Ken and Deanna are back home! I went to see my dad at the hospital because I had to see his face....he looked WAY better than I thought he would. AND he's the same old dad....same sense of humor, same spunk. I felt like a million pounds were lifted off me just seeing how good he is doing!
He is going to be having some x-rays and tomorrow hopefully the Dr.'s will have a good idea what needs to happen and how long he'll be in the hospital.
I can't thank you all enough for the well wishes, thoughts, and prayers. Hopefully he'll get a chance to visit this blog soon and see the comments, and perhaps put in a few words himself.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Good News
Today Cindy said that dad is going to come home soon, very very soon. The hospital is seeing what they can do about getting him a stretcher flight with a nurse and hopefully he will be home next week!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday's Update From Cindy
Well I walked on today to find him sitting on the edge of his bed! I nearly died of shock! He didn't last long but he did get himself up. Just two days ago I couldn't even help him to lift his shoulders four inches off the mattress. He still has a long way to go but as long as we are seeing improvement like this every day it gives me hope.
There is still a problem with his lungs. They are doing more X-rays today to try to figure out what. Before he can fly he needs to be able to sit for 10 hours and his lungs need to be healed. There is a possibility they might release him to stay here on an outpatient basis till he's ready to fly. A lot needs to happen before that happens though and they will re-evaluate the situation next week on Mondayish.
There is still a problem with his lungs. They are doing more X-rays today to try to figure out what. Before he can fly he needs to be able to sit for 10 hours and his lungs need to be healed. There is a possibility they might release him to stay here on an outpatient basis till he's ready to fly. A lot needs to happen before that happens though and they will re-evaluate the situation next week on Mondayish.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
My Dad's Voice
Deanna was warned by Ken's Doctors early on, that his condition would get worse before it would get better. The knowledge of this was of little comfort when they were right. On Tuesday night (07/20/10), I was in transition from feeling numb about the news, to feeling downright emotional. I thought about my dad's voice, and realized that there was a possibility that I might never hear it again, and the tears started flowing.
My dad's voice has meant many things- whether he was waking us up in the morning with his silly song "Good Morning, Good Morning, you slept the whole night through!" to giving me advice about my life, telling a joke,arguing discussing politics, to scolding, understanding, and laughing. Most importantly though, is that his voice is comforting. I always know everything is going to be alright after I talk to my dad.
Yesterday, 07/27/10, exactly a week after my breakdown, I got to hear my dad's voice again. Words cannot adequately express how wonderful it was to tell him that I love him, and to hear him tell me that he loves me. I could tell that he was tired, but he was still himself, still my dad. I told him that we miss him so much and can't wait for him to come home, and his response was "Well, that's up to the Doctors to decide when I get to leave."
My Dad, AKA Ken, was moved from the ICU to a "High Dependency Ward" in the hospital. This is good because it means that they feel his condition is improving, but bad because the nurses don't check in on him as often. He's in a very small dormitory style room that is shared with 5 others, and the visiting hours are cut down. My mom (AKA Deanna) and my sister (AKA Cindy) can only visit for an hour and a half in the afternoon, and then again in the evening. No more morning visits. Also, the style of rehabilitation is very different in the UK than it is in the US. They leave a pitcher of water and a cup within what they feel is his reach, and he's expected to take care of it himself. But he only has one working hand right now, and he just can't reach it. He ends up staying thirsty until the nurse checks in on him again.
We are very lucky for the care and professionalism of the hospital staff, they've taken amazing care of Ken, but we so wish it was possible for him to come home and finish his care here.
Overall, Ken's condition continues to improve. The days are easier than the nights. I'm holding on to hope that he will defy the Doctor's original estimate of a 6 week hospital stay and come home soon.
My dad's voice has meant many things- whether he was waking us up in the morning with his silly song "Good Morning, Good Morning, you slept the whole night through!" to giving me advice about my life, telling a joke,
Yesterday, 07/27/10, exactly a week after my breakdown, I got to hear my dad's voice again. Words cannot adequately express how wonderful it was to tell him that I love him, and to hear him tell me that he loves me. I could tell that he was tired, but he was still himself, still my dad. I told him that we miss him so much and can't wait for him to come home, and his response was "Well, that's up to the Doctors to decide when I get to leave."
