Rock on!!

Dad has been off the ventilator since yesterday at 730 am!!!! He is up sitting in a chair and his vitals are all great!!

He has a bit of fluid on him which I noticed when I was there, Martha addressed it with the doctor and he is going to check into getting him a little bit of a diuretic. They gave him eye drops for his eyes and his eye is getting better. Martha says there is a definate change in him as to when he is awake and not awake. She said he evern gave her the "don't go" look last night like he used to do at Mercy Capital.

They will keep him off the vent until he tires, but I would think at this point, we are vent free forever!!! Keep your fingers crossed!!

March 30th

Yesterday was fairly uneventful. He was off the ventilator the whole time we were there. He nodded that he wanted the radio on and also responded when asked if he was comfortable. I get the impression that when he is off the vent, it is sort of a struggle for him, so he only responds to questions that he feels the energy to answer.

His eye is still all icky looking. I washed it out several times with saline. The staff there seems to be non-existant on the weekends. But, I guess since he is doing well on his own, they don't feel the need to rush in there every 10 minutes. I just wish he would get the use of his arms and legs back. He looks so frail.

Over time I guess.

Update

I haven't seen the nurse today yet. But respiratory therapist has been in a few times. He has been breathing on his own since 830 this morning. He went 12 hours yesterday and he told her he wasn't tired yet. She thinks he is just borderline to be off of it around the clock!!

He finally communicated with me. I asked him if he wanted the light off and he shook his head no, and he nodded when I asked if he wanted CNN on.

Back in Hinsdale

We finally got here!! We headed out last night and stayed in Blue Grass with some friends of mine I haven't seen in a long time. Tommy and Diana. It was great catching up with them. She made some dynomite enchilada's last night and coffee cake for breakfast. I left my pillow there, (Second time in two weeks I have done that. Im a brainiac I tell ya.) so maybe on the way back we can stop and eat some more yummy enchiladas!!

We passed this semi on the way here. How awesome is this!!!

Dad is in a much larger room now, room B238. He is off the ventilator right now and sleeping. I haven't seen anyone yet to see how long he has been off of it today or if he has had any occupational therpay today. He is opening his eyes for me, but he didn't really look at me or anything. He seems really tired to me.

He has lots of cards balloons and plants in his room. Thank you everyone for sending him things. That is very nice and I know he appreciates it.

I saw a note from Debbie that said the doctor said whatever is growing in his brain is getting smaller, so they will keep him on antibiotics for another 3 weeks. There is also a note on the dry erase board from OT that says: Sat Jim on the side of the bed for approx 18 minutes. Did cognitive stimulation while sitting. Jim did pretty well. More responsive than Wednesday. Good Job!

He has something nasty in his eye. Looks like pink eye. If I ever see a nurse I will find out.

Big Day

They STILL have not scheduled the MRI. I am really getting irratated about this. However, he seems to be doing much better according to Debbie. He isn't using a jump rope yet, but he is working with occupational therapy. They are getting him to nod his head yes and no and he has even been trying to mouth words. They had him sitting on the side of the bed for awhile, with help of course. They were holding him up. He was also off the ventilator for 12 hours yesterday!! That is HUGE!

He is having another contrasting CT scan tomorrow to see if there are any changes. I am about to send Lopes a message on facebook to see why he hasn't called anyone back!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

Happy Birthday Dad. I am sorry you have to spend it in the hospital and we can't be there. But look at the bright side. You can retire now.

ARGH

Scott talked to the patient coordinator today. She said that she didn't have anything in her notes other than he was supposed to have an MRI sometime this week. Scott told her he thought this was a pressing matter and didn't understand why it is taking so long. She said it wasn't on their end, she was waiting on the order from Rush to get this rolling. Lopes told Martha on Friday that he wanted this done and the doctor from RML was supposed to call him to get this arranged. Apparently this never happened. The PC lady also told Scott that they aren't sure that what is in there are abscesses, they could be strokes. WTF!!!

