A new face

Look fast because the beard is going today - and I am glad. The next doctor visit isn't for TWO WEEKS. Ron is safely on the way to recovery. This is my last posting, from now on Ron will take over and tell you HIMSELF how he is feeling and what he is thinking about. So keep checking!

Thank you to all of you who have so faithfully followed this blog so far. I am amazed how many have said they read it and have answered our prayer requests. We certainly felt connected to all of you.

Love, Carol

A Big Day

The stents are out. The drain is out. No foreign objects of any kind. Ron is tired but so happy to be 'free at last'.

Returning to Normal - whatever that is

Ariella and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing our friends at Harbert Community Church this morning, what a blessing to see everyone again. David and Ariella will both return to school tomorrow. Ron and I go to Chicago Tuesday and are hopeful that the kidney drain will be removed and he will finally be 'tube-free'. He has scheduled physical therapy to begin this week. He is still weak, but getting stronger each day. His appetite has not entirely returned, but he makes a good effort and doesn't fuss about two Ensure milkshakes a day.

Normal has a whole new meaning, and we love it.

Carol

One down, one to go

The catheter is O-U-T! Happy days are here again. The last tube (the kidney drain) should be out by next week. We are hopeful that this will be a giant step in mobility for Ron.

On other fronts, David will mostly likely return to school tomorrow, doctor says he is 'on the right track' thanks to two powerful antibiotics.

Everyone in a bed enjoyed 'breakfast in bed' thanks to Liz Pava's gorgeous Zabar's gift basket of croissants, granola and other goodies and Ed and Susan Cundiff's basket of clementines and bananas. We also feasted on Harry and David pears from Ted and Doris Simon. Each day brings a new wonder!

Three client presentations this week for me means I am getting back into the swing of things. I am hoping each week from here on out will be less dramatic than the week before. Sue and Chris Fleming have suggested submitting this blog as a script for Grey's anatomy. I am looking forward to reading the end!

More as it happens.

Carol

It's Pneumonia, Again

Not Ron this time, but David. An X-Ray yesterday revealed what we suspected, David's cough, double ear infection and weekend long fever was all due to pneumonia. He is now on an additional antibiotic and doing better.

Creatinine levels are still too high for Ron to remove the catheter. However, there is almost too little fluid to test, so we will plead today with his doctor that the catheter should be removed anyway. He is getting a little stronger every day but his rib cage hurts when he moves -- and the catheter is serious a detriment to mobility.

I am struggling to get back to work, hoping today will be the day I can really start to focus on my clients again. They have been very patient SO FAR.

Ariella is doing much better and returned to school yesterday. She has a lighter heart now that college application season has closed. She begins practice today for 'Guys and Dolls' - she is in the Mission Band. How appropriate!

Carol

Ground Hog Day

It was a photo opportunity but I didn't have my camera, unfortunately. Ron walked half way to the mailbox down Notre Dame Path this afternoon. We didn't set any records for speed, but it was a great start toward recovery.

Our home is officially an Infirmary. David has a raging sinus infection with all the extras - ear ache, 102 degree fever, body aches and bad cough. Ariella is in the early stages of the same malady. We are hoping the antibiotics kick in before Monday and they can return to school. Jello is now my specialty and I need a spreadsheet to chart the med's and vitals. Good thing I had two weeks training in ICU! Please pray Ron does not contract this bug!

The next creatinine test will be on Monday and if all goes well, the catheter will be removed soon. That will bring Ron down to one tube!

Hopefully Yours,

Carol

Not yet

The tests show too much creatinine in the leakage, so it will be a few days before the catheter can be removed. Hopefully, that can happen early next week.

Carol

Back in Chicago

Ron and I are back in Chicago awaiting the results of a test to see if his catheter can be removed today or if it needs to remain in place a few more days. The leak is now a 'drip', but even a drip may be too much. Needless to say, Ron wants it OUT. NOW.

We'll keep you posted. Meanwhile we are 'enjoying' another meal at Northwestern Hospital. If only they offered Frequent Dining Awards!

Ron is getting stronger each day. He's not doing laps around the kitchen island yet, but has been ordered to walk 15minutes 3X a day so that may be next?

Our friends continue to amaze us with their support. Thank you to Kimberly and Anthony for the terrific pasta meal on Tuesday and to Bob Evans for the soup he is sending over tonight. I have learned what a big difference these gestures really do make when systems are stretched.

Love,

Carol

Happy New Year!

As my good friend Nancy D said so well last night, "Here's to 2008, it's going to be great, can't wait!"

Once again the response to prayer has been remarkable. Ron's appetite has increased noticeably. He even looks like he might be enjoying food again. Also the leak reduced its output dramatically starting Monday morning - for reference it had been putting out 200-300 ml a day and is now around 30!

He seems a little cheerier, too. Now if he'd just shave that beard....

Happy New Year to all of you, our dear friends!

Love,

Carol

The Saga Continues

Friends:

I had thought we were done with this blog, but we once again need to update you on Ron's slower than expected recovery...

We had a great Christmas, just the four of us. It was so great to be home together.
He subsisted for five days on a diet of Jello and bananas. Unfortunately, Thursday found us back in Chicago for more tests. A CT scan, urine and blood tests show that he is very rundown, has a possible bladder infection and that his kidney has found other ways to excrete urine than through the bladder.

A surgical procedure (wow, how did we get back HERE again?) was performed Friday morning to try to redirect the urine through the ureter and bladder. We toddled across the street to the Wyndham Hotel to wait for Ron to feel stronger and for the predicted (but never realized) storm to clear.

