A Letter From David on Day 105
To Cindy, Scott and Hillary (and Zack), to the rest of my Family, to my dear Friends, to my Clergy and to my Doctors and Nurses,
105 days ago I embarked on a journey that I never saw coming. I nearly died from my Massive/Severe Heart Attack a number of times. The horror that Cindy, Scott and Hillary had to endure is beyond my comprehension.
I survived 40 days in the ICU which included numerous surgeries, Ecmo https://www.chop.edu/treatments/extracorporeal-membrane-oxygenation-ecmo and the installation of 2 Artificial Valves, 2 Stints, a Trach and a Pacemaker. I slept thru most of this so I don’t have a long story to tell about this experience.
The next 3 weeks were spent at Select Rehab Hospital located at St. Joe’s in Downtown Phoenix. It is known as an LTAC (Long Term Acute Care) Hospital. It was quite an experience. It was there I was relieved of my Trach, treated for Kidney Failure and other assorted issues. When I saw how sick many people there were, I knew I was not so bad and will hopefully be ok. This place was amazing. Many great Caregivers, some very scary ones and some that had no business being in Medical Care. While I was there, there was only one shooting/knife fight in the ER. I never heard it in the hospital but found out about it on the news. “Select” was quite a Multi-media experience!!!
Once my Trach was removed it was off to Honor Health Rehab Hospital. This hospital was the bridge to going home. I needed to regain my strength, re-learn how to walk and care for myself. We thought maybe I would be home for Father’s Day.
After 10 days in rehab we hit the next “speed bump”, I needed to have a dialysis port removed. It is a simple 10 minute surgical procedure except when you are on Warfarin/Coumadin. Quite simply, they had to take me of Coumadin using a Heparin Drip, do the surgery and then get me back on Heparin. Unbeknownst to me I had SVT https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/supraventricular-tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355243 . One evening while watching a movie with Scott, my Heart Rate went to 188 Beats per Minute. It was decided I needed to have an “Ablation” to resolve the SVT. The surgery was easy and relatively pain free. The final item that needed attention was to address Gangrene which was in 10 toes and 5 fingers caused by issues during my Heart Surgeries https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gangrene/symptoms-causes/syc-20352567 . The end result is I hate 10 toes amputated and portions of 5 fingers amputated. The good news is I am already able to walk and I will be able to work around my new finger configurations.
So, in the end, my 5 day stay at the hospital lasted 3 weeks and 2 days!!!
I returned to Honor Health Rehab on July 3rd and now 2 weeks later, I am ready to go home. There are excellent Doctors, Nurses and Physical/Occupational Therapists here. They are serious about the work they do. I have worked very hard every day I have been here. I still have pain in m Hands and Feet but it will eventually go away! I am finally ready to go home after this 105 day journey.
They say ”What Doesn’t Kill You Will Make You Stroger”…I guess I should be Superman. I am not Superman, I wasn’t just given a 2nd chance in life! It has been a struggle for myself, my family and my friends. People have thrown Cindy on a pedestal, saying what a saint she is. The reality is, she is just like all of us. This has been a ride that was very difficult and one that seemed to never end. At the end of the day, we took vows when we were married, part of which say that we will be there for each other “In Sickness and in Health”. Cindy has been a ROCK!!! I would have never made it to today without her. My other 2 rocks have ben Scott and Hillary. They held our lives and family together in so many ways. They have grown and we have all become closer.
Well, my short note got kind of long (and also unedited). To everyone: Thank you for your Prayers, your notes of encouragement and your visits to my many hospitals. I am grateful four the outpouring of love that has gotten me thru this difficult time of life. In a few hours I will be home with a smile on my face and tears of joy in my eyes. I hope to see everyone in the days and weeks to come!!!
Love, David
105 days ago I embarked on a journey that I never saw coming. I nearly died from my Massive/Severe Heart Attack a number of times. The horror that Cindy, Scott and Hillary had to endure is beyond my comprehension.
I survived 40 days in the ICU which included numerous surgeries, Ecmo https://www.chop.edu/treatments/extracorporeal-membrane-oxygenation-ecmo and the installation of 2 Artificial Valves, 2 Stints, a Trach and a Pacemaker. I slept thru most of this so I don’t have a long story to tell about this experience.
The next 3 weeks were spent at Select Rehab Hospital located at St. Joe’s in Downtown Phoenix. It is known as an LTAC (Long Term Acute Care) Hospital. It was quite an experience. It was there I was relieved of my Trach, treated for Kidney Failure and other assorted issues. When I saw how sick many people there were, I knew I was not so bad and will hopefully be ok. This place was amazing. Many great Caregivers, some very scary ones and some that had no business being in Medical Care. While I was there, there was only one shooting/knife fight in the ER. I never heard it in the hospital but found out about it on the news. “Select” was quite a Multi-media experience!!!
Once my Trach was removed it was off to Honor Health Rehab Hospital. This hospital was the bridge to going home. I needed to regain my strength, re-learn how to walk and care for myself. We thought maybe I would be home for Father’s Day.
After 10 days in rehab we hit the next “speed bump”, I needed to have a dialysis port removed. It is a simple 10 minute surgical procedure except when you are on Warfarin/Coumadin. Quite simply, they had to take me of Coumadin using a Heparin Drip, do the surgery and then get me back on Heparin. Unbeknownst to me I had SVT https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/supraventricular-tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355243 . One evening while watching a movie with Scott, my Heart Rate went to 188 Beats per Minute. It was decided I needed to have an “Ablation” to resolve the SVT. The surgery was easy and relatively pain free. The final item that needed attention was to address Gangrene which was in 10 toes and 5 fingers caused by issues during my Heart Surgeries https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gangrene/symptoms-causes/syc-20352567 . The end result is I hate 10 toes amputated and portions of 5 fingers amputated. The good news is I am already able to walk and I will be able to work around my new finger configurations.
So, in the end, my 5 day stay at the hospital lasted 3 weeks and 2 days!!!
I returned to Honor Health Rehab on July 3rd and now 2 weeks later, I am ready to go home. There are excellent Doctors, Nurses and Physical/Occupational Therapists here. They are serious about the work they do. I have worked very hard every day I have been here. I still have pain in m Hands and Feet but it will eventually go away! I am finally ready to go home after this 105 day journey.
They say ”What Doesn’t Kill You Will Make You Stroger”…I guess I should be Superman. I am not Superman, I wasn’t just given a 2nd chance in life! It has been a struggle for myself, my family and my friends. People have thrown Cindy on a pedestal, saying what a saint she is. The reality is, she is just like all of us. This has been a ride that was very difficult and one that seemed to never end. At the end of the day, we took vows when we were married, part of which say that we will be there for each other “In Sickness and in Health”. Cindy has been a ROCK!!! I would have never made it to today without her. My other 2 rocks have ben Scott and Hillary. They held our lives and family together in so many ways. They have grown and we have all become closer.
Well, my short note got kind of long (and also unedited). To everyone: Thank you for your Prayers, your notes of encouragement and your visits to my many hospitals. I am grateful four the outpouring of love that has gotten me thru this difficult time of life. In a few hours I will be home with a smile on my face and tears of joy in my eyes. I hope to see everyone in the days and weeks to come!!!
Love, David
Updates:
- Day 1 – April 4th: Wednesday at about noon my dad came home with chest pains. He had had some pains the night before but was thinking it was exhaustion from his bike ride.
- My mom called his cardiologist and was going to bring him in. She noticed he was rolling in pain, so she called 911. We had 9 fire fighters and paramedics there. They were taking vitals from moment 1 and sending it to the hospital.
- They went upstairs and got my dad. (good news is he removed his bowels before leaving). He went to Thompson Peak and Scottsdale hospital since it was the closest hospital.
- At the hospital my dad was still conscious but in a lot of pain. He was saying about 8 or 9. He said I love you to me and my mom and was rushed back.
- They did a heart cath to see what was going on and said it was definitely a heart attack. The doctor came out and was telling us that there was a lot of damage to the heart. He said, “please be prepared that there is a change he won’t make it”. This scared us all a lot. The doctor left to go see if he would need surgery.
- The doctor came back a few hours later and said they were going to move him to Shea and 92nd since they are the best for heart surgery. We found out he had 2 valves that were damaged, and he needed some surgery to help his heart murmur he had from birth. They used a special ambulance to transport him there. My mom, sister and I got to give him a kiss goodbye.
- We all got supplies and went to the hospital. At first, we were expecting the surgery to be over 5 hours. The doctor came out and said it would be 4-5 hours, but it is going to be a very tough surgery. He had about 4 surgeries in 1.
- The surgery took around 4-5 hours. We don't know the exact timing. He came out and said the surgery was good, but we need to get him off the machine which is acting for his heart right now.
- At about 3:30am we were told he made it and is ok. The entire room was in tears of joy. It was the feeling of a miracle for us.
- We went back and saw my dad. He had tons of tubes and wires hooked up to him. All good stuff but lots going on.
- Day 2 – April 5th: The next morning, they put him on dialysis (this was anticipated since he had acute kidney failure). At this moment he had dialysis, a balloon near his heart to assist with pumping blood, and medication for his blood pressure, pain, and other things. They tested his cognitive abilities and he could move everything.
- During the day we were talking to him and he was getting agitated, so they ended up put him in a paralysis state to let his body heal. This was done around 5pm on Thursday. This was very good for his body. We were nervous because before this his vitals were low but after 1 hour his vitals started to improve.
- We were told to go to bed and get rest since my mom is his voice right now. We went home and my sister, my sisters BF and myself watched a dumb comedy which was really nice and helpful. My mom went to bed and slept 11 hours (you think she was exhausted?).
- Day 3 – April 6th: The next morning (Friday) his vitals were very high and looking super well.
- At about 4:30pm he had the balloon removed from near his heart. The balloon removal was very good. He reacted well and was stable. This means his heart is working on its own.
- At 6:30pm he started to have a bad hour and his levels were low. Oxygen and blood pressure were low. Thought he had a hole in heart and did an echocardiogram. Thank god he didn’t. The Dr. said his heart is stronger than he thought it would be. They decided to put him on an ecmo machine. It takes his blood out, oxygenates it and puts it back in. They turned the entire room he is in into a surgery room and did it there.
- The surgery went well and his vitals went up right away. It was a bit scary but it really is a good machine.
- We went to sleep around midnight. It was a tough night and we were all very emotionally drained.
- Day 4 – April 7th: We all woke up at around 10:30am on Saturday morning. It was a tough morning for us coping with him not being around.
- My mom spoke with a friend of ours who went through the exact same thing a month ago. He and his wife understand our experience and reassured us things will be ok. FYI he was on ECMO for a few days like my dad and they say it is what saved him in the recovery. (Our friend is up and about now after 3 months of recovery)
- We got to the hospital around noon and everything was still stable. Lots of friends came during the day and brought us food and drinks.
- I left for a bit to go to a friend’s house warming and to get out of the hospital.
- I came back and no news which is good news.
- Now we are back home eating dinner and going to bed soon.
- Day 5 – April 8th - This morning we woke up and spent time with my cousins and their kids. We went swimming and played big boy video games. I think they jumped in the pool 40 times (my dad would have loved it).
- Doctor update: David had a tough night with his oxygen level and blood pressure. He is stable now and doing fine. (please note there will be ups and downs but it is better for my dad to be on a roller coaster vs a plane spiraling down.)
- We are at the hospital with family and friends today. Talking again with the doctor at 5pm. My dad will be out for at least a few more days.
- So my dad had a very stable day today. It's been 72 hours since the surgery which is very good. My dad reacts a lot to big changes so they have gone a lot slower on medications to make sure he is stable. His vitals were up (all relative but still good). We are hoping for a restful night for all of us tonight. We are at my parents favorite restaurant "Bourbon Steak" with our family.
- Day 6 – April 9th: We all got up earlier this morning (April 9th). I went to the office to get some work done. My sister, mom and Zack went to the hospital. We went to flower child for lunch and actually got out of the hospital. My dad is still stable and looking good. They won't be doing any big changes today.
- From my mom "Hi all. Met with Dr Kirchner. He was very happy with David's progress today. He was so relaxed for the first time. He asked Scott & Hillary about their high school and college. It's a good sign when the doctor starts taking an interest in us. I got a hug and told to go home.✅ They are taking him off the blood pressure meds. ✅ They are taking him out of paralysis. ✅ He will be sedated.✅ Our friend Bruce told his friend Savas who is a kidney doctor so with my permission he checked his kidney records. He said they could be whole lot worse. I was so happy to see him. ✅ Dr Dan came in to check on him✅ happy birthday Dan 🎂 Tomorrow my sister Randy comes to town. ✅ We are on our way home to sleep. So tired. 😴 Don't stop praying. ✅ Cindy
- Day 7 – Today April 10th. I get to go do a big shoot (pays for my employee all month). Zack went to work. My sister and mom are going to the hospital around noon
- Tuesday April 10th, 2018
All in all today was a good day.
Without Scott here I have to take over the daily reports.
My sister Randy arrived from Montreal.
David was removed from paralysis yesterday and has done pretty good.
The phone rang at 5:45 am. It was the hospital. They wanted permission to clear his bronchial tube. I found out later when I looked at his ex-ray that his right lung was filled with fluid. They cleared it out and he was breathing much better. I asked if I could sign the form in advance so they don’t scare us to death.
When they were clearing his airways they had to move him. Because he is now sedated he is feeling things. The movement startled him and his heartbeat dropped. Luckily the pacemaker that didn’t seem to work kicked in and jump started his heart. The nurse said he opened his eyes.
His hands and feet still had the dusty coloring. They put nitro cream on them and wrapped them up. One hand improved better than the other and his feet. They do believe it will get better. It has something to do with the blood pressure meds.
As Hillary told you he farted. For 28 years I would be annoyed when he farted in public but not today. I didn’t hear it but was happy to know he can.
Danny Meline has taken over his GI treatment. I am not even sure what he is giving him but I do know he will take great care of him. He has started him on nutrient that looks like a bag of pee. I never appreciated the work that Danny does. I always thought that it was just a colonoscopy world. There is so much more than that.
Dr. Kirshner came to see him at 5 pm. He was really happy with his progress. He is having good pulses in his feet and his hands (shows circulation).
They are planning to remove the ventilator on Thursday and replace it with a tracheotomy. Even though I have been told it will be okay I still worry with the blood thinners in his system.
He went over all the things Shirley the nurse tells me. I keep asking the same questions over and over again. She reacts like it is the first time i asked.
They have shut off quite a few of the boxes that have medicine drips.
Rabbi Kahn has come to pray.
Yesterday Rabbi Shmuly came to pray.
Rabbi Kravitz from JFCS who is the hospital clergy came to pray.
Nate Sachs came to pray which was so nice. He left me a book to say prayers over David everyday. I have to get into the routine of doing it.
Lisa & Heather brought a scrapbook and a Polaroid camera for us to take pictures of all the people who come to see David. There are areas where people can write something to David. It is keeping Hillary very busy. She brought it to show the nurses and Dr Kirshner took to look at it and loved it. Thinks they should be selling the idea in the gift shop.
Keep praying as he still has a long road ahead of him.
Please please I beg of all of you do not post on facebook. People are posting on his facebook wall. I only post happy on facebook not sad things. When we are ready we will post a happy moment.
Thank you everyone. Goodnight.💤 - Day 8 – Wednesday April 11th, 2018 I called the hospital this morning and the nurse on duty Mark was very abrupt with me. He said “when did you check on him last?” I said, “last night at 6.” He answered “same”. Anxiety. I got to the hospital and Hillary and I went straight to his room. I introduced myself to Mark. He said do not stand next to the ECMO machine go around the bed. Anxiety Hillary went to the waiting room and I stayed with David. I felt uncomfortable because I can’t see the machines from this angle. Mark came over to talk to me and he changed his whole persona. He asked to see a picture of David. Then he asked me to talk about him. He told me David looked so familiar. He asked if he could have a picture of David to tape on the computer screen, so they can all see the real David. I just started to cry and couldn’t stop. But enough about me. When I went back to the waiting room a woman was sitting there waiting for her husband who was having a procedure and I knew her. I thought she was visiting me. How weird it that. Hillary told me that on her visit with David she found out that he had no sedation. That is confusing to me. He pooped which is great. I missed seeing DR Kirshner which was weird as we have seen him every day. I did chase his nurse down the hall to see if she had anything to say and that was nothing. They cleaned his lungs and they were full fluid and he could breathe better. I spent the whole day chasing anyone down that could tell me when they are scheduling to do his tracheostomy. No one could give me an answer so that was upsetting me. Danny went to see David with Randy. He came out and told me that they have scheduled the tracheotomy for Friday at 5 pm. Now I have two days of anxiety. I know David would tell me not to cry. I do know he would be sitting next to me crying if he could. I have never gone a day without talking to David and I think that is why I want the stupid tracheotomy done as it might get him closer to the day I can hear his voice again. My friend Stephanie asked to see him today. So we were walking back and she said can I say fuck to him so he knows it is me? I said of course. The nurses were shocked. Thank you everyone for coming to the hospital to be with me. Everyone keeps saying “baby steps baby steps”. Tomorrow is another day.
