Author: Karen

Update 3.27.18

Today was a roller coaster of emotions. Questioning every decision I’m making, hysterical tears because I think I’m making bad ones, and joy at the simple motion of making a fist. When I visited with my hubs before surgery, I asked him if he wanted me to talk to him and to make a fist to tell me yes. He made a fist. So I cried and then talked to him about our son and the multiple doctor appts to deal with his messed up eye over the past two days (chalazion/stye – cause I needed ONE more thing on my plate). Then I flattened his hand and asked him to make a fist if he loved me. And yet again, another fist. I cried and told him that I would continue to fight for him and help him and advocate for him in the fiercest way I know. He’s doing will on the trach. It’s nice to see his face without tubes. Tomorrow starts even more adventures. We’re moving to a LTAC which is on another floor. He doesn’t need the high level of care that the ICU is anymore. Keep praying for his brain to have miraculous healing and for me to get the rest and clarity that I need heading into tomorrow. We love you all. Karen and Bob xoxo

Update 3.26.18

Please pray for Bob tomorrow as he has surgery for the tracheotomy and to place the feeding tube directly into his stomach. He had a rough day on the vent. He couldn’t handle the CPAP setting and breathing on his own past 11 am. He is also starting to develop strep pneumonia so they started an antibiotic. A few people have said he has responded to a couple commands but nothing consistent and not during neurological exams. I’ll let you all know how surgery goes tomorrow. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Update 3.25.18

Good news! Bobs vent setting is on CPAP where he is doing all of the breathing on his own. His oxygen level is down to 40% which is lower than it was before. They will keep him on CPAP as long as his vitals are stable. He is still asleep and not responding to commands (which he needs to do ASAP to get off of the vent) but when checking his eyes today with the nurse, he tracked his eyes in my direction! Thank you for your prayers. They are working! FYI. Moving forward, for the time being, Bob isn’t going to be allowed visitors. As soon as he is awake, the restriction will be lifted. I’m sorry for any inconvenience but this is what’s best for him at this time. Thank you for your continued prayers. Xo

Decorating his room in the ICU with pictures of our family

Update 3.24.18

Good morning and happy Saturday! I took a full day break from the hospital to deal with more critical spinning “plates” and I came back to visit refreshed and renewed last night. We had a great visit and he’s doing well. He very purposefully scratched his nose but is still not awake and is still not responding to commands. Those are his next steps of progress. They’ve been adjusting his oxygen percentage levels on the vent and he now wears boots a few hours at a time to stretch his tendons so it will be easier for him to walk when he wakes up. His state is not considered a “coma” because there is no response to stimulus when in a coma. He’s still responding to stimulus and moves more and more. Keep praying. My updates will be few and far between because there’s really not much to update on his progress. But WHEN he has his eyes open and responding to commands expect the updates to be fast and furious! Our love to you all. Thank you for your prayers and continued support.

Update. 4:30 pm 3.22. So sometimes no news is good news. Sometimes no news is no change. Bobs drain was removed from his brain this morning. There was no swelling so it was important to remove it to cut down the risk of infection. For my “This is Us” fans, he looks a whole heck of a lot like Toby (and I think he’s adorable). I’m working on getting him an iPod to play music for him. He’s listening on his cell phone now, but when I leave I’m taking that with me. When I started Brad Paisley, he bobbed his left shoulder up one time. Which for those who know him well, realize that that’s the extent of his dancing. 😊 He also used his right index finger to wipe a bead of sweat from his nose. I see that as purposeful movement, even though it wasn’t on command. They repositioned his breathing tube bc it was comping out and put a teeth separator in there bc he had been biting down on it. He has had a few more fevers. Could be that the temperature regulator part of his brain is damaged or that he has a sinus infection. He’s been giving amatadine which is used to wake people from comas. Dr. Ali (trauma doc) told me this morning “this type of injury is extremely difficult in our microwave society. All we can do for him now is to provide supportive care and watch and wait”. I’m having a hard time with that. He also told me to take care of myself so I will be sleeping in a house with a bed tonight and might even get to see my son for a little bit. I’ve been working hard to keep all of the “plates” spinning. Advocating for Bob, finding care for Michael and the baby, paying bills, managing bobs computer business, worrying about a flooded basement since we lost power, insurance and car rental, work, etc. but my brother in law pointed out “Remember some of those plates that you’re juggling some of them are Styrofoam some of them are paper you don’t have to keep them all in the air. Some of them can fall and theyll l be completely fine we can pick them up later. You stay strong take care of yourself so you can be there for Bob. Whatever you need we are here. I love you and tell Bob I love him.” We’re gonna be ok. It’s been a life changing 48 hours. We can do this. Bob is strong and he’s a fighter. Please keep praying. All our love, karen and bob