October 19th Cruisers again and again... Part 2

[jiminyC_fan]

Just checking on the Dad's.

 

[wildernessgirl]

Hi guys! Just wanted to update you guys on everything. Kaleigh did come over around 4pm. She has played and played and everyone ate dinner. I do have all in pj's since tomorrow is a school day for my two, they are ready for bed.

I spoke to Denine around 7:15ish and she said the worse case scenerio has happened. I guess Jerry's dad has had some involuntary movements all day, but tonight one of his eyes opened. Now Jerry's mom thinks he is coming out of it, when of course he will not. The best way I can describe Jerry's dad condition is if you remember the wife down in FL. where her husband wanted to pull the tube and her parents fought to keep the tube in. (the husband did win in court and she did die). If you remember that story, her eyes were also open, but she couldn't live on her own. SO, that is where they stand right now. They were waiting to hear from his dr. who hadn't been in yet today and tonight. They are hoping that he can set Jerry's mom straight with Jerry's dad condition.

I will post more when I know it. I did speak with my mom briefly and it really looks like my dad will lose the lower portion of his right leg. They are giving him the 6weeks but she said that they are 90-95% sure that it will have to go. My dad seems ok (right now) with that decision and we are trying to tell him that with a "robotic leg" he will probably walk better then he has for the past 5 yrs. So, we shall see on that.

Jeanne glad to see you posting again!

TTFN

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I know how it feels NOT to understand the inevitable. My aunt was in a diabetic coma for a few weeks and came out of it one night just a talking up a storm and making sense. I was so excited that I told my friend (a nurse) that she improved and my friend told me that happens a lot before someone passes. The following morning, she died. I guess seeing his eyes opened gave her false hopes. I sure hope the doctor can set her straight. It sounds so harsh but she has to face the truth.

 

[Denine]

Hi, this is Jerry. I wanted to give everyone an update.
First, thanks for the thoughts and prayers. It is very much appreciated. I also want to say a special thanks to Julie, Garry and Julie's parents. Your help, support, and friendship means alot. Thank you for taking care of Kaleigh! You know we would do the same for you if you need help! Thanks also for talking last night. It was good to get out of the hospital and relax. I hope Mackenzie is not too tired today for school.

They worked on my Dad for 30 minutes after his heart stopped. They used every med in the crash cart they had. They used the paddles on him 8 eight times before they were finally able to get his heart working again.

He is on a ventilator because he is not breathing on his own. There isn't a feeding tube. He is DNR if he has another heart attack.

When we arrived yesterday morning, he was completely unresponsive to any stimulation. Some time yesterday afternoon, he opened his eyes. He has become more responsive as time has gone by. When we left last night, he was squeezing and release his hands on command and looking at you when you called his name. The doctor's and nurses are shocked. They never thought he would wake up after being down so long.
My brother just called. Dad is more responsive than ever. He is motioning my brother to come over to him. He is fighting the tube in his throat. He is frustrated and scared.

At this time, we don't know if he can breathe on his own. He definitely is awake and trying to communicate. I don't know what to do. His long term prognosis is bad because of all his problems, but we can't take away the ventilator if he is awake. He said in the past he did not want a feeding tube and going to a nursing home. It is all very overwhelming.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Jerry - my heart goes out to you and your family. I am sitting here with tears in my eyes, it's just a horrible, sad and scary situation. I guess I am just speechless.

Julie - I am so glad that you could take Kaleigh, I wish we could all be so close and come together in hard times and be able to do that for each other. Atleast your dad has a positive outlook for now...he may be excited knowing that he might walk better!!

Mom - I will look for tapes for Buck Owens.

 

[Mickey02'sMom]

Jerry and Denine I am so sorry for you and your family.....I know how hard it is to let someone go....I went through it when my mom died at 4l. I had to keep telling myself it was the best thing for her because she had cancer of the lungs and they couldn't do anything for her but it is still hard.

My sister isn't critical right now but there is no hope for her....they are going to move her to the nursing home and she has always said she wouldn't go to a nursing home but it is just too much for my BIL to handle anymore. The doctor said he doesn't know how she has lasted this long.

I was very upset with my husband this morning...both his legs are swollen very badly and he didn't tell me or call the doctor. He hasn't been wearing his support hose which is suppose to keep his legs from swelling and he wasn't going to today and I made him....he said he was getting out of here and going to work before I came up with something else.....I told him to call the doctor and get in there because of the blood clot in his leg. His right one hasn't been swollen so I think he needs it checked....

 

[Mickey02]

The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions, and not our circumstances.Author: Martha Washington

Good Morning

Jerry- Thank you so much for posting, we all care so much for our Disney family. Prayers for you and your family.

Julie-What a terrific friend you are.

 

[DudetteTwo]

JERRY: Thank you for the update but who would know what to do in your situation. I wish you could put Kaleigh on a plane & send her to New Jersey - Yes! Yes! Yes!

Dying to know what Bonnie's news is - I think I will have to call her today.

Went to Slim and Tone this morning to workout with my roomate Mary but my back is killing me from helping my mother with her walker yesterday. She won't get weighed but she must be close to 300 lbs.

Where is Winter? It is in the 50's today. I think we may be in trouble in February. Hope you all have a great Wednesday. Toodles - Your forever friend JEANNE

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Jerry, thank you so much for taking the time to update us. I feel so bad for you. It is a hard decision I am sure. No matter what decision you make, it will be the RIGHT one for all of you.

Sally, you need a hug too. I am sorry about your sister. Nursing homes are never an easy decision either but for their own good, I think they can help the patient much better than the family. I know with our friend that just passed away, it was the RIGHT decision!! Hang in there kiddo.

