Thursday, March 5, 2009

Thursday, March 5th

He did it!! He is home! 10 1/2 weeks later, Marion arrived home about 3pm this afternoon. He promptly settled in for a little nap after checking out the house. But so good to have him home again! Now we get the tub transfer bench set up, Todd comes tomorrow to attach the bars on the tub walls, and what ever other little adjustments we need, but the new phase has begun.

Thank you all for the prayers and support. That is what it took for this to happen. We are so grateful for the physical and emotional generosity sent our way, it is impossible for me to express what it has meant to us. Thank you again. Love, Sue

PS Marion starts Outpatient Therapy and I will keep sending updates if you'd like.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Thursday, February 26th

Big News!! Tentative discharge date: next Thursday, March 5th! Marion mentioned discharge yesterday for the first time, so I think that he is ready. I just hope that I am too.

By the time he goes home we will know whether he will have therapy at home or go to out patient therapy. That may well depend on how well we can transfer him into our car, his is too low, and the Pilot seat may be too high, but the therapists will work with him next week on that. Also, for long excursions, or where he might be jostled and sustain a fall, we will have a wheel chair, but the walker will do for short jaunts. Todd has offered to come and put support rails in the bath tub as needed, so necessary arrangements are being handled as they come up it seems.

The word each day at the hospital is how hard he works, not any surprise to those of us who know him is it? That is certainly part of what has gotten him this far! However, the prayers are the biggest part of the true miracle in his recovery. We are so grateful for the continuing love and support from our family and friends and it appears as though the hospital part of this journey may be drawing to a conclusion. Thank you again, love, Sue

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Saturday, February 21st

Hello, Renown Rehab is terrific! Marion receives 3 hours of therapy, broken up into 1/2 hour sessions per day. What a work out, and learning experience. This includes everything from eating and relearning to chew and swallow without choking, to walking using the weaker leg, to using an over the bathtub chair. We both are learning what we have to have when he comes home. The therapists are very professional, but compassionate at the same time.

Yesterday was a special day in the Ralston and Condie households, Sydney became a teenager!, and Marion and I celebrated our 27th anniversary. We have shared that day for 13 years! I have not yet reached her on the phone, but she is in our thoughts, and we miss that birthday dinner we have always shared with her.

Marion had the Roseborough's shop for him as my birthday is next Tues also, and they arrived last night with flowers and candy, so we had a festive anniversary, the 5 of us, Karen, Jeff and Spencer with a gorgeous bouquet of roses and Marion's and my favorite See's candy! Maybe this accident has brought out the romantic in him. In all these years I do not remember flowers and candy for my birthday, however, we were to have been at Disneyland next week. A ride on the tea cups and the matterhorn IS Marion's style!

He is coming along very well, and while we have not been updated as to any discharge date, safety is the issue, and his lack of balance is the key issue, as well as swallowing. We are here for a while. He is not unhappy with any of the paces that they are putting him through. He is doing better about calling for nurses when I am not here instead of just moving himself from the chair to bed, or chair to toilet, which had become quite a problem. But it is just that stubbornness that has assisted in his recovery, so it is definitely a double edged sword.

Thank you all for your love and support. The prayers, the food for me, the calls the ask about Marion and me, just knowing that you are continuing to care for us is keeping us afloat. It is humbling to be the recipient of so much help, I look forward to be of service to others. Thank you again, Love, Sue

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Tuesday, Feb. 17th

He did it! I got the call after 9am this morning that he was to be moved at 10am. Yesterday, the news was probably this afternoon after the discharge was written. Things change. I arrived as he was being wheeled out of the unit, so got to kiss him good-bye before I went to sort through what would go to the new hospital, and what would go home of all the things we had accumulated during the 4 weeks that we "lived" at Tahoe-Pacific Hospital.

We are settled in room 118W at Renown Rehabilitation Hospital after a false start in room 107. That was a room with the bed next to the door, VERY claustraphobic, at least for the visitor, if not the patient!! Not to mention as dark as the black hole of calcutta! His new room is at the end of the hall, farthest from the startion, with the bed next to the window. He had to promise to not climb out of bed himself. Tomorrow he is evaluated by the therapists (me too) and we hope that we gain back priviledges for me to help him to the bathroom, and even to stand at the side of the bed as necessary. For today, he could not set even a toe out of bed without a nurse there.

Very exciting, the Physicians Assistant that interviewed him today seemed to feel that he would be home in about 2 weeks. So the end appears to be in sight. Thank you again for all the prayers and support. We are seeing answers. Love, Sue

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Saturday, Feb. 14th

Happy Valentine's Day! What a day, Marion walked and walked! They joked at the hospital that I was a slave driver, but the truth was that Marion just wanted to keep walking after every meal and nap. I was the one that wanted the rest periods!

I took Marion his cell phone 2 days ago, that might have been a mistake. The calls started at 8:30am this morning. How soon was I going to be there? As you can imagine, staffing is never overdone, and it always seems short on weekends, especially when there are no therapy's working as well. After he called again at 9am and 9:30, I realized that Sunday was going to be spent at the hospital as well. But I have to admit, that Marion, as well as the nurses, do appreciate the time spent with him. As he gains control back, and has all the tubes gone, it does help to have a family member available (on short notice) to give him a hand. He has no privileges in terms of getting out of bed, or moving around, out of a chair or with a walker by himself. That will come in Rehab. The 2 falls have everyone very gun shy about him falling again, and possibly injuring himself.

