From jacque@oz.net Fri Nov 1 16:58:04 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 09:58:04 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] Dream a little dream for me Message-ID: <3060.166.128.54.100.1036169884.squirrel@www.oz.net> I woke up at 5:30 this morning to call Bob's Mom in Ohio. I wanted to reach her before she went to the office. Turns out she didn't work today, so I could have waited until a little later. We spoke for about an hour, and I related the new distressing details of Bob's condition. When we ended the conversation, I went back to bed, knowing the alarm wouldn't go off for another 90 minutes. The three of us will meet at the hospital for a 9:30 patient care conference with Bob's doctors. In that last period of sleep, I experienced the first dream I've had since Bob was injured. We were holding a coming home party. All our friends were there, with lots of food and music playing on the stereo. ("The Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics. Weird, huh.) With no explanation, Bob pushed his wheelchair away from the table and went into another room. I excused myself from our guests and followed him down the hall. He was in a room filled with computers. I watched him stand up out of his wheelchair. He then got on his knees and crawled beneath one of the desks to fiddle with the connections. I was dumbfounded. Although I really don't know why I was so surpised; in my waking life, before the accident, Bob's blue-jeaned butt sticking out from under a workstation was one of the more common and reassuring sights in our household. He eased his way back out and turned to face me. Still on his knees. "BL," I said, crying, "they told me you were paralyzed!" "But they didn't say forever," he said, smiling. Then I woke up. From jacque@oz.net Sat Nov 2 06:19:48 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 23:19:48 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/1 Message-ID: <3072.166.128.54.100.1036217988.squirrel@www.oz.net> Dr. Thomas Vater, the spinal surgeon, spoke with Don and I extensively last night. He then answered many of our questions at a patient care conference this morning. Dick, Don and I were all at the meeting. From my hastily scribbled notes---you medical types, please correct me if I have any of this wrong. Dr. Vater says that Bob's spinal injuries are among the worst he's ever seen, especially from a fall. "He must have taken many hits on the way down," was his conjecture. Those who were with Bob confirm this. Let's start with the paraplegia. Bob experienced what is called a "burst" fracture on T4. This completely corresponds to no sensation from the nipples down, which is where we are. A burst fracture is analgous to stomping on a bag of flour, with a little recoil factor thrown in. Bone fragments spray in all directions. The vertebrae is compressed and blows out and back. Almost without exception, the cord is instantly compressed, nerve roots and vascular flow are constricted, and you have an immediate "ischemic event"---that portion of the spinal cord dies. This means that Bob was paraplegic from the moment he was on the floor of the mine. In some twisted way, I take a bit of comfort from this fact. The doctor said it again and again---T4 burst, instant paralysis. Which means we never have to second guess about whether it could have been avoided. Apart from the fall, I mean. We don't have to wonder if it was the protracted rescue process that did it, or if he was jostled too much in the helicoper, or if ....if....on and on and on. The paraplegia was a done deal from the moment the accident happened. The doc did say that you really can't tell the full extent of burst fracture from x-rays. What happens is that after the compression, the ligaments and other connective structures try to snap back into their usual places. You know something is terribly wrong on the x-ray, but only in seeing it first hand can you tell how badly the spinal cord is compromised. Bob also has a T5 anterior compression fracture. There is no cord compromise at that point, not that it really matters since it is below the catastrophic T4 break. During his Monday night surgery, titanium screws and rods were placed to stabilize the thoracic spine (all those T vertebra). They also borrowed some bone from Bob's hip to strengthen both ends of the T2 through T7 internal fixation repair. Screws and bolts are only useful if their anchoring material holds. OK, now that we've covered the irreperable paralysis areas, let's focus on current trouble spots. Bob's neck is the next frontier. He has much cord swelling in the cervical spine and surrounding tissues. This puts pressure on his trachea, making breathing difficult. I am also told this could put him at risk for more serious respiratory problems down the line. Biggest deal, though, is that this cervical cord contusion, this swelling, has potential to render him quadriplegic. Starting at the very top of the spine: C1 C2 torn ligaments, posterior ligamentous swelling Cord damage at C1 C2 is not compatible with life. If that happens, Bob will die. It is at this point of the conference that I lose it. "But he was breathing just fine when I first saw him on Sunday," I insist. "What went wrong?" The doctor reminds me that swelling takes a while to materialize. We all know this from spraining an ankle, right? Moving on: C3 C4 disk injury, flexion distraction injury In these areas, the cord is not mechanically compromised, but there is substantial swelling. Bob will require additional surgery in this area. C7 T1 lamina fracture Messy but not risking the cord. Dr. Monroe (orthopedic surgeon) had planned wrist surgeries for today, but the increase in cervical swelling makes that too dangerous. They're delaying until Bob can be stabilized in a halo brace, which holds his spinal column immobile and is installed with four pins in the head. When I left the hospital this morning, there was a specialist taking measurements on Bob, and they shaved places on his head where the hardware will go. They are custom ordering it from Minnesota, it should be in by tomorrow afternoon. Once he's in the halo, it will be much safer to move him, turn him, sit him up, etc. Then and only then can they can start repairing the compound wrist fractures. Bob is on IV steroids once again to help with the swelling. He is also getting periodic insulin shots, in that steroids raise blood sugar levels. We do have to take it hour by hour in waiting for the swelling to resolve. Our more active goals are extubation, avoiding pneumonia or bacterial infections, and minimizing unpleasant side effects from all the medications. So---the doc says, until proven otherwise---Bob is what they call an "incomplete quad." The "incomplete" is only because we've seen him move his fingers once and hope to again. But there is still hope he'll return to para status. If the neck swelling resolves before damage is done... You know it's a sick and twisted turn of events when you find yourself begging that your husband will *ONLY* be paraplegic. After I first saw Bob on Sunday night, at the very beginning of my involvement with this crisis, I devised a scale to help keep perspective. From best-case to worst-case: Bob ends up: 1. Badly injured, but will walk again with rehab 2. Paraplegic with no apparent brain damage 3. Quadraplegic with no apparent brain damage 4. Regaining use of legs but has brain damage 5. Paraplegic with brain damage 6. Quadraplegic with brain damage 7. Dead See? We're only at 3. I can almost crack a smile. If all goes to plan, Bob will be at UMC for at least another month. We migt be able to move him to California by Christmas. He'll wear the halo for at least 3 months. After that, they'll remove it and xray the cervical spine both flexed and straightened. If things mesh nicely, he moves on. If not, they will fuse the vertebrae in his neck. Rehabilitive therapy will go on for many, many months. In summary, Dr. Vater isn't comfortable with where Bob is now. (How's that for understatement.) He will start to relax when Bob is in the halo brace, sitting up and breathing on his own. These last few days have been grim. I look forward to being able to pass on good news soon. Bob has been heavily sedated since he was intubated on Wednesday. I miss him. His eyes flutter open occasionally, and I try hard to establish connection before he fades out. Before intubation, there was some question about his vision. He was complaining about visual field and clarity the morning after surgery. Doctor held up one finger, Bob called it three. His eyes didn't track well, either. An opthamologist checked him out and found nothing obviously wrong. The nurse tonight says his eyes dilate evenly, but dilation is sluggish. This is no change from the time he had his last CT scan. I assume they will recheck his vision when the breathing tube comes out. I believe the hospital is handling Bob's pain fairly well, although he's had some trembling episodes where he sometimes grimaces. They are sticking to a regular routine of morphine. Sometimes the nurses will administer it a bit early if the shaking gets too bad. Bob was moved from Trauma ICU to Surgical ICU late Wednesday night. In Trauma, he was allowed round-the-clock visitation from a handpicked few. In Surgical, visiting hours are 10a-10p. We have been pushing those boundaries a bit, especially on closing time. Don and I have been able to stay here until 1, sometimes 2 in the morning. We're pretty quiet, stay out of the way and try not to rile the patient too much.We don't want him to kick our ass when he gets better. I am usually the one with him when it gets late. Dick handles the day shift, me the night, with Don generously overlapping into both. I talk to Bob a lot, telling him whom I've heard from, passing on get well wishes and information on people who have called or emailed. I tell him about my "Bobwatch" subscribers--he is certainly rolling his eyes at that one. I tell him what the kids are doing--Julie taking Simone to the Halloween parade at Graham's school, Carly's preparation to be a defense lawyer in her history class Boston Massacre trial. Today I even admitted that I drove his car at 100 mph on I-15.I wasn't trying to be a leadfoot. I just didn't want to be late for the conference with Dr. Vater. BL, if you ever read this, I apologize for calling your baby unremarkable. Butta'. She rides like butta'. Tonight I am singing to him. Some of the nurses have looked askance, but no one has yet asked me to stop. I hold his hand (ever so gently! The boy's got mangled wrists!) and it seems to get his attention. His eyes open a bit and his heart rate increases--it has been too low for my taste tonight, between 44 and 50. Need to ask about that. Nurse this shift is Kenyan and very wonderful. I sing some of the pop songs I used as lullabies when Simone was a baby--Shania Twain's Still the One, Bangles' Eternal Flame. I'm doing a few traditional favorites, too--Waly, Waly and Brahm's lullaby (all four excruciating verses), Rock-a-bye Baby and All The Pretty Little Horses. I know those songs by rote from singing them every night cribside. In my upset state, I'm not able to come up with too many others. They should evoke happy family memories for him, even if the selections aren't exactly to his liking. I've started reading to him--I don't currently have the attention span for books, so our fine literature is Newsweek or Time Magazine. This week's issue has a great piece on Vice City, the sequel to Bob's beloved GTA3. I do appreciate those of you who read my updates. Believe it or not, it helps me feel like we're not so alone in this. The Lynn(e)s in my life are treating me well. I just received two care packages from my friend Lynne T. in Northern California. I am excited about opening them when I get home from the hospital---there's not much to look forward to these days. My buddy Lynn H. in Seattle has done much medical terminology translation for me over the phone, plus she wrote a thoughtful and very touching essay about our struggles. You can read it on her web page: www.alexandlynn.com. Please stay safe, all of you-- Jacque From jacque@oz.net Sat Nov 2 19:05:42 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 12:05:42 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] [Fwd: Re: Thinking of You] Message-ID: <3047.166.128.54.100.1036263942.squirrel@www.oz.net> -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Thinking of You From: Date: Sat, November 2, 2002 12:02 pm To: Hi Caroline-- Thanks for writing. I can't even start to tell you how horrible this all has been. And it just seems to be getting worse. Knowing that people are thinking of us and pooling their collective cosmic energies on Bob's behalf helps me feel not quite so all alone. I did get a chance to talk with him Monday. Mentally, at that point at least, he was still Bob. Exhausted, in profound pain, and slightly disoriented---even so, he was able to give me some instructions. Let's just say it was a jump start to me taking over the household things he usually handles. Ay. It's been a while since I've had to be left brained. Banking, insurance, employment, disability... His fall was Sunday morning, we are 6 days into his recovery now. He has had spinal surgery, more x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ugh, it goes on and on. Since Tuesday afternoon, he has been on a respirator and heavily sedated. He's receiving steroids. Insulin. Blood thinners. Antibiotics. Morphine. He has more tubes going in and out of his body than I can count. With a few exceptions, those caring for him are competent and caring, although we had a nurse yesterday that told me I should be the one covering Bob up (he was trembling), because she was on her BREAK?!#!@#!? She should be rendered for parts. They can do that at a hospital, right? But she is the exception. Everyone seems to be very concerned, for the most part, with handling his pain. His prognosis is not good. He is certainly paraplegic, and will most likely end up quadriplegic. He has extensive injuries in his cervical and thoracic spine. I was having brunch with Lynn Hinrichs in Redmond while Bob was lying broken in a mine shaft near Vegas. It is a terrible juxtaposition. My children are back in our Palo Alto rental house. My husband's father's wife Julie (I guess this makes her my step-mother-in-law, if there is such a thing) has moved into our home and is taking over for me while I'm in Las Vegas. I will never be able to repay her for this extreme kindness---they can have somewhat normal lives, albeit without me and their Dad, and I am free to concentrate on Bob and getting him as well as we can. I miss my kids. I have been able to talk with Carly (13) almost every night, going over the events of her school day and keeping her posted on Bob's recovery. Graham (9) will come to the phone, but he really just wants to get back to his Game Boy, doncha know. I especially miss Simone. I'm sure you understand this, having a daughter just a little older. (Simone is 3 1/2.) Carly and Graham have school, extracurriculars, some outside friends, music and computer interests...lots of distractions. Simone has...had...me. And now she doesn't. Our new Palo Alto friends, an amazing group, have taken Julie and my kids under their collective wing--play dates, Trick or Treating companions, delivered dinners, etc.--and one friend even found a preschool slot for Simone. She starts Tuesday. But you know what? I didn't WANT Simone in preschool. I wanted her home with me! I am grateful that she has a distraction now, don't get me wrong, but she is my baby, my last born, and I wanted her with me. Shit. Today Bob will be put in a halo brace. Once he's stabilized, they can turn their attention to repairing his wrists. He's just a mess. There is swelling in his cervical spine that needs to resolve before we can stop holding our breath. He will be in the hospital for at least another month; there will be many, many months of therapy after that. I just want to get him back near home so we can all be together. Thanks for letting me vent, Caroline. I look forward to ordering some of those magnificent veggie enchiladas with the jalapeno cream sauce when we're back and all settled in. ;) Do you ship on dry ice via FedEx? If you, or anyone you know would like to be on a distribution list to get my email updates (this includes members of the choir, although if they have emailed me, I've already added them to the list), you can go to: http://lists.ofb.net/listinfo/bobwatch They have instructions there for subscribing. Look at how organized this is becoming. Aren't I lucky that Bob was with high tech guys when he fell? I am copying this to Amy and KPT in case they want to pass on the subscription info to the choir. Presumptuous, I know, but many people have asked to be kept in the loop. It is quite cathartic for me to write it all down. Take good care, and thank you so much for getting in touch. I hope to have better news for you soon. --Jacque From jacque@oz.net Sun Nov 3 07:50:24 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Sun, 3 Nov 2002 00:50:24 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/2 Message-ID: <3155.166.128.54.100.1036309824.squirrel@www.oz.net> I drove to UMC today in a bit of a panic. Dick called me at the apartment, saying that there'd been a change of plans. Dr. Vater was not going to put on Bob's halo brace today. They need to talk to me, and won't give Dick any details. How soon can you get here, he asks, there are some papers they want you to sign? I hate surprises. On the way to the hospital, I call SICU on my cell and ask to speak to the nurse. No emergency, he says, we just have some papers for you to sign. Dr. Vater can explain when you get here. I arrive and they get Dr. Vater on the phone. He explains that Dr. Kavins, one of his associates, has reviewed Bob's case and thinks it would be best to do the C3 C4 repair as soon as possible. Bob has been on blood thinners, a common protocol for bedridden patients. They will discontinue that medication and do the surgery on Tuesday. While he is under anesthesia, they will also install the halo brace and perform fracture reductions on both wrists. They will do a anterior fusion between C3 and C4 to stabilize the cervical spine. The procedure (performed from the front--yikes!--through incisions on one or both sides of the windpipe) involves removing the damaged disk, putting a wedge of bone in its place and securing it with a titanium plate. Why wait? was Dr. Kavins' opinion. Given Bob's current incomplete quad status, it will be one less thing to worry about. It had been the pulmonologist's plan to extubate Bob today after the halo brace was installed. Since that was canceled, he will remain intubated until after his surgery on Tuesday. Apart from my sprint to the hospital this morning, it was a rather uneventful day. We did get a little imperious and called the nursing supervisor to report one caregiver, whom I'll call Cruella, who cared for Bob during daylight hours yesterday. Bitch or not bitch. You make the call. 1. Dick is in the room with Bob when Cruella comes in to give an injection. "What's he getting now?" Dick asks. "Medicine." she answers. Well, DUH. 2. Don is in the room when Cruella comes in to adjust Bob's IV drip. Leaning up over him, she complains in a loud voice how much her back hurts. How much HER back hurts? In full earshot of a patient with profound spinal trauma? 3. Bob starts to tremble. His blood pressure rises and his heart rate goes up, he cannot speak for himself but our most recent observations interpret that as pain. I tell him we know he's hurting, and I rest my cool hand on his forehead. Don leaves the room to look for a nurse. She comes in, exasperated, fork in hand (we must have interrupted her lunch), saying that she just GAVE him morphine a little while ago, he can't have any more yet. Maybe he's shivering from being cold. I am up at the head of his bed, massaging his temples, whispering in his ear, trying to calm him down. She, down at the foot of the bed, points to a blanket near his feet and says, "Well, you might want to spread that over him." I don't want to leave my soothing station. "Would you do it, please?" I ask, thinking YOU KNOW, she's his nurse and all. She did it with quite an attitude, sighing the whole time. "I'm on my break, you know, I just came in here because you called me!" Que perra. My friend Lynne T. sent me some jpegs, scanned from Christmas cards that BL, the kids and I have sent over the years. I was traveling when Bob was injured, so I have no photos with me. It is both wonderful and heartbreaking to see pictures of BL mobile and whole. I will be getting a printer soon for some of the paperwork and research that this event is producing, maybe I can print some of those to place in BL's line of vision. To remind him what he needs to recover for. Dick, Don and I hammered out our next month in Vegas. I'll be here the whole time, of course. Don is leaving tomorrow and will return next weekend. Lynne T. arrives Monday and leaves Thursday. Dick is leaving Tuesday and returns next Tuesday. Lisa and Carly may be arriving next weekend. Not finalized yet. Even under heavy sedation, Bob is communicating a bit more. It really makes a difference to have some response from him. Last night on my way out: I always kiss him goodnight (on the forehead and cheek) before I leave for the evening. Last night, I leaned in close to tease him. "You're going to be so envious," I said. "I'm going back to the apartment to eat junk food with your brother Don." Eyes still closed, he raised his eyebrows. "Hey! I saw that!" I said. "Do it again!" And he did. "Don't you wag your eyebrows at me! Bet you can't do it three times!" And he did. One. Two. Three. This is under sedation, on a ventilator. I skipped all the way out to the car. Maybe I will get my BL back after all. From jacque@oz.net Sun Nov 3 06:23:20 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (Reid Kneeland) Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 22:23:20 -0800 Subject: [Bobwatch] Scheduling visits Message-ID: <002301c28301$825af440$6928e043@rabbitz> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0020_01C282BE.7321FE80 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi, everyone. I'm Ellen Fleischmann, Jacque and Bob's friend from Los = Angeles. This message is for those of you interested in supporting Jacque and Bob = while they're in Las Vegas. I thought that it might be a good idea to = coordinate visits so that there are no long periods without loved ones, = or lots of people all at once. If you're thinking about going, please e-mail me your possible travel = dates, and I'll try to spread people out over the next month or so. If = you've already locked in dates, please let me know that, too. We're all praying for Bob's full recovery, and for strength and courage = for the whole Lord clan. Sincerely, Ellen F. ------=_NextPart_000_0020_01C282BE.7321FE80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Hi, everyone.  I'm Ellen Fleischmann, Jacque and Bob's friend = from Los=20 Angeles.
 
