We have hit another milestone. On Thursday, July 15th, Judy and Wendy each received a phone call from the hospital. It was Greg's speech therapist who informed them that Greg was talking and would like to speak with them. Greg was put on the phone and spoke first to his wife for the first time in over a month. The doctor has a speaking valve that they can put on Gregs trach and he can communicate.
Yesterday Matt and I went to the hospital to visit Greg. He was very frustrated and very bored. He was trying to say something to Matt and finally the doctor was able to bring in his valve so he could talk to us. He told Matt that he loves him and he missed him oddles and bunches. He is trying to find things to do now to occupy his time. He asked for a Reader and he wants to go to the Temple.
Judy and Jenn were at the hospital also visiting when Matt and I were there. Judy told Greg that we have seen miracles and people are inspired by Greg. His response was, "I dont want to see miracles, I want to do one" He is in there and he is fighting, he wants out of that hospital with a passion.
If you would like to send words of encouragement, letters, cards- now would be a good time. We would be happy to read them to Greg and I am sure he would love to hear from you all. You can email me at kelli1714@yahoo.com and I would be happy to give you our address where you can send cards or you can email a letter and that works too :) We love you all and thank you for your continued faith, prayers, and love!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Set Backs: Blessings in Disguise
Greg's old Cocci doctor, Dr. Stevens, has been keeping an eye on his progress. What a blessing to have this man looking out for Greg. He told Wendy that he will be monitering Greg's charts and keeping up on it, if we have any questions we are welcome to go to him and ask and he will explain the medical side of things for us.
Dr. Stevens was checking in on Greg and discovered that he had signs of Sepsis- an infection in the blood. So they started him on the Antibiotics Super Cocktail and he is doing much better now. It only takes a couple days to clear.
Rehab is getting Greg up in his wheelchair when they can and still working on weaning him off the ventilator, but it has been another set back with the onset of Sepsis. We aren't discouraged though, every set back in this whole process has been a blessing in disguise. Greg's speech therapist is still coming in and helping him find other ways he can communicate with us and his nurses, he still isn't talking. As he becomes more aware of what is going on, he is increasingly frustrated- but we are understanding of his frustrating moments and know that he has a long road ahead of him. Greg continues to prove he is one strong and stubborn man, just the way we like him :) A Fighter.
Dr. Stevens was checking in on Greg and discovered that he had signs of Sepsis- an infection in the blood. So they started him on the Antibiotics Super Cocktail and he is doing much better now. It only takes a couple days to clear.
Rehab is getting Greg up in his wheelchair when they can and still working on weaning him off the ventilator, but it has been another set back with the onset of Sepsis. We aren't discouraged though, every set back in this whole process has been a blessing in disguise. Greg's speech therapist is still coming in and helping him find other ways he can communicate with us and his nurses, he still isn't talking. As he becomes more aware of what is going on, he is increasingly frustrated- but we are understanding of his frustrating moments and know that he has a long road ahead of him. Greg continues to prove he is one strong and stubborn man, just the way we like him :) A Fighter.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wheelchair
Yesterday Judy and I went and visited Greg at the hospital, On Tuesday he went ANOTHER 10 HOURS on C-Pap which is awesome!
Today they got him sitting up in the wheelchair for the first time! He was able to stay in for 30 minutes which is great for a first time. He is getting stronger each day. He still isn't talking and his only mode for communication is shaking his head yes and no, but the speach therapist was in with him yesterday trying new ways of communicating with us. He seemed a bit frustrated, but doing his best. I'm not worried at all, I feel when the time is right he will be able to communicate with us again.
Keep up the prayers and faith for Greg, everything helps and we have seen miracles and blessings every step of this adventure. Love you all!
Today they got him sitting up in the wheelchair for the first time! He was able to stay in for 30 minutes which is great for a first time. He is getting stronger each day. He still isn't talking and his only mode for communication is shaking his head yes and no, but the speach therapist was in with him yesterday trying new ways of communicating with us. He seemed a bit frustrated, but doing his best. I'm not worried at all, I feel when the time is right he will be able to communicate with us again.
Keep up the prayers and faith for Greg, everything helps and we have seen miracles and blessings every step of this adventure. Love you all!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Rehab Here We Come
Greg has been moved from the TCNU down to the Rehab Center at the hospital and he is doing well. He stayed on C-Pap for another 10 hours today which is remarkable! We are so proud of him and glad to see him continuing to progress!
I haven't had much to report lately, but no news is good news- I will continue to give you any updated info I have!
I haven't had much to report lately, but no news is good news- I will continue to give you any updated info I have!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
C Pap Time 7/3/10
Today I went and visited Greg in his TCNU room (Transitional Care Neurology Unit). They had just washed him up and combed his hair when I got there, so he was awake and very alert.
I talked to him for a bit and he smiled, nodded, and made good eye contact. It was a really great visit, so much so that I didn't want to leave. He was on the C-pap machine while I was there, he was breathing well and his numbers looked great. I called later tonight and the nurse told me he stayed on C-pap for 10 hours! He is working hard and we are so proud of him!
I talked to him for a bit and he smiled, nodded, and made good eye contact. It was a really great visit, so much so that I didn't want to leave. He was on the C-pap machine while I was there, he was breathing well and his numbers looked great. I called later tonight and the nurse told me he stayed on C-pap for 10 hours! He is working hard and we are so proud of him!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Ether 12:27
Ether 12: 27
And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
This scripture was read in Sacrament meeting last Sunday and immediately made me think of Greg. It gives me hope and I hope it does the same for you.
And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
This scripture was read in Sacrament meeting last Sunday and immediately made me think of Greg. It gives me hope and I hope it does the same for you.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
New Status!
Yesterday Greg was moved again and is no longer ICU status! He has been moved to TCNU until there is a room available for him back in the Rehab center, but he is doing well.
They have lowered his Oxygen saturation to 35% and he continues to over breathe the ventilator. He is still wiggling his toes, but we haven't been able to meet with the Neurosurgeon to find out what his full assessment results are.
For the last few days his stomach has been distended and the doctors believe it is residual air in his belly from the feeding tube procedure, but it seems to be dissipating on its own as it should.
Greg went for 1 1/2hours on the C-pap on Wednesday which is AWESOME! With 6 broken ribs and his brace cinched in on his chest to stabilize his back it is hard work to breathe and he can't take deep breaths, but this is great progress!
They have lowered his Oxygen saturation to 35% and he continues to over breathe the ventilator. He is still wiggling his toes, but we haven't been able to meet with the Neurosurgeon to find out what his full assessment results are.
For the last few days his stomach has been distended and the doctors believe it is residual air in his belly from the feeding tube procedure, but it seems to be dissipating on its own as it should.
Greg went for 1 1/2hours on the C-pap on Wednesday which is AWESOME! With 6 broken ribs and his brace cinched in on his chest to stabilize his back it is hard work to breathe and he can't take deep breaths, but this is great progress!
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