Karen and her family have been battling "bugs", so they are not visiting and sharing them with
us. Jim came today and we three spent some nice time together.

Tuesday morning the doctor for Renown Rehab meets with the staff at Tahoe-Pacific and the final decision is made determining where Marion goes when he is discharged that day. The Rehab choice is Renown, so hold a good thought for us. Thank you for your prayers on Marion's behalf. Love, Sue

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wednesday, Jan 11th

Hi, More good news that came from a round about way. Marion is going to go to Renown Rehab instead of Manor Care Rehab next Tuesday. But that is because he fell yesterday, which was his 2nd fall in 5 days. So his lack of balance made him a candidate for the more intense rehab center.
There have been no big physical injurys that we are aware of, but he is going to be seen by Dr. Louie, the Neurologist that Marion saw last year. The "fiesty" part is certainly why he is recovering, but not listening to "do NOT walk or get out of bed by yourself " could lead to serious injury or having to be restrained again at night. Not fun!

Please keep the prayers coming, we still have a long way to go. Thank you, Love, Sue

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sunday, Jan 8th

Hello, it has been 2 days because there were no big events to report, so I took a couple of days off. But today I walked in to room 110W, and it was empty! I knew that he was not at home, so the big news was that Marion had graduated from the ventilator corridor to the non ventilator, less intensive care, corridor of the v-shaped unit. Big move! That came after one day short of 3 weeks there. In fact, 1 day short of 7 weeks total. His new room is 120 and is a private room. It is just as small as the double, but he can play his classical music loud enough to hear, or the book on tape that I brought him from the library.

Well, that's the news for now. I'll keep you posted, perhaps on a less frequent basis as the progress has slowed down, but continues to be in the right direction. Please keep the prayers coming, they are the reason for the success that he has had!! Love, Sue

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Jan 5th, Thursday

Another great day! Adelia and I got to the hospital before lunchtime, after she was able to print her boarding pass for tomorrow's plane trip home. The time has flown by, but been wonderful. Marion actually had a sandwich for lunch, it's terrific to see "real" food on his tray.

After lunch we left Marion to nap and went to "shop" for the next stage of his recuperation. His stay at Tahoe-Pacific ends on Feb 17th, and he will have moved past Renown Rehab Hospital. So, Adelia and I visited the 3 skilled nursing facilities that have rehab centers that are on the south end of town. One was terrible (and will remain un-named), it was a close choice between Life Care and Manor Care, but Manor Care is our choice and I am so glad to have had Adelia's input. She has had experience visiting church members and friends in similar places, and her advice was invaluable. Marion has the opprotunity to have therapy up to 7 days a week at Manor Care, and that will make him happy as here the weekends really drag for him. Their goal is to get the patient home as quickly as possible, and in the strongest shape as possible. That is certainly our goal also.

Please keep those prayers coming. Love, Sue

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Wednesday, Jan 4th

Another big day! When I arrived this morning, Marion was using the arm machine that looks like you are pedaling a bicycle. The he took a hike up and down the hall in his own tennis shoes and socks! Not a big thing you might say, but from where he has been, a huge accomplishment.

Then another graduation, no longer ground food and thickened liquids, but chopped food and thin liquids, which means water and regular juice! Music to his ears!! The next step is "whole" food, not any alteration at all when it arrives on his tray.

At 11:15am, I left to pick up Marion's sister, Adelia who was arriving from Riverside, CA. We got back to the hospital in time to join him as he finished his lunch. He was delighted to see his "baby" sister. They chatted all afternoon, and he even skipped his afternoon nap. Marion should have no trouble sleeping tonight. Once again, the progress is visible right before our very eyes! Thank you for your part in this through your support and prayers. Love, Sue

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Jan 3rd

The big news tonight is that Marion's sister, Adelia Rile, from Riverside, CA, arrives about noon tomorrow. What fun for us to have her for a visit. Marion gets to show off all his new skills.

I'm to take in shoes for him tomorrow, no more walking the halls in stocking feet. His right foot has a tendency to "shuffle", so Tom, the physical therapist wants him in shoes to help correct that.

A restful night to all, and talk to you tomorrow. Please keep up the prayers, we are seeing miracles. Love, Sue

Monday, February 2, 2009

Feb 2nd, Monday

6 weeks today. Be careful if we have ice again.

Well, the feeding tube came out today, and while he does not prefer the food that he is served, it has to beat out of a bottle, down a tube!

We got word today that the his stay has been extended to Feb 17th at this facility with their rehab work. So those of you that have asked about visiting: if he is napping when you arrive and I am not there to wake him up. Please do wake him up. The nights are long for him, and he would really enjoy visiting with you rather than seeing a note that he missed you, and then having another restless night. Lunch times through early evening are great times to visit for those that have asked. The actual visiting hours are 8am-10pm, however, the therapists work with him in the morning,(if he is on their schedules until about 11am), so that is why I suggested lunch time on. Brian Wilson and Tim Glenn pop over at their lunch time as their office is very close by. Today, after walking, he got to sit and try to become re-familiar with using a computer. Baby-steps. Marion looks so much better each day. The time at the computer showed that looks can be a bit deceptive, and we are so fortunate to be at a facility were he has the opprotunity to use the different tools that are important to him and relearn.