As of Saturday, we are home again. Once again, we need your help with prayer. Specifically, please pray for Ron to regain his appetite in order for the healing to continue. Despite my best efforts, and doctor's orders to "eat like a 14 year old", he doesn't find anything appealing. We also need the leaking to stop and Ron to start feeling more comfortable.

We are so appreciative of all the calls and support. Thank you for continuing to follow this blog. You'll know we're done when Ron starts blogging for himself!

Happy New Year!

Carol

Key Takeaways

If you or someone you love needs surgery, here are some lessons learned - the things I wish I'd done and known ahead of time:

1. Be informed ahead of time: I wish I had known more about Ron's surgery, the risks and potential complications ahead of time. I also should have had his family health history, C-PAP settings, and names of all his physicians handy.
2. Keep a journal: The hospital staff only records the essentials - vitals, equipment used, major procedures. You are the continuity in terms of mental status, response to drugs, pain.
3. Start a blog ahead of time: It is an easy way to share your experience and helps others know best how to help you.
4. Challenge appropriately: Nurses change every 8-12 hours and the handoff is not necessarily everything you could wish. If something doesn't make sense to you, ask for a rationale.
5. Stick around, ask questions and listen closely: You can earn your way in by being as cool and composed as the staff. Your presence is helpful to the patient and can make the difference when it's time to make decisions.
6. Remind each shift how to reach you: Make it clear you want to be involved in decisions. If you have to leave, even momentarily, make sure they have the right number or know when you will be back.
7. Request a consultation: The attending physician isn't a specialist in everything. Getting the pulmonology team involved with Ron was key to his recovery. (Note: I had to suggest a consultation or it would not have happened, and I only knew to ask because Nancy suggested it).
8. Remember you have power of attorney: If you are sure a drug isn't necessary, don't be afraid to refuse it. The hospital staff has to act conservatively, your goals may not always be aligned.
9. Ask for a discharge summary: Don't leave the hospital without a written record of what happened to give to your primary care physician.
10. When all else fails, ask to speak with a hospital administrator: This definitely gets everyone's attention and gives you more say in what is going on.

Carol

We're HOME!

It's true there's no place like home. Ariella's friends spent all day decorating and the house was glowing inside and out with lights, signs and Christmas cheer. We visited the pharmacy, loaded up on groceries and don't plan to leave the house again until after Christmas.

We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas, improving health, the love of friends and healing power of prayer. Thank you to all of you who have been following this blog and supporting us this past 3 weeks.

Merry Christmas!

Carol

Today's the Day

We are hopeful of being 'released' later today. It's been 18 days since we entered the hospital in on December 5. We've learned a lot about healthcare, ourselves, the incredible support of friends and the power of prayer. I think it's safe to say this was a 'life changing' experience.

We can't wait to be home.

Carol

Longest Night of the Year

From now on the nights are shorter and the days will be longer. Ron doesn't have much of an appetite, living on Jello and juice. He has taken two strolls around the floor (well stroll is probably overstating it, but you get the idea). He is down to just one tube, the mandatory hospital IV. Barring any new developments, he will be released tomorrow or Sunday, just in time for Christmas Eve at home.

The recovery will be many weeks, but physical therapy is impressed with his strength relative to what he has been through -- and his 'motivation'. All those years of swimming really have paid off.

David is sick with a bad cold, sore throat and swollen glands so he is quarantined at Roger and Kathi's loft. Ariella is holding the fort at home. She had good company this week with Sara, Mark and Judy. We are looking forward to getting home.

Thank you to all of you for your message, they really mean a lot.

Carol

Thank you Janette and Kathi!

David is in Chicago with us tonight thanks to Janette Yergeau arranging this special birthday celebration and Kathi and Roger (again) offering their loft. It wasn't the best birthday, but let's HOPE it is the worst.

Carol

Happy Birthday David!

It was 14 years ago today at this very same hospital that we had the joy of welcoming David into the world. Happy Birthday David!

Getting Stronger by the Hour

Ron is in a chair, but weak and still a little groggy. We are waiting for Physical Therapy to evaluate his strength and decide what will be needed before he can go home. We feel like we have moved into the Westin, with a private bath, a bed for me and an attentive and caring nursing staff.

It was great to see Joel Kruggel from Harbert Church last night and Jim and Nancy Decorrevont today. We are opening the many cards and letters which have arrived.

We should have a better estimated time of 'release' from the hospital sometime later today. The term 'release' has a whole new meaning!

Carol

A Great Morning

Ron is weak but so happy to be 'human again'. He moves to a regular hospital room later this morning. Ari asked me to post this picture. Hope it makes you smile.

Carol

Lazarus Wakes

We have been talking non-stop about all that has happened in the past two weeks. Ron had no idea how seriously ill he was, and how much he has missed. He is so grateful to all of you for reading this blog, your prayers and support. We may be home by Saturday, depending on how strong he is. The next steps will be to move to a room on a regular hospital floor, get his digestive system fired up, test out his legs and determine how much physical therapy will be required to regain his strength.

I feel more tired and hungry now than I have in two weeks. I plan to sleep well tonight.

THANK YOU again for all your love and support. We have powerful testimony of the power of prayer to bring miraculous results.

Carol

Touchdown Jesus!

Well, I said he was back to normal. That turned out to the be the key. Ron self-extubated while I was at lunch and the nurse stepped away. I came back just as he pulled the end of it out. Imagine the scene...a Fellow, 3 Resident doctors, 4 nurses and an intern all in crisis mode and Ron, the partridge in the pear tree, grinning. Talking. Joking. Smiling. Feeling human again. It is a remarkable transformation.

He is currently being examined by two Ear Nose and Throat doctors for any obstructions that might explain why he needed so many intubations. He will be able to eat and drink later. He sounds horase, but WONDERFUL.

Ecstatic Me