Originally emailed 1.15.2011 @ 916pm - Brian Clague
Family and Friends: I keep adding names to the list to contact, and will remove anyone who wishes to be removed. His vigil can be intense at times. I intend to continue a daily blog until Jon is out of the ICU.
Jon’s day was pretty much unchanged except for the question of his lowered activity and responsiveness which was attributed to his medications for pain. Otherwise you would have see little different from Friday. I was insistent on having more input into his case and urged that the pulmonary group look at him and add their insight into his lung diagnosis/treatment .The hospital had created a special classification of pulmonary fellow with credentials for ICU carte, and Jon was an ideal candidate for them to see. They were busy evaluating him at 7Pm when we left with expectations of their insights in the morning. Also I requested a new head CT which was done to rule out any serious immediate problem in the brain which might have occurred from the heparin being used. And that proved to be OK, which was greatly reassuring to those looking on. Mostly family attended his stay through this day as Jackee had to depart at noon. We will miss her deep concern and bright optimism.
Sunday will be another day of rest and healing. We will see if that occurs.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Addition to Archives - Status Update 1/14/11
Originally emailed 1.14.2011 @ 929pm - Brian Clague
Friday’s Update:
We were all disappointed to learn that Jon had a fever Thursday night and is being checked for a possible infection. His temperature was controlled to normal today and he looked as alert as he has been. Possibly for this reason his surgery was rescheduled for Monday..All of his many monitored stats remained the same except for the need for a little more inspired oxygen. We were all disappointed about this . The rounding doctors looked confident in his progress and even heal out the hope that he might be extubated soon. Jon responded to everyone especialy to Jackee, his favorite, and to pictures of his children. Dr. Kopacj dropped in, unseen, to check on him. We all encouraged his efforts but were not happy when he tries to climb from the roto bed. Now the TV plays ESPN in the background and we should try to get him a pair of prism glasses. Tomorrow is another day; a better day.
Friday’s Update:
We were all disappointed to learn that Jon had a fever Thursday night and is being checked for a possible infection. His temperature was controlled to normal today and he looked as alert as he has been. Possibly for this reason his surgery was rescheduled for Monday..All of his many monitored stats remained the same except for the need for a little more inspired oxygen. We were all disappointed about this . The rounding doctors looked confident in his progress and even heal out the hope that he might be extubated soon. Jon responded to everyone especialy to Jackee, his favorite, and to pictures of his children. Dr. Kopacj dropped in, unseen, to check on him. We all encouraged his efforts but were not happy when he tries to climb from the roto bed. Now the TV plays ESPN in the background and we should try to get him a pair of prism glasses. Tomorrow is another day; a better day.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Addition to Archives - Status Update 1/13/11
Originally emailed 1.13.2011 @ 1248pm - Jackee Lemke
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to send a quick update on Jon this morning. Another great day, he is more alert and is making eye contact and able to keep them open for quite awhile. He is moving fingers and toes on command and is getting stronger all the time. His eyes have color and he just looks really good. Keep sending all of your love and happy thoughts, you all have been wonderful to me personally and I know how special he is to each of you. I will send more as soon as I can!
Xo
Jackee
Originally emailed 1.13.2011 @ 335pm - Jackee Lemke
His personality was coming through this afternoon! I was making some jokes this afternoon and he was winking to show that he thought I was funny. I also made a comment about how handsome he looked after the nurses shaved his face and he gave me a double eyebrow raise like he was being flirty! He also made a couple furrowed brow faces when he didn't like something. It was good to see some emotion!
Jackee
Originally emailed 1.13.2011 @ 1104pm - Brian Clague
Thursday:
This was not a day for surgery as the schedule was full. So Jon waits. However, jackee’s observations were confirmed that he did indeed communicate with eye closing, gripping and holding up the appropriate number of requested fingers. That was great news to us all. Thee other vitals remained strong and stable. He does not seem to like lying on his injured side when the rotobed carries him onto that side; but that is the price for having a bruised lung. the Doctors seem to think that he is ready for some repairs; maybe tomorrow. The weekend is definitely going to be a time of rest only. The hospital has rewarded us with a room for sitting together on the 5th floor.It is titled 5A with his name and bed number on the card; T-522. Someone is always there or in the room visiting. Visiting is not allowed from 7-830Am and Pm, as well as 2-330 PM; otherwise two visitors at a time can sit with him. We feel as thought he made big progress today !!!!
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to send a quick update on Jon this morning. Another great day, he is more alert and is making eye contact and able to keep them open for quite awhile. He is moving fingers and toes on command and is getting stronger all the time. His eyes have color and he just looks really good. Keep sending all of your love and happy thoughts, you all have been wonderful to me personally and I know how special he is to each of you. I will send more as soon as I can!
Xo
Jackee
Originally emailed 1.13.2011 @ 335pm - Jackee Lemke
His personality was coming through this afternoon! I was making some jokes this afternoon and he was winking to show that he thought I was funny. I also made a comment about how handsome he looked after the nurses shaved his face and he gave me a double eyebrow raise like he was being flirty! He also made a couple furrowed brow faces when he didn't like something. It was good to see some emotion!