Tomorrow the foley catheter comes out. Marion wants to keep that. That will involve work and concentration on his part to transition to a more normal function. I only mention this much information, because your prayers and support continue to carry us along on this journey. Without all the comfort from Heavenly Father and our dear family and friends, I would never have made it this far, and Marion's survival is based on all the above plus his dogged spirit.
Thank you again, love, Sue

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Feb 1st, Sunday

Well, it truly is a "super'" Sunday! Karen and Spencer, June and John, Jenice, Craig and Tanner and Jim and I had lunch with Marion today. After he finished lunch we then joined him by sharing chocolate cake and celebrating Jenice's birthday a day early. After lunch, Jenice gave Marion a haircut, he used to have 6 weeks growth on one side, and approximately 10 weeks growth on the other 1/2 of his head. This new look is MUCH better!!

It just continued to improve. We switched from the wheelchair to his walker, and with Craig on one side and John on the other, and me trailing behind with the O2 tank, Marion walked the entire long hall length back to his room. None of us had seen him walk, (even me, PT walking is early in the morning). It was very impressive. He was hardly seemed winded when he had made it back to his room. Evidently he had told one of the kids that he did not expect to be able to walk the whole way, but being Marion, he did it!

The "party" adjourned to his room then, but started breaking up by 2:15 as June and John headed back to Oregon, and Karen went home to start preparing for the school week. Craig and Jenice started for San Jose by 4pm, so Marion and I watched the super bowl.

Another big first was a bit later when Marion had his first shower since the accident. Yes, he has had numerous baths and washings, but this was an honest, sit on a chair, under the water, shower! The nurse let him sit and enjoy the warm water, and then we had turned the heat in the room high and she brought 2 warm blankets as soon as we had him back in bed. It was cool outside, and he has 2 windows in his room, and he had felt chilly several times throughout the day.

Hope you all had a great weekend also. Thank you for the prayers. Much love to you, Sue

Saturday, Jan 31st

Well, it has been almost 6 weeks, and today when June commented how well his scar was healing, we learned that Marion was unaware that he had had surgery. He only thought that he had suffered a concussion. What a blessing it is that the patient has little memory of many of the events surrounding such a traumatic accident. If only that was true for the family as well.

This has been a wonderful weekend. June (Condie) Collier and husband John arrived late Friday night. Jenice and Craig Condie with son, Tanner arrived about 6pm Sat. and Marion just kept perking up as more family poured into his room. Karen was there, as she is almost every day in spite of her hectic schedule. Bishop Foote arrived before 7pm also, and with his spirituality, plus sunny disposition and sense of humor added a wonderful element to our little group! Jim and Todd plan to join us tomorrow, so we will have a mini family reunion!

Marion is continuing to eat more and more each meal. Hopefully in a day or so I will be able to report that the feeding tube has been removed. After lunch today, during which June, Karen and I sat with him in the "lunch room" at the end of the loooong hall of the hospital corridor, Marion pushed himself in a wheelchair, ALL the way back to his own room with June only pulling the oxygen tank along! Another accomplishment, helping him to regain strength. I know I keep saying this, but the improvements seem to come each day.

Thank you again for your prayers. These miracles in the recovery we are seeing in Marion are truly a gift from Heavenly Father. There was a time when I did not expect to see him at this point. That is not to say that I do not have faith, or that I do not believe that all things are possible. It is just that Marion was so sick and so broken. But "all things are possible". Thank you again for your support. Love, Sue

Friday, January 30, 2009

Jan 30th

It's Friday evening, and another red letter day! The trach tube came out today! Now if Marion can just get more appetite and eat enough food to get rid of the n-g tube, he will be a happy camper.

It was not his day to work with PT, and he missed the exercise. So perhaps with visitors this weekend he will have a chance to show off his new strength with the wheelchair and maybe even the walker.

Enjoy your weekend all, you are in our prayers. We do appreciate your continuing support and prayers. Love, Sue

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Friday, Jan 29th

Hello, Marion had an exhausting day. He walked, using the walker, from his room, down the hall to the nurses's station and past that a ways. It knocked him out for the rest of the day! But the whole crew was talking about his accomplishment! By lunch time he was so tired I got permission to feed him. He was so tuckered, he just wanted to go back to bed. He did stay up for lunch, but was back in bed shortly after, and slept soundly the rest of the afternoon. I had to wake him up for dinner. The UNR basketball game was televised starting at 6pm, so we watched that, and he ate dinner slowly, and ate more than he had at lunch. He has to eat a good percentage (75%) to have the feeding tube removed, and as tired as he is, eating is not at the top of his list yet. In good time, just as these other skills have returned, I'm sure.

Well, that's the news for tonight. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Some of the out of town kids are arriving this week-end, that will be great for his spirits! Many thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. Love, Sue

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Jan 28th

Good evening, and it is a good evening! Marion ate all three meals today! He is grabbing for the cup, but still has to be spoon fed the ice chip, or a spoonful of liquid, but he used his weaker right hand to feed himself the majority of the meals. Hooray, the progress continues!

I missed pt this morning, being home with the furnace people, but I hear that Marion actually walked a bit out of his room and down the hall (closely followed by a wheelchair). This is a miracle compared to what we saw just last week.

The trach collar and mist were removed, and the trach tube was "capped". By the end of the afternoon his O2 was a bit low, so he did get a nasal cannula, but not an unusual thing. He is doing so well.