- Day 9 – Thursday April 12th, 2018. As they keep telling baby steps. I told them I don’t like to waltz I like to dance fast. Mark was the nurse and AnaMarie was on ECMO and Ventilator duty. Stephanie, Mark thought your F-cking language was very funny. He is still on dialysis, ventilator and ECMO. He is no longer being sedated. He is getting morphine. His color looked really good today. His feet seem blacker and yellowy today. Mark made me fell really good when he said they are still here and he didn’t lose them “Yet”. He said what difference does it make if he loses a toe or two and he takes you out dancing. I love the positive to eliminate the negative. He is still getting good pulses from his feet and hands. Tomorrow he will have surgery to have a tracheotomy. It will be done by an ENT. They will have to move him from the ICU to surgery. He has the ECMO, two things of meds, Ventilator, dialysis and more. They will remove the dialysis for a brief period of time. The surgery can take between 1 to 1 ½ hours. It will take time to transfer him from one room to another. Surgery is across from the ICU. I am pretty nervous about him having another surgery. The told me it is no big deal but understand how I feel. David who hates hospitals will be amazed at the different things he is attached to. Hillary saw as he was getting his teeth brushed. He was biting down on the brush and the nurse kept telling him not to. Surgery is at 4 PM. I will be very happy when it is over. I am going to sleep. Xoxo Cindy
- Surgery is at 4 PM.
- Day 10 – Friday April 13, 2018
David went into surgery around 5:15 pm. It should take around 1 ½ hours.
The anesthesiologist came out to see us first. He said they have changed from operating room to his ICU room. I was very happy. The anesthesiologist seemed to prefer to not move him. The doctor came out to talk to us. Everyone seems to think I am concerned about the trach scare. I said I think the 15” scare will be will be more noticeable. - Day 11 – Saturday April 14th, 2018. Today was a good day. I got to the hospital and Scott was there and had already been in to see David. I went in to see him and he looked so good. His eyes were open. They are very yellow as he has jaundice. I was told it is not unusual. I looked at his fingers and toes and they looked better to me. less black. Jeff and Beth went in and they were shocked that he was moving his hands. I didn’t know that was happening. Hillary and Zack went in and they said he was doing the same thing. I went in with Linda and sure enough he was raising his hands, moving his lips and his eyes moved towards me. I can’t begin to tell you how good I felt. He is still on ECMO, dialysis and a ventilator. My friend told me that they will probably taking off ECMO slowly. I left the hospital for the first time at 5:30. I am now laying in bed and will probably sleep good tonight. Keep the prayers up. He still has a ways to go but this was a positive day
- Day 12 – Sunday April 15th, 2018
Scott and I got to the hospital at noon. We went right in to see David. He heard us and moved his eyes in our direction. Nurse Sierra told us that she asked him questions and he has responded. She asked him to move his feet and he did. She also asked him to blink his eyes and he did. He is coughing on his own. He coughs up blood clots that the respiratory therapist cleans him out. They haven’t bronced him (where they clean out his lungs). The TV system is really good. Scott went to the movies and found Smokey and the Bandit a movie he really likes. We stayed for around 45 minutes. His eyes were closing so we thought to walkout and let him sleep. - Day 13 – Monday April 16th, 2018
9:30 am.
I got a call at 8:40 pm last night from the ICU. The nurse had a heavy accent and was hard to understand. Maybe hard when I have anxiety. She told us the ICU doctor on duty wanted to move his dialysis port from his groin to his neck. She kept explaining but it was confusing. She finally said that DR Kirshner okayed it. I asked her to please lead with that in the future.
I waited and finally around 10:40 pm I got to talk to the nurse again. She said everything went well. I asked about his blood pressure and she said it was good and steady.
I slept like crap. I woke at 5 am and my heart wouldn’t stop pounding. Needless to say I am very tired.
I am off to the dentist to get my teeth clean and then to spend the day with David. The hard part is there is no place in his room to pull up a chair and just sit.
I keep hearing in my head baby steps. - Before I got to the hospital I was told he had physical therapy. They exercised his legs and arms.
I got to the hospital and went straight for David’s room. He was wide awake. I started talking to him and he would either squeeze my hand or shake his head for yes or no. I was holding his hand and told him I loved him, and I said if you love me squeeze my hand and he did. The respiratory therapist Sarah is amazing. When he gets anxious she talks to him. They put-on ocean noise for him to relax with.
He coughed up some blood clots while I was there in the am. They don’t have to clean out his longs anymore.
I told him I heard DR Dan was in to see him and he shock his head and smiled. That made me smile.
Hillary and Scott both said he said one word to each of them.
Dr Kirshner came around 4:30 pm.
David went the balance of the day without coughing up blood clots. DR K said let’s remove the chest tube, so they did.
His ECMO is down to 21% oxygenation so they will remove it tomorrow afternoon.
He still has great pluses in his feet.
Danny agreed about keeping people out of his room because of germs. He can’t afford to get any infection.
His trach opening was cut a little too large, so they have to inject something to swell it up to stay in place. Thankfully he hasn’t bleed from it since this morning.
He also has delirium and most probably not remember anything that we got excited about today. I am okay with that.
I haven’t told him why he is in the hospital as that would only agitate him. I keep conversation to the minimal.
Scott told David that Hillary will come and do yoga with him and he shook his head no. Everyone was laughing.
Today was a good day. I do have to continue to remind myself that he still has this long road ahead of him but today was more like elephant steps than baby steps.
Hopefully I have nothing more to write about today.
I am totally exhausted.
Sorry if I haven’t replied to text messages today.
Love to all. - Day 14 – Tuesday April 17th Update: They just removed the ECMO and it went very well. This is a huge step. This means his Lungs are producing enough oxygen that he does not need the ECMO. My mom is the happiest she has been. It is good to see her with such a big smile
- I love all the support I am receiving. Keep lifting me up so I can keep lifting David up.
Scott & Hillary have been so strong. Zack has been awesome. They take such good care for me.
I keep calling the hospital a hotel. Wait until David sees the bill for most expensive hotel with amazing service he has ever seen.
David and I met on vacation and love to travel but this is our greatest journey.
Today David had more movement from his hands and arms. He was grimacing, and I said what hurts and he pointed to his tummy. Somethings don’t change. He kept telling the nurse to clean his bronchial tube. She loved it as most people don’t want it cleaned. I asked him if his mouth was dry and he said yes. Nurse Janet asked him if he wants her to swab his mouth and he said yes. It was good as she was able to get more of the blood in his mouth out.
The time finally came to remove the ECMO. I met ECMOman in the hall. I love his title Surg-Cardiovascular Thoracic Perfusionist. I said I hope we never need him again.
His liver is getting better, so is his fingers and toes. Janet said the kidneys are the first to go and the last to recover. The good news is it will get better. No one seems to think otherwise.
DR Kirshner came out to tell us the removal went very well. He is amazed with David’s progress and said he is a week ahead of where he thought he would be. He also said that I have the best staff to care for David and I agreed. I told him I was buying lunch for them on Thursday.
The nurses are very informative. Janet said she asked him if he knows where he is, what day is it, why is he in the hospital etc. She said that it is good to ask him daily to help with confusion.
David looks so good without the giant tubes of blood coming in and out of his body. Hate ECMO but love ECMO. We are so blessed that the machine was there to keep him alive for the last 12 days. It is now in storage until needed again.
David was sleeping when I left. They were keeping him sedated so he keeps his head still.
Thanks for all the prayers. It is working. xoxo - Day 15 – Wednesday April 18th my dad looks wayyyyyy better without the ECMO. Looks likes a normal human again. Also his eyes were not as yellow which was great. Still a bit loopy from anesthesia from removing the ECMO but doing better.
- Wednesday April 18th, 2018
Nurse Rushanah
Today I think I had my “Terms of Endearment” moment.
I got to the hospital and David wasn’t feeling well. He was having tummy pain. He kept pointing to his tummy. The nurses were working on the dialysis machine and ignoring me (or at least I thought they were). They really can’t take their eyes off the machine while they are changing bags of fluid etc. I panicked, and text DR Dan that he had pain. Dan said that it is probably that since they are removing some morphine he is feeling pain that he hasn’t felt since surgery. He has tubes and stuff coming out of his body. Plus, a nice 15” cut down his chest. It was very tough for me to see him feeling miserable.
He did have physical therapy this morning and the nurse told me he was sitting up on the edge of the bed. +
I was able to stay in the room now since the ECMO is gone. They brought in 2 chairs, so Hillary could sit with me.
DR. Seth the pulmonary doc cleaned out his lungs and said it was old dried blood which was good. They were concerned it might have been from the trach bleeding from inside. I was relieved about that.
His liver is doing much better as the jaundice is slowly disappearing.
His fingers and toes are slowly getting better.
I was shown on the monitor which is David breathing on his own and which is the ventilator. He is doing pretty good.
I am amazed at how many of the ICU comes to check on David. No one can believe he is still here. They are so impressed with him.
David still hasn’t figured out where he is. I asked him if he knows where he is and he shook his head no. I said he was in the hospital and he again shook no. He didn’t feel much like talking today.
He is still not having visitors. He is confused enough without bringing in more people.
I am going to be staying in his room more since I can sit there.
I went into the waiting room and saw a woman who has been there for a few days. She was alone and made me really appreciate my support even more. I sat with her a bit and let her talk.
Another woman Karen was walking down the hallway and stopped me. She said I see you her every day. She is in the transplant unit.
Tomorrow is my birthday and I am happy to say that David’s progress is the best birthday gift I could every receive. I am so blessed and so happy to be turning 61.
Thank you again for all the love and support.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plqzeUB9B-w Terms of Endearment - I wasn’t this bad. - Day 16 – Thursday April 19th, 2018
Thank you all for the birthday wishes.
Please if you are using whatsapp put you name on your profile so I know who is commenting. Makes it nice for us.
Another thing people keep texting on David’s cell phone. I hate his phone and it is a pain for me to use. I know you mean well but it will be a very long time until David will be able to use his phone.
I have not been able to go back as they are working on his dialysis so I am getting very anxious waiting here. - I finally got to see David. He had PT and was tired afterwards, so they gave him to Ativan to help him rest.
His dialysis port kept setting the machine off. It was driving the nurses and myself crazy.
I did have a little cry missing all the cards David would have put around the house for me. All the nurses came to hug me.
I bought the ICU lunch today. I wanted to show our families gratitude for everything they do. They were so grateful.
A bunch of my girlfriends brought me lunch and cupcakes from Safeway (my favorite). Girls were coming and going with cards and warm wishes. It was really nice.
David had blood work done and everything was an improvement.
I asked if there was a place I could leave his glasses if he wanted them. They said he wears glasses? Put them on him. His eyes went wide and he kept looking around the room. I can’t believe I never thought of it.
He likes a sponge of water put in his mouth.
When I was in his room there was food delivery. I said to the girl that he doesn’t eat. She said no it is for you. He nurse supervisor ordered me a birthday cake. It was so yummy.
I am off to a friend for a birthday dinner.
It was a good day having David around. - Day 17 - April 20, 2018
Nurse Ivy
Thank you Heather for hosting a beautiful dinner last night at her home. I felt so much 💕 love. They all got together and bought me a meaningful necklace.
Today I got a phone call from the hospital to approve two procedures.
1 - change his port for his dialysis. This one will be under his skin. It will have less chance of infection. They will have to take him to radiology do it.
2 - they are going to add a tube to to drain the water around his lungs.
I saw Dr Kirshner and he is pleased with his progress. He approved all these procedures. He told me the lunch I bought went a long way around the ICU.
David was sleeping when we went to see him. It was nice to see him resting.
Since he won’t be in the room until after 2. I went with the kids to true foods for lunch. - I got back to the hospital at 2 pm and they told me they were getting him settled in his room. When I got to his room he was very calm and sleeping. Of course he was sedated. All the procedures went well. I was happy.
The nurse was trying to get his dialysis set up. The alarm kept ringing and after awhile she figured it out. There is so much to know about the machine and it takes a little thing to mess it up.
David Bailee a neighbor, friend and the doc who did David’s achilles surgery came to visit. I love when docs come by as no one limits the amount of people in David’s room. DR Dan eventual came by and the two docs got into doc conversation. The nurses think i am a vip of sorts.
Before I left the social worker came in. She is annoying and upset me to no end. She asked me if I am thinking of rehab facilities for DAvid. She said there only a few that take Trach patients. It is rare that I meet someone shorter than me and she is. I just wished i had a hammer so I could pound her head. DR Kirshner hasn’t even come close to talking about the future.
I felt so good about the day until she showed up.
David woke for a minute or two. He gave me a nice smile and went back to sleep. As much as I hate to leave i did.
I text Bob and met him and his brother Marvin for drinks and dinner. Hillary and her friend Sayde (from Denver) and Zack decided to have dinner with us.
We went to the club. I got so many hugs from everyone. Everyone told me they were happy to see me.. it was a really nice.
Hillary had a spitting headache. I saw the stress catching up to her.
I got home and felt very sad to be out without David. I can be a hermit and it took a lot to go out without David.
When I got home I cried as I miss being with David so much. Everyone says I am so strong. I don’t feel like I am right now. I feel so alone. - Day 18 - Saturday April 21, 2018
Nurse Ann
Hillary woke with a sore ear. She went to urgent care to make sure she doesn’t have strep. She didn’t. Allergies.
Ann gave David a shave today and he looks so nice. I asked if he liked it and he smiled.
He was in some pain so she gave him some morphine. Of course, now he is sleeping. He hasn’t been awake much today. I like when he sleeps as all the monitors are calm.
Ann then washed his hair. It looks like a shower cap but I assume it is dry shampoo. She massaged his head and he liked it.
The pulmonary therapist “line team” tried to change one of David’s ports from his chest to his arm. It didn’t work so they will try again tomorrow.
I had to go out while they did it.
Danny got to the hospital and went back to check on him. David gave a big smile.
I came back to see David and three nurses gave him a bath. He looked so much like David. He even smiled. I told him he looks so handsome and he smiled.
He looked at me and his hand went into a cup and he brought it to his mouth and mouthed the word water. I got so excited. He signaled for a pen and paper. I gave him one but he couldn’t hold it.
He fell asleep, so I left.
I love that everyone wants to come and keep me company. Can I suggest you text before as there are times I don’t want to leave him. Even watching him sleep his so relaxing for me. I just feel like I have a constant smile. He seems to like that I am there. He just stares at me.
Pam and Bruce remember the cardiologist DR Haddad? He came by and gave me a huge smile. He is so pleased at where David is. He was the first doctor that said David might not make it thru the night.
Tonight, I am going to a movie with my friend Robin. We are going to see I feel pretty with Amy Schumer.
I feel so much better today then I did yesterday.
Thank you everyone.
Cindy 😍 - Day 19 - Sunday April 22, 2018
I got to the hospital and David was wide awake. He is breathing on his own. The ventilator is there for assistance if he needs it.
He had phlegm in his mouth and pointed to his mouth so the nurse suctioned it out.
I think he might be understanding where he is. He got very emotional at some point. We had to tell him to breath in and out.
He keeps wanting to tell me something. Lauren brought in a chart that wasn’t helpful. She was looking for another one but couldn’t find it. His hands are still to weak to even point.
His fingers and toes are still working on healing. They are still putting nitro cream on them.
He has been able to tell them he is cold.
He is on heparin. He will have to be on blood thinners for life, so his valves don’t clot.
His lungs were x-rayed, and they looked good.
He doses on and off.
Hillary came in and when he saw her he blew here a kiss. It was so nice. - Day 20 - Monday April 22nd
Nurse Janet
I can’t believe it has been 19 days since our journey began.
I stopped at Dunkin Donuts for the munchkins for the valet guys.
I got to David’s room and he gave me a nice smile.
He wants to tell me something and I can’t understand.
One of his nurses Ivy came by and he waved.
Beth Occupational Therapist and Deryk physical Therapist came by. They had him sit up. He was able to lift his left leg up and down. His right foot was a little more work. They had him lean on the bed to hold himself up. Of course Deryk held him in place. Beth is pregnant and hoping to pop soon. She said lifting David around might be a good thing.
They got him back into bed. Janet asked if he hurt and he said yes so she gave him some morphine.
He was crying a bit and I asked if they were happy tears and he said yes.
He keeps scratching his nose where the feeding tube is.
Dr Kirshner came in and is so pleased.
I sat beside David and he grabbed my hand and squeezed it hard. So nice.
They removed the ventilator. He just has oxygen coming thru his trach.
Rabbi Kravit’s came by. David remembered him from when we had lunch with him at JFCS senior center.
His blood pressure is perfect.
Still no urine. - The speech therapist Laura Fitzgerald came in and put a “Passy-Muir” tracheostomy speaking valve over his trach. He was able to talk. It was awesome to hear his voice. She asked him questions like his kid’s names, their ages, how long have we been married, our business name and what we did. The only question he got wrong was the year. He said 2019. He looked at me and said, “I love you” then he said “Thanks”. I told him not to thank me for doing what we do for each other.
I went for lunch with some friends. I couldn’t wait to get back to see David.
They had removed the Passy.
When I got back Sarah DR Kirshner’s Nurse practitioner was removing his chest tube and pace maker. Pulling the chest tube out was a little painful. The pace maker was sewn in so cutting the thread hurt a bit.
They will try for a pick line tomorrow, so they can move tubes. Kind of confused on that one.
Danny came in and said he was going out of town until Friday. That he could change the feeding tube from his nose to his belly. He said he would like to be the one to do it. I think I like that idea.
Hillary came in and he grabbed for her hand. He is so happy to be with her. - Day 21 - Tuesday April 24th, 2018
Nurse Jill
I slept like crap. I have horrible anxiety. DR gave me Ativan. I think it gave me more anxiety. What also gives me anxiety is the fact that our house phone isn’t working so I am afraid to not hear my cell phone if the hospital calls.