I called Martha, she is calling Rush to knock some heads together to get this expedited.

Geesh!

Monday

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. There really hasn't been any changes. Lopes saw the CT on Friday and ordered an MRI. RML doesn't have an MRI machine so they are taking their pansy ass time transferring him to a facility that has one. Scott is there today and he is going to ask them why this hasn't been facilitated yet.

Dad gave Martha a few weak nods this weekend and squeezed Scott's hand a few times. Jordan got back from her sprng break trip and joined them in Chicago for a couple days.

Dad's birthday is Wednesday. I would like to take a few days off and go spend his birthday with him, but I don't think I will be able to. I plan on going this weekend anyway.

:(

Dad had a CT with contrast done and they have found multiple abscesses in his brain. This may not be good. In most cases you need surgery to get rid of them and we don't know if he is strong enough to go through it again. If suregery isn't done, they will continue to grow and the outcome will not be good. The scan results have been given to Lopes. Martha drove them there yesterday. We are waiting to see what can be done.

Too Much

I had way too much to drink last night. I am going to make a shirt for dad that says: Brain Anuerysms Are Swell.

The occupational therapist told Martha that dad is being over-stimulated and that we need to interact with him less and have "quiet times." She is going to try it today to see how he reacts to it.

Thats all I got for now.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Martha met with the neurologist. She is giving dad CT with contrast for his brain, chest and abdomen. She is also going to check his spinal fluid from the shunt to make sure there is no infection.

Martha thinks she got a weak squeeze out of him today, but the neurologist was able to get him to open his mouth and stick out his tongue. He is apparently being selective as to who he chooses to deal with. Oh well, at least he is doing it!!

My Pops

I have mixed emotions about being with him this weekend. In some sense, I think that he is completely there, but deeply saddened by his state that he just simply doesn't want to respond. He will look at you as you walk across the room and as you talk to him for the most part. He watched the movie on the laptop and right when I was leaving, I was showing him the buttons on the little cell phone I bought him not realizing that there was a mirror in it. I caught him looking at himself and there seemed to be a look of shock and interest on his face. So, I showed him his scar on his head and his hair. Then he just had this look of disappointment.

I think he needs more stimulation. When he is awake he is awake, but he has nothing to do but sleep so he just goes back to sleep. I think I might look into those books on tape and see if we can play those for him.

Sunday

I went and bought dad a dog squeeze toy and a little baby phone for him to squeeze to get our attention. When I got here, he had ice packs all over him and a temprature of 102. I rubbed his legs for him and put a movie in the laptop. He would squeeze the toys for me, but he seemed to be watching the movie I put in. At, least he was looking at the screen, I don't know how much he was actually watching.

The good thing about this place is he can have flowers and cards again since he isn't in ICU. If anyone wants to send some cards here is the address:

RML Specialty Hospital
James Shoning Room 223
5601 South County Line Rd
Hinsdale, IL 60521

We are leaving in a couple hours to head back to Des Moines. We need to pick Jojo up from a friend of mines house. I hear she was being quite the whiney asshole. Sort of like me last night. Once I realized the teenagers outside our room, were actually 20 somethings, I opened the door and dropped a few F-bombs and that finally shut them up.

Saturday Night

We are back at the hotel. Of course there are a bajillion teenagers on our floor running up and down the halls, slamming doors. I am about to freak the hell out! My parents never let me act like that!

He was pretty sleepy today. I feel like he is there, and aware of what is going on but unable to communicate, so he just doesn't try. We are going to go to Walmart in the morning to see if we can find anything that he wouldn't have to squeeze very hard that could let us know that he wants something. We could guess until we say what it is and he could squeeze it. Like a light or some type of squeeky toy. I was told the hospital should have a super sensitive call light but, they don't. If anyone has any ideas, let me know!

Saturday

This place is really nice. It does remind me of a cross between a nursing home and rehab facility. There are 85 beds here and the staff seems pretty attentative. The nurses aid came in and said she thought dad looked like the type of person who would give people hell if he was awake. I told her she had no idea how right she was.

