A New Week, Same old stuff

11 Jan

Yes, we are still in the old ICU holding pattern. Dad has been in ICU at Greenville Memorial for 12 days now. The last FOUR have promised he will get out “tomorrow.” I don’t think my definition of tomorrow and theirs lines up. What bothers me about all of this is there seems to be no major reasons for why he doesn’t get out. Yesterday they requested a room and then rescended the request when he slept too much. Of course, a couple of hours after that decision he woke up, ate a good meal, and talked to everyone. They give him high-powered pain killers at night and can’t seem to figure out why he sleeps so much during the day.

Okay, here is the deal: My dad doesn’t even like to take TYLENOL. So I am not surprised when you dose him with Morphine, Adavan, or Darvacet, that he tries to sleep all day the next day. I am no doctor, but I do know that 1+1=2.

The Latest on Dad

9 Jan

Since yesterday’s post, much has happened. I could write that everyday. And it is always a ROLLERCOASTER. Our emotions hit the high and low spots harder than the actual reports from the doctors, but I guess that is natural.

Dad was awake and alert for most of the day yesterday. The cardiologists finally came back and told us there was nothing to worry about with his heart, but they do see something minor that they want to follow up on after he is released from the hospital. The critical care team said they are ready to discharge him from ICU. His neurologist wants one more good night in ICU, and then off to the floor.
So, dare I write this?? He is SUPPOSED to go to a room TODAY. But like my sisters, I’ll believe it when it happens. He had a good day yesterday. He even got Mom to call me on her cell phone from inside ICU because he wanted to talk to me last night! He couldn’t hear most of what I said, but it was good to talk to him!
So I guess this is all good. And I am thankful for so many good friends that have checked on him and my family. And those that prayed! Keep praying!!!
ALSO: Remember the family of Ed Self. His dad, who has fought COPD for a decade or more, is very close to death. Ed and all of his siblings are in Rock Hill right now with his mom and dad. Lift them up!!
Remember the family of Betty Moore-Bell. Her brother, Richard Moore, is in MICU at McLeod and doctors have reached the point where all they can do is keep him comfortable.

The Invisible Woman

8 Jan

A friend sent me this clip today of Nicole Johnson. AWESOME!!!

Dear AT&T

8 Jan

Just wanted to share some thoughts with you, my old friend, AT&T. Tell you a story. Hope you listen:

I know it is not your fault my dad is having some health issues. As I’ve spent most of the past two weeks out of town, I’ve had issues with you and you haven’t been a good friend. When I returned from my trip to Greenville at Christmas, I found my DSL modem fried. Okay, I’m sorry that must be a South Carolina metaphor. If I told Dean Lisenby, Robbie Roof, Paul Triplett, or Dustin Fails that my modem was fried, they would COMPLETELY and IMMEDIATELY understand. So when I told your DSL tech over the toll-free support line, he had no clue. He did not speak South Carolinian, and barely spoke English. I asked him if I had equipment coverage or if there was any chance my modem was under warranty. He had no clue. I told him unless I knew it was covered NOT TO SHIP. He shipped.
I called the folks at billing. They said it was gonna cost me $75, but I could call and get a return label if I did not want it. I found one … One of the above mentioned friends had one HE GAVE ME. So your box came to my house while I was out of town again with my dad.
This morning I finally had time to call you, AT&T. To get a return label. What I got was a very nice young lady who, once again, DID NOT SPEAK SOUTH CAROLINIAN. She asked me how I wanted the label: email or snail mail. I answered SNAIL MAIL. She then proceeded to tell me she’d already emailed it and I would have it soon. Guess what?? IT NEVER CAME.
So, I will call and call and call until I get someone who speaks ENGLISH and try again.
So, AT&T, you might think you are saving money by farming out tech support to another continent. But you are HURTING YOURSELVES. YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REALLY STINKS RIGHT NOW.
Sincerely,
David

Most recent news

8 Jan

I didn’t blog about Dad yesterday. Quite frankly, yesterday was a strange day with many ups and downs and information was (and IS) hard to nail down.

Dad did NOT get out of ICU yesterday. When Mom was finally able to go back yesterday morning, she found that Dad was sleeping and had a fever. The Neurosurgeon did not like the fact that he was not waking up and running a fever of 101, so he ordered yet ANOTHER CT scan (I am looking for a coupon or hope they have a volume discount) and ordered some lab work on the spinal fluid that drains out of his shunt. Everything seemed to be okay.
But Dad would NOT wake up.
So they call in a cardiologist. Dad’s heartbeat has been a little irregular. Two cardiologists come and look over his charts, ask Mom a ton of questions, and discuss the case. They decide there is nothing to be concerned about but do order an echocardiogram. Echo is done and Mom never hears anything about what it showed. I wonder if they are going to use it as a baseline or something.
But Dad would NOT wake up.
After all that Dad has been through, it does concern me that no one seems to be able to figure out why he won’t wake up. He would come around a talk a little, and go right back to sleep. Mom, my sisters, and I are all getting upset. Wondering what will happen next on this rollercoaster we’ve been on for two weeks now.
And Dad woke up. And he seemed fine. He tried to set a nurse up with my nephew. He was talking like crazy. So I wonder if he has his days and nights mixed up?? I could see where that would be easy in ICU.
Anyway, we have no idea when he will get out of ICU, let alone the hospital. And we still covet your prayers.
And please pray for Ed Self and his family. Ed is Ebenezer’s minister of music and he was called to Rock Hill yesterday because his father is close to death. Ed’s dad has fought COPD for many years and docs feel he will pass away in the next day or two. I guess its a bad week to be an Ebenezer staff dad.