Scott came to visit with Richard this morning. David told me he had a nice visit with him.
Diane came to visit and he smiled when I asked if it was a nice visit.
I got here and he was agitated. He complained his butt was hurting. He has a thing in there for his waste. Last week he had a hemorrhoid, so I asked them to check and he was hemorrhoid free.
I signed some orders for his pick line and bronch. They should do that this afternoon.
There is air around his trach so it is making a lot of noise.
He seems to be feeling every pain in his body. He is also cold a lot.
He sat holding my hand for a long time.
He asked for his ipad. He said he is bored and wants to go home. He does get where he is.
Jill gave him some sedative to sleep. - Day 22 – Wednesday April 25th, 2018
Nurse Tashauna
PT Deryck and Danielle
Respiratory Paul
DR Gupta pulmonary
Nurse Erin working dialysis machine.
I got here around 9:45 am. Parking was terrible. Valet was backed up. It took forever to find a spot.
I had a nail appointment and I asked David if he preferred I stay and he said yes stay.
David told me he really likes PT Paul.
Tashauna said she wasn’t smiling as she has a newborn and sleep deprived. She asked how David was and then he asked her how she was. She said that this is the first time in 5 years of nursing that a patient asked how she is.
He does remember. Yesterday which is good. He is a little cranky. Every part of his body hurts. He said he is hungry even though he is fed thru his nose. The nose thing is bugging him.
They are going to change is trach. It isn’t working very well. The balloon on the inside isn’t blowing up. It is causing discomfort for him. The want him to have more lung saturation. His lower part of his lungs need more air.
Speech therapy came over. She wants to get him working more on the Passy Muir. She would like to eventually do a swallow test.
I am not sure if they are trying to get him out of the ICU.
They finally came to do the trach around 12:45. We went to Starbucks. I switched to “Decaf”. It is really something to do to go to Starbucks.
We sat in the lobby area. The chairs are much comfier. The people are less depressing here. A man asked if I was DR??. I said not a doctor, but I play one on tv. He continued and then stopped and asked if that was true. I said no. we all laughed. Everyone is so friendly down here.
They installed a new dialysis machine. It only works for 2-4 hours a day. not quite sure why they changed it. I was told it is cheaper and he can move out of the ICU with this one. I feel like the goal is to get him out of ICU because of the $$. I really am not a fan of the social workers. They are what I assume DR’s are when they are waiting for someone to die to get their organs.
They changed his chest bandage and his scare looks amazing. Even Hillary didn’t faint.
I bought him a stuffed Dalmatian. He seems to like it under his had. He called him Alfred. - David was pretty pooped the rest of the afternoon. The dialysis machine made him really cold. We kept piling blankets on him. He just had such a sad face the rest of the day. Everything aches. I rubbed his legs a bit. Hillary and I just felt so helpless. I can’t wait for tomorrow and hoping he is strong enough for some physical therapy.
Thanks for all the invites for dinner tonight. I just need to get into bed. It isn’t easy trying to be a cheerleader all day. I told David I was going to bring pom pom’s to cheer him along. He rolls his eyes back when I do crazy things. - Day 23 - Thursday April 26th
I can’t believe it has been 23 days.
Hillary and I got to the hospital after 10. David had PT. He looked tired. His eye keeps tearing.
His heart rate went up to 172+ where it should have been 80-90. I got scared. They gave him a beta blocker. They asked us to leave the room. We went to the waiting room. Zack came and then Scott. A friend whose family member is in the hospital came to hang out with us a bit.
They put David on a list to receive a pace maker tomorrow. They want it to be there incase he has another episode. They do it in the cath lab. It will be another hurry up wait day. I am hoping to be able to sign the consent before I leave so if they want to do it early they can not waste time calling me.
A social worker came by and gave me a list of rehab facilities. Not it was a different person. I told her to keep the other girl away from me.
Another friend came at a really good time. They were going to set up dialysis, so I had to leave. I needed a cry and she was there for me. All she wanted to do was bring cupcakes. Vegan for Hillary and Zack. So thoughtful.
I came back in and David could see I was crying. He held my hand and whispered it will be alright.
I think it was easier when he was sleeping because I couldn’t see his expressionless face.
DR Kirshner came over around 4. He saw I had been crying. He gave David a pep talk. He explained to David that he had climbed all the highest mountains in the world. That he is amazing. He said I heard you have an amazing scotch collection and he looks forward to checking it out.
I told him his eye has been tearing for a couple of days and it is bugging him. He asked Sarah NP to get someone to check it out.
I told him about the rehabs the social worker gave me. I showed him the list. He said he wants David near by and asked Sarah to look into a closer one. I also want him closer, so I can see him more often. Plus I am not a great highway driver.
Kirshner told me that one of our friends Jeff called him to check up on David. I thought that was sweet.
These baby steps are really hard. I can’t wait for the light at the end of the tunnel. - Day 24 – April 27th
Nurse Stephanie
RT Lisa
Wow today was a full turn in every way.
David is no longer is considered critical care. For me that is very weird since he cannot fend for himself. Everyone tells me that it is good.
I got to the hospital and I wanted to talk to the kidney doctor. I texted a friend of a friend to get the doctor to come by and talk to us.
I saw DR Seth when I walked in. he told me he didn’t want to do the pacemaker today. He said his white cells were off.
When I got to his room they had just finished dialysis. He wasn’t very happy. When Dr. Esmat Mustafa came by to talk. David asked if he could get the weekend off from dialysis. He thought it was a wonderful idea. I expressed my dislike of the nurse yesterday that made him bleed.
DR Seth came in and told David that he won’t have the pacemaker. David said he is very happy not to have any procedures over the weekend.
David told us he didn’t like the night nurse. Stephanie the nurse said her dad was in ICU and understands. She is going to request another nurse. I asked if I can have a person sit in the room with him over night at my expense. She said she will find out for us. David liked that idea.
He told me that the remote sucks and he can’t believe he can’t work it. He said this is my business. I thought that was funny.
I said to David do you notice all the people that come in the room yell at him. He laughed.
His RT for the day is Lisa. She has one of those big belly laughs. She makes him laugh. She put him on oxygen and put the passy on so he can speak. He loved it. He was getting tired, so she took it off.
I went for coffee and I came back and he wanted to talk. Hillary and Zack came. Scott came.
Lisa put the trach collar on again. He laughed and asked her for a hug. He asked for a chair to sit up. I told him he isn’t ready.
Rabbi Kahn came and blessed him.
I had Scott call Bobby Roth to have a night person to sit with him. This way if he wants to change the channel or wet his lips there is someone here. I will rest better and so will he. - Day 25 – Saturday April 28th
Nurse Emily
RT Sandi
PT Shawn
David had a morning visitor. It was really nice for him to have company. This friend has suffered with heart disease so it was nice to have him visit.
I got here just as he was leaving.
David is getting feisty. The night nurse was so so. The person who sat at night was okay. He said he didn’t sleep.
A cardiologist came by and explained to David that he has a slight infection, so they cannot do the pacemaker until it is gone. David was happy to have nothing going on.
He told me he could go for an In and Out burger. I said ya “No”.
He has realized that our summer trip is being cancelled.
He has asked about the ECMO and what does it do. I showed him some pictures. We didn’t make it to the ECMO photos.
David asked for PT. Shawn PT came and started working him around noon. His goal is to sit in a chair. He hates being in bed. Shawn worked on his legs. David told Shawn he is going to beat this shit. Then he apologized to his assist Rachael for swearing. She said it’s okay I go to ASU. He got him moving his foot on his own. Then he was bending his knee back and forth. They had him in a sitting position on the side of the bed for 10 minutes. David told Shawn he was his hero. Shawn asked his assistant Rachael to grab clean pillow cases and sheets for him. He then put socks on him. They left and I told him to rest.
I went to the waiting and my friend Lisa brought me lunch. My friend David came as well but he said he doesn’t go back to see sick people.
Scott came to the waiting room and told me that David is angry and giving the nurse a hard time. I came in and his blood pressure was up. All he did was complain the bed is uncomfortable. We must have repositioned 50 times and he still wasn’t happy. Larry came, and David was just agitated. Scott bolted. Hillary and Zack came. Zack left to go study.
David told us to look up the owner’s manual for the bed. We couldn’t do anything to make him happy. I was warned this would happen but I didn’t expect it so quickly. I finally went out and found Shawn the PT was there. I told him I need help. He came in and David said I want to sit in a chair. So they found this weird chair and put him in it. It took forever. He finally got in the chair. Then he still wasn’t happy. He wants to sit in the regular chair. He is driving us bananas today.
Danny called him goldilocks.
I can’t wait for this phase to go away. - Day 26 – Sunday April 29th
Nurse Tisha
RP Paul
It was a nice quiet day.
I got to the hospital and David was tired. He had a few visitors before I got there.
He was complaining he wanted food that he was hungry. Danny came in and said do you want a lollipop. David said yes.
Danny found him a tootsie pop. Danny said don’t bite it. Of course, he immediately did it. Danny ran to clean his mouth so he wouldn’t get into trouble with the nurses.
He slept most of the day. He did wake and wanted the passy so he could talk. We had to wait for RT Paul to do it. In the mean time he kept pointing to something. Hillary and I kept searching for it. We finally figured out it was his yellow socks tied onto the bed. He wanted them gone.
When the passy was put on he was barking orders. Once again, he was begging to sit on the edge of the bed. No PT on Sunday no sitting on the side of the bed. Thank goodness he gave up early on that battle. - Good morning.
If you want to come over please check with me first.
Purell your hands.
No hand holding. Fist bump. He can't afford to get sick.
Thank you - Day 27 – Monday April 30th
Nurse Jennifer
I am so happy to see April go.
Hillary and I went to visit with David for an hour. He was on dialysis when we got there.
We found that David is having the pacemaker put in tomorrow.
Scott came to relieve us.
Hillary and I went to look at rehab facilities. David needs a place that can handle trach, ventilation, dialysis, Occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy.
There were two suggested for David called Select. One is at St Joe’s and the other is Good Sam’s. We went to the St Joe’s first. It was horrible. The smell as the elevator doors opened was awful. There are two people per room. It was hard to see what was going on. I can’t really describe how depressing it looked.
We then went to the other facility. It was smaller and didn’t smell as bad. The nurse gave us a tour. The whole place was creepy.
They didn’t really tell us much about what they will do for him. PT 3 times a week.
I was just so stunned I didn’t really know what to ask. Hillary was good at asking questions.
We left and I cried. I felt awful as my nephew Harold facetimed with Dylan and I just cried.
I went online and found a rehab near the hospital. It turned out it was for outpatient.
They suggested we go to Health South. It is a private place. They do take trach. It looked awesome. Private rooms. Nice workout facility. I was ready to sign him up.
We came back to the hospital and I asked to see DR Seth. He is the ICU and Pulmonary doctor. I told him how horrified I was about the two select rehabs were. He explained that they are the only places that will take David with all his criteria’s. What I didn’t understand is David is considered long term care. Health South is Acute care.
There are two more for us to see. Dr Seth wasn’t thrilled about them. I have to go see them. They are on the list from the hospital.
We asked if there is another place in the hospital David could go and they said that only ICU has ventilators.
We got back to the hospital and David was beat. Dialysis and then Physical Therapy. He had a few visitors. He did tell me that today he realized how stupid he his to think he can actually sit in a chair. That had to be so hard for him.
He seems to really enjoy when Danny comes. Danny asked him if he just bit the lollipop as an animal instinct and he said yes.
He just looked so sad.
Dr Kirshner came to visit. David didn’t have much to say. He told David mid-June he should start feeling more like himself.
David has always been an anti-anxiety pill person. Not anymore. I just feel so bad for him. There is only so much I can do for him.
The nurse came in and told us the cardiologist cancelled his pacemaker for tomorrow. They are rescheduling him for Wednesday. The nurse was so upset.
I am feeling overwhelmed. There is so much to think about. So much I have no clue about.
Richard our family office manager is going to see if he can find me a patient advocate to help me out. I just don’t want to make a mistake.
I pray for May to be better. - Day 28 – Tuesday May 1st
Nurse Jennifer
DR. Seth
RT: Janet
I want to thank everyone for all your positive remarks.
Thank you everyone who stays away because you are sick. You are very thoughtful.
Danny sent me a text and said he is going to put the feeding tube in his tummy late today. David is happy.
Another DR friend came in to talk to us about the next phase “rehab”. He is retired kidney doc. He suggested we go to St Joseph’s Select Hospital. He said that his pulmonary doctors and kidney doctors all work there which is a plus. He also said that if he has an issue he is still in a hospital as opposed to a stand-alone hospital. David asked if we can wait and take about it Monday. I am not sure if he knows Monday is a long time away. - David had 3 visitors this morning. Russ, Mikey and Len. They were like the three stooges. I realized if he isn’t talking at least he can listen to other people talking.
- David had physical therapy. He told me he sat on the edge of the bed for 15 minutes. I asked the PT how he did and they told me he sat for 15 minutes, some on his own and he did leg exercises. They said he did a great job. I was so excited for him.
DR Seth also came to talk to me and also explained that St Joe’s will have all his doctors there to look after him. DR Seth is one of my preferred doctors and I would like to know that he and his co-workers would be handling David’s case.
Sandi the RT talked about her mother who was at Select at St Joe’s. She said that I would overcome the smells and the look of the place when I see the progress David will make there. She said her mom is a diabetic and they thought her long would be a mess for life. She said her mom looks great and feels great. It really meant a lot that she shared her experience with me.
David was pretty tired after PT.
It doesn’t seem that the hospital has psychologists. Budget cuts. I told DR Seth they have them on staff at “Chicago Med”. He said I don’t know what they do in Chicago. He laughed when I told him it was a tv show. He said he only watched one season of Grey’s Anatomy.
I asked about depends and the nurses told me that they never use them. That they are so bad for his skin. Good to know.
David had lots of visitors. The 2 people per room deal doesn’t seem to not apply to David. I am not sure if he gets tired or not. I am not sure if I am over protected.
David does sit so quietly. It makes me sad.
Danny got to David’s room at 5:32 pm. Danny never runs on time. He said I was only 2 minutes late. Danny also talked about the rehab and was on the same page as the other two doctors.
We went to the waiting room while Danny put the peg tube in David. Danny finally came out to tell us all went well. He also said he was so excited to do a procedure that wasn’t a colonoscopy. He said he wore a gown, gloves and used a scalpel. He was very funny. He said he checked out all his interior. All was good. The tube will be in for around 5 weeks whether he needs it or not. It will be so nice for David to not have that not tube in his nose anymore. I hope it will help with his moral.
Danny has been such an amazing help for our family. He has gone over and beyond for us. David is always so happy to see him. It’s like his 6th sense knows he has been with us from the beginning. Danny you have been a blessing for us. Even though I thank you over and over again I can’t thank you enough.
I still have anxiety and I know that one day it will go away.
Once again that you all for your support and lifting me up.
xoxo - Day 29 - Wednesday May 2nd
Bye the way his heart is working great.
I got to the hospital and David had just finished dialysis. He was exhausted. I always feel so bad for him afterwards.
PT wanted to work with him. He asked for a 30 minute break. I said remember he loves PT don’t forget to return.
The cardiologist cancelled the pacemaker. David’s WBC is at 16+. Not schedule in mind.
Everyone is like good he gets to stay longer in the hospital. - I was napping and a cardiologist walked in and woke me up. Then at 2:30 pm the physical therapist came to work on David’s legs and sitting up. The hardest part is getting all his drips to follow along. He was so tired but he managed to work for 15 minutes. Now he is sleeping.
- David bought tickets for Justin Timberlake months ago. I asked if we should go. He was like yes I paid a lot of money for those tickets. So here we are.
- Hi all., David reaches for your hand avoid him. He has nitro cream on his fingers. It can cause bad headache, dizziness etc. I almost passed out. Just a reminder please no perfume. No was complaining About tuna breath. I am Glad to hear he still has sense of smell.
- Day 30 – Thursday May 3rd
David started his day with a visit from Bruce and John. He was very happy they came.
I got here and they were busy cleaning some areas where he has tubes sticking out. They do it so gently.
The speech therapist came in but left one she saw docs in his room.
Danny came by to check his stomach tube. All was good.
Since I cancelled my pedicure and manicure last week I decided to have a pedicure in the hospital. They have a really nice spa. It was a good pedicure.
David had PT. They said he did a great job.
Pacemaker postponed again.
Ann came and gave him a shave. He looked great.
I cannot remember anything else about the day.
I did go to the club for dinner. Robin Wolf has been pushing to get out of the house. So we had dinner Beth, Jeff, Stephanie, Todd, Hillary and I. Everyone came to say hi and ask about David. - Day 31 – Friday May 4th
Nurse Ben
RT Kristy
DR Gupta
Speech Therapist Sue
David had dialysis and did great.
He loved the night nurse Mathew
David is in a good mood. He had a lot of his guys friends visit
We brought Chipotle in for all the nurses. They are so happy.
Pacemaker tomorrow (so they say).
Speech therapist Sue came into work with David a bit. She said he has to sit upright to take anything. Even Ice chips. They worry about things going into his lungs. She even had me do the work with him.
They said that infectious disease has passed David for the pacemaker. I was told it will happen today. the I was told it was going to happen tomorrow. Then I was told by 4 pm today. Now we are told Monday.
