Flu/Pneumonia
Monday, January 17, 2011
Our son-in-law is in ICU on oxygen. Needless to say we are concerned. Daughter says she doesn't want me to come. That's okay - she has enough on her mind right now.
Dave is a hard worker. He has been working two jobs. He has planned a southern vacation for them. It is supposed to be in 2 weeks. They didn't take out travel insurance - in their mind that is for seniors.
I don't know if anyone will read this but if you do, please say a prayer for Dave.
Daughter says she can't believe how sick he is. Thank you.
Dave is a hard worker. He has been working two jobs. He has planned a southern vacation for them. It is supposed to be in 2 weeks. They didn't take out travel insurance - in their mind that is for seniors.
I don't know if anyone will read this but if you do, please say a prayer for Dave.
Daughter says she can't believe how sick he is. Thank you.
Update
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Son-in-law may be put on a ventilator. He may be transferred to a hospital in London as soon as they find a bed. I hope that praying people read this and pray.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Today's Update
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Son-in-law was transferred to University Hospital in London tonight about 7. Until now daughter has said that she didn't want me to come but tonight when her dad said I was coming tomorrow, she did not object so I will be driving to London tomorrow. London is approx. 2 hours from here.
Thanks for your prayers. I know they are helping.
Thanks for your prayers. I know they are helping.
Thursday's Update
Thursday, January 20, 2011
I am at my daughter's. I had a peaceful, safe drive here this morning. The roads were clear. The same cannot be said right now because they are snow-covered.
I went to the hospital this afternoon with daughter and her in-laws. They are feeling much more optimistic at present. He is still heavily sedated and has a long way to go but there are signs that he is improving. Praise the Lord!!
I went to the hospital this afternoon with daughter and her in-laws. They are feeling much more optimistic at present. He is still heavily sedated and has a long way to go but there are signs that he is improving. Praise the Lord!!
Friday
Friday, January 21, 2011
I think it is Friday. I am wearing my red 'support our troops' t-shirt so it MUST be Friday. At least this morning I 'thought' it was Friday. :)
I am not on the computer very much these days. I spin the spark wheel because I don't want to lose my logging-on streak and then I write something here so my friends know how things are going.
This afternoon when we got to the hospital, it was very traumatic for Dave's mother. She knew they were doing a different procedure on him but it was hard for her to see her son so immobile with all the extra 'connections'. She and my daughter had gone to the room together but she left in tears and came back to the waiting room. She didn't want to upset K. K seems to be handling everything very calmly. K's father-in-law went to the room to make sure K was all right [he is a fireman and has some medical knowledge] and I tried to comfort mother until K came out and I went to the room and gave Dave's dad a hug. As you can imagine this week has been extremely hard on Dave's parents. After mother had some time, she was able to go back to the room and she was all right.
We were able to have the family room again. Apparently there are only a couple of them available for critical patients' families. It is so much more comfortable than sitting in the main waiting room.
It is hard to know what to tell you. He is still sedated and we know it is still very serious but we KNOW (and the nurses assure us) that he is improving. We are able to joke when we are together about how we will tease him about different things when he is awake again and ready to be teased.
When we are in the room with him, we tell him he is loved and that we are happy to see him getting better. There is no negativity. I feel a little self-conscious about touching my son-in-law so I touch his feet. I think that is a safe body part to touch. I would feel okay about holding his hand but there are things attached there too.
We know people are sending good thoughts and prayers. He lives in a small town where everybody knows each other. He went to school here and plays recreational hockey here. There are so many phone calls to various family members asking how he is and what can they do. One of his friends came by early this morning and plowed out the driveway. He said he will make sure it is kept clear. Dave would do the same thing for his friends. He is always helping someone with something.
When his best friend came tonight they told us (when K was out of the room) that they are collecting gas cards and money. They are getting team shirts from the Pittsburgh Steelers and maybe the Detroit Red Wings - his two favourite teams - that can be hung in his room when he is well enough to be in a regular room. It touches my heart to know he and K are so well respected and loved.