A Word on Wednesday

6 Jan

Yeah … Just tryin to come up with something more creative for a blog entry title about Dad. We are entering our seventh day in the 4th Floor ICU at Greenville Memorial, and our 12th day (total) in this hospital. Mom is getting tired but doing okay: She told me mornings are better than afternoons. She didn’t get home from the hospital last night until almost 10:30, and was back here by 8:15 this morning. She can’t keep this pace up … PLEASE PRAY FOR HER! She is a real trooper!

We went in this morning to find both drain tubes REMOVED! (BY THE DOCS!!! They’ve had some trouble with Dad trying to remove things in the past two days.) They did a CT scan this morning that looked good. When we went back, Dad was still pretty groggy and sleeping from his pain meds. Should be waking up around 10:30, and I intend to go back in then.
The next question is “when will he get to transition out of ICU?” His nurse told us to ask the doc when we see him around noonish. Hope its closer to noon than two, because Raoul (the Accord) and I have to get back to Florence this afternoon. IT’S FRIED CHICKEN NIGHT AT EBC!!! And, there’s something else I gotta do, too!!

The rest of Tuesday’s story

6 Jan

I regret that I didn’t have time to update this until now. Much has happened to keep me from a keyboard, but I finally am able to write this.

Dad’s morning valley quickly turned around. He eventually woke up more. He wants to get out of there, even asking my sister to break him out. He had a swallowing test today that he passed, and now is able to begin eating food (I think they started him on liquids, so I don’t know if you can really call it eating yet!)
I got into my car at 3 in Florence and basically just got out of it and sat down with my computer in my lap. Long journey, long story. I am spending the night in Easley at Mom and Dad’s and going to the hospital tomorrow for a while before I return to Florence.
And, all in all, I am counting my blessings. Headache is gone. Long tasks done. I just hope God blesses me with a sermon for Sunday now!!!

Tuesday’s Report

5 Jan

I find myself starting this day with several heavy issues unrelated to Dad. Disappointed. A little ticked. Headache from lack of sleep. And my week just got rearranged.

Called up to my sister to check Dad’s status, and we are in a little valley this morning. He is again not waking up well. They are sending him for another CAT scan and waiting for answers. The valleys get tougher when you have such good and high peaks.

Will update more as I know it.

Monday’s report

4 Jan

Got some good news a few minutes ago from Greenville: Dad is alert, movement is good, and they decided to REMOVE THE VENT TUBES!! He is talking, answering questions, recognizing people, and ready to get the heck out of there!

Yesterday afternoon doctors decided to go ahead and drain the other side. It was a sudden decision, not an emergency but it was urgent. Steadily throughout the day and night Dad made large-scale improvements, much more than he’d made over the past week.

So, we are climbing toward another peak. But the road will still be long. I suspect Dad will have to do some inpatient physical therapy. And now I pray for patience, for he and Mom. This road will be a long one and there WILL be valleys to go with the peaks.

As for Monday, we are climbing uphill!!! And it feels good!

Peaks and Valleys

3 Jan

I write this as Sunday School is in full swing at EBC. I expressed my gratitude to the early worship crowd for how Ebenezer has been my family, carrying me through many tough times in my life. Prayer works and I am a firm believer in both the power of prayer and the power of God.

By virtue of my calling, I’ve walked this path before. Many times. As a pastor who cares for my sheep, I’ve been on this difficult road with others and it is no picnic. I’d like to think I’ve helped many families before who were right where the Wike family is, right now. One thing about it: I feel their pain now first-hand. I’ve seen it from the bleachers many times, but now I feel it. And its tough.

I finally was able to call Mom this morning around 10am. The report is not great news, but not terrible news either: He is still breathing with the vent in CPAP mode only. His vitals all look good. There is an increasing amount of mucus they are having to deal with and we don’t know where that is coming from. So, no significant changes in any of those. But now he is not as responsive as he was yesterday. And that hurts.

Many times I’ve seen families celebrate the peaks and suffer through the valleys. So I know they exist. But walking through this valley is tough. Ironically, my little sister and I talked yesterday about how we’ve celebrated so much over just a little progress and we talked about the fact that valleys will happen. I just didn’t think it would be today, or hit me like a ton of bricks.

I don’t want to sound like the boy who cried wolf, but please do keep my family in your prayers. Thanks!!!

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