He went from being in the best mood to feeling down. He won’t even do PT. - David had a visitor. 84 year old man and his dog Willow
- They are switching Heparin to Warfarin blood thinner.
Today I think was probably one of David’s best days. He was engaged in conversations. When they cancelled the pacemaker, he became really down.
We have done a lot of talking about the rehab. He knows it won’t be pretty. He will have to share a room. But he will have lots of pt, ot and speech therapy. I was told they get a lot of neurological patients and that’s why so many looked dead when I was there.
We do speak now and then about what happened. He does sit in shock when listening.
I think we are both ready for the next phase of recovery.
I am home and going to get into bed.
Goodnight.
xoxo - Day 32 – Saturday May 5
Nurse Ivy
RT Aaron
DR Gupta
David had PT.
Someone came in and told David his pacemaker was now scheduled for Tuesday. The insurance company doesn’t want to pay for ICU anymore.
It is Derby Day. I invited Linda and Bob to come watch with us since we all went together last year. I wore a hat and a dress. I brought stuffed horses. We had several people in the room. 10 or so.
The nurses were bringing us more chairs. The ICU rule of two visitors only didn’t apply to David. The nurses were enjoying wearing our hats.
Bob got an app and was taking bets. David bet on Justify and won $200. It was lots of fun.
It was so nice to see David smiling and having fun.
Thanks everyone for showing up.
xoxo - Day 33 – May 6th
Nurse Ivy
RT Lori
Dr Gupta
Last night dinner with the Kramer’s and Fann’s at Eddie V’s.
Hillary and I went for brunch at Stephanie and Todd’s house for their son Jacob’s graduation. It was very nice.
We got the hospital and David already had some visitors. He was very happy.
Hillary is so sweet she rubs moisturizer on his legs and feet every day. We both try and massage his legs for him. They are so sore from not being used for so long.
Scott and Richard came from the airport. Richard was amazed by his spirit.
He had more visitors but Ivy asked that some go outside so I took some of the girls to the waiting room. So much better to wait there for no reason.
I was so pooped. Hillary made a reservation at Jade Palace and the four of us went for dinner.
We took Richard to the hotel and came home.
David didn’t want PT.
He said Dr Kirshner came in at 6 am and they had a nice talk. It is nice that he is getting to know him.
Pacemaker now on Tuesday. They are now waiting for a test that tells that how thick his blood is with the blood thinners.
Goodnight,
Cindy - Day 34 - May 7th. I decided to stop and get my summer clothes altered. Since David won’t be here forever I needed summer clothes fixed.
I got to David and he was so tired. He said he slept great. All the visitors took a lot out of him.
Hi DR today is DR Brave. She was one of his first DR’s and we haven’t seen her since. She asked how Scott was.
His pacemaker has been moved to Wednesday. Still waiting for blood work to be what they need it to be. One day I will ask again for what it is.
Ivy (nurse) is trying to get him into PT before his dialysis. That would be really nice for him since the dialysis knocks him out.
It is nice sitting here just the two of us.
This might be a hospital but I still have Lysol wipes and cleaned the chairs and table. - David finally had PT.
Then came the dialysis person.
David did fill his urinal so that was good.
Danny came for a visit. Said all his areas were doing well.
The vascular surgeon came in to check his fingers and toes. She said they look much better. She said only a few fingers and toes might need amputation. She was blunt and had no bedside manner. Danny and Ivy were not pleased with her. His spirits went down fast. - Fyi his fingers and toes have been improving. I wouldn't expect to see him lose any. This surgeon was a bit excited to talk. We are at Bourbon salad having a nice meal. Also great news. Hillary is having a drink
- The balance of the day sucked. David ached from head to toe. I felt helpless. I tried so hard to make him comfortable. I
know there are supposed to be highs and lows. I really don’t like the lows. It was really hard for me to leave him.
We went for dinner with Richard. It sucked to be at Bourbon Steak without him. I barely remember what I ate.
I came home and just cried.
On top of everything else David’s sister Gail who lives in Atlanta fell and broke a bone in her hip. She had surgery, and all went well. Then out of no where she is in the ICU with internal bleeding. I feel so sad that I can’t be there for her. That David who is always there for her can’t be there. I feel so sad for Henry who has two kids in the ICU. Sharon only wants Henry to be able to hear David’s voice. Who can blame him. They say when it rains it pours well I feel like I am in a tsunami.
Please add Gail to your prayers.
I am clicking my heals saying tomorrow will be a better day. - Day 35 – Tuesday May 8th
Nurse Ben
RT James
Hillary and I got to the hospital and we were told that David is on the schedule for a pacemaker for tomorrow. We thought they said his blood was where it needed to be.
David was very verbal today. He is so nice to all the nurses and RT. He rarely asks for anything. They just keep coming to check on him.
Annette from Select Rehab came to see us this afternoon. She is the patient advocate to get him from one place to another. She will deal with the insurance company. She told David she was from Chicago and they were instant friends. She really made me feel good about the next step.
The cardiologist that does the pacemaker came by and said the blood isn’t where it was supposed to be, so it might not happen. They are driving me crazy. Once again I cancelled my nail appointment.
David opted to not have a sitter tonight. He said the night nurses are really good.
The man in the next room is leaving to St Joe’s tomorrow. His son has been here with him from South Carolina. He has been her for 30 days. I told his son when we move there I will look in on him and text him. He has two young kids to go home to. I try not to get into other peoples lives in the ICU. It took me 30 days to say hello.
David is getting good at telling people he is tired and to leave. It is good. I am happy he is being honest.
Hillary and I went to Lisa Meline’s for movie night. We were a few girls. We had pizza and wine/vodka. We watched the Movie “the Devine secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” A story of girlfriends. One of my favorite movies. It was really nice to just have a girls night. Not to say my guy friends are awesome. Maybe I can have a guys night with Scott and Zach.
As I do every night I did have my cry with my friends.
I just hope that the pacemaker happens so David can go to rehab. As much as I haven’t looked forward to it I know It is time. It is time for him to work his limbs. I think getting out that bed will do him some good. I think he is ready even though he doesn’t realize it.
Thank you Ya Ya’s for a wonderful night. - Day 36 – Wednesday May 9th
Nurse Emily
RT Shannon
DR Brave
PT Lynn
Once again, the pacemaker was cancelled. The reason for this is the INR which is a blood clotting test. It should be 2.5 and he is registered at 1.77. The cardiologist said check back tomorrow. He is on the schedule for the afternoon.
https://www.myvmc.com/investigations/blood-clotting-international-normalised-ratio-inr/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/prothrombin-time/about/pac-20384661
Since the pacemaker was cancelled I was able to make it to my nail appointment. David was thrilled for me.
I got here, and I was so surprised to see that David had a catheter connected to him. Dr Thomas came by and was very happy to see David doing so well. I said thank you and she said no thank G-D. I just love this lady. She is going to order less of the dialysis. So excited.
Every day the infectious disease doctors check David for infection. After 5 weeks they have decided he is good to go. He has been infection free.
Lynn from PT came by. He said he didn’t want to do it. I insisted he do it. It is a lot of work just to lift his legs. She had me work with him as well to help him. He did great. He is just exhausted.
He has been on the trach collar for two days straight. He hasn’t needed the Ventilator.
He sat this morning petting my face and my head. It was so sweet.
The hospital called about the insurance. So far David is worth $1.6 million. - Day 37 – Thursday May 10th
Nurse Emily
RT Loraina
PT Lynn
INR 2.1 no pacemaker. Getting closer.
I got to the hospital and David had had PT. He sat on the side of the bed for 2 minutes.
Sarah NP with DR Kirshner removed the staples from his check. He is looking great.
His kidneys are doing their job. Not sure if he will need dialysis.
I was excited to see they removed the ventilator. He is strictly on the trach collar with just oxygen.
His butt is killing him. Emily was busy with another patient. He was so frustrated he rang the call button. She came with another nurse and repositioned him.
DR Ashton (Dr Kirshner’s partner) came to check on him. He wasn’t quite sure why they are waiting for the INR to be at 2.5. He asked David how he was feeling. David said his butt is killing him. He asked Sarah to ask the nurse if he has bruising and she said no. He asked David if he would like to look out the window. Sit in a chair. Have a different view. David said it sounded good.
He finally fell asleep for a while. - They did a blood test and 2.5 is the winner.
Emily is going to check and see if he is done with dialysis.
Pacemaker should be at 1:30. Jana was psyched to tell us. We are excited to get thru another hurdle.
Went to the club for dinner. An outpouring of love came our way. It was so nice.
I am excited and scared about the next step but it will be a step in the right direction.
Can’t wait for tomorrow.
xoxo - Day 38 – Friday May 11th
Nurse Sara
PT Lynn
OT Sarah
RT Aaron
DR Junard Bhutto Electrophysiology
Megan cath lab nurse
I got a call at 9:15 and was told David’s procedure was changed from 1:30 to 11:30. I thought since his bed was gone I had a housekeeper wash his floor. She was so sweet. She said it is nice to see him alive.
Pam dropped by to see David and instead kept me company. He was back in the room around 1:30 pm. The doctor came back and said he did well. He was awake thru it. The cath lab nurse Megan said we finally meet after seeing her for a month in the waiting room.
I asked his nurse to give him a bath and she did.
His knee still hurts. Dr Gupta said he had it x-rayed and it was good. Probably still hurting from the vein they removed.
DR Gupta is thrilled with David’s progress. He feels he will only need 2 weeks at Select.
It was nice that Hillary, Zack, Scott and I were with us at the same time. - Day 39 – Saturday May 12th
Nurse Linda
DR Gupta
RT Sarah
Hillary and I figured out how to get a room to yourself at Select. Mrsa. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mrsa/symptoms-causes/syc-20375336 the man in the next room was supposed to go to Select last Wednesday but is still here. Sad
DR Gupta came in and asked David how he felt. He said very anxious. He asked is it because of moving to Select? David said partially. He said you are a survivor. You will do great at Select. You are an ECMO survivor. You can do it. Linda gave him some Ativan. The anxiety makes him feel like he can’t breathe.
I asked my friend John who had a heart attack if he will get some mental health. He said in Cardio Rehab he will. Unfortunately, he isn’t the common heart attack survivor. His body has been thru more than one person normally goes thru. He told me he will see if he can get someone sooner than later.
David can’t find a comfortable position. His poor body just hurts. I can’t wait for him to start intense physical therapy.
We are waiting for the insurance to approve the move to Select.
I am having anxiety as he is making me watch golf.
David had a shave and shampoo.
David had some visitors. I saw a doctor that walked by and I thought that looks just like my cardiologist. I called out DR Reuss and she turned around. She came in to meet David. I told her all about what happened to him. Then she proceeded to check my pulse to see if I was okay. She told me about this place next to Nektar that does foot massage. She is worried that I might be retaining water. She asked if I was eating healthy and I told her Flower Child and Nektar. She was pleased.
David keeps asking me to reposition him. He told me not to give up my day job. - Day 40 – May 13th
Nurse Linda
RT Sandi
DR Gupta
Today is moving day. We are to make the move at 2 pm.
DR Thomas kidney doctor said she would like him to have dialysis next week just to be on the safe side.
We will find out his schedule I hope today.
Select Specialty Hospital
St. Joseph's Hospital
Room 16
350 West Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 406-6810 - The ambulance came after 2 pm. I rode in the ambulance with David.
Select specialty hospital is in the main building.
There aren’t really any visiting hours.
They allow dog visits. No cats
He will have to go thru assessments from all the depts.
They had him all checked in when we got here.
He is sharing a room with another man.
He is waitlisted for a private room. There are 20 and they are used primarily for children and patients with spreadable disease like MRSA.
We were greeted by the CEO Karen Cawley who will be a case manager.
Jose is his nurse. We are waiting to see if they are going to hook him up to monitors.
It is very strange being here. David has high anxiety. I think we all have anxiety. This is pure motivation to get moving to the next plateau.
- Day 41 – May 14th
Nurse Priscilla
Assist nurse Christina
RT Christina
DR Zaki Aslamy attending physician
DR. Ibrahim Qaquish is his kidney doctor
Dialysis nurse Courtney
Speech Therapy Nancy Tom
Case Manager Mendy Thorpe
INR 2.19
David didn’t sleep all night. He was really upset when we got here. He said one nurse changed his sheets and was very rough.
Hillary and I got here when the wound nurses were here. They will work on his fingers and toes. Some areas are dead. Nothing will be done for now.
Since David was upset I had Karen Cawley come in and let him grieve to her.
He did have PT. He stood on his own for 10 seconds.
The kidney doctor came in to see him. He still wants him on dialysis. They seem to want to make their own assessments.
He did get the doctor to approve Ambien for night time.
RT said they will give less oxygen when they can.
Once again, I had to sign a bunch of papers.
It takes an hour to set up the dialysis machine.
DR Kirshner called to get David’s INR. He wants to see David in 2 weeks. I am not sure he will be portable by then.
We rang for the nurse and no one came for 30 minutes.
I feel like I am going to have to be here just to be sure things get done and to be sure David gets attention.
This guy Andy Streit who worked for David for 5 years is the person who brings the oxygen to the hospital came in to see David. He recognized Hillary then me.
Dialysis started at 2 and will be done by 5. They will remove ½ liter of fluids.
I feel like hurry up and wait.
Hillary is very excited as her favorite vegan restaurant is nearby. Green. I miss Flower Child.
We met our case manager Mendy Thorpe. She explained that their job is to get David off of dialysis and oxygen. Minor PT and get him eating. She told me I need a day off. I said I have a goal and that is to get him to Health South.
It is so noisy. There is one man that keeps yelling. I want a rag or help me. Over and over again.
One man has his dad here and they have been here for 8 weeks. Yuk.
I am extremely overwhelmed. I can’t imagine how David feels.
Today has been exhausting. I feel like this is one flew over the cuckoo’s nest. Thank goodness the machines in David’s room drowns out the noise from other rooms. - Hi all,
We did have a person for several nights while David was awake at HonorHealth. He felt he didn’t need it. He has anxiety and wants his family members. We are okay with that. I appreciate all the suggestions.
The staff is checking on us which is nice.
Hillary asked will we ever get use to the smell. She said yes. We are waiting. - Day 42 – May 15th
Nurse Jay
RT Christina
Today was a much better day. Hillary and I got to the hospital and David had some PT. He got to sit on the side of the bed. He was much happier.
He is still not sleeping well.
The kidney DR came to see him. He is very pleased with David’s progress. I said that PT thought it would be better for him to have dialysis Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday so he can get 3 full days of various PT. He said he will check his vitals tomorrow but plan on no dialysis.
The hospital had a diarrhea smell today. all the nurses were wearing masks and chewing gum. They said the gum gives them a minty smell. I wore my diffuser necklace with peppermint on the felt pad. It did help.
We had a bedside meeting with Karen, Mendy, Nancy ST, Christina RT, Salvador Pharmacist. David talked about his lack of sleeping. We talked about the all the areas they need to get him to so he get to the next level of care.
Hillary and I went for a walk to the cafeteria to get Scott lunch and to Starbucks.
He was happy to have visitors today. A few people were in the area and text me to see if they could come by. He gets tired and just likes to listen. If you are in the area, please feel free to text me. I don’t know what time of day is good to visit. There is no exact schedule. When he has dialysis he his stuck for over 3 hours, so he would like visitors them.
The wound nurses are cleaning and peeling the raw skin off his fingers and toes. Try and remember to Purell (outside his room) before entering. Try not to touch his hands even if he reaches out for yours. I know it is an automatic reaction to grab his hands. I am just trying to spare him any infection.
“Select” is in a very odd part of the hospital. It is right of the main entrance. Pass the chapel. Follow signs to labor and delivery. “Select” is on the 3rd floor. Room 16A. I still have no idea where I am. Very poor signage. I figure one of these days I will just walk and not wonder where I am. I have no sense of direction. Something David has loved making fun of me about. - Day 43 – Wednesday May 16th
Nurse Jenna
INR 3.1
I got a phone call from Nolan from Select this morning. He said that David didn’t have a good night. He was out of breath and needed to go back on the ventilator. He said that they had to restrain him. That made me very sad.
The kidney doctor put him back on dialysis. He had so much fluid.
I got to the hospital and I met DR Aslamy who is the internal medicine hospitalist. I was able to find out the name of his cardiologist DR Thomas Ross. I told him that it is very important that DR Ross communicates with DR Kirshner. I said that DR Ross has to keep DR Kirshner in the loop. He worked very hard on getting David to where he is. Aslamy agreed with me. They gave him, and EKG and it was good. He will be getting an echo cardiogram later.
Now with the ventilator he can’t use his Passy. That is upsetting.
The wound nurse Cathy came over to me and said I looked like I am having a rough day. She gave me a big hug.
The Ventilator takes up half his room.
Today justifies the choice of being at Select St. Joe’s. Because of the hospital they send someone from the hospital to his room to do the EKG and Echo.
I have been here for 3 hours and still haven’t been able to sit with David. Dialysis is almost done.
This waiting room is so depressing. Everyone comparing how long they have been here. How many facilities they have been to. I just sit by myself. I don’t need group therapy. - Day 44 – Thursday May 17th
Nurse Oswyn
Assistant Nurse Laurel
RT Michelle
I was so frustrated last night I emailed a few people at Select. Karen the COO said she would rather meet with us than to answer the email. I thought that was fair.
We got here and of course dialysis nurse was walking into his room. On top of dialysis he got a bag of blood. Still on ventilation. No speaking valve.
