12/09/06 Geeks.... Lost, but not forgotten

[Jhalkias]

Good morning everyone.

Not out of the woods by any means, but my brother improved a bit since last night. His blood pressure is up, so they will start to wean him off the medication that makes it go higher. His lab results are also starting to come back better, showing that the infection is responding to the antibiotics.

We all finally got a good night's sleep, and I am camped out here at the hospital, and was smart enough to bring the laptop with me today.

We had a mini family reunion here at the hospital last night. Both of my sisters were here (my one from Virginia drove up), and we had my dad here too. There is an Amish family here, with lots of people. I told Amy we almost met my goal of outnumbering the Amish. The family waiting area was pretty full, as only two people are allowed to visit him in ICU at any one time.

 

[Jhalkias]

Well, another day of some progress.

Just spoke to the ICU Doc, and blood pressure has improved more, medicine to keep blood pressure up has been decreased further, and kidney function is doing very well. Still very critical, but steps in the right direction.

I know I have said it before, but thank you again to everyone for all of your prayers, Manuel has lots and lots of people praying for him, and I think God is listening. We're not ready for him to join mom yet.

There is not a day here that I don't hear from someone at the hospital that Manuel has touched or touched the life of their child. I really want to tell him when he is allowed to wake up the impact he has had on lives that none of us have had, and how much people love him and care about him.

 

[Jhalkias]

Now how can I be the ONLY one posting here in almost 24 hours!

Have we all discovered lives, or what?

 

[becka]

John - I am happy to hear that your brother is doing better. Continue prayers from us being sent your way.

I noticed that our original thread is back but for some reason it is on the trip reports board. I took some time and read a few pages of each section and it sure did bring back memories. I don't think there will ever be as great a group of cruisers as the Geeks.

 

[87Heel]

Still praying, John; and thanks for the updates.
We had visitors this weekend so I had to get away from the computer.

 

[Jhalkias]

John - I am happy to hear that your brother is doing better. Continue prayers from us being sent your way.

Still praying, John; and thanks for the updates.
We had visitors this weekend so I had to get away from the computer.

Thanks guys . . .


Another day of progress.

He is now completely off of the BP medication, and maintaining acceptable blood pressure on his own. They are slowly taking him off of fluids as well. The doctor told me today that if things keep moving in a positive direction, that he may be revived in 3-5 days.

There are other worries now too . . . like his wound. Also, they have not been able to move him much because all the fluids have such an impact on his BP that any moving causes it to change too quickly. But for now, we accept the progress, and that he is getting better little by little.

The doctors and nurses have been absolutely unbelievable. We have also made friends with many of the families with loved ones in ICU . . . well I should say I have . . . when I have been by myself in the waiting area I can't help but to talk sometimes. There are some real Lulus in there too . . . people who are really loud and obnoxious, talking on cell phones so that the whole place can hear them.

Anyway, little by little, small steps.

 

[MrsMork]

Well, another day of some progress.

Just spoke to the ICU Doc, and blood pressure has improved more, medicine to keep blood pressure up has been decreased further, and kidney function is doing very well. Still very critical, but steps in the right direction.

I know I have said it before, but thank you again to everyone for all of your prayers, Manuel has lots and lots of people praying for him, and I think God is listening. We're not ready for him to join mom yet.

There is not a day here that I don't hear from someone at the hospital that Manuel has touched or touched the life of their child. I really want to tell him when he is allowed to wake up the impact he has had on lives that none of us have had, and how much people love him and care about him.

John, tell him these things now. He can hear even though he is not awake. Hearing positive things about everyday life will be wonderful for him. Then tell him again when he is awake because he will not remember.

 

[lbgraves]

Now how can I be the ONLY one posting here in almost 24 hours!

Have we all discovered lives, or what?

Well...some of us are preoccupied with another meets thread! I know that you guys are getting excited with a month to go.

Glad to hear that your brother is improving a bit each day. I would not wait to tell him what people are saying or how you feel either. I believe that even when a person is not conscious they are aware of their surroundings and do hear what is said to them.

 

[lbgraves]

John, tell him these things now. He can hear even though he is not awake. Hearing positive things about everyday life will be wonderful for him. Then tell him again when he is awake because he will not remember.

 

[Jhalkias]

My brother had to have surgery again today.

We were very worried he would not survive, but he pulled through. We just got home.

It was a long surgery, but where there is life, there is hope. What the doctor found was that a large section of his small intestine was not getting blood flow, and had died. It has been destroyed by infection and loss of blood flow, and had become gangrenous. It was a good thing that they operated when they did.

They cleaned him up inside, and had to bring a portion of the bowel out for a colostomy.

He is by no means out of the woods, is still in ICU, and has many hurdles ahead of him. Both Amy and I believe he looks better now than before he went in.

Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts, and especially for your prayers. It has been a long and stressful day, and I told Sophia tonight how lucky I am to have her, her brother, and Amy. Her uncle only has us as family. I will say this though, the outpouring of help and concern from his students and colleagues has been nothing short of overwhelming, and a pair of his students came up with us tonight. I told them how much I appreciated them, and that he would need them when he is awake as he has not only a huge physical hurdle, but also an enormous mental hurdle to get over.

He will need all their love and support to know how much he is cared about.

 

[pjpoohbear]

John, Although not great that Manuel had to have more surgery, but it is way better that there was something that could be fixed that was causing the issues over the last week, and that they got to it at this point rather then later. Way better to know what you are up against then fighting shadows.

Love and Hugs
Pj

 

[lbgraves]

Thank God they went in and checked things out. It sounds like your brother has a very strong will. I also know that your brother is lucky to have you and your family, along with all those whose lives he touched, supporting him. Of course we will continue to pray for him.

 

[Jhalkias]

Hi everyone . . .

Another night just getting home from the hospital. It was a very long day of ups and downs. Both Amy and I are absolutely exhausted and drained.

We started out with Manuel taking a serious turn for the worse. It did not look like my brother in the hospital bed when I saw him this morning at 6:50, and after calling all the family, and running to the office for just a few things, I went back to the hospital. We had a long conversation with the doctor in charge, and because of how bad his condition had become, we agreed to a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). He kept going downhill, and the doctor told us that if he were not only 42, they would have advised the family to give up by now. He also quoted a Latin phrase to us, where there is breath there is hope, and it was in God's hands now. His blood pressure had almost bottomed, his heart rate was up, and he was once again running a fever, and bleeding.

The nurse and the doctor kept pumping fluids and blood into him, and hoping for the best. The surgeon came and cleaned the wound again and tried to find the source of bleeding.

We had resigned ourselves to losing him, and decided that it was time for his most beloved students to have the opportunity to see him and have some closure if they wanted to. Thus began a long parade of wonderful kids telling him how much they loved him and needed him. Black, white, middle class and poor, they came to give him their love.

Over these days I have heard many stories that have both surprised and comforted me. How he gave two women $100 to buy a young man suitable dress clothes for the state speech tournament. How he gave each kid at state $50 out of his own pocket to spend at the state speech tournament. How he paid for one of his poorer students Prom dresses so she could have a nice dress for the prom. And how he brought a young, shy, and friendless African American boy out of his shell to become a State Speech qualifier.

I told them all how much he loved them, and how my mom always taught us that children came first. Since he had no natural children of his own, they were his children.

Each one of them came and cried and tried to comfort him at his bedside. By afternoon, he miraculously started to turn around and his numbers all got better. When I left tonight, his blood pressure, although aided by medication, was where it should be, and while he still had a fever, his chances had improved. So I left him with hope.

I truly believe the prayers and love of those children have let him live another day. I am overwhelmed and awed by what transpired, and have greater faith in the power of human hope and love with God's grace.

Good night everyone, felt I owed you an update, one that helps me cope too.

 

[87Heel]

Wow, John. Tears came to my eyes while reading that.
Another prayer said.

 

[87Heel]

On a lighter note, to be appreciated by Geeks everywhere: DD Elizabeth is headed to Atlanta in the morning ... her school Robotics team qualified for the national championship event.

 

[becka]

John - Your brother sounds like an amazing man. Thank you for sharing some of his story with us. We will continue to pray for him and your family. God does deal in miracles so don't give up hope.

 

[becka]

On a lighter note, to be appreciated by Geeks everywhere: DD Elizabeth is headed to Atlanta in the morning ... her school Robotics team qualified for the national championship event.

Congrats to Elizabeth!!!!

 

[Bella2000]

Thank heavens for that thread update email even if it does only appear to work sporadically.

John, wow - what a special thing for the kids to be able to express love and appreciation to your brother. (wipes teary eyes...phew). I can only imagine how exhausted you all must be. Thank you so much for your updates. We love you guys! Please know we are all continuing to send prayers.

Marielle - Good luck and Congrats to Elizabeth. How wonderful.

Kids just truly rock don't they.

 

[Bella2000]

This week has been probably one of the more challenging work wise. I have hit the proverbially wall more times than I can even count and yet each time I am reminded the world is bigger.

This week brought my girlfriends mom having a serious accident where she was a fraction away from paralysis or worse. When I spoke to my friend this week I felt my heart squeeze with fear - reciting the mantra in my head - please no more loss, please please.

The week was filled with a death of a newborn, and old wounds of the past issue re my brothers passing last Fall) and I thought - you know what - work is hellacious - no question about it but I just need to ride the wave and hope the tide turns but also be mindful that the universe is bigger.

My problems while important to me are so small compared to those faced by others.

 

[MrsMork]

On a lighter note, to be appreciated by Geeks everywhere: DD Elizabeth is headed to Atlanta in the morning ... her school Robotics team qualified for the national championship event.

Yea Elizabeth, a great young Geek!!