Progress

Sunday October 16

Gary seemed to be feeling physically better. His pain was mostly in one side and he seemed to be able to manage it with meds.The digestive issues are SLOWLY improving, but we have quite aways to go.

His breathing is improving and he is able to speak more clearly, though quite weakly.

Once again he was up in a wheelchair, but we didn't make it outside. Then back in bed via the "stork" machine.

Then a classic Gary moment:

He decided to begin doing some exercises on his own and began pulling himself up to a sit in bed and slowly lowering himself back down.

Awhile he later he added to this regimen a set of grabbing the side of the bed and rolling himself side to side.

I can't put in writing most of the comments he muttered about his lack of abs but the entire process seemed like significant progress to me.

We still have no final information on where we are going for rehab or when it will happen.

We are both so grateful to everyone who is keeping us in their prayers - and especially today thanks to all of our neighbors who are helping to watch our home and our 3 dogs. It takes great courage to face the terror of the house - 11 pound Peewee. Thanks to our brave neighbors Tommy, John and Susan.

Our friends Danielle and Mike came up from Tampa to stay a few days at the house and lend a hand, I don't know how I would make it without my friends. My son Bax is still with me attempting to keep up with some of the chores around the house. It is so good to have him here.

It is a bit difficult to see the silver lining of this at times, but the love that has been sent our way by everyone is overwhelming. I wish I had more powerful words than Thank you.

Judi

First ride in a wheel chair:)

Friday, Oct 15

Today we had some significant progress forward.
Gary was lifted into a wheelchair. He immediately told the nurse he did not need to be pushed but could do it on his own...and proceeded to wheel down the hall in ICU to the amazement of the nurses. Then we not only took a walk around the ICU but we went outside. Those of you who know Gary well can imagine how much he loved that. At one point he just looked up at the sky and said to me "Look at how beautiful that blue is".
Afterwards he was lifted back into bed by this amazing machine that was like a crane ....they wrapped him up in a sling type of contraption and the machine picked him up, moved him over the bed, hovered a moment and lowered him down. I told him he looked a little like Dumbo when the stork delivered him...he didn't think it was all that funny - but he did say "This is kinda fun."
He is still in pain and having trouble with his breathing and his digestive tract. Once again the medical staff assures me this is normal but nothing about this seems normal to me. It is hard to watch.
We are still unsure what and when rehab will be, but it appears that it may be as early as this coming week.
My son Bax, is now staying with me full time and picking up some of Gary's chores. I am so grateful to have him here, but of course NO ONE could accomplish as much in one week as Gary could in one day. Hali is back again and I am so glad to have them both with me at this time.
Gary and I are so grateful for all the cards letters and phone calls.
One thing that became clear to me in the last few days is that the vocabulary I use regularly is simply not adequate for this situation. I feel like I need different words to describe what is going on.
Thank you for your love and support.
Judi

Please understand

Hi Everyone!

I have received many emails, prayers, and questions.  Please, understand that they are appreciated!  I just do not have time to answer them all.  If you have an important question and you cannot wait, contact Judi via phone or email.  If you have kind words or prayers, leave them as a comment on the blog or send a card to either Judi or Gary.  We appreciate your support and love!

Gary is a little bit better today.  My mom is planning to post an update tomorrow.

-Hali

A little better

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011

Today's progress report is a bit better.
Gary seems stronger and more awake and interested in life swirling around him. He has even begun reading "Get Well" cards that people have sent. Thank you all!!!!
Gary is still in Neuro ICU. He continues to be stoic and uncomplaining, suffering some very undignified procedures (to say the very least) and quite a bit of pain. He is so considerate and co-operative with all the medical personnel.
He is interested in his medical diagnosis and even amazed the nurses because he wanted to see his own Xrays. Then he began teaching the critical care nurse how to read his chest Xrays and she was grateful for his help.
The nurses at Shands have all been so caring and we are grateful to them.
At this point we think Gary will be moving to a rehab center as soon as possible - perhaps on Monday. I will post this info as soon as it becomes concrete.
I owe so many thanks to so many people for helping me get through this.
Hali's boyfriend Nathan retrieved Gary's truck, Hali's friends Travis and Erin drove from Jacksonville to our house to get the boat and the jetski safe and out of the water. They also brought yummy pasta. Gayle brought dinner and has taken care of our dogs. And my neighbors Tommy and Bonnie brought more scrumptious food.
Svetlana and Eileen visited me at the hospital and gave me a break from the ICU.
And now my son, Bax is staying with me to do errands and yard work.
Hali continues to be a rock of strength and love.