He is sleeping a lot today. I was able to get him to squeeze my hand for pain meds, but that seemed to be about all I could get him to do. I read him some stuff and he looked at me and seemed to be moving his mouth to try to say something but wasn't able to. At least that is the impression I got.

His room is small which is fine, at least here we are able to open the windows to let some fresh air in. It so nice outside. This is a very nice area, the houses are absolutely retarded!

I looked at his bed sore. It is quite significant I must say, but I have seen a lot worse. I can tell it has gotten a bit better than it was from the healing around it, but it is quite necrotic and needs to be debrided. This hospital touts themselves as miracle workers with wound care, so I trust it will get better.

He seems to be awake now, so I am going to talk to him for awhile. I will update more later.

Spoke too soon

Well, after talking to Debbie today quite extensively today, I guess I assumed when I was told that he was doing the same, it was the same from when Scott was there. She said that once again he hasn't been responsive to her the past 2 days. The transfer went well and this hospital is in a very nice neighborhood. She was in the room when they were settling him in. He has had a bed sore on his sacrum that I was always told was about the size of a pencil eraser. She saw it when they turned him and was shocked. It is VERY large and bloody. There is also a weird C-shaped thing on his back that feels like there is something underneath his skin. I am going there in the morning and I am going to ask to see it. I did wound care at one point in time and am quite familiar with bed sores, so I can get a good idea how bad it is. I feel awful for him, those are absolutely miserable for people to have. I guarantee that is why he has had a low grade fever.

We plan on leaving around 5:30 and coming back Sunday afternoon. I will fill everyone in tomorrow on his condition. I am so glad we don't have to drive into Chicago anymore.

Getting moved

Dad is good enough now he is going to the RMA or LMA or whatever its called tomorrow. The hospital that weens you from the ventilator. Hooray!!! He is finally well enough to get out of ICU.

Newfie Joke

I know dad will enjoy this. I am putting it here so I don't forget it.


A drunk Newfie was stumbling home one day when he got lost and found himself in the bush. He fell to the ground and noticed a lamp. He picked it up, and rubbed it, and out came a genie.

"You have three wishes, choose them wisely." says the Genie.

The Newfie, looking down at his last, and empty, bottle of beer, smashes it on some rocks and says, "I want a beer that will never run out."

A bottle appears in front of the Newfie. He takes it, looks at it, and downs it. He looks at it again, and to his surprise, it was still full. The Newfie being very content starts walking away.

"Where are you going," asks the Genie, "You still have two wishes left!"

"Well," replies the Newfie, "Give me TWO more of these!"

He used to say this one too:

Canada's worst air disaster occurred today when a small two-seater Cessna crashed into a cemetery early this afternoon in central Newfoundland. Newfie search and rescue workers have recovered 826 bodies so far and expect that number to climb as digging continues into the evening.

This is HILARIOUS!!!!

Did you know that your dad was voted one of the ugliest men on campus at Northwest in 1966? There was an organization, APO, that had a contest each year to raise money for scholarships. Any group or organization on campus could join in the fun by nominating a candidate in the "Ugly Man Contest." KDLX, campus radio 560, nominated Jim. I don't know for sure. but I think that in preparation for the event this was the first time he ever grew a beard. The idea was to come up with unique ways to raise money and the person that raised the most was the winner if the title of "Ugly Man". The week culminated in a bazar sort of bazar. KDLX had a booth that had a live broadcast to the campus with the radio station in the back of a Jeep ... we had an exhibit with a "live" mongoose ... really a raccoon tail on a spring that would scare the unsuspecting observer ... and a late idea of "break a record on the head of your favorite DJ." The idea was, for a quarter, you would take an old 78 rpm record, made of bakelite ... a fragile black pre plastic material ... and break it over Jim's head. We tested it at the radio station and found that the record would easily break into a thousand pieces with little effort. The problem was we didn't do it several hundred times in our tests. What we found out the night of the contest was that while the records broke into thousands of little pieces they also broke off in tiny little sharp edges that soon turned Jim's into a bloody replica of the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". What started a s cute idea soon turned into a bloody, gross, scary guy with a beard running around with a raccoon tail and a microphone. He came in third. We almost wrecked the Jeep getting it out of the gymnasium and we probably destroyed several hundreds dollars worth of collectable 78 records.