This message is for those of you = interested=20 in supporting Jacque and Bob while they're in Las Vegas.  I = thought=20 that it might be a good idea to coordinate visits so that there are no = long=20 periods without loved ones, or lots of people all at once.
 
If you're thinking about going, please = e-mail me=20 your possible travel dates, and I'll try to spread people out over the = next=20 month or so.  If you've already locked in dates, please let me know = that,=20 too.
 
We're all praying for Bob's full = recovery, and=20 for strength and courage for the whole Lord clan.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ellen F.
------=_NextPart_000_0020_01C282BE.7321FE80-- From jacque@oz.net Sun Nov 3 19:28:29 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Sun, 3 Nov 2002 12:28:29 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/3 Part I Message-ID: <3046.166.128.54.100.1036351709.squirrel@www.oz.net> We are now one week into Bob's recovery. I am still in such a state of shock--my ability to deal with this comes and goes. I keep waiting to wake up and find it was all a mistake. How can this be? Bob? You know Bob. Not invincible by any means, but isn't he the most unlikely guy for this to happen to? Nary a foolhardy bone in his body! It was just a week ago that I was parked in front of my friend Lanne's house in Ballard. My kids had just finished a play date; I was picking them up after having brunch with a friend. I buckled Simone into her car seat, and put my key in the ignition, and then my cell phone rang. It was Dan. At first I thought he was kidding. I don't know what I would have done if I'd been anywhere else when the call came in. As it was, I immediately pulled my kids from the car and ran back into the house. They resumed playing and I told Lanne the news, crying and shaking. I used her land phone to call directory assistance and then the hospital. She used another line cell to book our Las Vegas flights. I was not prepared for what I found when they walked Bassam and me into Trauma. Bob had been at the hospital for 8 hours. They were moving him to a gurney for transport to MRI. He did not know we were there. I was too stunned to even talk. I mean, that was NOT my husband. But it was. Each time they shifted him, he complained about his arms--shooting pains left side, he kept saying. Shooting pains right. They only had room for one of us, so Bassam went home and I rode in the ambulance with Bob--the slowest, most gentle 1 1/2 blocks any paramedic has ever driven--and then sat in the waiting room for the 90 minutes it took to image him. It was only on the ride back that broke out of my shock and spoke up. "BL, do you know I'm here?" I asked. "I do now." He was alert Sunday and Monday---declining pain medication nearly every time it was offered. He wanted to be clear. He gave me quite a few action items---people to call, banking to do--exhausted, flat on his back, paralyzed from the chest down, in a neck brace. It is memories of these few hours that give me hope that, regardless of where the body ends up, he'll still have the brain. He kept asking where the doctors were, why weren't they taking more action on his treatment. He was mostly present, I think, and didn't seem too different mentally, except for a few difficulties with time frame. A time or two, he wondered if we'd called 911 yet. Later, he was angry no physical progress had been made in the 70 hours since he'd been airlifted...and it hadn't even been 24. But since Monday night, when he went into surgery, I haven't been able to talk with him. He's been sedated. And intubated. They tell there is an amnesia-like quality to many of the drugs. I hope so. This is such a violation. Every day, I gain more of an understanding about the severity of his injuries. I know more about his medications...about the little specialists he's seen who evaluate things that I never hear about. As his next of kin, I am able to read his medical chart---but only because he is unable to give his consent. I insisted they dig hard and deep in medical record protocol to find that provision. At first, they were saying I couldn't. If he wakes up and says "no," which I don't think he will...then I'll be back in the dark. John is coming next weekend to help get me settled in my next housing location. I so appreciate his help---but yes, I'm a kept woman. Sucks. Sucks. Sucks. When I'm in the room with BL, I have action items, so it's not so hard. His eyes are almost always closed. I read to him, sing sometimes, write emails and talk with the nurses. He's sunk deep in some nether state but still knows I'm there. He can sometimes respond to the things I say, raising his eyebrows, fluttering his lids. His Dad and brother say that his heart rate and blood pressure calm when I talk to him. For some reason that really makes me happy. Maybe tomorrow I'll go buy a few pieces of clothing. I only have four outfits with me, I was traveling when I got the news. I've been washing stuff in the sink, but even so...not nearly enough cloth. My California end-of-summer clothes aren't cutting it on desert nights, especially coming out of the hospital at 2 or 3 in the morning. Sorry. I'm babbling. Hey, Carly (13) called me on the phone last night amazed at the unfairness of it all. Johnny Knoxville (that Jackass guy?)makes millions tossing himself in harms way and her Dad goes quad from a single weekend outing. Shit shit shit. His Dad just called to say that Bob is more alert this morning. Don is packing his truck with Bob's things to take back to California. When that's done, we'll go go the hospital. I'll have more later after I see Bob. Take care-- Jacque From jacque@oz.net Mon Nov 4 07:17:56 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 00:17:56 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/3 Part 2 Message-ID: <3022.166.128.54.100.1036394276.squirrel@www.oz.net> A somewhat quiet day for Bob. Dick was with him 10-6; I arrived around noon and am still here. He had many more alert periods today, lots of eye contact. Realize that Bob is flat on his back and cannot turn his head. We have to lean directly over him to look into his eyes. They have decreased the number of respirations per minute on his ventilator. It is set for 8, and Bob averages around 11. It is good to see him breathing on his own. Tomorrow they will lower it to 6. A feeding tube was introduced around 5:45p. Tonight's menu was Probalance, dosages: Rate 20. Goal 60. Hey, I just writes what I reads off the bag. This is the first food in his stomach since early the morning of his fall. The CT contrast imaging fluid of last Sunday and Monday made him quite sick to his stomach; this new stuff is going down just fine. Blood sugar levels are higher than earlier (low 170s instead of low 150s), a consequence of the glucose in the Probalance. He got a belly shot of two doses of Insuline for that problem. The Probalance is designed to give him additional fortification for the marathon surgery session to come. Like Bob, we are all gathering up our energy for Tuesday, when he will undergo the triple whammy of C 3/4 cervical fusion, Halo brace & bilateral wrist reductions. The white board in Bob's room says: Your Nurse Today Is : Martin Today's Goal Is: 1. Afebrile 2. Maintain spinal precautions Martin is a tall, red-headed man with freckly skin and a lovely Scottish accent. Just a kick-ass nurse. Explains everything he's doing to Bob, and gives lots of medical background. Take notes, though---he gives pop quizes throughout the day. Bob is responding well to him. Not surprising given his fondness for things Scottish...McDonalds. Tartans. Groundskeeper Willie. Annie Lennox. When I get to this last one, Martin laughs. "Ah, Jacque," he says, "do you think your husband will care about the difference between a Glasgow and an Edinburgh accent?" With the increased alertness, though, comes more movement. Bob is now given to slight nods in either axis to indicate yes and no. We are asking him to communicate with his eyes or brows. After all, Job One is keeping his neck as still as possible. (See #2 above.) Bob had some amazing ranges in heart rate today. Several times, his pulse would shoot up (from 75-->125 just like that) even after a recent dose of pain killer. What gives? We got our answer. Here is a quick lesson from BL in how frustrating it is not to be able to talk. I brought his little Sony Vaio to the hospital today. I needed to get help from Dick on understanding Bob's bill paying and money management setups in Quicken 2001. It's not going to do anyone any good if I'm late on mortgage, rent and cell phone payments. I thought we were being quiet enough, but obviously not. A few minutes into our session, I glanced up at Bob's monitor to see the heart rate escalating. I stood up and went to his side. "BL," I said, "your heart rate is really high. Are you having pain?" A quick shake no. "Don't move your head. Raise your eyebrows for yes, do nothing for no. Are you upset because we're messing with your computer?" Another quick shake no. "PLEASE, don't move your head. Are we bothering you with noise?" Eyebrows stationary. "Oh. You hear us struggling through Quicken and you're frustrated you can't say anything to help." Prolonged eyebrow raise. Ah, the subtleties of nonverbal communication. I spoke with both Carly and Graham on the phone today. They are both having a hard time with Bob's injury, and my absence. They are struggling in their own individual ways. That is to be expected, I guess. I broke the news to Graham (9) about Bob's permanent paralysis. Carly already knows. The news made him very sad. Me too. I cried on the phone. He didn't. Graham wondered when he could have time with his Dad, whom he hasn't seen since 10/22. The age restrictions for visitors are more relaxed in Surgical ICU. I will wait for Bob to be extubated and talking before bringing the younger kids to see him. Don left this morning. I go home tonight to an empty apartment. Lynne T. arrives tomorrow evening. I have the beginnings of a sore throat and sniffly nose. Guess a week of no sleep and poor nutrition catches up with you. And let's not even talk about STRESS... Of course, my discomforts are inconsequential as compared with Bob's. So I'll shut the hell up. I hope you have some peace in your own lives. Thank you all for shouldering a portion of our pain. Until next time-- Jacque From jacque@oz.net Mon Nov 4 09:04:27 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 02:04:27 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] From Kelvin Message-ID: <3140.166.128.54.100.1036400667.squirrel@www.oz.net> -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: (no subject) From: Date: Mon, November 4, 2002 12:52 am To: Kelvin, this is beautiful. What a gift you have. I, too, am haunted by my mind pictures of vertical Bob. We've been a couple since he was 19. I have wanted for nothing since he came into my life. What am I to do now? For most of last week, I have been well supported by the companionship of Bob's father and brother. Not that it's been all fun and games....three Lord men, and the most charming one is sedated and unable to speak. (And if Bob is the most charming one, what does that say about his family?) May I please post what you wrote to the entire list? > Jacque, we appreciate the reports. I can't escape the images. they > toggle between one another like a garrish flipflop billboard - Bob > wielding a hammer, Bob prone inert. Bob diving for a racquetball, > prone inert. imminently active/ imminently innert. this sucks and i'm > a thousand miles distant - I'm pissed I can't change it for you. > > How is this story not on cnn, wolf blitzer dispassionately abreasting > the country, the world, with hourly reports, the political background, > the ethno-geo-socio implications. The middle east, bali, > asterick-istan - more important? > > I want to build a device which, wanded over the infirm will rebuild > parts. a spock mind melder. a machine that translates brainwaves to > english. a keyboard operated with eyebrows, or trigger > characters/words ala a pilots heads-up display. a white board. one > eyebrow for yes, two for no. three for get me the hell out of here. > > I want to give Bob another shot at racquetball. I want to challenge > him to beat me. taunt him. challenge him. weanie. basketball. ping > pong. anything but imperial age. he'll do it. he'll work back, accept > the challenge, achieve the objective, embrace the challenge. he'll > slam the winning shot. he'll howl in victory. he'll win. From jacque@oz.net Mon Nov 4 03:36:30 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (RICHARD LORD) Date: Sun, 3 Nov 2002 19:36:30 -0800 Subject: [Bobwatch] Scheduling visits References: <002301c28301$825af440$6928e043@rabbitz> Message-ID: <002001c283b3$98f876c0$f43bfea9@rtl> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0017_01C28370.4ED2AA40 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Ellen - I'm Bob's dad. I just finished my turn at the hospital with Bob. = Jacque is with him now until they kick her out in the wee hours of the = morning. I'll return later in the morning at the onset of visiting = hours. Barring unforeseen events, my schedule will be one week here in Las = Vegas with Bob and the next week tending to my small business in = Seattle, for the duration of Bob's stay here. I leave for Seattle on = Tuesday, November 5. I'll fly back to Las Vegas on Tuesday, November = 12, and so on. My wife, Julie, is in Palo Alto at Bob and Jacque's home with the = grandkids and will most likely stay there until Bob and Jacque return to = the Bay Area. Of course, if something unexpected happens, I'll change my plans = immediately. Thanks for your help. Best regards, Dick Lord ---- ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Reid Kneeland=20 To: bobwatch@lists.ofb.net=20 Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2002 10:23 PM Subject: [Bobwatch] Scheduling visits Hi, everyone. I'm Ellen Fleischmann, Jacque and Bob's friend from Los = Angeles. This message is for those of you interested in supporting Jacque and = Bob while they're in Las Vegas. I thought that it might be a good idea = to coordinate visits so that there are no long periods without loved = ones, or lots of people all at once. If you're thinking about going, please e-mail me your possible travel = dates, and I'll try to spread people out over the next month or so. If = you've already locked in dates, please let me know that, too. We're all praying for Bob's full recovery, and for strength and = courage for the whole Lord clan. Sincerely, Ellen F. ------=_NextPart_000_0017_01C28370.4ED2AA40 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Ellen -
 