He gets out of bed for his meals and has to sit up for at least 30 minutes after eating, all this leads to additional strengthening (and tiring). Hopefully he will start having more comfortable nights. He says that he watches the clock all night long. That sure makes for a long night!

Well, that's the update for today. The good news just keeps coming, and I know that it is because of all the prayers being sent his way. Thank you again, we sincerely appreciate them, love, Sue

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Jan 27th

Red Letter Day! They removed the ventilator from Marion's room today! Huge step forward.

Also, Marion mostly passed his swallow test. He can have a "ground" diet, and not thin, but "nectar" consistency liquids. So, ground chicken with mashed potates and gravy and chopped broccoli for lunch with added trimmings, and ground beef with the same rest of menu for dinner.

I had to leave at 5:25 for my class, and as no hospital is over staffed, Karen came over to do one-to-one with Marion for his 2nd "real meal". Turns out Jim came to visit too, so after dinner, Jim, Karen and Marion played a game of cards! Marion is making progress almost daily in front of our eyes.

Thank you for your prayers and support. I was telling Marion today about this internet note that I send out each nite, and the responses that we receive. He was really moved to hear of your interest. Thank you again. Love, Sue

Monday, January 26, 2009

Jan 26th

Hello, we had a good day today. It looked as though it might be not so great as he was back in bed before 9:45am when I arrived, and looked "tuckered out". But later he worked with occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy came back 2 different times as he was sleeping so soundly between workouts! When he did work with Tom, PT, that included Tom helping him stand to transfer (with LOTS of help from Tom) to the wheelchair. But then Tom helped him stand up 3 times from the chair! His right leg totally buckles, but just being able to stand at all is huge, and not anything that he could do last week, so the forward momentum is really moving along. Also, Marion then went for a ride out into the hall, and where last week he only pushed himself about 6-8 inches, this time he pushed himself a significant way down and back up the hall.

Tomorrow has the potential for being a wonderful day. He starts, perhaps, with having his trach tube downsized from a size 8 to a size 6. Then PT is going to work him, so when he goes to Radiology for a barium swallow test at 11am it will be accurate, not a false reading, and if he passes this one, he really will be ready to eat real food. An accomplishment that will mean so much to Marion, even if it is all ground up to begin with, much better than through a tube down your nose! So lots of prayers tonight please. I'll fill you all in tomorrow. Love, Sue

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Jan 24th, Sunday

Good evening, and it is a good evening! Marion wanted to sit in the wheelchair today. There were no Pt people there this weekend, just nurses and respiratory staff, so Ben the CNA got him up this morning, no small feat with all the tubing, etc. Then after 10 minuters, he was ready to get back to bed. I jollied him into staying up for a half hour, then got Ben to put him back to bed.

I had brought in a DVD player and purchased a head set with volume control, plus a booster "amplifier" that makes the volume 2x the regular amount with the hope that Marion could hear his courses that he has bought. It did afford him success with the dvd's, so some diversion as the bed is getting very old for him. It's 5 weeks tomorrow. The TV does not interest him at all, even if he could hear it. He suspects that his hearing has been further damaged by this accident. I am going to call his hearing man tomorrow, or at least take his aids in to be cleaned and adjusted if possible. So frustrating for him to have people standing over his bed, and he can not understand a word that they are saying to him.

This afternoon he wanted to sit out of bed again, and I wasn't able to get help, so we got adventourous(sp), and we dangled him on the side of the bed closest to the IV stand and trach collar with mist. We did fine and we even both sat on the side of his bed and looked out the window at the snow for a while. I got him back to bed ok, except that he was 1/3 down the bed and at that point we needed help to boost him back up to the top of the bed. But that was more progress, to even consider dangling him by ourselves. He wanted to do it again at change of shift at 7pm, but I"m not willing to push my luck that far, and said "no, we'd have to wait until tomorrow when more staff was available". No use getting on the bad side of the staff, they take decent care of Marion, and we want the best care they can give him!!!

Certainly wish you all a restful weekend, and time with your families. Thank you for your continuing love and support for us.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Saturday, Jan 24th

Hi, Marion is getting feisty! As I was getting ready to leave tonight, he pulled his trach tubing off, 2 times! He wanted the speaking valve back on and to talk before I went home. He said that it was "dreadful" in the morning, and what time was I coming in? I said that it was church tomorrow at 11am, so it would probably be about 1 by the time I changed and came over. Then I asked him what time he would like me to come, he replied 8am. We negotiated and decided on 9:30am. I guess you know where I will be by 9:30am, for sure. But, just one more sign that Marion is back!! Hooray!

