Posted on 01/24/2007 10:24:26 PM PST by mhking
Hi everyone --
I can't thank everyone enough for the notes and prayers and calls. I realize that this is one of those cage-rattling moments that the Lord hits us with once in awhile to remind us who is truly in charge of our lives. But I also know that with Him, and by putting my hand and heart in His, all things are possible.
Rick was transferred to Northwestern Memorial in downtown Chicago last Friday. Northwestern is a stroke trauma center, plus home to a high-level stroke and vascular rehabilitation center. In addition, his personal physician is on staff at Northwestern, so we know we're looking at a higher level of care. That hospital is also the sports medicine facility for the Bears and Bulls, so one of the first things that was accomplished was getting a larger bed -- one that more comfortably fits a 6'3", 375 pound man.
Our sister, Courtney, flew in from San Francisco over the weekend, and when she came into the room, he became animated and tried to talk. Hopefully, when I get there Thursday, it will do him some good as well.
He is now able to turn his head to the right, when he wasn't previously able to do. He definitely sees and hears and understands what is going on around him. He can communicate with nods yes and no, and, at least with Courtney, tried to talk a bit. The speech therapist has been working with him to try to get him to swallow small amounts of liquids and pudding.
He moved his right leg late Saturday, and the physical therapist says that he is showing remarkable progress.
His blood sugar has fluctuated wildly, and is being controlled by drugs for now.
A funny story -- at least guys will find it funny. My wife and mother both insisted it wasn't, while my dad and I thought it was hilarious -- on Sunday, he was very agitated and obviously uncomfortable. Courtney found a charlie horse in one leg and massaged it out, but he still wasn't completely comfortable. When my mother called later in the night, the nurses said they found that his catheter had a kink in it! Once they cleared that, they said, he slept like a baby.
I guess us guys can appreciate that pain and relief... Plus, of course, that also means that his has feeling in that part of his body, and that nothing more serious is wrong there.
In terms of a cause, I'm not sure; I do know he has been under a dramatic amount of stress lately. Rick has historically been one to hold things in when they bother him, as opposed to my sister and I; we are both much more demonstrative when we are stressed. We find ways to release that stress in whatever way we can.
The doctors are saying that a possible cause may be related to a small hole between the ventricles of his heart. Apparently up to 15 percent of the populace has this minor defect, and in the vast majority of persons, it has no effect. But in this case, they say a clot may have formed and traveled by way of this hole to his brain, causing the stroke.
In any event, surgery has been discussed as an option after the present issues are taken care of, to repair that hole and prevent any sort of issue from surfacing in the future.
Thank you again, for everything. You can't imagine just how much you all mean to me and to us here. God bless and keep you all.
Michael
Some great news, Mike! It's great news that his doctors are so thorough that they found the small hole. It sounds like he's getting some great care. We'll continue to pray for him.
As for the kink... just damn.
Prayers continuing. The sort of heart surgery you mentioned has come very far in the last few years. Some of it can be done in a non-invasive procedure (small incision - no open heart). Glad to hear he is making progress.
Ouch!............
A good report! Excellent.
Prayers still going up!
Thanks for the heartening report. With that level of care and the level of loving support surrounding your brother, I would expect a very positive outcome.
All of you are in our prayers.
This guy's still squirming in sympathy ... thanks for nuthin'!
re: 221
So glad to hear a good report Michael!
Praise and thank Jesus continually.
And don't stop praying for Rick's full recovery and for all who care for him to have God's wisdom.
Please keep us all posted, so we know how to pray for Rick.
May the Father continue to bless Rick and family/friends.
in Him,
Kristin
aka MeekMom
Heartfelt bttt.
It sounds like as much fun as being ambulatory with a Folley catheter and walking away from the stand. Been there...
prayers continue
Don't read my post...
FWIW, my father in law once pulled out a foley catheter ... while the little balloon at the end was still inflated.
Squirming again...
Prayers up
Thank you Michael. We continue to look forward to more progress reports. With so many people pulling for him, it's no wonder your brother is making a great comeback.
I tried to warn you...
God will make a way..........
Sounds like a very positive report to me. I'm still praying for Rick's recovery. Tell him there are people here pulling for him all the time. God Bless Rick and you.
Michael, prayers for your brother, his family and yours.
You might want to make an appointment with a cardiologist or neurologist to get checked out.
For those of us with a history of strokes in the family and in particuliar with black ancestors, we are at a higher stroke risk than the rest of the population.
If you have high blood pressure, get it under control with medication and exercise.
The cause of death on both sides of my family has been CVA's associated with HBP. A cardiologist and neurologist recommended that I go on one baby aspirin aday with my Vasotec. When my mother died of a stroke a few years ago, my family doctor put me on one baby asprin in the morning and one in the evening and had me divide my Vasotec into two doses. He is on the same regimen. Every male in his family, who has died, died of a stroke and hbp in the last century at about 60 years of age.
God often sends us messages, and only the fools ignore those messages. You are no fool.
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