I'm Bob's dad.  I just finished my = turn at the=20 hospital with Bob.  Jacque is with him now until they kick her = out in=20 the wee hours of the morning.  I'll return later in the morning at = the=20 onset of visiting hours.
 
Barring unforeseen events, my schedule = will be one=20 week here in Las Vegas with Bob and the next week tending to my small = business=20 in Seattle, for the duration of Bob's stay here.  I leave for = Seattle on=20 Tuesday, November 5.  I'll fly back to Las Vegas on Tuesday, = November 12,=20 and so on.
 
My wife, Julie, is in Palo Alto at Bob = and Jacque's=20 home with the grandkids and will most likely stay there until Bob and = Jacque=20 return to the Bay Area.
 
Of course, if something unexpected = happens, I'll=20 change my plans immediately.
 
Thanks for your help.
 
Best regards,
 
Dick Lord
----
----- Original Message -----
From:=20 Reid=20 Kneeland
Sent: Saturday, November 02, = 2002 10:23=20 PM
Subject: [Bobwatch] Scheduling=20 visits

Hi, everyone.  I'm Ellen Fleischmann, Jacque and Bob's friend = from Los=20 Angeles.
 
This message is for those of you = interested=20 in supporting Jacque and Bob while they're in Las Vegas.  I = thought=20 that it might be a good idea to coordinate visits so that there are no = long=20 periods without loved ones, or lots of people all at = once.
 
If you're thinking about going, = please e-mail=20 me your possible travel dates, and I'll try to spread people out over = the next=20 month or so.  If you've already locked in dates, please let me = know that,=20 too.
 
We're all praying for Bob's full = recovery, and=20 for strength and courage for the whole Lord clan.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ellen = F.
------=_NextPart_000_0017_01C28370.4ED2AA40-- From jacque@oz.net Mon Nov 4 23:17:52 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (Lord, Don L.) Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 15:17:52 -0800 Subject: [Bobwatch] Scheduling visits Message-ID: <7160A38DA0DAD411A24E00010231B280694BC4@ASIMAIL> This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand this format, some or all of this message may not be legible. ------_=_NextPart_000_01C28458.662E3D10 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----_=_NextPart_001_01C28458.662E3D10" ------_=_NextPart_001_01C28458.662E3D10 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi Ellen, I'm Bob's brother Don. I just left NV Sunday afternoon for the Bay Area. I'm not too big on flying so I drive to NV. My schedule is to drive to NV every weekend, leaving late Friday night or early Saturday morning to arrive at the beginning of visiting hours and leaving late Sunday night or early Monday morning and drive straight into work in Palo Alto, CA. This is all based upon no big changes in my brother's condition. I can leave at a moments notice from work, (I keep a travel bag with me at all times), my boss is very sympathetic. I'm saving-up to purchase an open-ended plane ticket in the event Bob's condition goes critical, I'll put my fears aside. I have a sleeping bag and air bed so accommodations are easy for me. I also can sleep in my truck, no problem I've done it many times (nice and comfy) - even have TV and laptop for DVDs. Thanks for your help in this difficult time. I look forward to meeting you and my brother's other friends. Best Regards, Don L. Lord <> ------_=_NextPart_001_01C28458.662E3D10 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Re: [Bobwatch] Scheduling visits

Hi Ellen,

    I'm Bob's = brother Don. I just left NV Sunday afternoon for the Bay Area. I'm not = too big on flying so I drive to NV. My schedule is to drive to NV every = weekend, leaving late Friday night or early Saturday morning to arrive = at the beginning of visiting hours and leaving late Sunday night or = early Monday morning and drive straight into work in Palo Alto, CA. = This is all based upon no big changes in my brother's condition. I can = leave at a moments notice from work, (I keep a travel bag with me at = all times), my boss is very sympathetic. I'm saving-up to purchase an = open-ended plane ticket in the event Bob's condition goes critical, = I'll put my fears aside. I have a sleeping bag and air bed so = accommodations are easy for me. I also can sleep in my truck, no = problem I've done it many times (nice and comfy) - even have TV and = laptop for DVDs. Thanks for your help in this difficult time. I look = forward to meeting you and my brother's other friends.

Best Regards,

Don L. Lord
<<Lord, Don = L..vcf>>

------_=_NextPart_001_01C28458.662E3D10-- ------_=_NextPart_000_01C28458.662E3D10 Content-Type: application/octet-stream; name="Lord, Don L..vcf" Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="Lord, Don L..vcf" BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:2.1 N:Lord;Don FN:Lord, Don L. ORG:Applied Solutions, Inc.;Sales TITLE:Account Manager NOTE:Account Manager TEL;WORK;VOICE:(650)210-8844 ADR;WORK;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:;MV;719 North Shoreline Blvd.,=0D=0ASuite 470;Mountain View;CA;;USA LABEL;WORK;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:MV=0D=0A719 North Shoreline Blvd.,=0D=0ASuite 470=0D=0AMountain View, CA=0D= =0AUSA EMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:dllord@iAppliedSolutions.com REV:20021009T041600Z END:VCARD ------_=_NextPart_000_01C28458.662E3D10-- From jacque@oz.net Tue Nov 5 10:02:40 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 03:02:40 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/4 Message-ID: <3079.166.128.54.100.1036490560.squirrel@www.oz.net> Bob will have his Triple Crown surgery--cervical fusion, halo brace, wrist reductions-- at 4p tomorrow (Tuesday). A quiet, uneventful day for BL. He is tolerating the tube feeding well. He had several bouts of coughing--this is bizarre in an intubated person. He has the appearance of a cough--chest convulsions--but no sound. He was suctioned several times. Late in the afternoon, a drop in blood pressure. Systolic lunged from 140s to 90s. Nurse Martin to the rescue. A new IV and bag o' goo for BL. Lynne T. and I will return to the hospital tomorrow morning at 10 for the start of visiting hours. This morning shift has, up to now, been covered by Dick. I am not a morning person (especially getting to bed so late), but anything for the beau. Dick said goodbye to Bob tonight. He will return in a week. I could tell he was sad to leave his boy. Lynne arrived this evening from SFO--I picked her up at McCarran and we went straight to the hospital. I tried to prepare her for Bob's pathetic state. She said he didn't look as bad as she'd imagined. Bob smiled at the sound of her voice. When I stepped out for dinner, she sat next to Bob and told him how strong I was being, how well I was holding up. I love it when she lies like that. Lynne coordinated the musicians for our wedding in '91, sang a beautiful solo and conducted a choir of my women friends. During her college years, she was the choral director at a small Unitarian Church in Canoga Park. I met her during my short-lived foray into that religion. She took me on as a voice student, too, but we usually skipped arias in favor of margaritas. Bob and I enjoyed having her over for dinner and treated her to the occasional tank of gas for her car. In return, she doted on our toddler Carly and delighted us with her tales of Music Majors Gone Wild! Ventilator lowered to 5 breaths per minute. BL averaging 11. Excellent. With Lynne on sentry, I walk to the cafeteria for dinner. Closed. I can't decide between Wendy's and Carl's Junior. Out on W. Charleston, an elderly gentlemen is staring up at the hospital in confusion. I ask if I can help. He needs to get to Trauma. His "lady" has been in a car accident. He is not supposed to drive after dark but felt he had no choice once he got the news. He is Kojak bald with gold chains around his neck. His velour jogging suit is unzipped to reveal several inches of curly gray chest hair. I offer Mr. Vegas an escort to that part of the hospital. I am intimately familiar with the route. By the time I get him to the security desk, I no longer want a real dinner. I grab some snack food from my car and eat it on the hallway floor near the SICU elevator. Today I received a box of candy and books from Lynn H. Another delivery was a box of fruit from Roger A. Looks like my stale doughnut days are over. A slow news day for the Bobwatch. But you know what they say....slow news is good news. I'll know more after the surgery tomorrow. Like I said, starts at 4. Think good thoughts for my guy. Lynne and I will go shopping during the surgery to relieve my clothing shortages. She stays through Thursday. John arrives Wednesday and leaves Friday. My sister Lisa and my daughter Carly arrive Thursday night and leave Monday. I move to a new location Thursday. Bob's Mom, Grandma & Uncle Jim arrive Saturday. Don arrives Saturday. Don leaves Sunday. I'm exhausted just writing it. But support is good. Family is good. Just don't make me coordinate it. (Ellen is good.) Good night-- Jacque From jacque@oz.net Tue Nov 5 06:19:51 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (Reid Kneeland) Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 22:19:51 -0800 Subject: [Bobwatch] Visits, part 2 Message-ID: <005401c28493$5c26c9a0$4d2ae043@rabbitz> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0051_01C28450.4B85B860 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello, all you who are friends and relations of Jacque and Bob. Based on the e-mails from Jacque, Richard Lord, Don Lord, Pammer, Gina = Handy, and Tom Marvin, here are the opportunities to come and give your = support: Nov. 11-12 =20 Nov. 25-26 Dec. 3-6 Dec. 9-10* Dec. 17-20.* *According to Jacque's e-mail of 11/1, Bob will be there another month, = so the later dates in December will (please, God!) not be necessary. = Given the randomness of previous events and the uncertain nature of even = a well prayed for recovery, I've included them. The Don and Richard Lord are covering weekends well. Richard is staying = a week at a time, leaving and arriving on Tuesdays. I've included = Tuesdays in the above dates so that Jacque and Bob can be sure to have = support regardless of Richard's flight times. =20 Please let me know when you will be coming to Las Vegas. Julie Lord is = watching their three children in Palo Alto. If any of you are wanting = to pinch-hit there, please let me know. =20 ------=_NextPart_000_0051_01C28450.4B85B860 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Hello, all you who are friends and = relations of=20 Jacque and Bob.
 