Fungus

The toilet water dad has in his lungs is called Asperollosis.

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec17/ch197/ch197b.html

Since he is coming out of his brain vacation, I think the drugs they are giving him for it works. The nurse told Debbie she has hardly ever seen anyone with this and she had NEVER seen anyone with Legionnella. Leave it to dad.

He has lost 20 pounds in water weight. So, he should fit in the MRI soon!!

I bought a new laptop. He has been bugging me to get one. I am bringing it this weekend. That will wake him up. He likes new toys.

Debbie thinks that now he is a wake more often, he seems to be a bit depressed on his condition. Anyone want to cheer him up, send me letters again!!

Scottssister1@gmail.com

YAAY!!

Dad woke up tonight about 6 o'clock and had a hand squeeze conversation with Scott. Scott read him some blog stories and dad was shaking his head and confirming some of the stories that are on here about him. Scott then asked him to squeeze his hand for yes and do nothing for no. He asked him all sorts of stuff and he responded appropriately and even gave some thumbs ups. I think that is awesome!!

Getting Better

Scott told me today that dad is much better. He is really moving his right hand around, even going as far as to search for his little pig and then clutch it. His ventilator alarms keep going off, which is common for people who are starting to arouse more..they tend to take bigger more frequent breaths. Scott said they were building model airplanes together. I don't believe that. Dad is allergic to airplane glue.

:)

Sunday

Scott thinks there is a definite difference in dad this weekend. He says that he can tell now when he is awake and when he is sleeping. He squeezed his hands multiple times and is starting to move his head around. The nurse told him that he was able to get dad to hold two fingers up too.

Looks like there dad is starting to come around!!!

Mold

Dad has MOLD in his lungs. HTF does that happen?

They are fixing it I guess. I wouldn't be suprised if an old gas tank and a toilet came out of his lungs next!

Few Reasons

It has been brought to my attention that some people find it odd that I don't believe half the crap that comes out of my father's mouth. I wanted to give you a few reasons as to why this is true.

1. While still living at home in my early 20's, a few times he would wake me out of a dead sleep at 3pm and tell me that a Warren County Sheriff was at the door or on the phone for me.

2. He would try to convince me on a Sunday that he heard over the radio my car had gotten pulled over the night before and he was so real about it, I would get scared thinking maybe I actually had!

3. We visited a battle ship when I was like 6 and he told me that all the brown stuff on the bed sheets was dried blood which I believed until I was an adult. When bringing it up to him again he laughed and said it was rust.

4. He loves to point at the sky and say, "Look! Dead bird!" And yes, everytime I look up.

5. He, A FEW YEARS AGO, convinced me that he had a set of twins before my brother was born that were given up for adoption or with the mother still, I don't recall. But he was so serious about it I asked my grandmother who said she didn't know, and my Uncle Jim who agreed he did. I even called my mother and she said she didn't think so. So, here I am looking stupid and he just sat back and laughed.

Well those are just a few reasons as to why he is unbelievable. I am sure i will think of more later.

On a good note, dad has both eyes open today and they seemed to have stopped roving back and forth. He also squeezed Martha's hand multiple times upon her request so he is in fact alert. He is breathing a bit harder today so they are giving him some assistance with the ventilator. Things appear to being turning around for once!!!

Fruits of Your Labor

I remember years ago, my aunt Judy built a deck on the back of the house, or rebuilt it or whatever...At any rate, we were all over there grilling out and hanging out on the deck. Judy's neighbor came outside and yelled over, "I see you are enjoying the fruits of your labor!" Without batting an eye dad whispered, "How the hell do they know we are having fruit!"