Our friends Brian Wilson and Tim Glenn came today and gave Marion a blessing for healing and me, one for strength, both were wonderful, and much needed. Tim brought Marion 2 airplane magazines, by the time this is over, Marion might decide to take up flying again. I might take in a portable DVD player tomorrow with one of Marion's courses that he purchases on History or something and see if that interests him, as TV leaves him cold. Please keep those wonderful prayers coming his direction, the power of prayer is truly magnificent! Love, Sue

Friday, January 23, 2009

Jan 23rd, Friday

Hello, the day started with a trip over to Sparks to Dr. McNulty's office. She is the Cardiologist that saw Marion every day the last week at Renown. Her office staff was wonderful about fitting me in before she started seeing her am patients. She was encouraging and said that the lack of strength from just being in bed for over a month and having suffered such a trauma would/could take a loooooong recovery time. She also was surprised to hear that no cardiologist was following him at this time, so the trip was excellent. She called their office located in the building where Marion is and made arrangements.a doctor came to see Marion at 12:45pm and I can not pronounce his name, but his smile more than makes up for his name, and he explained things in such detail that I wish I had had pen and paper to take notes. Suffice to say, that he plans to test Marion next week or so, when he has more strength, or sooner if problems arise. He explained to Marion that recovery would take hard work, and that he could expect to"hate his physical therapist at the end of each week, or he was not working hard enough". He said even bending his legs in bed is a beginning, so he was all for Marion getting his strength and lung capacity back, and heart capability.

Also, we had a call Weds from one of Marion's Temple friends Brother Munk, and he came to visit today. That brought many smiles to Marion. Clayne was saying that soon he and Marion will have worked together 9 years at the Temple and are very good friends. The hospital has a set of ear phones with a piece that the visitor speaks into so Marion can hear what they are saying. This works well, perhaps better than his hearing aids, and much less likely to get lost in a hospital bed! With the speaking valve on the trach, you can have a two way conversation, it was wonderful to watch.

Marion is getting back to himself. Today he asked where his car was, and then wanted to talk about gold. So our dear Marion is back to current times, and not back in the 30's or 40's as some head injury people can be.

Jan 22nd

It is Thursday night, and yes, I did skip last night. Yesterday was a blah, down day for both Marion and me. I think that the move hit both of us and we realized that we were in for an up hill climb.

But today was a new day, and we greeted it with a smile, for Marion it was with even more of his face showing as he had pulled out his ng tube. The nurse allowed it to stay out for most of the morning as the speech therapist gave him a "swallow test" and he passed it first thing in the morning when he was fresh and not yet so tired. Then he had a session with the physical therapist which included sitting in the wheel chair with an O2 tank strapped on the back, and attempting to use his arms to navigate the corridors himself! While he only moved a few inches under his own power due to the lack of strength in his right arm, it was the first time he had been out of bed, and out of his own hospital room in 4 and 1/2 weeks, so I pushed him down the rest of the hall and back just to have a change of scenery. He was exhausted just having been up, by 11:30 and wanted to be back in his bed, and by the time lunch came, he "flunked"swallowing the grape juice, so unfortunately by mid-afternoon the ng tube was reinserted, ugh! But Lisa the speech gal is going to give him another try tomorrow or Sat, and even tonite he was asking "didn't he get food?" So he is on his way hopefully. He does miss his food.

For the locals that have asked, the visiting hours at Tahoe Pacific are 8am to 10pm. Trust me, Marion is asleep long before 10pm! There are no closed hours as there were at Renown, and when Marion starts eating (soon we hope) meals are approximately 7:30 or 8am, noon, 5:30pm. I understand that they have a dining room that they put patients in wheel chairs and take them to for their meals. We have not graduated to that level yet. I have mentioned to a couple of friends coming to T-P that his room is so small, do not consider bringing flowers, balloons or anything. Even the chair that I sit on has to be moved every time that the nurse or respiratory therapist comes in to do something for Marion. The space in TINY! But the prayers that are coming our way are huge, thank you all so very much! Love, Sue

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Jan 20th

Well, as the TV kept saying, it's the start of the "big change", and so it is for Marion Condie. However, he slept much of it away today. The move led to exhaustion, plus perhaps some anxiety last night that led to them giving him a bit of medication last night that added to his sleepiness today. The speech therapist had already been there by 9am when I showed up, but I met the physical therapist who had him sit up in a wheel chair for over a half hour, a very big accomplishment, as there is not head rest or extended back support, so this was a first. His general disinterest in TV led to us not watching a whole day of Inauguration activities, but I did slip some in here and there. This TV does not have the classical music station so perhaps I'll bring a CD player to play his music for Marion. The evaluations are going to move at a slower pace than I had anticipated, I believe, but we are on our way. Thanks for your calls and notes, and of course the prayers of support. Love, Sue
PS Marion has a window and last night he saw the sunset for the first time in 4 weeks while the nurse had me at the station answering questions for her. When I returned to him, there was the last of the sunset, and he was so happy to share it, what a treat!!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Jan 19th

Red letter day!
At 4:15pm the Care Flight Ambulance (at a savings of $7,000.00 they told me) picked Marion up at Renown Hospital and transported him to Tahoe-Pacific-Meadows, which is located within Renown South Facility, about 6 miles from out home. It was ambulance instead of helicopter because he was more stable, hooray! It just gets better and better!