Based on the e-mails from Jacque, = Richard Lord,=20 Don Lord, Pammer, Gina Handy, and Tom Marvin, here are the opportunities = to come=20 and give your support:
 
Nov. 11-12     =    =20    
Nov. 25-26
Dec. 3-6
Dec. 9-10*
Dec. 17-20.*
 
*According to Jacque's e-mail of 11/1, = Bob will=20 be there another month, so the later dates in December will (please, = God!) not=20 be necessary.  Given the randomness of previous events and the = uncertain=20 nature of even a well prayed for recovery, I've included = them.
 
The Don and Richard Lord are covering = weekends=20 well.  Richard is staying a week at a time, leaving and = arriving on=20 Tuesdays.  I've included Tuesdays in the above dates so that Jacque = and Bob=20 can be sure to have support regardless of Richard's flight times. =20
 
Please let me know when you will be = coming to=20 Las Vegas.  Julie Lord is watching their three children in Palo = Alto. =20 If any of you are wanting to pinch-hit there, please let me know. =20
------=_NextPart_000_0051_01C28450.4B85B860-- From jacque@oz.net Tue Nov 5 21:20:16 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (Gina Handy) Date: Tue, 05 Nov 2002 13:20:16 -0800 Subject: [Bobwatch] Re: Visits, part 2 Message-ID: Thanks for coordinating this. I would be happy to go to Las Vegas the week of Dec. 3-6, or to go to Palo Alto any time after Nov. 26. I'm available Tuesday morning (first flight) through Friday night (last flight). Anything on my calendar is minor (by comparison) and can be changed. Just let me know where I would be most helpful to Jacque and Bob. Gina Handy >From: "Reid Kneeland" >Reply-To: "Reid Kneeland" >To: ,"Jac" >Subject: Visits, part 2 >Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 22:19:51 -0800 > >Hello, all you who are friends and relations of Jacque and Bob. > >Based on the e-mails from Jacque, Richard Lord, Don Lord, Pammer, Gina >Handy, and Tom Marvin, here are the opportunities to come and give your >support: > >Nov. 11-12 >Nov. 25-26 >Dec. 3-6 >Dec. 9-10* >Dec. 17-20.* > >*According to Jacque's e-mail of 11/1, Bob will be there another month, so >the later dates in December will (please, God!) not be necessary. Given >the randomness of previous events and the uncertain nature of even a well >prayed for recovery, I've included them. > >The Don and Richard Lord are covering weekends well. Richard is staying a >week at a time, leaving and arriving on Tuesdays. I've included Tuesdays >in the above dates so that Jacque and Bob can be sure to have support >regardless of Richard's flight times. > >Please let me know when you will be coming to Las Vegas. Julie Lord is >watching their three children in Palo Alto. If any of you are wanting to >pinch-hit there, please let me know. _________________________________________________________________ Surf the Web without missing calls! Get MSN Broadband. http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/freeactivation.asp From jacque@oz.net Tue Nov 5 22:03:00 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 15:03:00 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/5 Part I Message-ID: <3028.166.128.54.100.1036533780.squirrel@www.oz.net> Lynne and I arrived in SICU at 10:30a. Sherri, Bob's day nurse, told me that his pre-surgical blood work looked fine--except two of the clotting factors were a bit low. If you recall, surgery was put off until today so the blood thinners could leave his system. Surgery is still planned for 4p. At 12:45p, they hung two units of B+ plasma. This should help replenish the clotting factors. Because Bob was a healthy and clean-living guy in his pre-accident life, his heart and circulatory system is strong and they can pump the blood products into him at a good clip with little fear of stressing his system. He began to shiver once they started the plasma...I know it's stored frozen, but hey! Slurpies in my guy's arteries? Sherri invited me over to touch the bag. Definitely room temperature. We put an extra blanket on BL. Bob has been quite alert since we got here. We've been talking the poor guy's ear off. I am a bit frantic to keep contact with him; I know the traumas of surgery and the post-anesthesia haze will make him unavailable once more for a few days. When Lynne and I arrived, we settled in and chatted "at" Bob for a few minutes. It is very hard to convince him not to shake his head in response to our questions. He has declined pain medication every time it's offered. Again, as in the pre-surgical period on Monday, he wants to be clear. After 30 minutes or so, I told Bob that I was going to head out to Mailboxes Etc. Lynne would stay with him. He shook his head "no." "Don't move your head, BL," I said. "I'll be back in just a few minutes." He shook his head "no" again. "You want me to stay?" A shake "yes." I can pick up the mail later. A few more minutes go by. "I'm going to step out to use the bathroom, BL. Lynne will be here until I come back." A quick shake "no." "Now I said don't shake your head! I really need to use the bathroom. You don't want me to go? You're kidding right?" Quick shake "no." "Not kidding. Well, I still have to go, but I'll make it quick then." How terrifying and extremely isolating to be at the complete mercy of whomever comes into your room. Bob is not one to get lonely easily. He's pretty much a intellectual round table all unto himself. He thrives on time alone. But this is different. He's hurting. Paralyzed. Intubated. Flat on his back for 10 days. Can't turn his head. I don't blame him for not wanting me to go. But a girl's gotta do... I sent my gracious servant girl Lynne to the corner Sav-on for supplies. Bottled water, Drixoral for my cold, film for my camera, push pins to put family pictures on the bulletin board in Bob's room. They should be able to sit Bob up once the halo is in place---we're trying to make his surroundings as humane as possible. Two gorgeous floral arrangements sit out on the nurses counter. We have a great view of them from Bob's room. Sure, other visitors pass by and read the tags to see if their loved one is the lucky recipient...but no, move on, Bucko, they're Bob's, all Bob's. Red rosebuds, sunflowers, lupine and daisies from Todd Rein, and alstromeria, pink roses, gerbera daisies and lilies from John Van Siclen and the Executive Team at Interwoven. Thank you so much for thinking of him. I should have more information after the surgery. Thanks for following his progress. Take care-- Jacque From jacque@oz.net Tue Nov 5 23:41:12 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (Edward Jung) Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 15:41:12 -0800 Subject: [Bobwatch] Clinical trial, medical references Message-ID: <1473BBD4AF96144DBA3F9527A4767F0D4517E2@mail.intven.com> I can do little but watch and hope as this unfolds, but one thing I want to do is to understand the medical care Bob is receiving. Can anybody answer the following questions? 1. Vater is Dr. Thomas Vater, at UMC? 2. What is Kavins' first name, specialty, and affiliation? 3. Following Bob's injury, did they (immediately) attempt to suppress inflammatory response (if using steroids, which ones)? Finally, I only bring this up due to the time sensitivity, but there is an experimental procedure called autologous macrophage therapy by a company looking for patients for clinical trial -- required that the injury is less than TWO weeks old. There are other requirements, but I don't know enough to determine if they apply: http://www.proneuron.com/ClinicalStudies/Participation.html Somebody closer to the situation please reply so I know somebody has considered (and perhaps rejected) this. I know this is a difficult time for family members to make decisions of this kind. Thanks. Edward From jacque@oz.net Wed Nov 6 00:32:53 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (Dan Egnor) Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 19:32:53 -0500 Subject: [Plaid] [Plaid-home] [Bobwatch] Clinical trial, medical references In-Reply-To: <1473BBD4AF96144DBA3F9527A4767F0D4517E2@mail.intven.com> References: <1473BBD4AF96144DBA3F9527A4767F0D4517E2@mail.intven.com> Message-ID: <20021106003253.GE9888@ofb.net> I talked to Jacque. She's taking a look at this and appreciates the lead. This is what she knows off the top of her head; she'll have to consult the charts for more detailed answers: On Tue, Nov 05, 2002 at 03:41:12PM -0800, Edward Jung wrote: > 1. Vater is Dr. Thomas Vater, at UMC? Yes. > 2. What is Kavins' first name, specialty, and affiliation? She doesn't recall his first name, but he is also a spinal surgeon at UMC, and works with Vater. He was brought in as the second opinion. > 3. Following Bob's injury, did they (immediately) attempt to suppress > inflammatory response (if using steroids, which ones)? They did. She doesn't know exactly at what point the treatment started or what drugs were used (again, she'll have to consult the charts); it would have been no later than his arrival at the hospital, and no sooner than when a medic was first able to rappel into the hole (and probably no sooner than when he was taken in the helicopter). He's been on the steroids since. > http://www.proneuron.com/ClinicalStudies/Participation.html She's looking at that now, and I expect she'll follow up with you directly. The schedule is tight; the injury happenned on Sunday 10/27, so the 14-day point is this coming Sunday. Dan From jacque@oz.net Wed Nov 6 02:08:18 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (Edward Jung) Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 18:08:18 -0800 Subject: [Bobwatch] Can ths list help me? WAS: Clinical trial, medical references Message-ID: <1473BBD4AF96144DBA3F9527A4767F0D4517ED@mail.intven.com> Thanks for the reply, Dan. (Looks like your reply-to is set to Jacque's email.) I have a few feelers out for doc and therapy recommendations, as well as opinions on Proneuron and Michal Schwartz. I hope the surgery has gone well. **I welcome anybody else's help on the list** to widen the data collection - through doctors you know or the Internet. [One prominent, although controversial, resource is Christopher Reeves' work both at his foundation (http://www.crpf.org/), and the resource center in partnership with the CDC and several other medical organizations (http://www.paralysis.org).] From jacque@oz.net Wed Nov 6 02:46:41 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (Wei-Hwa Huang) Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 18:46:41 -0800 Subject: [Bobwatch] Clinical trial, medical references In-Reply-To: <20021106003253.GE9888@ofb.net> References: <1473BBD4AF96144DBA3F9527A4767F0D4517E2@mail.intven.com> <20021106003253.GE9888@ofb.net> Message-ID: <20021106024641.GI28126@hurl.ugcs.caltech.edu> On Tue, Nov 05, 2002 at 07:32:53PM -0500, Dan Egnor wrote: > On Tue, Nov 05, 2002 at 03:41:12PM -0800, Edward Jung wrote: > > 2. What is Kavins' first name, specialty, and affiliation? > She doesn't recall his first name, but he is also a spinal surgeon at > UMC, and works with Vater. He was brought in as the second opinion. A search on UMC's website reveals this entry: KABINS, MARK MD Orthopedics 89106 (702) 8788370 This is probably him. From bobwatch@lists.ofb.net Wed Nov 6 09:49:32 2002 From: bobwatch@lists.ofb.net (bobwatch@lists.ofb.net) Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 02:49:32 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/5, Part II (long) Message-ID: <3029.166.128.54.100.1036576172.squirrel@www.oz.net> It is 11p. Bob is back in Bed 5 of SICU. He has completed the second of his spinal surgeries. It was decided that 3+ hours under anesthesia was enough this time. The wrists will wait for another day. He comes in and out of consciousness and will blink his eyes in response to a question. He has refused additional pain medication up to this point. He is making sucking and clicking sounds with his tongue—I am alarmed. He blinks “yes” to my question about his mouth being dry. I dip an oral swab into ice water and press it against his teeth, releasing a few drops to moisten his tongue. His appearance is less alarming than when he emerged from his 10/28 compression laminectomy. (That was the procedure to stabilize T2 through T7.) Then, the incision was much larger, the surgery much more prolonged. He’d been prone for over 6 hours and much fluid settled in his face, which had been propped in a circular support. Back in recovery, he looked like a prize fighter minus the bruising—puffy cheeks and forehead, eyes swollen nearly shut. This is the way our daughter Carly first saw him. “That is not my Dad,” she said resolutely. But of course she knew it was. This afternoon’s surgery was performed with Bob flat on his back. There is no facial swelling, but the halo brace is a harsh visual. It most resembles a long, white plastic V-necked vest. It is cinched at the waist and adjusted over the shoulders by black belt straps. It is lined with shearling wool for comfort. Four columns emerge from the vest, two in the front from clavicle to top of forehead, the two in the back mirroring the front. The halo itself is bolted to these supports, and also to Bob’s skull in four places: just above and slightly behind the top of each ear, and again ¾” above the crest of each eyebrow. The pins, as they are called, are slightly thinner than a pencil. It is painful for me to look at the places where they pierce the skin. Bob is a practical guy, and not the least bit vain. I wince when I look at the halo brace, but I bet he’d be impressed by the brute simplicity of the design. Don’t want someone to move their head? Bolt it down! He has a large bandage secured with gold translucent tape –it starts at the midline of his throat and continues underneath the left shoulder of his vest. Dr. Thomas Vater, the spinal surgeon, and Dr. Dan Link, the anesthesiologist, came to the waiting room at 8:45 p to meet with me after the surgery. My friend Lynne took notes. Again, Vater commented on how infrequently he sees someone with this extreme level of spinal trauma. The anesthesiologist concurred. Vater said it is also unusual to have extensive damage in both the C-spine and T-spine from a single event. When Bob fell, his neck snapped forward with such ferocity that all the ligaments were torn and the disc between C3 and C4 was completely expelled. During surgery, Vater plucked out the spent disc and fused the two vertebrae. Sadly, there is spinal cord injury at C3/4. Vater believes the cord may not be completely compromised—Bob did manage trace shoulder and slight finger movement when he was first brought into Trauma 10/27. Needing a layman’s explanation, I offered this one and Vater OK’d it. Consider the spinal cord as a bundle of fiber optics. Most are sliced at C3/4, but a few remain intact and can still transmit. By stabilizing the C-spine and continuing steroid therapy, we aim to reduce the swelling, which has the potential to destroy whatever cord function Bob may have left at that location. So, until we see otherwise, Bob is still classified “incomplete quad.” I asked about long term improvements---when would we know for sure what his level of disability is going to be? Vater gave the loose estimation of one full year post injury---the capabilities he has at that point are the ones he’ll most likely keep for the rest of his life. I asked about breathing difficulties in quadriplegics. So far, Bob has shown us that he is capable of breathing on his own. The rib fractures and paralyzed chest muscles make it difficult, but the process is still there. The phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm, is associated with C3, C4 and C5. That nerve is obviously still functional. I personally do not understand the mechanism of the phrenic nerve, if it is part of the spinal bundle or differently connected. I would appreciate anyone with medical knowledge illuminating this point for me. We asked about Bob’s vision. He complained of right field vision deficit on the morning of the 29th, about 6 hours after his first surgery. I will have to recheck the chart to see if he had similar complaints when he was first admitted. Bob’s ophthalmologist consult of 10/29 states: “Dilated fundoscopic exam revealed no optic disk pallor in either eye, no disc or peripapillary hemorrhage in either eye.” They are trying to rule out PION---posterior ischemic optic neuropathy. They tell me this can result from prolonged periods of low blood pressure. During both surgeries, Dr. Link said that Bob’s blood pressure was within acceptable limits. A drop in blood pressure is a common response to severe spinal injury, however. It is possible the damage occurred during the several hours Bob awaited rescue at the bottom of the mine shaft. So this is certainly a lot of bad news at one time. Guess I’m kinda getting used to it. To be fair, the surgery only verified things we already suspected. Dr. Vater was the surgeon who did the fusion, Dr. Kabins (not Kavins as I wrote previously) was called in for consult prior to the surgery. Mid-afternoon, Bob’s nurse Sherri puttered around like a cheerful den mother prepping him for surgery. When the orderlies arrived to transfer him downstairs, Lynne and I stood back and let them do their work. All bags, bottles and portable monitors were transferred to his bed. Identity ankle bracelet checked again and again to make sure they had the right guy. Tubing disconnected from the ventilator and attached to an oxygen tank. One nurse assigned to manually “bag him” until he was reconnected in the operating room. Then someone unplugged the Flexcar bed and the air mattress began to deflate. Bob started sinking into the center like Johnny Depp in “Nightmare on Elm Street.” A slightly flustered chain of events occurred in which the bed was plugged in anew, inflated to its maximum capacity, a spinal board placed gingerly under BL, and then unplugged again. Supported in that fashion, he sunk to the bottom of the bed with no changes to his spinal position. Once he left for surgery, Lynne and I went out to run a few errands. It would be impossible for me to sit in a waiting room for the duration of the surgery; I’d be climbing the wells. We braved several stores at the Fashion Show Mall. I came away with a few items of clothing. Normally, I would rather eat glass than go shopping but the distraction was welcome. We then drove the scenic route down Las Vegas Blvd. to Charleston. Stopping by Mailboxes, etc., we picked up get-well wishes. Hey, SPM-ers, thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement. We then had fair-to-poor quality Chinese food at a restaurant in the same strip mall. We returned to UMC and waited less than 30 minutes for Vater and Link to emerge from recovery. Couldn’t have timed it better if we planned it. It is now 12:40a. Bob appears to be resting comfortably. I do not know what tonight will bring, and I do not want to leave him---who will hear his smallest distress signal and run for the nurse? But we need our sleep, too. Lynne and I will be back at the start of visiting hours to chat with and advocate for Bob. Get to bed, Bobwatchers. It’s late. Take care— Jacque From bobwatch@lists.ofb.net Wed Nov 6 04:37:15 2002 From: bobwatch@lists.ofb.net (John Rinaldo) Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 20:37:15 -0800 Subject: [Plaid] [Plaid-home] [Bobwatch] Visits, part 2 In-Reply-To: <005401c28493$5c26c9a0$4d2ae043@rabbitz> Message-ID: <000401c2854e$2fa91a70$8d837cce@VAIO> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C2850B.2185DA70 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Just a quick note. I have reserved a two-bedroom suite for Jacque to stay in (at least from Nov. 7 to Dec. 7). So those of you who need a place to stay while visiting may want to coordinate to take the extra bedroom at Jacque's place. John -----Original Message----- From: plaid-admin@lists.ofb.net [mailto:plaid-admin@lists.ofb.net] On Behalf Of Reid Kneeland Sent: Monday, November 04, 2002 10:20 PM To: Bobwatch@lists.ofb.net; Jac Subject: [Plaid] [Plaid-home] [Bobwatch] Visits, part 2 Hello, all you who are friends and relations of Jacque and Bob. Based on the e-mails from Jacque, Richard Lord, Don Lord, Pammer, Gina Handy, and Tom Marvin, here are the opportunities to come and give your support: Nov. 11-12 Nov. 25-26 Dec. 3-6 Dec. 9-10* Dec. 17-20.* *According to Jacque's e-mail of 11/1, Bob will be there another month, so the later dates in December will (please, God!) not be necessary. Given the randomness of previous events and the uncertain nature of even a well prayed for recovery, I've included them. The Don and Richard Lord are covering weekends well. Richard is staying a week at a time, leaving and arriving on Tuesdays. I've included Tuesdays in the above dates so that Jacque and Bob can be sure to have support regardless of Richard's flight times. Please let me know when you will be coming to Las Vegas. Julie Lord is watching their three children in Palo Alto. If any of you are wanting to pinch-hit there, please let me know. ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C2850B.2185DA70 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message
Just a=20 quick note. I have reserved a two-bedroom suite for Jacque to stay in = (at least=20 from Nov. 7 to Dec. 7). So those of you who need a place to stay while = visiting=20 may want to coordinate to take the extra bedroom at Jacque's=20 place.
 