-Judi

Considering rehab

Tuesday Oct. 11 was a better day for Gary.
He was awake and alert significantly more of the day. He was actually talking with a little animation....and smiled at a few of my dumb jokes. He is still very uncomfortable.
The 2nd chest tube, draining fluid from his lung area was removed and he talked them into taking the nasal tube out, but the Dr told him it might have to be put back in.
Right now the more urgent concerns are:
His digestive tract is not operating on his own, so he is having no food or fluids other than intravenous. He is still having trouble breathing, but he is breathing on his own. Consequently his oxygen levels in his blood are low, so he is very weak.
There are other things but it is too hard to list them all right now as I am in a hurry to get going to see him. He is still in NeuroICU.
I am spending most of each day with him.
Yesterday and today we are having meetings with folks from various rehab centers to try and make decisions about where he will go for rehab...although it won't be for awhile
Randy and Susi drove up to the hospital from Orlando to "be there" for me...and the car broke at Shands parking lot, so they were towed back home last night at midnight - what great friends!!! Josh brought me lunch and told me some especially corny Josh jokes - it all helps.
Hali has been amazing, as you can all see, and my sis-in-law Les has manned the home front for days now. I don't know what I would have done without them.
Thank you all for your support!

-Judi

One Tube Out

Hi everybody!

Today, Gary is feeling slightly better(relatively speaking), and has had one tube removed(he has a lot left).  My mom will post a more descriptive update soon.

-Hali

After Surgery

Hello to all of our dear friends and loved ones.

 

Many thanks to those of you who have responded to our very sad news about Gary's accident. I am so grateful to you for your support. Thanks to all of you for keeping Gary in your prayers.

Right now my main objective in life is to "be there" for Gary so it is increasingly difficult for me to touch base with all of you.  I am spending quite a bit of time in the ICU so I am going to hand over communications to my wonderful daughter, Hali. She will be trying to keep updates coming the best she/we can.

 

It is now Sunday morning, Oct 9.  Without the medical jargon (those of you who know me know I will totally butcher it - I am so sorry to you medical friends). I will try to explain what has happened thus far. Gary and I are both so grateful to all the wonderful folks who are in this battle with us. It is clear that there are angels among us.

 

Surgery was on Thurs, Oct 6. It took over 6 hours as 2 teams of surgeons tried to repair 2 crushed vertebraes - T6 and T7. They took a rib and some other types of material and rebuilt a "cage" and fused the spine together from T5-T8.  All reports currently indicate that the surgery itself was successful and will serve to to stabilize his spine. The hope is that eventually he will be able to sit in a wheelchair. The reports from everyone are that the spinal cord was crushed and at this stage it appears the paralysis is permanent. Of course there is always hope, but Gary and I both feel we need to accept this as a new reality and begin to move forward without unrealistic expectations.

 

He is now in the NeuroSurgical Intensive Care Unit at Shands - Gainesville. He will be there for at least a few days while he recovers from the procedure and they get him strong enough to move to a "regular" neuro floor. Then he will probably be there for awhile before moving to an inpatient rehab center. We don't know where this will be, but right now Gary wants to stay in Gainesville. There are currently no guesses as to the timeline.

 

Although I realize many folks will be concerned about whether or not he will walk, this is the least of our worries at this point. In other words it isn't just his legs that are affected, it is everything from the nipples down. Just recovering from the complex surgery is a challenging task. He cannot feel anything from his nipples down and he is in quite a bit of pain and discomfort from there up.

 

His spirits are OK, given the circumstances. His nurses feel he is doing much better than most people in his situation. He is grateful and polite to to all of them and theythink he is so sweet. He is strong and trying to remain positive. Although he did tell me "I don't want alot of your fake bubbly attitude." Classic Gary/Judi interaction.

 

I am so grateful he is still alive. While I realize so many of you want to do something to help, right now there isn't much I can think of except prayers. I am certain that down the road Gary and I will need alot of help, what exactly that means is as yet unclear. I will try not to be too proud to ask.

 

I will ask one thing of you now. Gary REALLY doesn't want visitors or phone calls. He is in pain and discomfort and he is exhausted. Please honor this request for now. Those of you who know him well know how shy and stubborn he can be so I expect this need for privacy will last awhile. Please do not take it personally. I will let you know if this changes.  

 

I feel blessed to have so many caring folks in my life. Thank you all,

 

Disco Judi