David wanted to tell me something. I gave him a pen and paper. He couldn’t hold the pen.
The nursing supervisor came to see me. He had been off duty and came back today. He reassured me that he will make sure David is happy. He told me they are changing David’s room to a single so no roommate.
We had our meeting with the team leaders. We explained our concerns. They explained things that we didn’t understand. What he can and cannot do when his blood counts are high or low. We all finished up on the same page.
We have no choices on where we can go.
The cable was out so no TV during this boring time.
After dialysis David had an echo. That took so long.
David had visitors but couldn’t talk.
After all was done Michelle the RT was able to give David his voice back. He was so happy. He was able to thank everyone.
He talked and talked. It was like his personality changed. It was so nice.
There is a man in the next room that was in the ICU when David was there.
Now we are sitting and waiting for the room change.
Hillary and I went to get food for dinner. They should have a cardiologist outside the cafeteria with their business card. We had egg white wraps from Starbucks that were good.
Still waiting for housekeeping to clean the new room. It is St. Joe’s housekeeping. - New room #33
- Day 45 – Friday May 18th
Happiness is knowing that:
David slept well last night.
He got to sit in a wheel chair for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
He is allowed to drink water.
His white count is 1800 to high.
Low grade fever.
Might have a CT scan to see where water build up is. Lungs or heart?
He will have more dialysis. Dr wants to be sure that the kidneys will work on their own soon. They give him lasix’s a water pill and will want to get to the point that he doesn’t need it.
Monday he will have swallow test. Fingers crossed as we have been told that many times.
Wound DR came in to look at his fingers and toes. He said nothing should be done for a month. They are putting betadine on his fingers and toes to dry them out. He has 5 doctors (Plastic Surgeons) that they work with to amputate and do skin grafting. When I get the names, I will share so the doctor in the chat can check them out as well. I ran into Cathy the wound nurse and she said he still has a lot of healing and not to worry about doctor’s names at this time. I keep yelling at Hillary to stop peeling David’s skin that is flaking off. I tattled on her to Cathy and she came in and gave her a talking to.
Our friend Robin came for a visit. She was so excited to see David. She hadn’t see him since he was awake. She was doing the happy dance. She sat stroking his hair. She was so funny.
David wanted to try my iPad mini and see if he could handle it. I have a case I use when I travel that he can perch it up to watch or read. Scott went over to the Apple store and bought him a new mini. He set it up with his emails, facebook and all the tv apps. He was happy.
It is so nice with the bigger room. He is getting so many visitors and they don’t have to wait in the hallway. I did make a point to go around and thank everyone who made this possible.
It is also quiet where he is. No screamers anymore. David said about the screamer in the old room was he saying Yanni or Laurel?
Our friends Jill and Jeff came by and Hillary and I decided to leave around 5:15. I am going to meet some friends at the club.
I am planning on waking up in the middle of the night to watch the wedding of Harry and Meghan. Will he have a beard or no beard? Who designed her dress?
Hillary said she learnt something during the room change. If you ask you can get what you want.
David is starting to realize what I have done and what we have all been thru. We tell him about all the people that came to the hospital. How we were never left alone. He is so humbled by it all.
I will miss David tonight watching the royal wedding together. It is something we would do together.
I will sleep better knowing David is happy.
Had a nice dinner at the club with all my friends who have reached out and given me so much love.
Goodnight. - Day 46 – Saturday May 19th
I had difficulty getting to sleep. Not sure if it was the filet mignon I had. I haven’t eaten beef in months.
No I did not get up at 1 to watch the wedding. I recorded it and I woke at 7. I did fall asleep and didn’t see the parade of guest. That goodness for the web that I will definitely find it on line. I did watch the ceremony. I love the gospel thrown into a royal wedding.
All comments on the wedding should be made directly to me so those who have no interest do not have to listen.
You can reply individually on whatsapp.
On my way to the hospital. - Directions
Select Hospital (is inside Dignity Heath Hospital)
350 West Thomas Road
3rd floor
Phoenix 85013
Take AZ-101 West
Merge onto AZ-51 South
Exit Thomas Road
Go Right (west) on Thomas Road
Pass Central
51 North
Exit Thomas
Go right on Thomas
Past Central
Pass N 3rd Ave
Turn right on 5th Avenue to destination
Dignity Health (St Joseph’s Hospital)
Valet parking is the easiest way.
Do not go to the main entrance.
Go to right side of the entrance
Take path to the left of the Chapel.
Enter the building and go left to elevator
Select Hospital is on the 3rd Floor
David is room # 33 - Day 47 – Sunday May 20th
Last night the dolphin mattress was defective, so they had to take him out of the bed and put the old mattress on.
He facetimed me from his iPad to let me know. I loved it.
David had dialysis. It always knocks the wind out of him.
He had visitors in the morning and then in the afternoon.
His nurse asked me to clear the room. She said he needed rest. - Hillary and I left at 3:30 pm.
I went to the movie “Book Club” with Pam. I thought it was a bit boring. I fell asleep at some point - Our friend Tom came for a visit from Ohio
- Day 48 – Monday May 21st
Nurse Luke
Assistant nurse Jeremy
I got to the hospital Bob and Ian were entertaining David.
He had x-rays yesterday and they all came back clean.
He got to eat yogurt this morning. He enjoyed it. He will be allowed ice cream and pudding for the balance of the day.
Wound nurse Cathy came in and peeled some skin from his fingers and toes. She is matter of fact. I like her.
They put David in a wheelchair, so they could put the new dolphin mattress on his bed. David sat for around 1 ½ hours. He got dizzy and nauseas after a while.
He got into his bed. Luke and Jeremy got him cleaned up and resting.
Our friend Tom Milan from Ohio came to town this afternoon. David was really happy to see him.
Even though he didn’t have dialysis he had the area where the ports are cleaned. We all got to wear masks.
We received beautiful flowers at the hospital. Unfortunately, no flowers in the rooms. I guess I will enjoy them at home. - Day 49 – Tuesday May 22nd
When I got to the hospital David had Tom and Pam visiting. Pam was so happy to be with another person from Ohio.
Bruce came and then Mikey.
David got tired and everyone left.
Please try and stay for only 15 minutes. He is still mending and tires quickly.
He sat in a chair.
Had PT and they had him stand for around 10 minutes. He was pooped after that.
Pulmonary DR Kenny came to check on David. He is please with his progress. He really wants to get him off the ventilator at night. He would like to shoot for 2 weeks to be off everything. No trach. That sounds so good.
His left hand that has all the healing needed kills him.
He tried some chocolate pudding.
He said scotch does not sound very good right now. - Day 50 – Wednesday May 23rd
Nurse Rogelio
Assistant Nurse Denise
RT Mark
Scott and Richard came to visit with David.
Tom Milan came to say goodbye before heading back to Akron.
Rabbi Shmuly was visiting when I got to the hospital.
David was put in a wheelchair for a while.
He had breakfast (French toast).
DR Kenny had a new trach put in. this one has no balloon as they don’t anticipate him needing the ventilator. This will help with the weening off the oxygen and breathing on his own. It is smaller.
Dr Qaqish (kidney) was please which his kidneys. No dialysis today.
He still gets dizzy when sitting in a chair.
With the new trach he has been coughing up a lot of blood. I think it is making him nauseas.
Carron and Arthur came. They were thoughtful and stayed for around 10 minutes. David was happy they came.
I was trying to exercise his left hand. He has in a claw position. He likes having his legs massaged. - He doesn’t like the taste of any of the food right now.
We went for a walk in the wheelchair for around 45 minutes to an hour. He gets stronger and stronger. I was glad it was his idea and that he is pushing himself. He helped get himself get back into bed. I am so happy for him.
Christina one of the RT’s found me a recliner to sit in while with David. She is so nice.
His next-door neighbor from HonorHealth got here. Christina showed him to me. I am going to text his son. - Day 51 - Thursday May 24th
- Hi everyone. Love all the visitors. Tomorrow (Friday) we are going to take a day off from visitors. My dad has been very tired and we want to give him a day to just relax. Thanks for understanding
- Day 52 – Friday May 25th
Nurse Shannon
Assistant nurse Antoinette
RT Trisha
David had a better night last night. He did have them put the trach collar on as he felt he needed some oxygen.
We put out a message for no visitors today. David needs to get some rest. We both can use a quiet day.
Scott came for a visit. David sat up in the wheel chair and ate a little breakfast.
He will be having dialysis later today.
It is Swift Foundation weekend up in Prescott. Hillary went yesterday. Scott and Zack are going this afternoon.
David has had some good peeling on his hands. There are areas that are ready for skin to start falling off. It is promising. He said his left hand is feeling better.
David’s cough from the blood where his trach is sounds awful. Thank goodness for the Yankauer suction tool.
Yankauer
His blood is clotting and the one around his trach is dried up blood.
Cathy the wound lady came with the Doctor. I think the doctor is afraid of her. She keeps telling David to be at 30 degrees yet sitting up is better for his lungs.
We had Antoinette put David in a wheelchair. We went for a walk and stopped in the Arizona room. Dr Aslamy went looking for David and found us in the Arizona room. He is so pleased with David’s recovery. He said the coughing is so normal and not to worry about it. Their goal in the next few days is to pull the trach out completely and wait for the skin to seal the hole naturally. DR Kenny came in and said he wants to see what’s under his trach dressing.
Physical therapy came in and even though he was tired he went for it. They had him standing and stepping side to side.
He got back into bed and wound care Nancy came and picked at his fingers and toes. Some are looking good.
After she was done and gone David started to choke. He couldn’t catch his breath. We are next to one of the nurses’ stations and I ran to get someone. Hank RT came and suctioned him out. There was a large blood clot. I was happy that Dr Kenny was here to see what was going on. This is the reason they still have a little trach in position. David got so scared and so did I. I got nausea and couldn’t find ginger ale anywhere in the hospital.
Cathy and Trisha cleaned his dressing around his trach.
3:30 Courtney came with the dialysis machine. Because of all the blood he has coughed up they are going to give him blood with the dialysis.
I am so happy Scott recommended no visitors today.
I know a lot of people will be gone for the long weekend. I hope you have a really fun time.
DR Qaqish said everything is looking good for David. I really like him. He said Gatorade in moderation is good. - Day 53 – Saturday May 26th
Nurse MJ
Assistant nurse Antoinette
RT Eiko
David was really happy to have had a quiet day yesterday with just the two of us. He really needed the rest and so did I.
I left at 5 pm and went home. I was so tired. I slept for a long time. I really needed it.
I got to the hospital at 11:30.
Dr Qaqish came in before I got here. The average man has 13 ½ units of blood. David was down to 7.2 units. He lost a lot while coughing yesterday. Glad they gave him two units of blood yesterday. No dialysis today.
David is doing very well today. They took the ventilator away. Hip hip hurray. He is barely coughing. He does have the oxygen in his nose. He likes that even though he can do without it. DR Kenny said maybe he will remove the trach Monday or Tuesday. He is more cautious and will wait and see. He is so nice. Single and looking.
David wanted to go for a walk in the wheelchair. There is only so far we can go. We can’t leave the floor. It is just good to leave the room for a bit.
Diane came for a visit.
Stephanie and Todd came. Stephanie brought me coloring books. The kind with words like “F-ck” in it. So funny. I love them. They also brought me ginger ale for my next bout with nausea. Thank you guys.
The rest of the afternoon we did nothing but talk and watch golf. Seriously.
Tonight, I will relax and go spend the day with David. - Day 54 – Sunday May 27th
Nurse Maxine
Assistant Nurse Antoinette
RT Eiko
I believe that all the prayers that have been said on behalf of David has contributed to his recover. Thank you.
I got to the hospital at 10:30 am. David was a little congested. He said DR Kenny was already in to see him.
We saw DR Qaqish. He always shakes David’s hand. He told David he was going to up his iv fluids. He has not been on Lasik’s (water pill) for a few days now He told David he needs to drink more water or Gatorade. David said can I call you by your first name? He said yes call me Abe like my friends call me.
I went to get Starbucks, but they were closed today. David wanted a rice Krispy square. I got him an ice cream sandwich instead. He really enjoyed it.
Maxine is full of energy. She just returned from 2 weeks of vacation. She is a nut job.
Antoinette is my hero. She doesn’t think twice about cleaning up his pooped. She doesn’t even wear a mask. She weighs around 80 lbs and flips him and moves him.
Vicki and Steve came for a visit which was nice.
Surprise visit from Len and Russ.
We have watched the Indy 500, Monaco Grand Prix and the Coca Cola 600 races. I guess it was a nice switch from CNN, CNBC and Channel 12 news. Help me.
I have been enjoying my F-cking coloring book from my friend Stephanie. - David got his lunch. Seriously disgusting. Dried out meatloaf with beef gravy. Terrible chicken soup that I put in a Styrofoam cup to make it easier to eat. Chopped pears that were dried out.
- David said I don’t sit still. But when he is thirsty I give him a drink. His arm hurts I massage. It is pretty funny. I am constantly trying to put stuff away.
I went to the bathroom and it was gross. I went and got rubber gloves and those disinfecting wipes and cleaned it before I went. Got to do what I got to do.
I do love my recliner.
David is determined to walk this week. I love that determination.
Danny and Lisa came to visit. David was missing Danny.
They took me out for dinner. We went to Doughbird.
David Facetimed me. because his hands hurt he can’t position his iPad properly.
I am home waiting for Scott, Hillary and Zack to get home from their weekend with Swift.
Goodnight. - Day 55 – Monday May 28th
Nurse Elizabeth
Assistant Nurse
RT Monica
Scott came to visit David early this morning.
David and Candy came to visit. Candy brought David Rice Krispies squares. He was very happy.
I went looking to see what restaurants were in the area and I found Flower Child. It is at 1st and Camelback. Hillary and I stopped to pick up lunch. There is a Nektar next door, so we brought David a scoop of their chocolate ice cream. It is made of cashew milk. He really liked it.
Cathy the wound nurse was here when we got to David. She had picked off a lot of dead skin on his fingers and toes. His left hand is working better. She said his butt wound is looking great.
Lunch was disgusting. Chicken soup and rice, chopped chicken with dried out noodles, chopped cantaloupe.
DR Qaqish came by. Told David he is peeing a lot but needs to retain more of the water. He gave him a bag of fluids.
David wanted a shave, so I took out his electric razor and he tried to do it himself. Hillary took over and completed the job.
We watched the Stanley Cup pre-game show from Las Vegas.
Hillary and I had a nice day with David.
Since the Yankauer is a big part of David’s daily recovery I decided to google it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankauer_suction_tip
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Yankauer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otorhinolaryngology - Day 56 – Tuesday May 29th
Nurse Rogelio
Assistant nurse Antoinette
RT Monica
PT Victoria and Sophia
I finally put all my Passover dishes and books away. It only took 2 months to do it.
David said he was going to walk and he did with assistance. He walked from his room to the nurse’s station and back. He did take a break here and there in the wheel chair.
DR Aslamy is very pleased with his progress. He wants to kick him out next week.
DR Kenny also is very pleased. He is going to pull the trach tomorrow.
Everyone is looking to discharge next week. Where David is now is a medical rehab. It was to get him off all the breathing apparatus and get his kidneys working. Getting his ready for the next step
The next step his acute rehab. This is where they will work with him to get him walking and using his hands again. His left hand hopefully will get better.
Hillary and I are going to look at 2 acute rehabs tomorrow. We saw HealthSouth a month ago and we will revisit it. Then to HonorHealth for the first time. The rep from HonorHealth was here today so we got to talk to her for a bit. Both are in Scottsdale near our house. I can’t wait to get back to Scottsdale.
Nancy the speech therapist gave David the to go to eat a sandwich. Hurray
They are taking him off the feeding tube during the day, so he can eat and be hunger. That’s exciting. The feeding tube has to stay in until I believe mid-June.
Hillary went to order David dinner for tonight and breakfast for tomorrow. It took her 20 minutes. He is now allowed some foods and is allowed others. He is on a Renal diet (Kidney).
Then the dietician came in at 5 pm. Hillary and I were about to leave. I am glad we didn’t. She was so annoying. I could see David getting very stressed out. She handed us pages of foods he can eat and foods he can’t eat. Nothing made sense with the hospitals menu. David was so upset. Hillary and I had to stay around to calm him down.
We left the hospital and I just wanted to cry. It will be 8 weeks tomorrow that David had his heart attack. He is doing well with the knowledge of his illness. He is having a hard time learning to eat again. The food is awful, and they are no help.
I called when I got home. He said his dinner came wrong. He had ordered a burger. They finally brought him a burger with cheese. He was told he couldn’t have cheese.
Tomorrow I am going to bring him a roast beef sandwich. With the renal diet he can have beef. I am not sure that is good for his heart diet but when we get there we will figure it out.
It was a very good day as long as we leave the food out of it.
I hope I made sense as I am very tired.
Goodnight. - I love the kids walking him around the hospital
- Day 57 – Wednesday May 30th
Nurse Rogelio (David’s favorite)
Assistant nurse Denise
RT Monica
Hillary and I went to look at the two acute rehabs today. We both preferred HonorHealth Rehab. It is only a 5 year old building. Lots of windows. They have a Cardiac menu which will be great for him. There are lots of choices. No bacon, low cholesterol and low sodium. 3 hours a day of PT and OT. They will assess him and then they will give him a discharge date. David loves a deadline. It is perfect for him.