I seriously think I peed my pants. I laughed so hard! I still laugh when I think about it. It was just so funny.

Update from Martha

He had both eyes open today and he is still moving his right hand, but he isn't responding to commands. When we got to Rush, dad weighed 255 pounds. He now weighs 298 from all the extra fluid. Isn't that crazy!!!! I hope that it is as simple as an adrenal gland issue and they can take care of it. That can't be good on him at all!!

Other than that, that is all I know.

My father is a tard.

I can SO see him doing this. This is from Scott:

This story was told to me by dad himself many years ago, so I'm not sure how much truth there is to this story. Anyone who went to college with dad can confirm (or deny) that this actually happened. Either way, I've grown up thinking it was true, and it's a funny story.

At NWMSU one of the traditions has to do with the Kissing Bridge. The legend goes that female students have to be kissed on the bridge before the first snowfall in order to be considered a true coed. I've never seen this bridge, but the NWMSU website describes it as "a small woooden bridge that was over a small, usually dry creek leading to Colden Pond southwest of Colden Hall"

Dad was working as a DJ for the student radio station at the time, which of course provided him the means to disseminate important information to the student body at large. One fall day weatherman Jim delivered the news to campus that a surprise snowstorm was imminent, and that anyone who hadn't yet fulfilled their annual Kissing Bridge rite of passage was running out of time to do so.

This advance warning spread across campus like wildfire, and suddenly this small, flimsy bridge was under siege from students hoping to beat the storm. A large crowd gathered on and around the bridge, which was not designed to withstand that many people and nearly collapsed under the strain.

Well if you know Jim at all, you won't be surprised to learn that there was no snowstorm coming. Jim had made the whole thing up, and sat back gleefully to watch the near-panic he had caused. The school administration was less than pleased that this prank had endangered a historical location on campus, and compromised the safety of the students.

I don't remember if he said he got in any trouble over that incident, but dad didn't graduate from NWMSU and the bridge was eventually moved from that location. I always wondered if dad's prank had anything to do with either of those facts.

Yawning in Technicolor: By Dan McDermott

Liza, I know this is going to hard to hear about your father, however … the TRUTH will set you FREE .!.


When I think back as to when I met your father, I believe it was at the student union (NWMSC) = the Den = , either between classes or instead of … {neither of us seemed to be on the fast track for a four year graduation [cum laude] , or perhaps it was Hudson hall (girls’ dorm\nwmsc)… & as the song goes ….. ‘watching the girls go by’….. Our friendship developed, with Jim’s sense of humor & his the ability to ‘turn a phrase’. Your Dad is always great with the pun or working with whatever was said … to make it … ‘quite interesting’ to say the least. He is, as tom cruise would say, ‘quite glib’ … (but in the true sense of the word - not tom's) His ability to accomplish all the non-academic endeavors that were placed before him, was always a wonder to me … how he could do all he did & still STUDY for those English tests & write those papers for those classes … a man of extreme ability, or perhaps he neglected some of the assignments, or was more focused in others – hard to tell.!


We enjoyed several ‘road trips’ to the metropolitan area just West of St. Joseph, Missouri … Wathena, Kansas (max.pop. of perhaps 2,700 full time residents & 5,000-5500 part-time weekend (Fri. or Sat. evenings residents). We were drawn to its’ cultural enrichments, it was a-Sociological- field trip ,,,, or perhaps it was the … 3.2. ‘adult beverage’ \libations & 18 yr. old ‘legal’ limit & not to mention the locals \ townies. I recall one ‘field trip’, one of us had a connection to a ‘driver’ who owned a 2 door, 57’ Chevy – a pristine, cherry red, immaculately clean car (it was so clean, there weren’t even finger prints on it, & the interior – you could eat off the floor- ), the owner, whose name escapes me at this time {& if I did remember, I would protect his reputation as to have associated with likes of us} … He drove … ‘no-one drove his car’ ... it seemed to take ‘forever’ to drive those ‘thousands’ of miles to St. Joe & even longer to cross over that bridge to reach ‘the promised land’ … I would admit we imbibed in an ‘adult beverage’, or perhaps two … enjoyed the scenery of the farm land, meet the locals & absorbed their culture, & when the ‘establishments’ closed we began our trek back to Maryville.