John
-----Original Message-----
From:=20 plaid-admin@lists.ofb.net [mailto:plaid-admin@lists.ofb.net] On = Behalf Of=20 Reid Kneeland
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2002 10:20=20 PM
To: Bobwatch@lists.ofb.net; Jac
Subject: = [Plaid]=20 [Plaid-home] [Bobwatch] Visits, part 2

Hello, all you who are friends and = relations=20 of Jacque and Bob.
 
Based on the e-mails from Jacque, = Richard=20 Lord, Don Lord, Pammer, Gina Handy, and Tom Marvin, here are the = opportunities=20 to come and give your support:
 
Nov. 11-12    =20        
Nov. 25-26
Dec. 3-6
Dec. 9-10*
Dec. 17-20.*
 
*According to Jacque's e-mail of = 11/1, Bob=20 will be there another month, so the later dates in December will = (please,=20 God!) not be necessary.  Given the randomness of previous events = and the=20 uncertain nature of even a well prayed for recovery, I've included=20 them.
 
The Don and Richard Lord are = covering weekends=20 well.  Richard is staying a week at a time, leaving and = arriving on=20 Tuesdays.  I've included Tuesdays in the above dates so that = Jacque and=20 Bob can be sure to have support regardless of Richard's flight = times. =20
 
Please let me know when you will be = coming to=20 Las Vegas.  Julie Lord is watching their three children in Palo=20 Alto.  If any of you are wanting to pinch-hit there, please let = me=20 know. 
------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C2850B.2185DA70-- From bobwatch@lists.ofb.net Wed Nov 6 16:51:04 2002 From: bobwatch@lists.ofb.net (bobwatch@lists.ofb.net) Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 11:51:04 EST Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/5, Part II (long) Message-ID: <53.1eec3cf1.2afaa278@aol.com> Hi Jacque Sounds like Bob came through the big surgery very well - quite a feat in itself, if I understand the complicated nature of the surgery. Glad to hear he's resting. What a difficult thing to continue to deal with the uncertain prognosis - you are incredibly strong Jacque! I know this is a few weeks in the future, but Carolyn & I will be in the Bay Area at the end of December. If you and Bob are back in Palo Alto then, we would love to connect up with you and pass on some real hugs (these cyberspace ones are a poor substitute for the real thing!) Please tell Bob that all of SPM is pulling for him - and sending their love and support to both of you. Best positive thoughts zooming your way, Karen From bobwatch@lists.ofb.net Wed Nov 6 20:19:38 2002 From: bobwatch@lists.ofb.net (Lynne Trainor) Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 12:19:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Bobwatch] Helping the (Deerr-) Lord Family Message-ID: <20021106201938.50572.qmail@web14108.mail.yahoo.com> Hello Bobwatch Subscribers: I'm here in Las Vegas with Jacque and Bob. Under the circumstances, they are doing incredibly well. I am so proud of them both. Jacque is handling this heartbreaking experience with strength and dignity. Many of the doctors have expressed their amazement at how well Bob is recovering, given the extent of his injuries. We all know that they are up for the challenges that face them. I am trying to assist Jacque with the business side of the (Deerr-) Lord family. As we have no idea when any type of disability payments etc., may arrive it has occurred to me that they would benefit from an immediate infusion of cash. Many of you have asked how you can be of assistance. I have spoken with my financial advisor and he will assist with the creation of trust funds to benefit the family specifically, as well as college trust funds for the children. I am certain that if we ease Bob's concern regarding the welfare of his family, it will surely aid his recovery. If you would like to offer assistance in this manner, a check can be sent to Jacque at her Mailboxes, etc. address: 840 S. Rancho Drive, Suite 4-105 Las Vegas, NV 89106-3820 I have asked Jacque's permission to send this email, and she has gratefully and humbly accepted. I will forward additional trust information as it is received. Please contact me at lynnetrainor@yahoo.com with any questions or suggestions. Regards, Lynne __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? HotJobs - Search new jobs daily now http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/ From bobwatch@lists.ofb.net Wed Nov 6 20:20:26 2002 From: bobwatch@lists.ofb.net (Mona Lucitt) Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 12:20:26 -0800 Subject: [Bobwatch] Santa Valley Medical Center SCI Message-ID: Having had a bro-in-law in spinal rehab (w/halo screwed in his head too) I have had a some experience with the wonderful folks at the Santa Clara Medical Center (in San Jose on Bascom). Here is their website http://www.tbi-sci.org/main.html with a wealth of information and services available. Keep the faith and our prayers are with you all. - Gratefully, Mona PS. Maybe you can play some music on head phones for Bob, this soothed my brother-in-law for many lonely hours. A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge than he who has strength. (Proverbs 24:5) From bobwatch@lists.ofb.net Thu Nov 7 02:34:45 2002 From: bobwatch@lists.ofb.net (mfunderhill) Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 21:34:45 -0500 Subject: [Bobwatch] (no subject) Message-ID: <003e01c28606$3f95c1a0$d9804942@compaq> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_003B_01C285DC.5367B500 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi There, Just wanted you to know we're thinking about you and Bob. Take care of = yourself. Love Aunt Merry & Uncle Doc ------=_NextPart_000_003B_01C285DC.5367B500 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Hi There,
 
Just wanted you to know we're thinking about you and = Bob.  Take care of yourself.
 