Monica the RT removed his trach. When we walked in he had the biggest smile on his face.
He has to put his finger on the hole when he talks or coughs for a few hours.
David got the ok to go for a walk outside. The PT’s took him for a walk this morning. He walked to the valet.
DR Aslamy came in and told him he is doing so well that they are putting in for a discharge for Friday. He said he was getting to grouchy and needs to go.
Mendy our case worker has sent all the paperwork over. Now the insurance company has to get it done.
They want him out before the weekend. They don’t want him to have to spend the weekend here.
David is excited as one of the first things they will do there is give him a shower. 8 weeks with just wipes gets really old.
David wanted to go for a walk. It took forever to get him in the wheelchair. The foot rests disappeared and they had to find a pair. That took forever.
Friends Gail and Frank came by.
We had to have an assistant nurse go outside with us. We sat out for a bit. David was enjoying the fresh air. - Day 58 – Thursday May 31st
Nurse Mike
Assistant Nurse Antoinette
RT Monica
David isn’t moving today. Heather at HonorHealth is still working with the insurance company to get him moved. It will hopefully be tomorrow. It will be nice for him to be settled in his new surroundings before the weekend.
DR Kenny came by to see David. He is such a nice guy. David wants to exchange phone numbers, so we can see him outside the hospital. I told him I needed a hug before we go. He loved that.
David’s trach bandage was changed. His hole is closing up.
All the staff keeps coming to say hi. They are happy that he is going but they are going to miss David and our family.
David’s kidney numbers were even better today.
David’s knee is killing him from his exercise over the past two days.
DR Qaqish came by for a social visit before David leaves tomorrow. He is so nice. He checked to see if DR Thomas is the doctor at HonorHealth Rehab and she is. We really like her.
Mike is the funniest person. He is very well travelled. He quizzed us all day with questions about places in the world. 10 ten of everything.
DR Dixon (Kidney doc) wanted to remove David’s pee catheter. It took ½ minute to come out. David was a little nervous about having it removed. The doctor wanted to be sure he could pee on his own before he leaves tomorrow.
The dialysis port will be kept in for a week.
Antoinette took David for a shower. She first had to wrap his feet, hands and dialysis port in plastic. She put him in a shower chair and rolled off to the shower. Hillary and I couldn’t stop laughing. I couldn’t even take a picture of him as it was so sad. He didn’t like that Hillary and I couldn’t stop laughing.
David returned all clean and smelling so good. His hair looked so nice. He was shivering cold. He was very happy to be clean.
Antoinette gave him all clean sheets and clean night shirt.
Everything is good. - David's road to Scottsdale.
- Day 59 – Friday June 1st
- Nurse Jay
Assistant Nurse Christina
RT Monica
Wound DR Yadwinder Dhillon
Everyone here has been so amazing to David and our family. Even though the place smells so bad and I won’t miss that part I will miss the kindness of these people. I never thought on May 13th that I would ever say that about Select.
The wound doctor came in to see David. What a jerk. He told David he should have his fingers and toes amputated before he starts rehab. He was so cold and uncaring. He is a family physician that I would never recommend. He is on Top Docs. First off, I wouldn’t even think about anything until I speak with Dr Kirshner. They won’t even give a referral for a doctor. He just said they have good ones at Banner. We were told by law he can’t give a referral.
We got the okay for the transfer to HonorHealth Rehab. The transport will be here between 3:30 and 4:30. We are all packed and ready to go. Happiness will be Select in our rearview mirror.
HonorHealth
Nurse Leslie Day
Nurse Cris night
Assistant Vanessa
We got to HonorHealth and Scott and I were told to go one room. We were so excited. It was giant. We sat for 45 minutes and couldn’t understand where David was. We found out that they gave us the room number of another David. We finally found David who was stressed out because we weren’t there. I was pissed because he was in this tiny room. I wouldn’t have cared to much if I hadn’t seen the other room.
David was bombarded by nurses checking him in. He was then given dinner that he thinks was pork and didn’t like it or eat it. The CNA said they can give him a sandwich if he gets hungry. He is still on a renal diet. The dietician will come in to see him tomorrow.
The nurse gave us way too much info at once.
They said the average person stays 10-14 days.
We were all overwhelmed.
I started to cry.
Another issue is it is so quiet here. Very strange to not have machines beeping and people screaming. David wants the door left open. He hasn’t had a closed door to date.
Tomorrow he will meet with different people about the expectations on him. He will have 3 hours of Therapy. Occupational, physical and speech. They break it up thru the day. He should be exhausted by days end.
They serve breakfast at 7:30, lunch at 12:30 and dinner at 5:30.
I am going to sit here for awhile until he feels comfortable and then I will take a LYFT home.
I am excited to drive my own car again. - Day 60 – Saturday June 2nd
Nurse Amy
Assistant CAN Taletna
PT Bryant
OT Valerie
Speech Sara
Consulting physician Chandra
Attending Physician Richard Kovan, M.D.
I was about to call for a LYFT when Pam texted and asked if she could pick me up and drive me home. Bruce came with her. I was so grateful for that ride.
David’s night nurse was so amazing. He was kind and caring. He gave him all his meds and David fell asleep.
Larry came to see him, but he was asleep.
Sara from the speech therapist came and sat with David over breakfast. She was checking his swallowing.
The dietician came in to see him. He is still on the renal diet.
DR Thomas the renal doctor came to see him. David said she screeched with joy when she saw him. He said it was so nice.
I got here and Bryant the physical therapist was sitting with him. David had vomited he was in the room. They gave him all his morning meds orally for the first time. Bryant had David walk with a walker. He walked down the hall. Then went to the PT room. He walked a step. Walked with two bars. Got in and out of a simulated car. They have to see if he is completely healed from the pacemaker before he can do up strength work.
Valerie from OT came in and explained to David what she will work on with him. She is her to help him transition into life at home. Shower, brushing his teeth, coming his hair and more as he becomes stronger. She did give him a nice shower. I had brought him t-shirts and shorts to wear. He was very happy to have a cotton t-shirt on for a change.
Dr Chandra the physician came in to check on David. I asked about his pacemaker and using himself to use the wheelchair. He explained something about the vessels around that pacemaker and using his upper body. He said not yet.
David got to sit on a toilet for the first time in 60 days.
DR Kovan came in to evaluate David. He had a list of everything that David has been thru. I got a little emotion when talking about David’s fingers and toes. He wasn’t as concerned about them as the wound DR from Select. He said they aren’t infected. He said not to do anything without talking to DR Kirshner. I text him last night. That is exactly what I was thinking. He said he will see about having DR Kirshner possibly coming here to see David. David told the doctor that his fingers and toes hurt. They burn and tingle. He suggested another drug that might help with it.
Amy put Betadine on his fingers and toes.
I went to Target to buy David cotton T-shirts that he won’t mind if they get messed up. Cotton shorts weren’t that easy to find.
I came back to the hospital and they brought David an air mattress. It will be more comfortable than the regular mattress.
His CNA put him in the recliner. He liked that.
David wanted to watch the hockey game and they don’t have the channel on their tv. He said we don’t have live tv on Hulu so I went online and upgraded our service. He was so happy to be able to watch the game. It’s the simple things in life that can make you so happy.
I got home at 7 so dinner and sleep. - just want to let everyone know that David's room is super small so please do not bring anything for him. Just you as all he will need. Also being that it is Sunday I know a lot of you might want to drop by. 10 minutes is all he can handle. thanks
- Day 61 – Sunday June 3rd
Nurse Amy
CAN Addy
Today was action packed.
In order to be in Acute Rehab, you have to be capable of doing 3 hours of physical therapy. They do break it up into PT Physical Therapy, OT Occupation Therapy and Speech Therapy.
David had OT at 8 am. This was for 90 minutes. I wasn’t here but David said it went well.
I got here on time for his 11 am 90 minutes PT. Steven was a weekend Therapist and he was amazing. He brought David to the hallway in the wheelchair. He set up the walker and had David stand up and walk. He walked 135 feet to the PT room. He was pooped. He had his walk with double bars. He walked sideways. Steven put a band around David knees and had him go sideways. He stepped up and down on one step. David’s toes started hurting and he put him on a bicycle (he was in his wheelchair) and David peddled for a long time. David was so proud of himself. He is amazing.
DR Kovan came in to talk to us in between rest periods.
We got back to the room at 12:30 in time for lunch. David had a cheese burger that he really liked.
He is on a very specialized diet for his kidney’s, but he said they have been giving him very simple food that he has enjoyed. Please do not bring him any food. He isn’t allowed a lot of sodium, no acidic foods, no chocolate etc. He cannot leave until he has consistent numbers for his kidney’s. I know all of you mean well but just bring your smiles.
After lunch the visitors started to come. David was very pleased. Everyone listened to the 10 minute visit time and we appreciated it.
David was so happy today. My friend Kristi said that she loved looking at how happy Scott, Hillary and I looked.
I must admit that this has been one of the first days that I feel promise. I see the light of David coming home. I know he still has a long way to go. We still have the fingers and toes to address.
Hillary and I did a great job of picking rehab for David. We love it here. The staff is awesome.
They brought David a menu for the week and he got to choose what he wanted to eat for the next 7 days. it is all within the guidelines of his renal diet.
Happiness is when David is happy.
Xoxo Cindy
HonorHealth Rehab
8850 East Pima Center Parkway
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 800-3900
https://www.honorhealth-rehab.com/ - Please check with me for Therapy times before coming to the hospital. I only get the schedule in the afternoon.
Tomorrow he has all 3 therapies from 8 am to 12:30 pm - Thank you Jeff and Beth Schneider for the shout out on 12 news tonight!
- Day 62 – Monday June 4th
Nurse Savannah/Leslie
CNA Karina
Attending Kovan
Case manager Cami ex 3971
OT 8 am Rob 90 minutes
SP 10:15 am Jen 45 minutes
PT 11 am Tawny 45 minutes
David had OT. He got to shower and clean himself on his own.
Jen came in from speech. She is working on his cognitive skills. Saying something to him and then him having to repeat it back to her. Drawing. Problem solving. He has had some problems with that but he was flat on his back for 7 weeks.
I brought him his laptop. I thought maybe being able to read some of his 5000 emails might help exercise his brain. The only thing he has done is watch the golf channel, cnn, cnbc and the Stanley cup.
David then had PT. Hillary and I went to watch him. We both started to coach him. He got annoyed with me, so I left. I don’t need him focusing in me and not what he is supposed to do. He apologized but I wasn’t upset. He is better off without me there.
He got back to his room and had lunch and just relaxed in his recliner. He loves sitting in it.
DR Javier Bibb one of the kidney doctors came in to see David. He had seen David in the ICU. He was thrilled to see him up and around.
We had to go home to get ready to go to a Boys and Girls club opening of the new teen center at the Greyhawk Branch. It was such a nice event. Lisa Hurst mentioned David in her speech. She got choked up. The teen center is so beautiful. Hillary, Scott and I were very proud to have contributed to this beautiful center.
I did talk to DR Kirshner today. He is so pleased with David’s progress. I talked to him about David’s fingers and toes and having to have some amputated. He said he has a plastic surgeon who is fabulous with that type of surgery. I was so excited to tell David. He is still concerned and wants to speak to the doctor. I will ask Kirshner tomorrow. I still think it his weird that he calls me directly. Most doctors don’t.
We spent some more time with David and then had dinner at Sumomaya. Randy loved it there.
David has a very busy day tomorrow.
OT at 11 am
PT at 11:45 am
Lunch 12:30 pm
PT at 1:30 pm
Speech at 2:15 pm
We aren’t going to be with him until 3 pm. - The best thing David said to me today was that he is in the right place. That we did good on our selection.
- Day 63 – Tuesday June 5th
OT at 11 am Jessica
PT at 11:45 am Dusty
Lunch 12:30 pm
PT at 1:30 pm Dusty
Speech at 2:15 pm Melissa
They changed all of David’s PT Schedule for the day so above is incorrect.
The girls went shopping today. I ran into a few people, so I spent more time talking about David than shopping.
We got to the hospital at 3 pm. It was very weird to not be with David all day.
David was in a group therapy. They were solving math problems. Since math is so easy for David he thought it was funny.
David said some of the stuff is stupid. They don’t know what he can do so they are figure it out.
David did wheel his wheelchair on his own back to his room. Amazing since this is day 4 of pt.
We have a family meeting with the hospital staff to discuss David’s release date.
David had some visitors.
Tomorrow his schedule is all morning.
David has been on his laptop. He hasn’t looked at his 5000 emails. I am so proud of him.
Goodnight everyone. - Day 64 –Wednesday June 6th
When I got to the hospital David told me he has to go back to HonorHealth Shea to have his dialysis port removed. Because he is on coumadin they have to switch him to a heparin drip. He will have to have blood draws every 6 hours. The rehab doesn’t have that type of service set up in the hospital. He will be there for 4 days. I will have more info tomorrow. He will probably be moved on Saturday.
David’s spirits were okay. I talked to him alone and he said it has to be done. He is realistic.
The rehab has him set for a discharge on June 20th.
David had OT and he got to shave. He was very happy.
Speech therapy is still seeing where he is at with his cognitive skills. He said it is lame.
PT was good except his feet are hurting him so much. He has to walk on the his balls of his feet because his toes really hurt him.
I am going out tonight so this will probably be my only update for today. - Day 65 – Thursday June 7th Things happened
- Day 66 – Friday June 8th
I was very excited to start working out with Janet this morning. I told her not to kill me. It felt so good.
I asked a chef at HonorHealth if they make their own Turkey here and he said yes. All the food is made in house.
David still hasn’t had Sternal Precautions lifted as no one can get in touch with Kirshner’s office. David said no one calls back. I texted Kirshner and he said give them my cell phone.
David has no PT on Saturday.
The CEO of HonorHealth came by to say. David was telling him how happy he is here. He went on and on about how he loves the staff. It makes me so happy that David is so happy.
I was laying in his bed and the PT person came in to put his schedule on the board. She looked at me and said you aren’t the patient, are you? She was laughing.
Friends came and left.
It was a nice easy day.
Xoxo Cindy - Day 67 – Saturday June 9th
David had OT. Then he had a shower. He felt so good.
We watched the Belmont which was fun.
Had some visitors.
Other than the pain in his fingers and toes he feels good.
I went to Beth and Jeff’s for dinner. Robin, Jeff, Stephanie and Todd were also there. After dinner we went to see the movie Ocean’s 8. Boring. Some slept thru it. - Day 68 – Sunday June 10th
Nurse Cynthia
CNA Taletha (David loves her)
No PT today
Relaxing day.
They bring a weekly menu to order his food for the week. I gave it to David and gave him a felt pen to fill it out. He was happy to do it on his own. It also helps that he knows the system now.
All the visitors came at different times, so it was nice.
DR Kovan suggested that maybe David could wear wooden shoes to help him walk. David said I have sandals in the closet and he tried wearing them. They felt good.
Scott and Hillary came near the end of the day. Hillary said she was going to wait for David to have dinner before she left.
I went out for dinner with my friends Bob, his brother John and Linda. We went to Eddie V’s. Nice night out. - David will be busy most of tomorrow. Schedule as follows
- Monday PT
PT - Nicole 8:45 am – 45 minutes
OT - Rob 9:30 – 90 minutes
Speech - Sara 12:30 – 45 minutes
Family training 1:30 to 3:45 - Day 69 – Monday June 11th
At 1 am I was still awake with fibromyalgia pain. I went online to see if I could make an appointment with my acupuncturist. I was thrilled she had a spot today at 11:30. I felt really good afterwards.
I ran to the grocery store to get food for lunch and dinner. I need to eat at home and go to bed. As I was backing out of my parking spot I bumped into another car.
We got to the hospital and were informed that David is moving from rehab to the hospital. He will be there for 5 days to be on a heparin drip to remove his dialysis catheter. They will take him off coumadin. He will also have his feeding tube removed.
Our friend Nathan came to visit David. David was in the PT room having lunch. He left a message on the white board (see below).
DR Thomas (kidney) came in to see David. She was pleased to see the whole family together.
I remembered to tell David about the accident from this morning. He is like seriously? I told him I also scraped one of my rims when he was in the ICU. I also told him his wagon also has a scratched rim.
Hillary and I packed up all David’s belongings for the move to the hospital on Shea. We filled a small suitcase and another bag.
Now we have to hurry up and wait.
HonorHealth Shea Hospital
9003 E. Shea Blvd
Scottsdale, 85260
480-323-3000
Room 2517 - Day 70 – Tuesday June 12th
Nurse Kendall
INR was 2.44 and David was put on the heparin drip at 2 am. They are looking to remove the dialysis port Thursday.
PT came in to work with David. They told him he didn’t need his strap to go to the bathroom.
I used the valet this morning. They were all happy to see me. When I was rounding the front entrance, I saw our friend Max from London. Max had a 3-hour layover at Sky Harbor, so he took a car from the airport and came to visit David. It was so nice of him to visit. Meant a lot to us.
I had Nurse Kendall bring us a wheelchair. I took David for a walk. He had to push his heparin poll. Hillary came to the hospital and joined us. We went to the ICU. David looked around and said he doesn’t remember anything. We showed him his room. All the nurses and PT came running over to see David. They were so happy to see him. We then went to the patio. David was happy to be in the sun. I was hot he wasn’t. We stopped at the cafeteria to get him a cookie. It was terrible. I took him to see the waiting room that was our home. Then the battery was low on the heparin, so we had to go back to his room.