This morning he was already sitting in a chair by 8:45 when I arrived, and the Speech Therapist came in and put the special valve on, and his first question was "did he get to go home?" His next comment was that he had "plans for what to do at home". He had the "trach collar" on all of the day at least until he got to the new location and he was worn out, and was put back on the vent to conserve a little energy to be able to get evaluated and get to work tomorrow. At T-P there will be Physical, Occupational, Speech, Respiratory, and who knows what other kinds of people working with him to get him back up to par. I stayed until after 7:45pm when I had met both of his night nurses (RN and CNA, plus the RT person) before I came home to call it a night. We were both worn out with the excitement of the big day, and I for one am looking forward to the evaluations tomorrow and the next day to see what they have to say about the prognosis for his recovery. Once again we are so grateful for your continuing support and prayers. Much love to you, Sue

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Jan 18th

More steps forward! Marion was up in a chair for 1 and a half hours this morning, that tuckered him out for the afternoon. But for the afternoon he had his first "trach collar" experience for 2 and a half hours, then he was worn out from that. That is where he has a tube with oxygen and mist going towards the trach tube instead of being connected to the ventilator. Also Heidie, (real spelling) his nurse for today has asked me to bring in his hearing aids tomorrow. How's that for becoming more like a real person rather than a patient in a bed. Tomorrow seems to be moving day to Tahoe-Pacific, and the word appears to be by helicopter, not ambulance. I'll let you know after it has actually happened. Keep those prayers coming, they sure are working in his favor. We are so grateful. Love, Sue

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Jan 17th

Hooray! one day short of 4 weeks, Marion received his trach tube. The 'dynamic duo" as Dr. Bain called himself and Dr. Watson who did the surgery today about 12:30pm, assisted by Bob from Respiratory Therapy and Amber, the RN today. It was a quiet day the balance of today for Marion as he rested from the procedure. It was done in his room in ICU. A high-light for me was at 5:30 when he could "mouth-out" the word -cold- and I got him a warm blanket. Perhaps "charades" have moved to a better level, I sure hope so! When Dr. McNulty (the Cardiologist) came in, she ordered 2 units of blood, his hematacrit was down to 23, and should be 36ish, I believe she said.

The papers are in the works for Marion to move as soon as tomorrow to Tahoe-Pacific Hospital, however, that would be VERY quick, Monday or Tuesday probably is more realistic to have all the orders and transportation available.

Marion just has a more comfortable look about him, he is adjusting to having the breathing tube in his neck, and still having a nasal-gastric tube for feeding. But not having that breathing tube through his mouth and over his teeth already has removed some of the tension from his face.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and thank you for the prayers, Sue

Friday, January 16, 2009

Jan 16th

Hello, it was a rough start this morning. I arrived at the hospital at 8am, a half/hour prior to visiting hours to see Marion before his surgery, only to learn that it was on hold due to his clotting time. I was so discouraged for him! His INR was over 1.6 and earlier in Jan it had only gotten down to 1.34 after approximately 60 units of fresh frozen plazma. Today they gave him 2 units in hopes of lowering the number enough to be able to do at least the trach tomorrow. By this afternoon his INR was down to 1.5 or 1.58 and tentatively they are planning to do the trach procedure only in the ICU with 2 physicians and RT on hand about 10:30am. We'll see what the morning brings. He was trying strenuously to communicate with his hands and even his mouth, so I certainly hope that he can start back towards being able to speak tomorrow. Heavenly Father has seen him this far and Marion is going strong, he was attempting to draw circles in the air with his leg today, he has a lot of spirit left in him, thank you for the prayers. Love, Sue

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Jan 15th

Good news! The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. The clotting time is correct enough that the trach and "g tube" are to be placed and that should make him more comfortable. He was frustrated today again as he tried to spell or "charade" words. All the patients around us that have been trached have then received a "speaking" device a few days after. I so hope that will be true for Marion also.

The Cardiologist was is in at 5:15pm this evening and believes that one of his 3 stents may be blocked, and after he is stable from the surgery she will do a stress test to determine this. If so this could be the reason for the repeated failures leading to respiratory failure when trying to get him off the ventilator. It is good to have a reason why there has been no success instead of just trouble with the process.

All in all, I came home excited feeling like it was forward movement, the surgery that will lead to rehab, and an answer why he has not been able to get off the ventilator, and now the Doctor has a course of action. Hooray!

Please keep praying! Love, Sue

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Jan 14th

Hello, It was a very quiet day today. I went in to see Marion early today at 8:30am. He had had sedation last night and was still lethargic. When I tell the nurses that it only takes a little for him, it does not seem to always filter to all the shifts. Tonight I spoke to the nurse that had him last night and he actually apologized for not realizing how sensitive Marion is to pain and sedation meds. When I had to leave at 10am for Trauma rounds (10-11am), I went to the post office to try to sort out our mail delivery situation, and home to work on routine "stuff". At noon I lay down for a little nap before going back to the hospital, well, it was 5:45pm when I woke up. Fortunately Karen and Janice visited him this afternoon, but I understand that he was still sleepy and lethargic it seems, altho' he did respond appropriately this morning for the Neurosurgeons PA. The surgery is still on hold while the Hematologist works on the clotting problems. I have been advised to go visit Tahoe Pacific, a sub-acute hospital, a hospital within a hospital, where patients can go who have trachs and feeding tubes, and start on rehab. So the doctors are looking forward to a positive future. A bright note for us, David Couper plans to come up from Pleasanton this weekend.
Please continue with the prayers. Love, Sue

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Jan 13th

Another day of the great and the not so good. The great is that Marion is so alert!! Those eyes are looking all around when he is awake. He is trying to talk with them. I wish that I was better at "charades", because between his eyes and hand gestures, he is sure trying hard. The not so good is that he has a blood infection, but antibiotics have been started, and his clotting times are not where the doctors want them to do surgery. They would work for the trach. But the stomach area is very vascular Dr Bain says, and he has called in a Hematologist to consult re the blood counts. So that is the update from today. Keep the prayers coming. I would say cards too, but both my brother in St Louis and our dentist in Reno had cards returned saying that we do not live at 2870 Shale Creek Dr., so someone must think that only 6 days doesn't count as having have moved in. That is all we were we here before Marion's accident, so I do have to say, we do not have a settled feeling at this home.
We love the prayers, Sue