Love Aunt Merry & Uncle = Doc
------=_NextPart_000_003B_01C285DC.5367B500-- From bobwatch@lists.ofb.net Thu Nov 7 10:15:43 2002 From: bobwatch@lists.ofb.net (bobwatch@lists.ofb.net) Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 03:15:43 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/6 Message-ID: <3058.166.128.54.100.1036664143.squirrel@www.oz.net> First things first. Bob had his wrist surgery tonight. Wow. We didn’t find out it was scheduled until just a few minutes before. Took all of us (including the Surgical ICU nurses) completely by surprise. Nurse Carol walks in at 4:40p: “Mrs. Lord, do you know if Robert is having wrist surgery today? They’re calling for him in the OR.” I’m no genius, but I know one thing: if the OR is calling you, PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE! Ahem. So we didn’t have much notice before they came to roll him away. No real prep required on this floor: his stomach was already empty from his surgery last night. Blood work was current from surgery last night. All tubes, controls, monitors and IVs were ready because of surgery last night. The bed deflated rapidly just like it did before surgery last night. (This time, no frantic scrambling. Bob’s T- and C-spines are properly immobilized by the halo brace.) We were even treated to one of the same orderlies who rolled him to …say it with me, people….SURGERY LAST NIGHT. Sorry for shouting. But this is a lot of violation for Bob, in a very concentrated time frame. I’m feeling kind of protective. This is a summary of what Dr. Michael Monroe told me over the phone tonight. You physician sorts, please feel free to correct and amend as necessary. The procedure: bilateral wrist reductions. The fracture in the left wrist is severe but will heal without too much difficulty. Four pins were placed and will come out in 6 weeks. The right wrist was, in surgeon parlance: “pretty bad.” I hate when they talk over my head. The arm had open lacerations where the break had poked through. They worked first to clean out the wound, and then set their attentions to bone. The radius was in too many bits to reassemble. They installed an external fixator—the purpose of which is to stretch out the ligament, maintaining the general architecture of how the pieces are supposed to fit. The anchoring structures are 2 pins in the radius, and another 2 pins in the metacarpal---the long bone right behind the index finger. The hope is that Bob will lay down enough bone to knit the areas together and fill in the gaps. Even if he heals well, he could easily develop arthritis there, and more procedures may be needed to help with that or to clean out further infection. We will be referred to a hand surgeon for any additional surgeries. Dr. Monroe said that future procedures can also depend on how well Bob recovers from his spinal cord injuries. If he regains partial use of his upper extremities, getting the wrists right would be of major importance. If he resolves to complete quad, then getting it “just right” wouldn’t be as crucial—no real cause to subject him to further surgical pain. They will check carefully for infection over the next couple of days. The usual procedure with extreme fractures is to splint in the ER, and then perform orthopedic surgery the same evening. Because Bob’s spinal difficulties were so overwhelming, the wrist surgeries were put off repeatedly. In fact, I signed a release slip for them to do the reductions on 10/31---surgery was cancelled because of the increased swelling in the cervical spine. Waiting so long increases the risk of infection. But the spine had to come first. As an aside, Dr. Monroe mentioned that the “external” part of external fixator is an important part of reducing infection risk: you want to put as little foreign matter into the wound as possible. When Bob came back up from surgery, his nurse Roxy didn’t hang his Diprivan (sedative) drip right away. She thought him adequately sedated from surgery, and was mindful of the eventual goal of getting him sitting up and off the vent. He was getting morphine for the pain, though. As the evening went on, Lynne and I watched Bob become increasingly agitated. I talked to him. I stroked his forehead. It helps some, but he’s really had just about all he can take. And yet the troubles keep on coming. We watched him cough repeatedly --this is silent but still quite noticeable in intubated patients. He was furrowing his brow and blinking his eyes rapidly. I ask him to give a hard blink if he is in pain, and he keeps his eyes open. I find Roxy and request that she start the Diprivan. He’s paralyzed. He’s pissed off. And he’s taking names. Yes, he’ll have to adjust to and deal with all those terrible feelings (and many more) in the coming months. But he doesn’t need to suffer tonight. She starts the drip. *** This afternoon around 1:30, I went outside the building to call my son Graham (9). It had been a few days since we last spoke, and I wanted to make plans with him to come to Las Vegas the weekend of the 15th. He has not seen his father since the injury, our two younger children weren’t allowed into Trauma ICU. Furthermore, he hasn’t seen Bob since 10/22, the day he drove to Las Vegas. Graham is tired of being brave, tired of being told what a good job he’s doing, tired of people asking how he is. What he really wants is to be here with us for a little while. He needs to see his Dad. We talked for a while and I reassured him I’d get flights in order. As I got on the elevator to return to SICU, my phone rang. It was Lynne. “Come back to the room,” she said. “Bob needs you.” During my absence, she stood near the head of Bob’s bed to keep an eye on him. He started to make noises with his tongue. She asked if he wanted some moisture. He blinked yes. She dipped an oral swab in a cup of ice water and applied a small amount to his lips. He then started to make a noise no one had heard before. He was trying to form a word. He repeatedly made the same series of sounds, each utterance painfully wrapped around the breathing and gastric tubes. He became more distressed. Lynne dialed my cell. I ran out of the elevator and down the hall to Bob’s room. I leaned in close and watched him struggle to talk. “Suh…tuh…ah…puh. Suh…tuh…ah…puh.” “Stop?” I asked. “Stop what?” “Suh…tuh…ah…puh…di….s.” “Stop this? Did it bother you that Lynne was giving you water?” A tiny shake “no.” Even with the halo brace, he can manage slight movement. “Do you want us to stop talking?” Another “no.” “Suh…tuh…ah…pus…di…s. Di….s.” Stop this. I asked if he meant the injuries, the pain, the surgeries, the hardware, the vent tube, the IVs, the catheters… He nodded “yes.” *** I am not tired of being brave. I am not tired of being told what a good job I’m doing. I am not tired of being asked how I am. I have not cried much about this. It comes in small rivers, only when the conditions of fatigue and privacy are perfectly met. This morning was one of those times, and I now know that catharsis has its price. I was getting ready to come to the hospital when the torrent hit. My sadness broke in waves, again and again. My vision became blurry. I didn’t think much of it. It was only after I dried my tears that I noticed I couldn’t read the clock radio. I ran to the mirror to check: my contact lens was no longer in my eye. I searched the counters. I looked in the sink and in the folds of my clothes. Lynne came in and crawled around on her knees, sifting gingerly through the shag carpet. Gone. I wear a single gas permeable hard contact lens in my left eye. I do not use my eyes in stereo (untreated strabismus/amblyopia as a child) so I only need correction on my dominant side. I have had this lens for over 5 years and it was probably time to upgrade my prescription anyway. But not here. Not now. I go to the hospital in glasses. This drives me CRAZY. I am extremely claustrophobic and hate anything on my face. Besides, my frames look dorky with my dreads. By late afternoon, I can stand it no longer. I approach the nurses’ desk for ideas on local optometrists. Sharon, Bob’s respiratory therapist, recommends Nevada Optical, a few blocks west of the hospital. I call and they say to come right in. Bob is peaceful. I leave Lynne in charge, asking her to phone me if hell breaks loose. Parking spaces are hard to come by at the hospital. I run the 3 blocks to the eye doc. They see me right away. Dr. Grady J. Williams assesses my vision and take measurements for a replacement gas permeable hard lens. It is much more difficult than it should be to convince him that I need only one. He acquiesces. I am offered a soft contact lens to wear until the replacement hard one comes in. I have not worn soft lenses since the early 80s. They are huge! But I manage to get it in. I am $79 poorer for the exam and feel fortunate he threw in a few -2.75 soft lenses for free. He and his wife heard about my husband’s accident on the news; they will keep us in their prayers. I will pick up and pay for the replacement hard lens in a few days. *** Take care, everyone. Petition your favorite nonspecific diety for Bob. More news tomorrow. --Jacque From bobwatch@lists.ofb.net Thu Nov 7 15:35:06 2002 From: bobwatch@lists.ofb.net (bobwatch@lists.ofb.net) Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 10:35:06 EST Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/6 Message-ID: <19f.b53d7d2.2afbe22a@aol.com> --part1_19f.b53d7d2.2afbe22a_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello Jacque, Thanks again for the update. As I type this, I see my fingers move rather quickly and I am thinking of Bob's wrist surgery. It is amazing that how we sometimes take things for granted. It sounds like Bob is moving on the right track to recovery. We had Diwali Pooja (it is a very big festival celebrating the harvest and pray to to Maata (goddess)). I of course prayed for you and Bob and for him to have movement in hands and arms. I am sure he will have use of hands. Keeps positive thoughts. Yesterday evening, Simone was playing with Meera and Shiva and I was checking my email (mostly to see if you had emailed) on my laptop. Simone came up to me and said "Sunita, my Dad and Mom have the exact same thing, same color and looks the same". And I thought, how observant kids can be, sometimes you don't think they notice any thing; then they amaze you. Simone looks like loves her school. She was telling me about it and how much fun she had. They baked a pie. She was wondering when do they get to eat it. I think it is great idea for Graham to come and visit, I can imagine his frustration. I do not know what your plans are, but if you want some one to fly with him, let me know. I can fly with him on a weenend Ted is not on call. Ted has been explaining everything to me after I read your emails. According to him, it sounds like Bob is doing well. I know tell that to Bob and watch his expression. He will probably laugh at it. I am sure you know, we are thinking of you and praying for Bob to stablize and to talk to you guys and move. Let me tell you that those wheelchairs can move pretty fast. One of my very best friends is a quadaplegic. He was my housemate in Berkeley. It is time for the kids to get ready for school. I know I just mamble. By the way, your writing is excellent and very articulate. Sunita --part1_19f.b53d7d2.2afbe22a_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello  Jacque,

Thanks again for the update.  As I type this, I see my fingers move rather quickly and I am thinking of Bob's wrist surgery.  It is amazing that how we sometimes take things for granted.  It sounds like Bob is moving on the right track to recovery.  We had Diwali Pooja (it is a very big festival celebrating the harvest and pray to to Maata (goddess)).  I of course prayed for you and Bob and for him to have movement in hands and arms.  I am sure he will have use of hands.  Keeps positive thoughts. 

Yesterday evening, Simone was playing with Meera and Shiva and I was checking my email (mostly to see if you had emailed) on my laptop.  Simone came up to me and said "Sunita, my Dad and Mom have the exact same thing, same color and looks the same".  And I thought, how observant kids can be, sometimes you don't think they notice any thing; then they amaze you. 

Simone looks like loves her school.  She was telling me about it and how much fun she had.  They baked a pie.  She was wondering when do they get to eat it.  I think it is great idea for Graham to come and visit, I can imagine his frustration.  I  do not know what your plans are, but if you want some one to fly with him, let me know.  I can fly with him on a weenend Ted is not on call.  Ted has been explaining everything to me after I read your emails.  According to him, it sounds like Bob is doing well.  I know tell that to Bob and watch his expression.  He will probably laugh at it. 

I am sure you know, we are thinking of you and praying for Bob to stablize and to talk to you guys and move.  Let me tell you that those wheelchairs can move pretty fast.  One of my very best friends is a quadaplegic.  He was my housemate in Berkeley.

It is time for the kids to get ready for school.  I know I just mamble.

By the way, your writing is excellent and very articulate.

Sunita --part1_19f.b53d7d2.2afbe22a_boundary-- From anderwiz@yahoo.com Fri Nov 8 03:46:28 2002 From: anderwiz@yahoo.com (Douglas Wisdorf) Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 19:46:28 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Bobwatch] Hello from an old friend. Message-ID: <20021108034628.58991.qmail@web13007.mail.yahoo.com> --0-1339622882-1036727188=:58510 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Dear Jacque, Amy Ragen told me of Bob's accident, and has forwarded your emails to me. I can't tell you how sorry we are for what you all are going through. Doug, Conner and I are thinking of you often and saying prayers for improvement in Bob's condition. It's been so long since I've talked to you...I hate to admit I didn't even know you moved to California. I have a sister who lives in Las Vegas named Jeanette. I've told her about your family and she wants to know if there is anything she can do for you. She's new-ish to the area, but might have some connections to make things a little easier for you. Let me know if we can help in any way. Stay strong. Love, Melody, Doug & Conner Wisdorf anderwiz@yahoo.com 206-322-1007 Please tell Graham that Conner says Hi. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive medley & videos from Greatest Hits CD --0-1339622882-1036727188=:58510 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii

Dear Jacque,

Amy Ragen told me of Bob's accident, and has forwarded your emails to me.  I can't tell you how sorry we are for what you all are going through.