David’s view from his recliner is the bike path that he goes on. He can’t wait to go back to biking. - Day 71 – Wednesday June 13th
Last night I facetimed with David to show him the view outside. It was an amazing sunset. We also have this beautiful agave that has sprung a beautiful flower. It is so tall we can see it from the front of the house. I thought it was incentive.
DR Kirshner came in to see David. He hadn’t seen David in 30 days. He couldn’t stop smiling talking to David. David said he remembered him coming to see him at 6 am. He laughed. We talked about the fingers and toes. The doctor he recommended is out of St Joe’s. Oh no. We talked about a cardiologist for David and Scott (want him checked out). I think I hugged him 3 times. It was so nice to see him. - Day 72 – Thursday June 14th
I called David and he didn’t answer his phone. I had assumed he was talking a walk with PT. Wrong. They took him to have the dialysis port removed. He said it was quick. They put lidocaine in the area and pulled it out. David said it was a tiny little tube. He was so excited when I got to talk to him.
Next up is removing his G Tube (feeding).
So many happy days. We are smiling big in this family. - Day 73 – Friday June 15th
Nurse Kathy
CNA
Last night Scott was sitting with David watching a tv show. All of a sudden David said to Scott my heart is racing. Scott went to get the nurse. His heart was beating at 188 instead of 70. They rushed David over to the Telemetry ward. They can monitor his heart better here. Scott had to pack up David’s room and move everything over here. By the time Hillary, Zack and I got here his heart beat was 162. David was scared and so was I. They gave him meds to try and get his heart to slow down. His blood pressure was very low. His nurse Bailey was very good. The charge nurse kept coming in. At one point there were so many nurses in the room. There was one nurse who was from the intensive care unit working on him. They had the intensive care DR Margolan came in to see David. He said he worked so hard to get David where he is they weren’t going to let him go. I think that might have been 3 am. They were talking about using the paddles on David but DR Margolan said they do not have the staff to do it and wanted to wait for the cardiologist at 6 am. I didn’t sleep. At around 6 am DR Rashduni cardiologist came in to see David. He said his heart rate was something like 160. He was going to give David a med to try and slow it down. All of a sudden Bailey came running in and press the button on this box attached to David. It said his heart rate was 72. Everyone was baffled. No one knows why this happened.
David finally slept. I slept a bit but kept waking to check on him.
At 7:30 David’s breakfast came. Of course, it was cold by the time David woke up. I had to re-order it.
The wound nurse came in and really woke us up.
I wanted David to get cleaned up. They don’t do showers. She gave David a wash cloth. I was very annoyed. She is useless. It took until 10:30 for the nurse to show up with meds etc.
Jayna from the pacemaker practice came in to see us. She said David should have an ablation to his heart to prevent this from happening again. They would have to go up thru his groin. The doctor will come in and see him soon. She said to David you were so sick. You are young and tough.
It is 11 am and I am going to go home to sleep.
David and I had a cry together.
As Scott asked please no visitors today.
I might not respond to text messages as I am very overwhelmed.
Thank you. - I slept this afternoon. My first migraine since April 6th.
The kids went to stay with David. Hillary said he slept for a few hours which was good.
Dan Meline came in to remove his feeding tube. The last tube in his body.
This episode that David had was not AFib. It is called SVT https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/supraventricular-tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355243
Monday David will have the ablation to prevent this from happening again. It will be done in the cath lab. Not sure how long it will take. There is a 99.9% success rate.
David sent me a text that DR Seth from the ICU came to see him. I thought that was so nice.
I really needed to get away from the hospital this morning. I was cranky and I wanted to put a firecracker in the CNA’s butt.
The new room he is in is so tiny. There is no place to put anything. It doesn’t help that the CNA throws extra towels and sheets on the chairs. I was getting so claustrophobic in there.
I am hoping Tuesday or Wednesday David will be able to go back to HonorHealth Rehab.
Thanks - Day 74 – Saturday June 16th
Nurse Aleksa
CNA Trisha
The move from 2617 to 2128 was fast. Everything was dumped into the suitcase we have here. When I got to the hospital today I went to organize all David’s clothes. I was putting dirty stuff in one bag to go home. David yelled at me to sit down and relax. He said I was driving him crazy.
David had some PT this morning. The person told him it is just to keep his body moving. Smart.
Danny did remove the feeding tube yesterday. He told David he will pull it out after 1-2-3. He went one, two and pulled it out. David said he called him a f-cker. I saw his tummy and the hole has already started to close.
Today he had a really good nurse and CNA.
DR. Bhutto (doing the ablation) came in. He said 12 noon for the procedure on Monday. I am so happy David is having while he is still here. He is already on the heparin. I asked how they will know if it works and he said they have a way of testing it.
I asked for someone to help David have a shower. Trisha was very nice and said yes (yesterdays person wouldn’t help him). He felt so much better being clean. It has been almost a week. He was happy to brush his hair. We never got to giving himself a shave. Hopefully tomorrow.
The dietary restrictions can be challenging. David gets 1000 mg of sodium a meal. But we also have to add up his protein. Very difficult to figure out. I happened to see the nutritionist and she helped me out a little bit.
While standing in the hallway Sierra from the ICU came over to say hello. We hugged. The nutritionist thought I worked in the hospital. David of course didn’t remember her. One of the many amazing people to be part of our journey.
David is always cold, so he keeps the room warm. I am so happy I have my little fan there.
One of the doctors prescribed Fentanyl patch. David told me tonight that it is helping with his pain. I was thrilled to hear that from him.
The balance of the day was uneventful.
Happy Father’s Day to all you dad’s, stepdad’s and grandfathers.
DR Bhutto https://www.aacheart.com/drbhutto.html
Ablation http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/PreventionTreatmentofArrhythmia/Ablation-for-Arrhythmias_UCM_301991_Article.jsp#.WyV4PadKg2w - Day 75 – Sunday June 17th
I hope everyone is had a fun Father’s Day.
I got to the hospital and David had some visitors. It is really nice that people take the time on Father’s Day to visit David.
David said the Fentanyl is still working. So good.
David said the nurse came in and took all my stuff that was on the window sill and put it in a cardboard box. Not sure why.
David’s creatine level went down a little bit more. DR Bibb put him on Lasik a water pill to help get ride of his swollen legs.
His nurse turned out to be so kind and caring. David wanted to change his clothes. Instead of just changing them she bathed him. He felt so good afterwards. I told her should went above and beyond where most nurses and CNA’s haven’t.
I left around 5:30.
I am exhausted. I can’t wait for tomorrow and the procedure is done. I think we will all be more relaxed.
Goodnight. - Day 76 – Monday June 18th
Nurse Nenita
CAN Bianca
GREAT NEWS -The ablation went very well. DR Bhutto asked David if he was there for the sex change. Haha. The doctor said it was the Classic pathway – easy one. It took 78 minutes. He had to stay in bed for 2 hours. Nenita told him to stay put a little longer. She had to clip the stitch by his groin. He was happy when she told him he can sit in his chair.
We are all very happy.
Now he is back on Heparin, then coumadin and back to rehab. - Day 77 – Tuesday June 19th
Nurse Deb
CNA Andrea.
I went and worked out with my trainer Janet this morning. I wasn’t in to it so she was gentle on me. I had errands to run. Went home to shower and back to the hospital.
The other day I didn’t pull my car in all the way and my garage door hit the back of my car. Because it is industrial it doesn’t have the pop-up feature.
I got to the hospital and David was on his computer. He is finally getting his email count down. I am glad it is keeping him busy.
David loves his nurse today. She is another kind person.
David was very happy to have a shower. He stood there with the water over his head. Amazing how good a shower can be to your moral.
Liz from PT came in to give David some exercise. She was overly cautious. She kept taking David’s blood pressure. Sitting and standing. His blood pressure was low but did rise.
A guy came in from OT to check on David’s skills. He wanted to see if David could sit on the toilet. David said good I need to pee. David brushed his teeth and took a shave. All done for David and the insurance company.
It was a pretty quiet day. I sit in the bed and David in the recliner. Something calming about a day like today.
Goodnight. - Day 78 – Wednesday June 20th
Nurse Nenita
This was a so so day.
David was talking to DR Saldivar about his fingers and toes. She suggested to see a couple of doctors that are in the hospital. One is a vascular surgeon and the other a plastic surgery.
The vascular doctor only does feet. The hand doctors don’t do feet. It is very frustrating and depressing.
We did a lot of crying.
I can’t even elaborate. - Day 79 – Thursday June 21st
Nurse Nenita
Nenita is an amazing person. As we cried yesterday she sat on the bed to talk with us. She told us her husband was a physician who had a stroke at 45. She said he had good disability, but she needed to go back to work for health insurance. Life changed but they are still grateful for to be alive.
David and I sat waiting for a plastic surgeon. For the plastic surgeon to come and looked at his fingers and toes.
We are tired of being in the hospital. David is sick of the food.
Cardiologist
David’s fingers and toes are the result of all the blood pressure meds talking the blook from his fingers and toes and giving it to the vital organs. What it turned into is a form of Gangrene. The areas that turned black are dead. They are equivalent to a large scab. They have to be kept dry so they don’t get infected. All your suggestions are welcome but understand we have had many doctors look at them and they all have the same conclusion amputate them. His toes are the worst. His fingers aren’t as bad. Right now nothing has helped his nerve pain.
At 9:30 pm the plastic surgeon came in to see David. David really likes him. I facetimed david and talked to the doctor. He was coming to the room to meet with me Friday. - Day 80 – Friday June 22nd
Nurse Danielle
CNA Morgan
After getting angry at David for driving me crazy about the doctor a decision has been made. David and I both liked Dr Oren Tessler. He is a plastic and reconstruction surgeon. He was very good at explaining what needs to be done. He would like to have the vascular surgeon start the toes and he would to the skin work. He will do the fingers. There is one finger on his right hand and one scab on the tip. His left hand will have two fingers and one scab on a tip removed.
Surgery will depend on his INR. They stopped the coumadin yesterday and his INR was 2.9.
I am hoping for surgery Monday or Tuesday.
We are so much more relaxed now that a decision has been made.
DR Tessler is from Montreal. He just moved to Arizona from New Orleans three months ago. No one knows about him.
I am hoping that David will move rooms (larger).
For now we are still in room 2128.
Visitors welcome.
I am leaving at 2:30.
https://eliteplasticsurgeryaz.com/dr-oren-tessler/ - Day 81 – Saturday June 23rd
Nurse Rhiannon
Aide Dominique
I slept like crap. Why? I don’t know.
Scott, Hillary and Zack are having a blast in Toronto with their cousins. They made it to Orangeville where the wedding will be. They really needed time away and some fun. I never could have made it here without them. They are young and should be having fun.
Bob is back in town and it is nice when he visits David. They just have a nice bond.
Our friends Laurie and Rodney came by. She found out yesterday from my friend Kristi. She had open heart surgery two years ago. DR Kirshner was also her surgeon. We haven’t seen them for years. They didn’t hesitate to come and see David. We have always liked them. Always nice for David to see other Cardiac Survivors. I am still amazed at the out pour of kindness. Laurie called everyone in the hospital angels. I have to agree with her.
People praise me for my devotion to David’s wellbeing. I don’t feel I am doing anything that he wouldn’t do for me. I am not a saint or a hero. I am just David’s wife who loves him.
David and I are getting caught up watching “The Blacklist”. Hurray for Hulu. - Before I went home David and I went for a walk around the floor. We went to the ICU. His nurses were blown away by him walking in there. Janet started to cry. One of his PT was so happy to see him walking. It really means a lot to them to see someone that was a heartbeat away from death come visit. Ann was so happy to see him. He said I remember you. You gave me my shaves.
- Day 82 – Sunday June 24th
Nurse Rhiannon
CNA Leslie
I was so tired I shut my alarm off and went back to sleep.
I took David for a walk around the floor. We can’t walk to far as he is still wearing the heart monitor. We were walking by the ICU and I saw a couple of nurses that David had his first few days in the ICU. They were just stunned. They were speechless. He really is the walking dead.
In order to put a new IV in his arm they have to ultra sound the area to find a vein. They did one in the morning and then one in the afternoon. The first one was to move it from left arm to right arm. The 2nd time was to add antibiotics. They do not want it to go in with the heparin. It was really painful until she was able to find the correct spot. I felt so bad for him. The tech who did it was very empathetic.
Everyone that comes into the room whether it is PT, RN or CNA they all ask both of us if we are good. Do we need anything. It is really nice to be around so many kind and caring people.
DR Tessler came in. He went over the surgery again for us. He said the vascular surgeon wouldn’t be doing the toe removal that it was all him. She wasn’t my favorite doctor anyhow.
The kids are having a blast at Gab and Cat’s wedding. They have sent tons of pictures and videos. I don’t feel sad that I am not there. I am just so happy that they are.
Goodnight - Day 82 – Sunday June 24th
Long Day - Day 83 – Monday June 25th
Long day.
Day 84 – Tuesday June 26th
I got to the hospital at 9 am. I wanted to be with David if he was taken early. They were monitoring his INR. They gave him blood and frozen plasma.
They finally took him back around 1:40. Scott and I went to the pre-op with him. We tried to keep the mood light.
We left and went to the waiting room. Pam, Robin and Heather came to keep us company. I fell asleep waiting.
DR Tessler came to see us at 5 pm. He was very technical. Basically, he removed the black part of his toes. He was able to leave him with tiny toes. The vascular doctor wanted to remove the toes completely. He felt that he could save them, and it would help with his walking and standing. His right middle finger is now his shortest finger. He removed the scab from another finger. His left hand he was able to shorten two digits at the joints and clean a scab off another. Some of his toes were smelly and it was a good thing they did the surgery sooner than later.
David will have to rest in bed for a bit. He won’t like it but it will be for his own good.
Thank you everyone for all your prayers.
They moved David’s room.
* ROOM 2131 * - Day 85 – Wednesday June 27th
Nurse Addie
Assist Bri
Scott spent the night with David. He did sleep a few hours. Poor Scott didn’t sleep much.
We did order a night person for the next three nights. I need sleep.
His pain has been extensive. DR Tessler came in and took the dressing off. He shot lidocaine all around his hand. That will last for a few hours.
I got here and my bag with my tea in a cup spilled all over my backpack. I had to dump all the contents of the bag and wash everything.
“NO VISITORS” today. He needs to rest.
He is going to have someone from OT to make a new splint. She will also rewrap his hands. She will make him a resting splint which should hopefully keep him more comfortable. Later Michelle OT and Liz PT will get David up and sitting on the side of the bed. They are going to bring him a horn to blow on to keep his lungs strong.
They are also going to give him a urinary catheter which will make it easier for him and us. - The catheter didn’t go in so that kind of sucks. The kidney doctor wants him on a water pill. We will see tomorrow. I have got the hang of using the urinal for him. Nothing like rubber gloves and lots of wash clothes to keep him clean.
He is very unhappy.
Today was very tough.
We got him a night person to be with him. He is afraid to be alone. I don’t blame him.
Because of the coumadin and heparin one finger keeps bleeding.
His hands and feet are completely bond. Not comfortable at all.
I am finally going to shower and go to bed.
Scott is going to Israel tomorrow with JNF. It will be hard not having him around. He should have a great time. - Day 86 – Thursday June 28th
David was really happy with his night lady Sandra. He said he had a good night because of her help.
I got home and had to wash my backpack, make lunch and breakfast for today.
I finally got to bed around 10 pm.
I got to the hospital and was pleased to see David’s hand stopped bleeding.
His meds have finally started to helped with the pain.
His CNA sucks. His room was a pit. I put on rubber gloves and washed the tables sink chairs etc. I changed pillow cases.
DR Saldivar came in and David complained about the nurse and cna. She closed the door and told him she agreed with him. We told her the ones we love, and she agreed. She said they are old school. Unfortunately, she isn’t in control
A manager came in a we ripped her a new one.
The cna came in and asked if David wants to be washed. Hallelujah.
David is much more relaxed and so am I. - DR Tessler came in. He took the bandage off his right hand (the one that was bleeding). It looks so good. It is still swollen but different swelling than before. Before it looked like the black was a rubber band tightening at the tip of his finger.
Liz from PT was also here. He told her he wants David to have a specialty shoe called a Darco Ortho Wedge Healing Shoe. Liz had to order it. It won’t come for a day or two. I probably can get it quicker on Amazon.
Liz then had David sit up and she changed his sheets and his nightgown. She is so nice.
David is losing patience for Addie his nurse. I told him to try to be more patient.
https://www.amazon.com/Darco-OrthoWedge-Healing-Shoe-Large/dp/B00A29VKT4/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1530226020&sr=8-2&keywords=darco+orthowedge+healing+shoe&dpID=41%252BYHJ9UGIL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch - Day 87 – Friday June 29th
Nurse Haley – fantastic person
CNA Morgan – Love her
David was feeling less pain today. He does have a lot of anxiety. I think the anticipation of seeing his hands and feet is weighing on him.
Liz from PT came in before I got there. She had him sit on the side of the bed. In the afternoon Hillary and I did it with him. I think it scared him a bit.
He coughed up some blood. DR Saldivar sent him for a ct scan. She wants a pulmonary doctor to look at him. Added anxiety.
The hospital has a non-denominational Chaplain that goes around the hospital. She stopped in to see David. She said she knew him from the ICU. She said she remembered all the friends that came and prayed beside David. Her name was Renee. She was so nice. She sat down with Hillary and talked for a while. We told her we take any prayers.