I became apparent that I was to become the designated driver (the owner, now riding {sleeping} shotgun) & Jim ‘driving’ from the back seat, or at least giving directions as to how to get back to the campus. Jim rode on the back right side so he could wave good bye to the new friends we had met, & bid ado to the local ‘officers’ that were parked at the state line –both in Kansas & then again in Missouri. After waving to the cops in the black\white squad cars -=- Jim, as I recall told me = as only Jim could, that ‘that cop drove really FAST to get from one side of that bridge to the other – I didn’t see him pass us’. We should make a citizens arrest’ …’ !!! , ‘pull over & let me do the talking’ … for some reason I thought that might be a MISTAKE !


During the course of the drive, I could hear some conversations that Jim was having with = Jim = , something about having had just perhaps too many assorted ‘liquid-spirits’ , & way too much pub ‘GRUB’ … or whatever it was … no matter … it became clear that it what was eaten in Kansas was not going to stay in Kansas (if you know what I mean?) … the back side window went down & Jim began to ‘yawning in Technicolor’ , ‘blowing groceries’ , for several miles on the way back to campus … (on one occasion, {for we went on ‘several’ field\road trips} = was directly in front of an officer of the law) ….. I am not sure if it was on this ‘field-road-trip’ that Jim lost his glasses … but in the future it became the MOS to keep his glasses for him, post evening in Kansas, so that he could at least look like he was reading for class.
[looking back, it sort of remind of the tv sitcom ‘CHEERS’ where everyone knew his name -GRUB- in Wathena, & it will no doubt NEVER be the same]


That particular evening we stopped several times, trying not leave any trace of the former food on the side of that cherry 57’ Chevy. It was not a success … I do not know if it removed the paint from the side of the car with the ……..but the newly decorated designs all over it right side of the car … but was a sight to be seen ,,, or Not.!.


When arriving back in Maryville, I stopped at the spray car wash …(the owner went to the back lot to reevaluate his condition) & Jim proceeded to watch the cleaning process from the inside, now & then putting down the window to direct the proper procedure of washing a car. I had sort of hoped that the owner would not REALLY notice the new ‘distinct’ patterns. (I was wrong & was told so a few days later ((we never had that ‘car & driver’ again ! ))


Back on campus, I turned the car over to its’ owner, & walked (& I use that word in its’ broadest term) Jim back up to his room … I did not see him for breakfast, lunch or dinner for the next few days – he said he was ‘studying’ ! (I have my doubts !!! )


We even on occasion ventured further South=to Atchison, Ka.= , but Jim did not have the same rapport with those ‘locals’ … , so we stayed closer the ‘campus’ (the seat of knowledge).

Jim, did make my first semester at nwmsc one that will always be with me … for my second semester, I was at another school , & Jim went back up to Des Moines, as I recall. I went back to NWMSC in the Fall 66’ … but without my mentor … school was … school!


We did see each other again, either he would come down to school or I would go up to WDM = vacations & holidays = We would meet for pizza up by North H.S. (Corso’s?) – there was always a photo op. with our friends from school, & the laughter never seem to end … we did not have the ‘adult beverages’ as we had had before , because we had ‘matured’ ((???)) = [or was it that our IDs did not work quite as well in Des Moines -?-].


Jim, made a decision to go into the U.S. Navy … (but that is another story, for another time) … ! … & Morocco , like Wathena will never be the same. I always felt our nation was in good hands with Jim in the Navy. The other nations of the world were ‘afraid – very afraid’ !


Liza, I know this was difficult for you to see this ‘other’ side of your father … He has Mellowed out, which has brought him to you, a man of EXTREME gentleness & thoughtfulness, no matter what he may say of himself, he is that man.