Jeanne, good to hear from you two days in a row. Keep up the good work. Take care of that back! Winter, oh is it winter time?? We have been hanging around in the 60's for the last few weeks. I even watered the grass yesterday.

Love to all.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Oh and Heidi, I called Sam last night and he does not have a CD player. It has to be a tape. Don't put yourself out. Oh and guess what. I have tons of pictures of Ronnie and then there might be another surprise.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Sally, what are we reality show junkie's going to do tonight? At 8pm, we have Beauty and the Geek starting, Biggest Loser and Nanny 911. What a decision!!

 

[Mickey02'sMom]

I never watched Beauty and the Geek so don't know what it is about. I tivo Nanny 911 and the Biggest Loser.....

I like Super Nanny better than Nanny 911 but it isn't on anymore I guess...I can't find it.

My ears closed up when we landed in Austin and still hasn't opened up and is driving my crazy.....I talk and hear like I am under water and I hear my heart beat in it at times.....

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Ewww, poor Sally. I hate that feeling!

 

[Mickey02'sMom]

Me too Sandy...

My niece just called and they only give my sister a few hours to live...her kidneys shut down and her blood pressure is only 60/30. Pam said she thinks Shirley heard them say they were going to put her in a nursing home and she has always said she would never go. She said she did rally this afternoon and was sitting up in bed and told everyone good bye and that she doesn't want a funeral....she is going to be cremated and they will have a viewing and then a private family memorial. Then she went back into the state she has been in....my mom did the same thing...came out of it...talked to us and then died the next morning. Pam said they are hoping she doesn't live too long as the doctors aren't doing anything for her except try to make her comfortable and she has been in so much pain. It is still going to be hard to know she isn't here anymore. I haven't seen her in several years but we talked on the phone.

Instead of sending flowers I am ordering rose bushes from Jackson and Perkins....A red one as it is her favorite color, a coral one and I found one named Sisters at Heart which is apricot.

 

[Denine]

Jerry's dad update: He is awake and alert, somehow. Thye are trying to wean him off the ventilator. He was off for an hour this morning and did pretty well. He is off for 2 hours this evening and then again for 2 hours tomorrow morning. If everything looks OK, they will take the tube out tomorrow. Needless to say, this does not solve any problems. He stil has low blood pressure, 98/51 at best. His heart rate is still in the high 90's low 100's. His decub is gigantic and takes 2 nurse 40 minutes to change 3 times a day. We talked to the hospice coordiantor today about what they can offer. THey can only provide a nurse 1 time a day M-F. Jerry's mom would be responsible for the dressings otherwise. I am trying to convince everyone that he needs to go to the hospice facility. THis would be best for everyone, but against Jerry's dads wishes to not go into a nursing home. If it isn't HOME, he doesn't want any part of it. We will need to have the doctor tell him he has to go.
This won't happen for some time since the surgeon wants to debride the decub again in a few days.
Jerry's dad is very frustrated right now and can't communicate very well with the tube in. He also wants to eat and drink but can't because of the tube.
Everything is still up in the air, he still may not make it out of the hospital. If his heart stops again, he is now a DNR, so no more heroics. I pray he never leaves the hospital so that Jerry's mom won't have to put him into a hospice facility or put her own health in jeopardy taking care of him at home.

The Big Guy was sick today so Kaleigh couldn't go play. We came home earlier so Kaleigh could have a bath and go to bed. I will stay home with her tomorrow for at least part of the day so she can get away from the hospital.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Sally - I have been watching Super Nanny on Friday nights. I am sorry about your sister, hugs and prayers to you.

This has been a rough year for a lot of you and here I was so excited to leave the year 2005 with all the deaths we experienced. Can we just have one good year???? Hugs to all.

Jeanne - what is Bonnie's news?

Denine and Jerry - Hang in there.

 

[Mickey02'sMom]

Thanks Heidi.....

This is going to be a good year!

.....death is something we can't escape...I guess what is important is we can look back and say we have no regrets...be as kind as we can, love people and life and for me it is to love the Lord with all my heart. There is always something we wish we had done different but that is called experience and to learn from it. I have been blessed all my life with family...growing up and having my own. I couldn't have had better kids than I did....they are all wonderful and my husband is beyond belief....a great dad and husband.

I haven't heard anything more about my sister but I pray she is in heaven now....I kept thinking last night how scared she must have been and just wanted to end for her.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Oh wow, Sally. Your last post made me tear. You worded it so perfect. I thought that of our friend that it must have made her scared. I know I would be! Roses are such a wonderful thought. Hugs to you and the family.

Denine, and hugs to your family. You are going through a very difficult time. With him getting bad, then better, then bad and now better. It is such an emotional roller coaster for all involved. I can relate to how you feel about hospice. It is such a wonderful place to be. Everyone is so compassionate and willing to make them so comfortable. It is a nasty term and I think it scares away so many knowing that it is a place to die. Louise got such wonderful care there and I am thankful that she decided to go the hospice route. I hope it works out for the best for all!

It is going to be a bit chilly today. High in the 40's. Maybe a snow shower but that is very doubtful.

 

[Mickey02]

Good Morning

Mom- I just read your post about Aunt Shirley. It is so hard to think another piece of our family is gone. I can remember her when I was really little and every year we went back to Ohio. I still remember watching Gumby at her house one time she babysat me and wishing you would hurry up and pick me up! Every time I smell a pipe I think of her house and Uncle Carl. I love the roses idea and the "Sisters at Heart" sounds perfect. What a wonderful way to remember her.

 

[Mickey02]

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

This is one of my favorite quotes. Thought it was appropriate for today.