My Dad, AKA Ken, was moved from the ICU to a "High Dependency Ward" in the hospital. This is good because it means that they feel his condition is improving, but bad because the nurses don't check in on him as often. He's in a very small dormitory style room that is shared with 5 others, and the visiting hours are cut down. My mom (AKA Deanna) and my sister (AKA Cindy) can only visit for an hour and a half in the afternoon, and then again in the evening. No more morning visits. Also, the style of rehabilitation is very different in the UK than it is in the US. They leave a pitcher of water and a cup within what they feel is his reach, and he's expected to take care of it himself. But he only has one working hand right now, and he just can't reach it. He ends up staying thirsty until the nurse checks in on him again.
We are very lucky for the care and professionalism of the hospital staff, they've taken amazing care of Ken, but we so wish it was possible for him to come home and finish his care here.
Overall, Ken's condition continues to improve. The days are easier than the nights. I'm holding on to hope that he will defy the Doctor's original estimate of a 6 week hospital stay and come home soon.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
A Note From Ken
Ken says hello from England, saying they are "York's newest residents. Not by choice but by definition."
He wants to say that his biggest worry today is his poopy drawers while real life-and- death has been happening in the bed next to him. (first there was a kid with a drug overdose. He did make it but the old lady they brought in his place last night didn't.)
My dad, the funny man. This picture of him smiling makes me happy. :)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
It was one week ago today...
that Ken and Deanna were in a traumatic car accident. Mom says that it feels like a month, but considering that Dad has been showing signs of improvement every day since Tuesday or Wednesday, we are counting our blessings with each passing moment.
Todays update: Cindy said that Dad is less agitated, more more sleepy and tired. Through his labored speech, he kept saying "I'm so concerned". They couldn't really get out of him what his concern was, but it's likely that he's finally able to understand the situation and where he is (meaning, the hospital). When Mom explained about the travel insurance, he was surprised and seemed relieved. Can you imagine laying in that hospital bed and knowing the enormity of the potential financial obligations??
He was also concerned about Mom and where she is staying and how she is being taken care of. Mom was feeding him real food for the first time- Mashed Potatoes. He was actually chewing the food and seemed to be enjoying it.
As mentioned before, his speech is very labored but there is actual thought and understanding behind it. Very encouraging!!
Many signs that the worst is over, and the long path to healing has set in. Our family is so grateful to everyone for their continued well wishes and support. Please keep it coming!
Todays update: Cindy said that Dad is less agitated, more more sleepy and tired. Through his labored speech, he kept saying "I'm so concerned". They couldn't really get out of him what his concern was, but it's likely that he's finally able to understand the situation and where he is (meaning, the hospital). When Mom explained about the travel insurance, he was surprised and seemed relieved. Can you imagine laying in that hospital bed and knowing the enormity of the potential financial obligations??
He was also concerned about Mom and where she is staying and how she is being taken care of. Mom was feeding him real food for the first time- Mashed Potatoes. He was actually chewing the food and seemed to be enjoying it.
As mentioned before, his speech is very labored but there is actual thought and understanding behind it. Very encouraging!!
Many signs that the worst is over, and the long path to healing has set in. Our family is so grateful to everyone for their continued well wishes and support. Please keep it coming!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Ken Is Going To Be OK
Cindy made it to England. She reports that dad was very happy to see her, and he was sitting up in bed and eating yogurt (his first non-tube food). Cindy said they talked about Valerie's driving lessons, and to me that is a HUGE HUGE HUGE sign that everything is going to be OK. Just talking about normal day to day life stuff shows that he is gonna make it. Deanna says he is in a lot of pain, but otherwise doing great.
THANK YOU to all for your prayers and support. I know my dad wouldn't be doing so well nor his family so at peace if it weren't for your energy, thoughts, and prayers.
Still can't wait for him to come home so I can hug him. And I learned through all this that I still have a LOT to talk to my dad about, so he's not going anywhere anytime soon. ;)
THANK YOU to all for your prayers and support. I know my dad wouldn't be doing so well nor his family so at peace if it weren't for your energy, thoughts, and prayers.
Still can't wait for him to come home so I can hug him. And I learned through all this that I still have a LOT to talk to my dad about, so he's not going anywhere anytime soon. ;)
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