One of the housekeepers Marina who use to clean David’s room in the ICU came in to see David. She was very pleased to see him.
David’s nurse Haley was so amazing. She couldn’t believe that I was helping David with the urinal. She said that is my job. I said I can do it if she isn’t around.
She was going to ask the charge nurse to be his nurse tomorrow. I really hope that happens.
It will be nice when DR Tessler comes in and removes bandages. David thinks it should be done daily. I disagree. He needs time to heal before pulling off bandages.
His feet look really cute in the bandages.
They delivered his fancy new shows. I don’t think he was impressed. Honestly, I don’t blame him. - Once again it is 9 pm and I am going to get ready for bed.
Please remember he cannot use his cell phone, ipad or laptop. Please do not text him. It is frustrating to him and annoying for me.
If you want to visit David please do not hesitate to text me 602-885-3311. I do not answer quickly when I am busy with him. - Day 88 – Saturday June 30th
Nurse Haley
CNA John and Morgan
I walked in and saw room 2133 was available. I went and asked if I could have it. I grabbed it. A little bigger but easier to move around in.
DR Tessler came and changed bandages. David’s toes are a adorable. His fingers look great. Still swelling but time will heal them. DR Saldivar watched and was happy. She likes to talk soccer with David.
The pain has subsided since the Friday. - Day 89 – Sunday July 1st
Nurse Lauren
CNA Morgan
Hillary came to the hospital early so I didn’t have to rush.
I got here around 11.
DR Saldivar was watching the soccer in the doctor’s lounge. She decided to come check on David knowing he was watching the game. She wasn’t happy that Bacitracin wasn’t being reapplied on David’s fingers. I said do you want me to do it or do you want to do it. She said she would. I brought her gloves and the ointment. My friends Bob and Ian were here and thought she was so funny.
David had lots of visitors today.
Then it was quiet.
He was very uncomfortable this afternoon. He didn’t have much of an appetite.
He was having a bit of a pity party. I told him that it was okay.
Nenita came to visit. She is such a cheerleader.
112 days without rain
By the end of the Day we were just frustrated. - Day 90 – Monday July 2nd
Nurse Chandra
Aid Anna
No one was happy when I got here. David’s nose was bleeding. He was feeling weak.
OT Julie came in to work with David. We had the issue of the shoes being two different sizes. How lucky were we that the rep came in when trying to figure out what to do? Julie got David up and standing with this contraption. Very awkward to stand on the shoes. Putting all his weigh on the back of his heals is difficult. Understandably he wasn’t very happy.
The volunteers do not have David on their patient list. So, try and remember his room number.
DR Saldivar is going to approve David to have a massage once his nose stops bleeding.
David has no appetite. At least he is drinking the protein shakes. He still has anxiety. I have anxiety, but they won’t give me any drugs.
I went for a pedicure. I kept falling asleep.
All this is very frustrating for David. No one knows how he feels. I can’t even imagine. - Day 91 Tuesday July 3
Nurse Rhiannon
Aide Leslie
Yes, I do have Ativan. It doesn’t always work.
Fingers and toes are doing really well. DR Tessler was happy with his healing.
Positive thinking day. We are leaving HonorHealth Shea. DR Saldivar said she is going on vacation tomorrow and wants him gone.
Transport is coming between 4:30 and 5:30.
My car is all packed up with his stuff.
We will not miss being here. - HonorHealth Shea ICU
April 4th to May 13th
40 days
Select Medical Long-Term Rehab
May 13th to June 1st
19 days
HonorHealth Rehab
June 1st to June 11
10 days
HonorHealth Shea
June 11th to July 3rd
22 days
91 Days July 3rd
HonorHealth Rehab
July 3rd to
Days - We have successfully moved into moved to
HonorHealth Rehab
8850 E. Pima Center Parkway
Room 136
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 - Day 92 Wednesday July 4
Nurse Marcy
Aide Ashley
David was very happy to have a shower.
DR Chandra came in and reviewed his medical treatment.
Lauren PT came to assess him on his skills.
By afternoon the opioid constipation became massive diarrhea. His nurse Marcy started to berate David for pooping in his pull ups. She then bitched about the doctor giving him the meds for his constipation. She bitched that the plastic surgeon should have recommended Bacitracin for his fingers and toes.
David was in tears. I went to see the charge nurse Stephanie. She closed her office door and I cried and told her David has been thru so much and doesn’t need to have this horrible woman being mean to him. He isn’t a child. She changed his nurse for the last few hours.
I left 2 hours after I was supposed to as I didn’t want to leave him. Hillary came to relieve me.
We were very happy that Sandra was his night person from Cypress as she has been so nice to David all week.
Hillary, Zack, Danny, Bob and I went to Bourbon Steak. We sat in the bar for dinner. At 8:45 Andrew brought us outside to watch the fireworks. We had our dessert outside. I facetimed David, so he could watch the fireworks with us.
It was really hard not to have my little group of friends in my pool this year. Soon - Day 93 Thursday July 5
Nurse Amy
Aide Brandi
David’s PT was cancelled for the day as he had low blood pressure. They said it was probably because of the increase in fentanyl. They did have OT come in and he did a sort of game with pegs. It was good to exercise his hands.
The stomach cramps and diarrhea continued all day. I got tired of waiting for someone to come clean him up that I started to do it. David sadly said for better or worse. Actually, it seemed quite normal.
Amy brought in his pills and one of them is huge. She broke it in half and one half got caught in his throat. With some work he was able to get it down. What other shitty things can happen to him.
On top of everything else my fabulous succulent that made me smile everyday broke and fell into the pool. It weighs a ton. It must be 15 feet long. I know it is just plant but I had become attached to it.
I know tomorrow will be a better day. I am keeping positive. We have made it this far we will get to the finish line.
Goodnight - the bad nurse worked for the Suns and thought she knew more than they did
- Day 94 Friday July 6
Nurse Heidi, Diane student nurse and Tiffany student nurse
Aide Sadie
They are cutting the pill in 4’s now so he doesn’t choke. Then tummy is still working overtime. His poor butt. They did give him a banana.
He did have OT, so he had a shower. So happy.
He has been in the PT room a lot today which is good. I don’t go as I distract him. Hillary goes, and he loves her company. Am I hurt? Hell no. It isn’t about me it is about David.
While they were at PT I fell asleep in the recliner.
David came back from PT smiling. That was perfect.
A head nurse came in to apologize for the bad nurse the other day. End of story.
David asked for the big room that is empty. They are having a bariatric patient coming so they need the big room for that person. Understandable.
A head nurse came in to apologize about Marcy the crappy nurse. She was very nice. - Day 95 Saturday July 7
Nurse Heidi
Aide Fabiola
David had OT and PT all morning. He got to shower.
He still had cramps. I am getting good at cleaning up his bottom.
We went over his meals for the week.
Went for a walk around the building inside and out.
I was pooped and went home to bed very early. - David finds out the afternoon before for his PT schedule. That can change. He still can only handle 10 minute visits. Please check late the day before. Thanks
- Day 96 Sunday July 8
Nurse Heidi
Aide Leigh Ann
PT Doug 1:30 pm 90 minutes
OT Lisa 8 am 45 minutes
I stayed home for the morning. David was supposed to have OT at 11 but that was cancelled.
He did get to shower.
When I got here David was in the PT room. I am so impressed on how much stronger he is getting. He really liked his therapist Doug. He has to remember to request him for next Saturday. I don’t like staying in the room. He really doesn’t need me distracting him.
Scott landed in Newark from Israel at 1:50 pm. He has a 3-hour layover. He should arrive in Phoenix around 10:15 tonight. I miss him. Can’t wait to see him.
Hillary, Zack and I went to my friend’s Beth and Jeff’s for a BBQ. It was really nice. Everyone was with their kids. Very special.
Bedtime.
Goodnight. - Day 97 Monday July 9
Nurse Tina
Aide Leigh Ann
David seemed to have a really good day with all his PT and OT.
Hillary loves going to the PT room with David.
I am trying to get David to DR Tessler’s office to get his stitches removed. I have to wait for his case worker who is out until Wednesday. I can’t just drive him there myself which sucks.
We finally had rain. Lots of wind and lots of rain. It soaked thru our front door.
Our A/V system has gone crazy.
David’s PT schedule for tomorrow. - Day 98 Tuesday July 10
Nurse Tina
Aide Caitlin
OT Brad 8:45 am – 90 minutes
PT Kristine 11:45 am – 45 minutes
David got to shower.
We are going for a road trip to the plastic surgeon. DR Tessler is on vacation, so we will see Dr. Rozbeh Torabi 2:30 pm. Transport between 2 & 2:15 pm.
PT with Kristine went well. He walked 20 steps up and down. Walked over a mat to simulate carpet.
She took him off the yellow light to green light. This means he can walk on his own without assistants. So exciting.
The staff will have a meeting tomorrow to assess his progress and give him a release date.
The transport to the doctor was alright.
The doctor looked at his fingers and toes. He didn’t say much. He told his assistant to remove the stitches from all his fingers except for one area. I was disappointed. David, I think was more prepared. I was overly optimistic.
When it was time to go the receptionist called the number on the envelope for the ride back. They said they didn’t know who he was. Finally, she said they will be here in 30 minutes. My mistrusting self-came out and I called the rehab. It got worse from there. No one knew anything about what I was talking about. They kept transferring me to different people. I got cut off. I then was called by the receptionist and was told the transport would be there in an hour. Let me explain that the rehab and the doctor’s office are literally 1 minute 1 mile away from each other. Finally, an ambulance pulled up saying they were there for David. David had to get out of the wheel chair and get on the gurney. I was still on the phone with the charge nurse Richard who said you can’t get in the ambulance it is expensive and we won’t pay for it. You are responsible.
At this point I am crying. I have waited 3 months to go to my acupuncturist. I made a 5 pm appointment so I could be with David all day. I was shaking over the stress of getting him back to rehab and getting me to acupuncture.
David felt terrible and I felt terrible.
What was supposed to be a distresser wasn’t. Jodine my doctor said that she couldn’t believe how fast my pulse was. She kept checking me over and over. I kept crying.
We have to go back next Thursday to have DR Tessler check him and remove the rest of the stitches. I will sign a waver and take David myself.
Of course, tomorrow at their assessment meeting they might say let’s get him out of here so we don’t have to deal with that bitch anymore.
David told me while sitting in the doctor’s office he just wants to walk into the club and sit at the bar and relax.
I do have to credit David for using breathing in and out to get him thru the doctor’s appointment. I wished Hillary was there to enjoy the moment with me. - Day 99 Wednesday July 11
Nurse Christine
Aide Muryel
OT Brad 845 am
PT Tawny 10:15 am
PT Jess 2:14 pm
David had his morning shower with Brad.
Brad gave David a gizmo to help him put his socks on himself. It is genius. Buying one today on Amazon.
It was a challenge to put his sandals on with all the bandages. I pulled the Velcro from the weird shoes and added them to his old sandals. Perfect no but it did what he needed to do.
He went to PT with Tawny at 10:15. He was able to walk up a flight of stairs equivalent to going up to his office.
He came back and graduated to moving forward which means he can walk around the rehab himself. - Day 100 Thursday July 12
Nurse Angie
Aide Muriel
PT Veronica 10:15 am
OT Brad 11 am
PT Rob 2:15 Group
I received the best text from David this morning.
**“GOING HOME”**
**This TUESDAY**
David is now walking on his own. He walked to PT himself without a walker. He is going to the bathroom and cleaning on his own. He uses rubber gloves as to keep his healing fingers clean. He still needs more OT work. Writing, cutting food etc. Thank goodness for computers as it makes it easier for communication.
We discussed with his case manager Cami about him going home.
My concern is tracking his INR. I said I would like a machine. A friend of mine has one and tracks her INR.
We discussed PT and OT. She said they recommend HonorHealth Thompson Peak. I prefer he goes out of the house. I think he can’t stay home all the time without going stir crazy.
They will go over all his medication with us.
We have a family meeting Monday.
I can’t wait.
My friend Robin wants to be with David the first time he returns to the club. - Day 101 Friday July 13
Nurse Angie
Aide Caitlin
PT Jessy 9:30 am Group 45 minutes
OT Brad 11 am
PT Veronica 1:30 pm 45 minutes
I was woken by Tim at 7:30 am. He was with the plumber and David’s new toilet. They shut the water off so I decided to get ready and leave.
I stopped at UPS, FedEx, Starbucks and gas.
I got here, and David was in group therapy.
DR Chandra came in to see David. He asked him if he can return on occasion to talk to patients. He said David has the best attitude and came from death to amazing recovery. He feels he would be a great motivator.
David is officially showering on his own.
David will be doing physical therapy and occupational therapy as an outpatient at HonorHealth Physical Therapy. It is so close to us. Thompson Peak and Shea. He is already set up with appointments for evaluation.
We have to see each doctor approximately 2 weeks after David gets home.
I can’t believe that I will be driving David around.
Of course, we will have to go clothes shopping since David has lost over 30 lbs. He doesn’t recommend this form of weight loss. - Day 102 Saturday July 14
Nurse Diana
Aide Brittany
PT Kalik 8 am 90 minutes
OT Katherine 9:30 am 45 minutes Group
OT Rob 2:15 pm 45 minutes
David worked very hard at PT.
Only visitor was Diane.
A patient coded and was rushed to the hospital. It was flashbacks to April 4th when all the firemen came walking thru the rehab. - Day 103 Sunday July 15
Nurse Diana
Aide Brittany
OT Sarah 8-9:30 am 90 minutes
PT Gre 10:15 to 11 am 45 minutes group
PT Kelcey 11:45 to 12:30 pm 45 minutes
David really liked his OT therapist today. He said she did a lot of finger exercises. She concentrated a lot on his fingers.
He also liked Kelcey and found out she also works at HonorHealth outpatient therapy he will be going to. He was happy about that.
We all hung out. Friends came and went. I have to get an air mattress as I have been having some good naps during the day.
Tomorrow we have our 11 am family meeting. Not sure what that is all about. My major concern is checking his INR daily and working with the blood thinners. I hope they will reassure me tomorrow.
I have major anxiety about David coming home. Not his ability of moving around the house more for all the drugs. Controlling his pain is another issue. Thank goodness he never asked for more than he needed.
Goodnight - Day 104 Monday July 16
Nurse Collette
Aide Kanna
11 am family meeting. Cami was shocked we showed up. Most families don’t show. It was a 5 minute meeting.
All I wanted was an order for an INR machine that she had the order for. She did call Haddad’s office to let them know we were getting it. Speaking of the cardiologist DR Haddad is booked until October.
I left a message with DR Kirshner’s person to make an appointment.
I also left a message for DR Bhutto office to make an appointment. Bhutto’s office did call us back.
The pharmacist came in to talk to us about David’s meds. David asked about interactions with migraine meds. She told us that when we leave we have her number and we are to call her if we need any help. The meds are the only thing that make me nervous.
David had his last PT session. It went very well. He was out to smash his walking up the stairs record. He did.
I packed up most of his belongings.
I have so many feelings running thru me.
I am confident that David is so ready to come home. I am so ready for him to come home.
I remember day 1 like it was yesterday. We now have the opportunity to start a new chapter in our lives. - Day 105 Tuesday July 17
I loved David’s entry this morning. So many nice things. Nice to see this journey thru his eyes.
Leaving the hospital was not as easy as expected. The prescriptions took forever.
We finally left around noon.
David walked down the hall to leave and stopped for David to cry.
We got to the car and cried as it wasn’t a medical transport.
Went to White Chocolate Grill for lunch. Someone was happy to not eat hospital food.
We then went home to empty the car.
David walked up to my bedroom, so he could change his shirt. He needed to take a rest.
We went to sit on the patio to enjoy our beautiful view.
We laid on the bed for a bit then walked down the stairs.
We went to Walgreens with David’s 7 pages of prescriptions and over the counter meds. We asked the pharmacist to come around to talk to David as he needed to sit in the chair.
We got home, and David was exhausted. We sat him in the family room. He was happy to watch a big screen TV.
I went to Walgreens to pick up his prescriptions. It took the tech a while to scan them and then count them. He kept missing one. He finally figured it out and apologized. I said better you figured it out now and not when I got home.
David went out on the patio and cried. He is so overwhelmed. I am so overwhelmed.
Hillary made him chicken parmesan, but he wasn’t very hungry.
After dinner Hillary and I worked on getting all David’s meds on a spread sheet. OMG. I think I am going to cry. Seriously. I am so grateful that she helped me out.
We watched the Baseball All Star Game. Happy Anniversary David and Cindy. We moved into our first apt in Scottsdale 29 years ago while watching the all-star game.
We are all so exhausted.
It is really nice to be sitting in our family room together. Finally.
The sunset was beautiful.
Next steps to see all his doctors. Start OT and PT. - HonorHealth Shea ICU
April 4th to May 13th
40 days
Select Medical Long-Term Rehab
May 13th to June 1st
19 days
HonorHealth Rehab
June 1st to June 11
10 days
HonorHealth Shea
June 11th to July 3rd
22 days
HonorHealth Rehab
July 3rd to July 17th
Days 14
105 days
Day
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Contact Email
Please feel free to email our family at lorschfamily@gmail.com. You can email us with questions, comments, wishes, prayers, fun stories and memories, pictures, videos, and love. We really love all the support and thank you guys for reaching out to us. Please only send positive vibes and know that my dad is going to make it. These emails are for us to come together as a community for my dad!