He is always with me … I hear his quiet soft spoken voice, his reserved laughter & remembering his rather subdued behaviors …


Your father is a man that I treasure … & I am looking forward to sharing with him as soon as you folks can get him home again.!.

March 4th Update

Dr. Lopes called me this afternoon. We had a great chat. He is ever so optimistic as always while emphasizing that dad is really in a medical crisis right now, but better than he was 2 days a go. All of his numbers are looking much better. They think the steroids jacked up his adrenal gland and that is contributing to his massive water weight gain. They are going to give him something to control that. He said that he thinks his unresponsiveness is definitely stemming from the medical issues and NOT his brain. The change in the CT scan of the brain, Lopes said he is perplexed as to why it is there, but it is not a significant issue and it perfectly livable.

He is frustrated that he has taken such a huge step backwards, but he said he is in complete control now and is making sure stuff gets done. He told me that if we had any issues or concerns that weren't being addressed by the hospital staff to not hesitate to make them call him so he can talk to us.

I feel much more optimistic now that I know that this is not a neurological issue. I am so kicking his ass when he wakes up for scaring me that bad!!!

March 4th

The only thing I have heard today was that Lopes was going to call me. I am still waiting....

SMOCK!

Rollie Says:

Another song he played on KDLX was "Gloria". Jim was a real student of popular culture ... he was the one that knew what was "in". He was a fan of Steve Alan, the first host of the "Tonight Show". Alan was a cutting edge comic and during some of his more animated moments would yell "SMOCK". Jim thought this was a great thing to do when you would least expect it ... he would yell "SMOCK". It was very funny when he would do but if anyone else would try ... not so much. One day in debate class during a round of cross examination the opposition asked Jim what he thought ... he paused, looked her in the eye and yelled SMOCK. Debate wasn't his best class.

Dad tends to do a lot of things that when someone else does it, the effect just isn't there.

We watched a Steve Alan moment once where he walked around the streets asking if they would have voted for the president if they knew he was a "heterosexual." People's reactions were CLASSIC!!

March 3rd Part 2

I have had "Red Rubber Ball" in my head since Sunday.

They did a bronchoscopy on dad today to look into his lung tissue. There was some puss in there that they wanted to test and they also washed out a lot of gross stuff. They are still trying to get all the fluid off of him so they can get him into the MRI machine. They don't want to transport him to another hospital to do one because that would just introduce him to different infections.

There was a change in the CAT scan in his cerebellum in the part that effects his balance. I think that is why his eyes are roving back and forth. Martha didn't ask what kind of change there was, but that is what finally warrented the MRI which they cannot do at this time. Lopes says he is doing better than he was this weekend, but he is still very very sick. They still do not have the results of the EEG back yet.

I asked Martha if Lopes comes in tomorrow to call me while he was there so I could ask some questions. He still seems to be quite optimistic/hopeful. I may be going back sooner than I thought. I hope we have some better answers tomorrow.

March 3

Last night was my last update from Martha. She said she hadn't gotten any responses out of him all day but she did finally go up to him and ask if he could hear her, she was watching his blood pressure go up and it did it every time she asked. So, I think he is still there. :)

The chest CT shows that the pulmonary embolisms are old. Like, before he got to Rush old, so I would assume they come from the Legionnaire's Disease era if I was a betting gal. Since they have been there that long, I wouldn't imaging that they are posing any kind of threat.

He somehow over the night Sunday ballooned back up with water weight. They tried to do an MRI on his brain yesterday, but he couldn't fit into the machine. Hopefully they got some of that water off him today so they can get it done.

They checked his arms for clots and they were clear, I believe his legs are clear too. I will send out an update once I hear from Martha today.

March 2

I called the nurse to check on dad. Martha isn't there yet. She seemed more on the side of grim than anything. She asked how he was with me this weekend and I reported the same to her as I mentioned in the blog. She seemed encouraged by that, but she wasn't able to get any absolute response out of him today. She thought he may have squeezed her hand a bit.