Jackee
Originally emailed 1.13.2011 @ 1104pm - Brian Clague
Thursday:
This was not a day for surgery as the schedule was full. So Jon waits. However, jackee’s observations were confirmed that he did indeed communicate with eye closing, gripping and holding up the appropriate number of requested fingers. That was great news to us all. Thee other vitals remained strong and stable. He does not seem to like lying on his injured side when the rotobed carries him onto that side; but that is the price for having a bruised lung. the Doctors seem to think that he is ready for some repairs; maybe tomorrow. The weekend is definitely going to be a time of rest only. The hospital has rewarded us with a room for sitting together on the 5th floor.It is titled 5A with his name and bed number on the card; T-522. Someone is always there or in the room visiting. Visiting is not allowed from 7-830Am and Pm, as well as 2-330 PM; otherwise two visitors at a time can sit with him. We feel as thought he made big progress today !!!!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Addition to Archives - Status Update 1/12/11
Originally emailed 1.12.2011 @ 918pm - Brian Clague
Wednesday;
This was a very good day for Jon as his lungs functioned better and he tolerated a lowering of his sedative medication. Jackie Lemke said it best in her text of this morning when she commented on his alertness, his responsiveness and his strong grey eyes. The color and attitude were back. The doctors continue him on Heparin but feel that he probably can undergo the first of several surgeries: this one to move his breathing tube to a lower part of his neck (trachesotomy) and to wire his jaw to treat the upper jaw fracture. His morning vital signs wil determine if this is a “go” tomorrow . We are expecting this to happen. All systems seem to be working well and his laboratory ststus is good for blood count and such. So overall this was a very good day and we hope points the way to the future. he still has a long trek ahead of him here in the hospital..
Many friends were by : Beth Clague, Adam and Mrs. Salwasser Dustin Cunning, Natalie Carter, Mr. Simon , Nick Debenedetto and Steve ‘s wife Suzanna who works in the Or here, and perhaps others whom I may have missed. Thanks to all.
Wednesday;
This was a very good day for Jon as his lungs functioned better and he tolerated a lowering of his sedative medication. Jackie Lemke said it best in her text of this morning when she commented on his alertness, his responsiveness and his strong grey eyes. The color and attitude were back. The doctors continue him on Heparin but feel that he probably can undergo the first of several surgeries: this one to move his breathing tube to a lower part of his neck (trachesotomy) and to wire his jaw to treat the upper jaw fracture. His morning vital signs wil determine if this is a “go” tomorrow . We are expecting this to happen. All systems seem to be working well and his laboratory ststus is good for blood count and such. So overall this was a very good day and we hope points the way to the future. he still has a long trek ahead of him here in the hospital..
Many friends were by : Beth Clague, Adam and Mrs. Salwasser Dustin Cunning, Natalie Carter, Mr. Simon , Nick Debenedetto and Steve ‘s wife Suzanna who works in the Or here, and perhaps others whom I may have missed. Thanks to all.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Addition to Archives - Status Update 1/11/11
Originally emailed 1.11.2011 @ 927PM - Brian Clague
Tuesday:
AS events unfolded we learned that Jon now has some pulmonary clots coming from somewhere in his venous system probably at an injured site. This has serious consequences as it means that he will need to be on a stronger anticoagulant for a period of time until it can be assumed that the remaining clots are not likely to also travel to the lungs. That means five days or more. During that time he remains in his suspended state of sedation with every function managed by the team of doctors and nurses. It is a bit scary. He also cannot move forward and have his fractures fixed while on the heparin. All this time, the big question remains the healing of his lung bruises which will determine his suitabilty for surgery and for ultimate extubation. Alas, there is nothing we can do but hope and pray that the healing process proceeds. There was a scare concerning what was thought to be small amounts of blood in his brain’s water system; but even that was uncertain, and a repeat study shows no further similar changes. That was good.
He hasd many visitors today including Jackie Lemke who is a constant at his side, Steve DeBenedetto, Brian Garcia, Beth Clague, and others I may not realized. A card wall shows him as he is when not working.
Tomorrow is another day. He hope for God’s blessings....
Tuesday:
AS events unfolded we learned that Jon now has some pulmonary clots coming from somewhere in his venous system probably at an injured site. This has serious consequences as it means that he will need to be on a stronger anticoagulant for a period of time until it can be assumed that the remaining clots are not likely to also travel to the lungs. That means five days or more. During that time he remains in his suspended state of sedation with every function managed by the team of doctors and nurses. It is a bit scary. He also cannot move forward and have his fractures fixed while on the heparin. All this time, the big question remains the healing of his lung bruises which will determine his suitabilty for surgery and for ultimate extubation. Alas, there is nothing we can do but hope and pray that the healing process proceeds. There was a scare concerning what was thought to be small amounts of blood in his brain’s water system; but even that was uncertain, and a repeat study shows no further similar changes. That was good.
He hasd many visitors today including Jackie Lemke who is a constant at his side, Steve DeBenedetto, Brian Garcia, Beth Clague, and others I may not realized. A card wall shows him as he is when not working.
Tomorrow is another day. He hope for God’s blessings....
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