Doug, Conner and I are thinking of you often and saying prayers for improvement in Bob's condition. It's been so long since I've talked to you...I hate to admit I didn't even know you moved to California.

I have a sister who lives in Las Vegas named Jeanette.  I've told her about your family and she wants to know if there is anything she can do for you.  She's new-ish to the area, but might have some connections to make things a little easier for you. 

Let me know if we can help in any way.  Stay strong.

Love, Melody, Doug & Conner Wisdorf

anderwiz@yahoo.com

206-322-1007

Please tell Graham that Conner says Hi.

 

 

 


Do you Yahoo!?
U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive medley & videos from Greatest Hits CD --0-1339622882-1036727188=:58510-- From jacque@oz.net Fri Nov 8 09:57:48 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2002 02:57:48 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/7 Message-ID: <3530.166.128.54.100.1036749468.squirrel@www.oz.net> Today I transferred my non-hospital life to new housing. John R. has arranged for a 2-bedroom long term rental 3.5 miles north of UMC. I got up early this morning to pack my suitcase and the cooler. John and I left to run a few errands; Lynne came to the hospital to take care of Bob until we got back at 1p. Bob’s ventilator was changed during the time Lynne was with him. This one is used to wean—it does not automatically breathe for him, but rather supplements the breaths he initiates on his own. I hope he can be extubated soon. We need to hear from the boy. The nurses say his sedation medication is at the same dose as yesterday. Why is he so sleepy? He has been running a fever for most of the evening. Not surprising in light of two surgeries in two days. A lot of inflammation. 38.8C which is almost 102F. They are giving him Tylenol to douse the fire. The nurse measures it out in a big turkey baster and puts it in the same tube as his Probalance. Lynne left for the airport at 3:15. It was such a comfort to have her here. John drove her to McCarran so I wouldn’t have to leave Bob. He then stayed near the airport to pick up my sister Lisa and Carly at 6p. What a guy. This afternoon, I engaged myself in a marathon reading session of BL’s medical chart. Man oh man. He’s a wreck. Let this be a lesson to all of you--stay the hell out of Nevada. T4 burst fx, T5 fx, non-displaced T3 fx, bilateral T1 lamina fx; T4 paralysis—S/P orif T1-7 with instrumentation and left ICBG 10/28/02 C3-4 facet fx, C3 endplate and pedicle fx, and C7 displaced spinous process fx—S/P ACDF C3-4 and application of halo 11/5/02 Bilateral comminuted radial fxs—S/P application of x-fix right radius and ulna, percutaneous pinning of left wrist 11/6/02 Right 1st & 3rd rib fx, bilateral pneumothorax Got all that? I do find myself having a strange affection for Las Vegas. Nevertheless, I doubt we’ll ever come back. I had not spent much time in this city before Bob’s accident. Looks like I’ll never have the thrill of $2.95 steak and eggs. The lights and activity help me not to feel so lonely driving home from the hospital at 2 am. Half the world is still awake and behaving stupidly. Or so it seems. Earlier this evening, Bob was sleeping, an opportune time to settle into the new digs and have dinner. John, Lisa, Carly and I ate at a great Peruvian restaurant called Inka. The cafeteria food at UMC is better than most, but a change of venue was needed after 12 days. Dr. Vater came in at 11p to check Bob. He got the stats from the nurse, and then raised the head of Bob’s bed to 30 degrees. This will certainly improve the view once he opens his eyes. I’m tired. Good night. More tomorrow. Jacque From Court3751@aol.com Fri Nov 8 23:54:31 2002 From: Court3751@aol.com (Court3751@aol.com) Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2002 18:54:31 EST Subject: [Bobwatch] (no subject) Message-ID: <11a.19d1c594.2afda8b7@aol.com> --part1_11a.19d1c594.2afda8b7_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jacque, Just a quick note to let you know how sorry we are to hear about Bob's accident. Thank you for keeping us informed with the e-mails. Boy you sure could use a guardian angel now. (I am sending you one through my thoughts.) Take care of yourself the last thing you need is to become ill yourself. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. We will keep PRAYING! Mike and Amy Courtney --part1_11a.19d1c594.2afda8b7_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jacque,

Just a quick note to let you know how sorry we are to hear about Bob's accident.
Thank you for keeping us informed with the e-mails.  Boy you sure could use a guardian angel now.  (I am sending you one through my thoughts.)  Take care of yourself the last thing you need is to become ill yourself.  Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

We will keep PRAYING!

Mike and Amy Courtney --part1_11a.19d1c594.2afda8b7_boundary-- From jacque@oz.net Sat Nov 9 08:50:22 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 01:50:22 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/8 Message-ID: <3022.63.178.205.220.1036831822.squirrel@www.oz.net> This morning, my sister Lisa did the first shift in Bob’s room. Carly rested and read magazines. John R. and I got my apartment-based computer arrangement up to snuff. Our main goal was getting a printer set up. I have not yet looked at any sites that touch on our situation; as Bob’s immediate traumas ease up, I'll have more time to focus and prepare for our future. Friends are sending links, and I want to print some things out. I’m grateful he helped me with that. Lisa reports that Bob had two sets of visitors this morning: several doctors from Infectious Diseases and a physical therapist. The Infectious Diseases guys checked out the blood work associated with Bob’s current fever. Lisa thought their visit to be a teaching session; my husband as Figure A. Results of a few cultures are still outstanding---but white blood cell count is dropping, a good sign. His temperature is a bit lower this night than last. They have discontinued his sedation and he spends more and more of his time awake. I talk with him whenever he opens his eyes. Surely cruel and unusual behavior toward a man who has no way to stick his fingers in his ears. Lisa asked Bob if he was bored. A nod “yes.” They are very close to pulling the breathing tube, but won’t commit yet. Bob is no longer connected to the ventilator; he still has the tube, though, and is receiving 40% humidified oxygen through a T-piece. I can hardly wait for extubation. I miss him so much. The physical therapist came in to exercise Bob’s legs. I am to call her Sunday morning when I come to the hospital---she will return and demonstrate the moves to me. I'll need to learn the best way to keep his limbs flexible--I will certainly undergo some training during the coming weeks as we start the rehabilitation process of his recovery. After Lisa and I did the shift change this afternoon, she, Carly & John headed out for a little Vegas style action. They got caught in a tremendous traffic jam on the Strip, and visited New York New York for lunch at Il Fornaio. Lisa stopped in Palo Alto before coming to Vegas. She went through my photo albums for a few more family pictures. I now have the bulletin board in BL's hospital room completely covered. He cannot turn his head to see them; the halo prevents that. I love looking at them, though. I miss my kids and am very happy to see Carly this weekend and Graham the next. Lisa told a story of Simone (3 ½) describing her new preschool experience. “We make pumpkin pie,” she said, “and we read stories and I play with kids and have fun and the toys don’t suck.” @#!$!@?????? Now, see why I didn’t want her to go to preschool? She can pick up that kind of language at home---from her siblings -- for free. But seriously, folks… I am happy she has a loving place to spend a few hours. Simone is still young enough to require constant adult input. She has bonded well with Julie, instinctively adapting to best ensure her survival. She will talk with me for a bit on the phone, but seems distracted and runs off suddenly. Will she forget me? Prior to this, I had never been apart from her for more than two days. She tells people at the park, “My Daddy fell in a hole in Las Vegas and got hurt.” My new apartment is quite comfortable but smells of cigarettes. I'll get over it. The vinyl shower curtain is peach and vociferously noxious. We’ll go to Target for socks tomorrow, and pick up a fabric curtain, too. The window of Bob’s room faces the Trauma Center parking garage. On the top is the helipad where the Mercy Air choppers land. This is how my husband was brought here 10/27. The noise of approaching helicopters is quite compelling, and I must run and look every time one comes in. I cannot see them unload—the lip on the top of the garage provides privacy—but each time one arrives I can’t help but think of the siege of grief and shock that awaits the traumatically injured person. And their family. And everyone who knows and cares about them. I have received many wonderful cards, letters and care packages in the mail. I am floored by the kindnesses extended in our direction. I hope you all know how much your support means to me. Thank you for sticking with us— Jacque From lynnetrainor@yahoo.com Sat Nov 9 23:13:52 2002 From: lynnetrainor@yahoo.com (Lynne Trainor) Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 15:13:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bobwatch Fund Message-ID: <20021109231352.2665.qmail@web14106.mail.yahoo.com> Hello Bobwatch Subscribers: A fund has been created to benefit the (Deerr-) Lord Family. I am awaiting advisement from my CPA to see if your donations can be tax deductible as it may be possible to set up the fund as a non-profit benefit fund. I will forward information as I receive it. Donations can be sent to: Exchange Bank 136 Calistoga Road Santa Rosa, CA 95409 707.539.1505 Please make checks payable to The Bobwatch Fund, and refer to the account number 0095024931. Let's help to ensure that Bob's family has all that they need. Thank you for your kind consideration. Please contact me with any questions or suggestions at lynnetrainor@yahoo.com or 707.537.1232. Regards, Lynne Trainor __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos http://launch.yahoo.com/u2 From jacque@oz.net Sun Nov 10 15:53:59 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 08:53:59 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/9 Message-ID: <3436.63.178.207.33.1036943639.squirrel@www.oz.net> Don drove in from San Jose late Friday night and went straight to the hospital. I slept in because I knew he’d do the morning shift. He calls my cell at 10:30a, they need to suction Bob’s lungs, he says, but Bob won’t let them. They want to extubate today, but not if his numbers don’t improve. I ask Don to put the cell phone up to Bob’s ear and I say BL I know you can’t talk but you can listen so please let the nurses do their job so you can get better. Please. Please. I love you and need for you to come home. Please BL. Please. Now nod so Don knows to take the phone back. And he does and I tell Don that I’ll be there as soon as I can. When I get off the elevator I find Don in the waiting room. “Did the nurses kick you out?” I ask. No, he says, it was Bob, I asked if he wanted me to get out of his face and he nodded yes. So we make conversation before I go into Bob’s room. How was your drive from San Jose, how soon after work did you leave? And he’s struggling to come up credible timeline so I won’t be pissed at how fast he drove but he really shouldn’t bother because although I love my bro’ I don’t have a lot of concern left over for other people. I go into Bob’s room and kiss him on the forehead. The oxygen saturation numbers are in the mid-90s. I hear you kicked Don out, I say, are you going to tell me to get lost, too? He nods “yes.” Well, I’m not going anywhere, I declare, shaken, but I grab a magazine from my tote bag. Do you want me to read to you? He nods “yes.” So I page through recent issues of Time and Newsweek looking for business articles, technology write-ups, pop culture pieces. I read a review of David Rockefeller’s new memoir. Should I keep reading? He nods “yes.” Then a piece about Toyota’s Scion line and Honda’s new cars aimed at Gen Y. Keep reading? Yes. A Joel Stein humor column about the Museum of Sex in New York City. Keep reading? Yes. And the whole time I’m reading the O2 sat numbers keep dropping, and the apnea alarm keeps sounding, the high blood pressure bell keeps dinging, the monitor is beeping at me because his heart rate is skyrocketing. Still keep reading? I ask over the din and he nods “yes.” And the nurses keep coming in and trying to suction but no matter how much I plead he bites down and won’t let them get the tube in. The nurse gives him some morphine and he settles a bit. His eyes close. I’m going to run down and get something to drink, I tell him. I’ll be right back. When I return, Bob has an oxygen mask over his face and the respiratory guy is bagging him. What’s going on? He says Bob needs to go back onto the vent and that they need to pull out the old tracheal tube and put in a few one and I ask why a new one is needed and he rolls his eyes and says condescendingly: “Well, if you’ll stop interrupting me, I’ll finish my explanation.” Snap. So I start yelling at him, I’ll get my fucking explanation from someone else, get your no-bedside-manner sorry ass out of my husband’s room. I stride out to the nurses desk and demand at no one in particular that I want another respiratory guy right away, not this waste-of-skin-and-chemicals jerk who just an hour earlier complained about having to walk to the next building to get the sterilized water for the T-tube setup, barking at the nurse to tell his supervisor that after this he was going to the ER because he herniated a disc lifting the case of water from its storage closet. And at the time I let all that stuff go because I’d already played the “discipline the healthcare worker who bitches about their back pain in front of my spinal cord injury husband” card. No one seems to be paying any attention to me and I walk up to a nurse doing paperwork, get someone else from respiratory, I say, I don’t want that guy anywhere near my husband and she says no one else can step in because they’re in the middle of a procedure but she gets on the phone anyway. Then she walks into Bob’s now close-curtained room and the guy yells I don’t have time for any reprimand from my supervisor I’m trying to save this man’s life even if his goddamn wife doesn’t want me to. And the anesthesiologist comes running in from the elevator and a new respiratory guy slides through the pulled curtain and Mr. Ass Boil comes fuming out and stomps by me on his way out of SICU. My cell phone has been ringing but of course I can’t answer it now. The curtain stays closed for a long time. I’ve already caused enough mayhem. I exit the hospital and take a walk around the perimeter. Two messages from Lisa. 1. Does Carly have my permission to see Igby Goes Down? 2. Igby has left town can they go Bowling for Columbine? I appreciate them checking in with me, but I’m not fit to be anyone’s parent right now. I wait a bit before calling back. After 20 minutes, I re-enter the building. Vater passes me in the long hall between Trauma and SICU. “How’s it going?” he asks, conversationally. “Not too good,” I say, but I am crying and in no mood to converse between sobs. I wave him off and he continues toward Trauma. I get in the elevator. I return to find Bob back on the ventilator. They had to extubate and reintubate because he bit the cuff inflation pigtail off the old tracheal tube. He is mildly sedated but his eyes are wide open, blinking, staring straight ahead. He won’t look at me or acknowledge my presence so I walk away from the bed. I sit in the corner chair in the room, crying as quietly as I can, grabbing tissues from the little box with “Lord” written on it in black marker, and the nurse rubs my shoulders and offers me coffee or water but I’m all set on fluids thank you very much. She continues to clean up the equipment and packaging from the intubation. She stops by my side and kneels down whispering, I gave him some Haldol to settle him right before they had to put in the new tube. I think he can fall asleep if it’s quiet so don’t let him hear you crying. But Bob does not sleep; he continues to stare straight ahead. I move to the wall desk on his right side and set up my laptop. I watch the monitor. When his heart rate elevates, I figure he’s more alert and wants to talk. But he does not/cannot let me know he hears me. I go back to the desk. Vater comes in and apologizes for not stopping to chat---he had to get to Trauma. He has looked at the chart and knows what went down. Returning to the vent is not uncommon in this situation, he says; don’t let it alarm you too much. But this entire chain of events is pretty uncommon to me and I say as much. More time passes. The new respiratory therapist comes in periodically to write numbers on a clip board. Ass Wipe pokes his head through the door and says hey Steve since you took one of my patients I’ll take one of yours. Steve says no problem that’s ok and Ass Wipe skids off down the hall. I watch the heart monitor. I talk with Bob. No response. I work on the computer. I repeat this cycle for a few hours. I shouldn’t say it, but I can’t help myself. I lean over and stare into his blue eyes. I love you and want you back, I say, I would do anything to make this all go away. But I can’t so we have to dig our way out as best we can. I’ll stay here and take care of you for as long as it takes. And then we’ll go home and I’ll take care of you for as long as it takes. But if you won’t let people help you, should I fly home and start planning a funeral? From Reid Kneeland" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_003D_01C288DE.12F5A180 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Dear Bobwatch list, For those of you wanting to visit L.V. and stay close to the hospital, I = just got news of a terrific room deal from my own mother. Mom is a = Vegas fanatic, and is on the e-mail list for deals at Palace Station. = Believe it or not, this is the only place she ever stays when she comes = in for her thrice yearly bingo/slot machine fix: The Casino host's name is: Janet Anderson and the 800 # is: = 800.544.2411, However, I received a mailing from Palace Station that = Tower rooms were to be had for as low as $9.00! Their online address = is: www.stationcasinos.com. I would call her as well as check online = to see which is best. Reservations # is: 888.767.7772. =20 When you have your arrival and departure dates, please let me know. = I've put together a travel grid for Jacque, which is helping her keep = track of all the many comings and going. Keep praying, Ellen F. ------=_NextPart_000_003D_01C288DE.12F5A180 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Dear Bobwatch list,
 