I am not on the computer very much these days. I spin the spark wheel because I don't want to lose my logging-on streak and then I write something here so my friends know how things are going.
This afternoon when we got to the hospital, it was very traumatic for Dave's mother. She knew they were doing a different procedure on him but it was hard for her to see her son so immobile with all the extra 'connections'. She and my daughter had gone to the room together but she left in tears and came back to the waiting room. She didn't want to upset K. K seems to be handling everything very calmly. K's father-in-law went to the room to make sure K was all right [he is a fireman and has some medical knowledge] and I tried to comfort mother until K came out and I went to the room and gave Dave's dad a hug. As you can imagine this week has been extremely hard on Dave's parents. After mother had some time, she was able to go back to the room and she was all right.
We were able to have the family room again. Apparently there are only a couple of them available for critical patients' families. It is so much more comfortable than sitting in the main waiting room.
It is hard to know what to tell you. He is still sedated and we know it is still very serious but we KNOW (and the nurses assure us) that he is improving. We are able to joke when we are together about how we will tease him about different things when he is awake again and ready to be teased.
When we are in the room with him, we tell him he is loved and that we are happy to see him getting better. There is no negativity. I feel a little self-conscious about touching my son-in-law so I touch his feet. I think that is a safe body part to touch. I would feel okay about holding his hand but there are things attached there too.
We know people are sending good thoughts and prayers. He lives in a small town where everybody knows each other. He went to school here and plays recreational hockey here. There are so many phone calls to various family members asking how he is and what can they do. One of his friends came by early this morning and plowed out the driveway. He said he will make sure it is kept clear. Dave would do the same thing for his friends. He is always helping someone with something.
When his best friend came tonight they told us (when K was out of the room) that they are collecting gas cards and money. They are getting team shirts from the Pittsburgh Steelers and maybe the Detroit Red Wings - his two favourite teams - that can be hung in his room when he is well enough to be in a regular room. It touches my heart to know he and K are so well respected and loved.
At Last
Friday, January 28, 2011
At last we have reached the day we have been waiting for. Dave called Kathryn this morning to come and get him. He has been asking her to bring him home for the last 3 days but of course, he hadn't been released - he just wanted to come home. Today it is official. Kathryn called the hospital to make sure and he CAN come home. On Thursday, he was transferred back to St. Thomas Hospital by ambulance. That was a big step. Now he can come home to finish recouperating.
This e-mail is going to many of our friends and relatives. I want to thank you for your prayers and good thoughts since January 16 when Dave was first admitted to St. Thomas Hospital with what they thought was pneumonia. The diagnosis was later changed to influenza A which I understand is a form of H1N1 with different numbers. When I arrived here a week ago yesterday, he was sedated and on life support. Anyone looking at him would know he has been very ill but we who saw him during the worst know he is getting better.
My heart is full of gratitude to my heavenly Father for His healing touch and to my friends for their loving support. Thank you.
I am home now. My daughter says that Dave lost 30 pounds during his ordeal. I am afraid to get on a scale because I know I GAINED. We were grabbing what was available when we could find something. Let's just hope my gain is NOT 30 pounds.
This e-mail is going to many of our friends and relatives. I want to thank you for your prayers and good thoughts since January 16 when Dave was first admitted to St. Thomas Hospital with what they thought was pneumonia. The diagnosis was later changed to influenza A which I understand is a form of H1N1 with different numbers. When I arrived here a week ago yesterday, he was sedated and on life support. Anyone looking at him would know he has been very ill but we who saw him during the worst know he is getting better.
My heart is full of gratitude to my heavenly Father for His healing touch and to my friends for their loving support. Thank you.
I am home now. My daughter says that Dave lost 30 pounds during his ordeal. I am afraid to get on a scale because I know I GAINED. We were grabbing what was available when we could find something. Let's just hope my gain is NOT 30 pounds.
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