Dr. Lopes has seen him. He ordered the heparin to be stopped and another head CT until he sees the results of that. They also ordered an abdominal CT and a brain EEG. She said that once all those test come back, then they will know if there is anything further that can be done for him.

Everyone, pray really hard, or hope really hard. We want Big Jim back!!

Red Rubber Ball

Rollie Says:
"Sherry" came out in 1962 when your dad was in high school. It was also a popular song at KDLX radio in 1965 ... we didn't have a lot of records. He was a very good DJ and a riot on the "air". Because of the limited records he wrote RCA and asked to be included in their mailing list. They sent us a box or records ... mostly junk ... but one song he liked and started to play was "Red Rubber Ball". It became a hit the next year. So because of Jim we were playing it before anyone else had heard it. But we were also playing "Teach Me Tiger" by April Stevens.

Rollie, I found Red Rubber Ball, I am assuming it is from the Cyrkle? I played it for him. He actually was looking toward me!!

I would LOVE to hear him on the radio. That would be so awesome. I have heard tapes of him teaching my brother to say "Shit" when he was little and my mom in the background telling him to stop. He also said, "Scott, tell me what we do to you when you are bad!" Scott said, "You flush me down da TOELIT!"

He used to get out his old reel to reel films and show them on the wall. One time he was showing some footage of a house they used to live in and it was projected onto the only large white surface in the house which was the wall. Dad said to Scott, "Look Scott, that is where we used to live!" And Scott said, "Where? On the wall?!"

I think my brother is retarded too. Because that was a few months ago. No, Im kidding, I think he was like 3.

Sunday Part 2

I can't say I have the best news. He seems to be completely unresponsive to everyone today. His chest CT came back with 2 small pulmonary embolisms. (not the fatal kind) That's what the doctor told me. That is the reason why his heart rate is so fast. They are giving him heparin and they are going to evaluate his arms to see if that is the source of the clots. They are also going to check the filter umbrella ella ella (sorry) that they put in his vena cava to prevent blood clots.

His right pupil is much larger than his left which before there was only a slight difference. Dad squeezed my hand after a lot of yelling and some hard sternal rubs but he wouldn't let go. He won't look at anyone either. I keep stressing my concerns for an MRI. I am waiting to see the scan results for the head CT. The nurse and I are wondering if maybe there is an issue with his shunt needing adjusted or if it is clogged. I know I was getting responses from him yesterday and I am not today.

Looks like I won't make it back to Jordan's party.

Sunday

I think I have decided that constant noise turns me into a complete asshole. If it isn't the sound of the hospital room, its the sound of his machines or the train going by or someone honking their horn or the traffic or someone talking or farting or coughing or the tv!! I have had a lot of people in my life mention to me that I am retarded. I would't go as far as that, maybe I am mildy autistic. When out if my normal environment, with constant noise I freak out. I also liked to be wrapped up like a burrito. Do you think I qualify?

Last night dad had a fever of 101. They put him back on the ventilator because he seemed to be struggling a bit. I was finally able to get him to squeeze my hand a few times and I made him squeeze the nurses hand when he wouldn't for her. He really seemed to move a lot when I read him the stories people wrote to him. He moved his hand around and even moved his shoulder.

I also found an application on my iphone called Pandora Internet Radio. It is the coolest!! I was able to put in The Beatles, or Queen or Oldies and it finds the artists and plays those songs. So I plugged it in next to dads head so he could listen to, Who put the bop and the bow she bow she bow. His heart rate actually went down 10 beats per minute. It went way up when that song Sherry Baby came on. Scott and I discussed whether he hates that song or really loves it. I have concluded that he really wants Sherry Atkinson to fix his hair.

They did and EKG on him since his heart rate was in the 130's and they were taking him to CT when I left last night to check his chest for A pulmonary embolism just in case. I told the nurse to call me if any thing came out of it and she didn't. So, I am going to jump in the shower and back to see him.