Monday, January 12, 2009

Jan 12th

What a roller-coaster day! But it had a couple of high spots. A visit from grand-daughter Kay Jensen from San Jose and a very chipper Marion at 9pm tonight! In between were some of the lower spots, including temperatures, echocardiograms leading to stat CT's looking for possible pulmonary emboli, and having to be poked 3 times to start the iv for the contrast in x-ray due to the swelling he still has in his arms. But tonight I had a meeting at the hospital from 6:30-8pm, so I went back to visit and he was so wide awake, and wanted to talk so badly that we used the letter board, and he was able to point out w,a, t and from there I figured it was water that he wanted. Ken, his nurse, brushed his teeth, and did mouth care, thereby giving him moisture in his mouth, since water was not allowed with the ventilator.
Still no date set for the surgery to do the trach and feeding tube, but after tonight's "spryness", I am hopeful that he will be more comfortable from what I have heard. And more opportunity to gain strength to be weaned from the ventilator.
Thank you for the prayers, Sue

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Jan 11th

Hello, this has been a beautiful, bright Sunday day. Marion's kids were up from San Jose this week-end. Today about 1pm, Karen and Janice from Reno and then the San Jose contingent-Joan and Craig were in to see him, plus Jim arrived just as they were about to head back to SJ, so we had a full house! The nurses have been lenient as the group had traveled, plus we kept the "party" fairly quiet.

While his eyes were not their shiny, sparkly usual, they were open occasionally today. He did respond weakly to the nurses' requests to squeeze her hand, or thumbs up, but basically it was a quiet day, especially as he had a bit of medicine when he went down for a brain CT scan in the morning and would not lay still. The MRI was called off when it was realized that he has a pacemaker. The CT showed improvement in the bleed sites, so there is no real answer as to why he has the lethargy when he is taken off the ventilator.

The consents were signed today for 'tracheostomy' and 'placement of laparoscopic gastrostomy tube' (big words), so when they can fit him on the surgery schedule and feel he is up to the surgery, off he will go.

Here's hoping tomorrow brings improvement, thank you again for all the support and prayers, love, Sue

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Jan 10th

Good Evening, Marion was intubated around 1pm this afternoon. Joan, Terry and Craig had come up from San Jose plus Karen and I were there and we all met with Dr. Morgan, one of the Neurosurgeons and Dr. Baez, the Pulminologist (sp), ICU Specialist. They carefully and thoroughly spelled out Marion's condition, especially that his lungs and heart needed to gain strength, and Dr. Morgan wanted an MRI to see if there might be further injury to the brain that had not been discovered. As Marion was struggling to breath, and it was such an effort and there is still a good chance for him in their opinion, the decision was to re-intubate, which was carried out. I do not know how soon the MRI will be ordered, but of course will keep all up to date. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. Thank you, Sue

Friday, January 9, 2009

Jan 9th

Hello, Today is Friday, and Marion is still extubated, (off the ventilator), however it is a watching game. The labs are ok, and the monitor numbers are ok, but his physical being is laboring, so it is a wait and watch day and night. The doctor has not cut and dry answer, just they will "know" when it is time to act. Keep those prayers coming! They have increased the Lasix to draw off more fluid from his system, because his lungs are the problem now with excess fluid. He was more tired today, sleepy and did not try to converse. Tomorrow is another day, and hopefully more positive, even if it means a tube, that will mean that he has time to gain strength.
Good night, and thanks to you all, Sue

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Jan 8th

Marion made it through the day off the ventilator. However, he is not coughing very strong, and is more lethargic tonight, so we will see what tomorrow brings. It is all relative tho', as his son Todd said to me today, he sure looks better to me today than he did last week.

Yesterday was Janice's birthday, so we will have to have a big birthday dinner to celebrate when he is out of the hospital and able to share in those celebrations once again!

Please keep those prayers coming, just being off the ventilator is not the answer that I seemed to think it would be, silly me. Love, sue

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Jan 7th!!

Great Day! Marion was extubated at 2:45pm and after a cautious hour, it seemed to stick. Tomorrow will tell us how ready he was. But today he was coughing and able to spit, both good signs.

He wanted to scratch his nose, but would completely miss his face as he raised his hand, so there are definitely signs of the head injury that he has suffered, but the success he has had just since last Saturday is wonderful. Karen and I left at 5:45. He decided that since he was no longer tied down it was time to get up to use the bathroom. The problem being that ICU has no patient bathrooms. Bedpans or just plain beds for all, as the nurse told me today, with his injury, he will have to be told and retold things to remember the facts. As he is so weak, he is not walking just yet, but hopefully soon, as we all know, he is one determined man!

Thank you again for the prayers,
love, sue

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Jan 6th

Good evening. When I arrived at the hospital this morning, Kristen, Marion's nurse for the day greeted me with a big smile and said she hoped this was the day to extubate him. However, it turned out to be an optimistic wish as his lungs were still too "wet". He gets 1 or 2 more days to get less "wet" and strong enough to cough up secretions, or he will be trached. Trached because that allows them to wean him without having to re-entubate him if necessary and perhaps causing possible damage to his airway, anyway, that is what I understand.

