without becoming combative, then wean him off the ventilator. She did not want to remove it precipitously, as he was extremely difficult to intubate when he was brought in and would likely be more difficult now, since the presence of breathing and feeding tubes in his throat for several days would have caused some additional swelling.

So, the goal is to remove the ventilator only when chances are high that it won’t need reinserting. He was partially successful, today, breathing on his own with the ventilator functions turned way down. He was conscious for an hour while remaining reasonably relaxed and cooperative. However, unlike a couple of days ago, when he answered Chris’s questions as she requested, today, he did not respond by following directions – something that probably won’t surprise any of you who know him well J. After an hour, he started thrashing all limbs again, so his nurse bumped his sedative up a bit – but not as high as it had been: more progress.

He’ll likely stay on this protocol through the night, and tomorrow, after the critical care internist evaluates him, perhaps we’ll be able to take more steps toward removing the ventilator. Let’s hope he decides to follow instructions, and that he’s able to be free of the vent for good. That will make it easier to allow him to be more “with it.” Also, his cardiologist said today that once that has happened, we’ll talk about getting the pacemaker/defibrillator implanted, which is a relatively minor procedure. Once again, many thanks go to you prayer warriors, friends, colleagues, family, and DMPD family members, who continue to lift up Dan and all of us and wrap us in your care. More tomorrow – probably not until afternoon.

Caring Bridge update on Dan

We hope today, Sunday, will be a real day of rest for Dan. It’s noon, and the past 36-48 hours have been spent trying to balance his sedative and pain medications so that he’s unconscious and comfortable, but not too heavily sedated, as that causes his heart rate to drop too low.

Chest x-rays last night and this morning look clear, showing improvement in the pneumonia that appeared in his right lung a couple of days ago. He’s getting respiratory therapy and suctioning to keep moving fluid out of his lungs.

We’ve learned a couple of things about Dan: 1., he does not have an internal snooze button – he wakes up on a dime, and 2., he does NOT like the tubes in his nose (feeding) and throat (breathing). The minute he’s conscious, he fights like crazy – arms and legs thrashing as much as the restraints allow and face twisting like that guy in the “Edgar suit” in the first Men in Black movie. So there will be no more attempts to wean him gradually off the ventilator. He’ll be kept comfortable and asleep until tomorrow (Monday) morning, when the ventilator will be removed.

One of us is staying with him through the night and several all day to help monitor his progress, let him know we’re there, reassure him in case he does awaken, and reassure ourselves and you by staying informed. Thanks again for your support and prayers; keep them up -- breathing on his own will likely be the next big hurdle.

Keep praying folks, j

Update on Lyssa's Dad

It’s Saturday afternoon, and Dan’s had a quiet day. They are still working to get a good balance between sedating him enough to keep him from thrashing around and fighting the ventilator, but not so much as to depress his respiration and keep him dependent on the ventilator.

Therefore, the next effort to get him breathing on his own has been postponed until tomorrow, as he seems to be too sedated to make a good go of taking over his own respiration, today. One interesting event that has encouraged us: last night, when he was fighting and thrashing, Chris asked him to blink if he was in pain. She said those eyelids flapped 90 miles/minute! Then she told him to blink if he’d like pain medication. Same response.

So, that seems like a pretty good indication of neurological functioning, if you ask me. (Not that you’d ask me – though I’ve learned more in the past few days about all of this than I’ve ever wanted to know!) We’ll continue to keep you all posted when we have new information. From the very beginning, we’ve been wrapped in the love and care of all of you – family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. We still are. And we are so grateful for all of you.

Thanks for your comments in the Guest Book, your visits, emails, calls, texts, comments on Facebook, quietly protective presence, food, and especially your prayers. What a gift that will be for Dan for the rest of his life, as he reads it all and hears the stories! Many blessings!

Update on Lyssa's Dad

Dan's Family has a Caring Bridge Journal and are updating us through that. I will share them with you or you can go there and sign in yourself.

It’s Friday night, and Dan’s facing what most everyone who’s been through such physical trauma experiences: ups and downs in the early days of recovery.

Efforts to remove the ventilator this morning were not successful, so he’s still got the tubes down his throat (not technical terminology and maybe not technically accurate, but you get the picture) to help him breathe. But unlike Wednesday and Thursday, today he’s at normal body temp and off paralytic and sedative medications, so is feeling pain. And while he’s not alert and fully aware, he is in and out of the sort of consciousness I described this morning, so he instinctively reacts to the discomfort and struggles.

Efforts are being made to find some balance between pain management and the other factors that have to be considered in helping him progress, and that seems to be an experimental process. On Saturday morning, the respiratory therapist will try once again to cut back the ventilator’s functioning fully and urge him to breathe on his own.

Our hope and prayer tonight is that he will be able to do that and provide himself with adequate oxygen so that the ventilator can be removed. While he’ll surely have residual discomfort, it should reduce his pain considerably and allow him to calm down. Heart meds are also being adjusted to support a steady rhythm (again, a layman’s effort to convey what’s going on) until his neural condition can be assessed and a defibrillator/pacemaker can be installed.

You can see – we have a ways to go, yet, even though we have reason to be encouraged. We were told ahead of time, for instance, that if he fought the ventilator, that would be a good sign. So, keep up the prayer support, please, and we’ll hope to be able to report he’s breathing on his own tomorrow.

Update

These little darlings found a place to grow at the base of one of my evergreens in front of the house. I snapped the picture on my way out to get in the car to take me down to pick up my car from the auto place as I had to have it serviced yesterday. Taking the car down and picking it up was all I accomplished yesterday and it looks to be the same story today. I am hacking and coughing still with a sore throat. I HATE SUMMER COLDS! -

The only thing that it accomplished is that I read a lot. I finished The Scourge of God and have started Hadrian's Wall. I am sure I could read something more profound but it is all I have the energy for. I like Historical Novels so I am enjoying them. I read for a few pages or chapters if I am lucky and then drop off to sleep. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs (but don't get too close) j

Off and Running

No time for blogging today. I missed the play because of the weather last night and today I am off to Des Moines for Ritual Study with Specialis Procer Lodge and then to the Des Moines Playhouse in the evening. I am thinking about some things but in the meantime Have a great week-end.