For those of you wanting to visit L.V. = and stay=20 close to the hospital, I just got news of a terrific room deal from my = own=20 mother.  Mom is a Vegas fanatic, and is on the e-mail list for = deals=20 at Palace Station.  Believe it or not, this is the only place she = ever=20 stays when she comes in for her thrice yearly bingo/slot machine=20 fix:
 
The Casino host's name is:  Janet = Anderson and the=20 800 # is:  800.544.2411,  However, I received a mailing from = Palace=20 Station that Tower rooms were to be had for as low as $9.00!  Their = online=20 address is:  www.stationcasinos.com.  I would call her as well as check online to see = which is=20 best.  Reservations # is:  888.767.7772. 
 
When you have your arrival and departure = dates, please let me=20 know.  I've put together a travel grid for Jacque, which is helping = her=20 keep track of all the many comings and going.
 
Keep praying,
 
Ellen F.
 
 
------=_NextPart_000_003D_01C288DE.12F5A180-- From jacque@oz.net Mon Nov 11 16:44:50 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 09:44:50 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/10 Message-ID: <3091.158.252.200.206.1037033090.squirrel@www.oz.net> Bob is now encountering some of the secondary problems associated with his injuries and long hospitalization. What first just starts as broken bones ends up in quadriplegia, lung problems, heart problems, blood poisoning... I will hang in there because there are few other choices. I am feverishly hoping that Bob will do the same. Nurses say Bob is not sedated. But he is, for the most part, non-responsive. Early Sunday morning, his temperature rose to 39.4C. He is being dosed with Tylenol and covered with a Meditherm (cooling) blanket. A cardiologist came to evaluate Bob’s sinus tachycardia (elevated heart rate). Several EKG strips were run and he was given three doses of Digoxin to slow it down. He is still being treated with Dexamethasone (steroid) for the spinal cord swelling. He also gets Reglan to help him tolerate the tube feeding. The doctors from Infectious Diseases report that Bob has developed septicemia (blood staph infection). Yesterday, the nurses took blood samples from his arterial line and sent them off in little tabasco-shaped bottles with labels like "BD Bactec Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F" and BD Bactec Plus + Aerobic/F". He is being treated with two IV antibiotics: Gentamycin and Vancomycin. My sister Lisa was there yesterday morning when Dr. Patel, the physician overseeing all Bob's care, came to call. Outside the room, out of Bob’s earshot, she questioned him about the obstacles to come. She asked about Bob's non-cooperation Saturday, was this response standard for injuries of his type? Patel said that rage is a common reaction. They will continue to aggressively treat Bob's health problems, but if he continues to refuse certain procedures, they will bring in a psych consult in a few days. If Bob is found to be mentally competent, they cannot force treatment if he refuses. This terrifies me. So I hope and I plead. I talk to him and tell him how much I love him and miss him. I read Wired Magazine aloud to him. I am working hard to be patient, to trust that that the doctors are doing their best, to have faith that he will come out of this OK. But some small portion of me is considering the fact that I may emerge from this a widow. Most of the doctor visits happen in the early morning hours, prior to 10a when I am allowed to begin my daily visit. I am not routinely told of their analyses (or even the fact that they came) unless I track them down and ask. It is only in reading Bob’s chart that I discover many things. “Digoxin?” I’ll ask the nurse in alarm. “Is something wrong with his heart?” I am coming to accept that this is the way hospitals have been run for years and my small protestations are not going to change anything. Still… Here’s to a better day today. Carly and Lisa fly home this morning, Tom M. and Kelvin G. arrive. Thank you all for the concern that you send in our direction. I hope to have more upbeat news for you tomorrow. Take care— Jacque From jacque@oz.net Tue Nov 12 17:58:18 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 10:58:18 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/11 Message-ID: <3039.206.133.195.236.1037123898.squirrel@www.oz.net> I am pleased to report that yesterday produced no stunning new changes in Bob’s condition. Nice to have a breather. The past few days have been rough. From what I can tell, we’re holding steady. And maybe even getting some good news. In a shocking development, several of Bob’s specialty physicians came through the room during non-vampire hours. I was able to nag small tidbits of information from each. 10:00 a The pulmonologist arrives to review Bob’s chart. He then enters the room and checks the ventilator settings. Not a word or glance in my direction, two feet from where he’s working. “I’m Jacque, Bob’s wife,” I say archly. And YOU are…?” He introduces himself as Dr. Stewart. He listens to Bob’s chest in several places with a stethoscope. “He sounds better today than yesterday.” And he’s off. Bob is alert for most of the morning. His eyes are wide open, and seem to better connect. His heart rate lowers when I speak to him, and jumps back up when I walk away. So I just keep talking. About my trip to the airport that morning to take Lisa and Carly to their flight. About his new neighbor in SICU4. About plans for Graham to fly in this weekend. About the increased numbers of nursing staff at the desk outside his room and how some people just shouldn’t wear white. Jacque Deerr-Lord: using inanities and gossip to battle tachycardia since….since…well, early November, at least. Tom M. and Kelvin G. arrive from the airport close 11:30. Bob is entering a sleepy phase, but still knows they’re there. Once he dozes off completely, I drag Tom and Kelvin with me to the cafeteria. Bob is more alert when we return from lunch. We visit for a while, and then step out for fresh air. They both ask what they can do to help me. Thankfully, for now, I am all taken care of. I encourage then to get out and see some sights. They leave. I walk the few blocks to my mailbox. No deliveries on Veteran’s Day. Duh. 2:00p I arrive back in SICU to find Bob with a wet washcloth over his mouth. His nurse Susan comes into the room. She asks if it is OK to shave Bob’s (emergent) moustache. She was softening it up-- but didn’t want to do it without my permission. Is there some medical reason for this, I asked. Is it getting in the way? Not really, she tells me, some patients are just more comfortable. She comments that in all the family pictures Bob is clean shaven. Even so, I figure we should defer to Bob on this one. “BL, your nurse is offering to shave your upper lip. Give me a hard blink if you want her to do that.” No blink. “OK, now give me a hard blink if you DON’T want her to shave you.” Hard blink. Whew. Glad we asked. 2:45p Two impossibly young physical therapists wheel in the biggest, ugliest pink Naugahyde ™ chair. Think beauty parlor without the bonnet hairdryer. Today is the day, they announce: Bob gets to sit up! The chair is straight-backed and padded, with straps at the chest and waist. This is progress in the right direction, I know-- still not sure I’m ready to see my husband’s inert lower half dragged out of bed. Before I have a chance to reflect on this, however… 2:46p A cardiac technician arrives to do an echo of Bob’s heart. She wins. PT leaves. They say they will come back later-- but this does not happen. She describes the test as a videotaped ultrasound examination of the function of Bob’s heart. The nurse helps her unfasten the vest straps on Bob’s halo brace, and then asks me to leave the room. Later the technician tells me that I really didn’t have to go. 3:40p Dr. Palitang of Infectious Diseases shows up with a resident: BL as “teachable moment” yet again. He gives me no new information about the levels of staph in Bob’s blood, but does assure me that the two antibiotics are the proper treatment for now. 3:50p Dr. Wesley, the cardiologist, tells me that a preliminary reading of Bob’s echo shows no obvious abnormalities. He describes Bob’s symptoms as a true sinus tachycardia, no signs of pathological arrhythmia. He will examine the test more thoroughly, but at this point has no reason to believe that Bob’s rapid heart rate is anything more than a reaction to the stress of his injuries. 5:15p The nurse announces Bob’s last injection of Decadron (steroid). From now on he will get that medicine in crushed pill form. Dr. Vater authorizes the change; Bob is tolerating tube feeding well AND that the pills are much less expensive. 6:00p Tom and Kelvin arrive to take me out to dinner. After getting recommendations from Martin, we head west on Sahara. We settled on a very nice Japanese place. I eat tempura and ebi sushi. Tom and Kelvin eat fire roll and Japanese chicken soup. There is warm sake and beer. We take turns telling our “Bob” stories. It is so good to laugh. From jacque@oz.net Wed Nov 13 18:04:57 2002 From: jacque@oz.net (jacque@oz.net) Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 11:04:57 -0700 (MST) Subject: [Bobwatch] The Bob Report 11/12 Message-ID: <3230.158.252.200.179.1037210697.squirrel@www.oz.net> I call my son Graham (9) in the morning before he leaves for school. He bursts into tears upon hearing my voice. It has been entirely too long since he¡¦s seen his Dad (10/22) or me (10/30). He arrives this coming Friday night, traveling with Bob¡¦s brother Don. Originally, Graham was to return to school on Monday but a bit more time with his folks is all he wants. I speak with the principal at his school who will contact the 4th grade teacher for packets of work Graham can bring with him. Our current plan has him being with me here until 11/27. We will drive back together to Palo Alto for the Thanksgiving weekend. I will return to LV alone December 2. I arrive at UMC at 10:15a¡K.not a single space in any of the lots. Nothing in the parking garage, either. I find a 10 hour metered space on the street. My 24 quarters (love those empty film cans) buy me 6 hours. I hope I remember to move my car before 4:15. *** I get up to SICU and greet Bob. He opens his eyes, but immediately closes them again. I grab the chart. He¡¦s had a few visitors in the time before my arrival. Ah, the beauty of access to medical records. Because if I didn¡¦t read it myself, I wouldn¡¦t know. They¡¦re not big on sharing these kinds of things. My college job in Surgical Pathology at Stanford has given me some comfort with medical terminology. Still, the journey through the land of MediSpeak is fraught with peril. Come along with me and we¡¦ll learn together. (All you medical sorts, chime in and clarify/correct when necessary.) 1. 8:45 a Physical Therapy Bilateral ankles positioned in neutral. HOB increased to 30 degrees , O2 sat