Also, an RN from the Post Acute Liaison crew came to visit, that's the Rehab team. She was preparing me for the possibility that if Marion was not strong enough to go full bore in Rehab, that he might have to go into a Skilled Nursing Home for a period of time to gain strength and also do rehab there, until he had the strength to get the full benefit of the inpatient time at Renown Rehab Hospital. She gave me advice that it was wise for the family to not consider that the end of the road or not to visit or keep up appearances. I don't think that she knows the Condies and how much time that we spend at the hospital and time with Marion, that was one bit of advice that we did not need to hear!

Marion's eyes are so bright and alert when he is awake. He looks all around and is taking it all in. Today he spent almost 2 hours in what is called a "cardiac chair", a BIG chair that helps him to just get out of that prone position he has been in for over 2 weeks. That will help his lungs and digestive systems both.

Karen and I worked with the letter board with him, but as much as he wanted too, it probably is early, and frustrating for all. It sure will be better with the tube out of his throat!

I will e-mail this message, but I have been told that the object is for people to look as they wish, so after today, I will post each evening and it will be there for you to look and send notes back to me as you desire. Once again, many thanks to all for your prayers and support, love, sue

Monday, January 5, 2009

Jan 5th, Exciting Day!

Marion was bright eyed when ever he was awake today. He was able to answer questions with a nod quite often, and all 40 staples were removed from his head!! Hooray, on the road to recovery! He is still on the ventilator, but having oxygen, and not having the machine breathing for him during the day, not even after almost a half/hour of physical therapy. It left him very tired, but they did not have to have the machine breathe for him as they did last week, another milestone passed. About 8:45pm this evening we both got very frustrated as his tried to spell something out for me. ICU has a plastic sheet with letters, but his fingers are not nimble enough yet to point to a single letter. So I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home and while unable to get magnetic letters, did get poster board and a vinyl type, larger letters to try to allow him to spell out his wishes. As I said, a red letter day. He has awaken so much just from Sat, it just makes me smile. He even was able to gesture to ask me to get the RT person to have her suction out his vent tube, not pleasant, but necessary. Hope to have as much good news to report tomorrow. Thank you for all the good thoughts and prayers, love, Sue

Late Jan 4th

Good Evening! After a wonderful first Testimony meeting at our new Ward, the Galena Ward, I was off to see Marion. It was terrific, his body was working QUITE well Raul, his nurse for the day told me, and Marion had his eyes open. In fact Pat and Mike Nicholls, friends from Mogul Ward came to visit, and he opened his eyes for them as well. This was more awake than he had been since the 23rd, the day after his surgery. A step in the right direction. Now if he will wake up enough to be strong enough to cough and swallow and be able to breathe, and remember to breathe without the ventilator, that is the goal the doctor is aiming for at this point.
He was trying to speak words at times, but the tube really inhibited that effort! I'll let you know what the steps forward tomorrow brings. Hope everyone had a good night's sleep. Love, Sue

Saturday, January 3, 2009

January 3rd, 6:45pm

On a better day, we would be having dinner with the Ralston's to celebrate Timmy's 9th birthday. Darn, wish that was what we were doing!

Well, success, the CT scan on the belly showed no obstruction, perhaps because when he was downstairs at 5:30 am this morning, he performed, and even again this afternoon, so 2 times today!! Hooray, no bowel obstruction. No where but ICU would you walk in and a sweet young woman would greet you with that news and a smile that your husband had done that while down having a CT scan of his head. How our lives have changed, very little privacy left for Marion, but the most personal things tend to be among the most important.

The neurosurgeon said today that his head injury is not the concern now. The medical condition and waking up enough to be able to cough, swallow and have enough gag reflux to get off the ventilator are the next big steps. I heard him say that a man not as strong would not have made it this far. Not a surprise with Marion, we all know what a fighter he is.

Tomorrow I plan to attend Galena Ward, something Marion and I had looked forward to doing together since we have just been back in the Shale Creek home 3 weeks. Unfortunately, I'll be going alone, but our church families at both wards have been extremely supportive and the prayers are keeping both of us going.
Thank you so much, Sue

Friday, January 2, 2009

Marion's Jan 2nd

Jan 2, 6:50pm

Hello,
I spent the day with Marion, and left when he went to Cat Scan at 6pm for them to look at his belly. There seems to be a bowel obstruction and this will tell them how to tackle this problem. He breathed on his own around the tube today, but was tired and they turned the ventilator back on when he went down for the scan. He lifted his right arm for the first time that I have seen this afternoon which was a wonderful accomplishment! They are not giving him any plasma at this time, just his regular meds and extra blood pressure meds as needed. The television has a channel with classical music only and we have that playing for him, hopefully he can hear it and not the beeping machines. Thank you for the prayers.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Year's Day

Marion had a pacer check last night and an ultra sound to check his liver because of slightly elevated liver enzyme levels, we await the results. Otherwise he had a quiet night. In the last post when I said it is Weds, it was Dec 31st. He is opening his eyes, but on his own terms, not necessarily when asked to! He is moving forward, while still on the ventilator, he spent yesterday breathing on his own. They do not want to extubate him too early as he is so sleepy and might not be ready to breath on his own completely. Keep those prayers coming. Love, Sue