I Voted

 

I took Biggus Macus' and Ammoland's recommendations.

Phil Journey, Dennis Fusaro, Jeff Knox, & Rocky Marshall and "Yes" on the bylaws question.

Let's see if this does any good.

I sure hope it does.

Prayers And Well Wishes For Hognose

He's hit a rough patch, and it's medical.

There's no details there.

He did me a good turn a few days back and I want him to get well soon.

Prayers

Fingers crossed for FuzzyGeff.

He's come down with a detached retina and is going under the knife tomorrow.

On the plus side, bet he'll have to wear an eyepatch for Talk Like A Pirate Day!

If you can think of that as a plus.

Well That Fucking Sucks

The Lovely Harvey's uncle just up and had a heart attack and died.

Remember when I said we were tapped out after vacations and fixing computers?

Here's my hat in hand begging so that she can go up for the funeral.

Just dammit.

Freak Out

Nothing is quite so terrifying as a quick return on a loved one's lab work and a call to come to the doctor's office to talk about the results.

Think happy thoughts towards The Lovely Harvey.

Get Well Soon!

Dr Jerry Pournelle has had a mild stroke.

He appears to be recovering and the prognosis is positive at present.

Six Dead

I promise that if I go on my mass murder spree I will start with the last person; me.

Would that more of these jerks would do the same.

What's the appropriate waiting period before pointing out that the strict gun laws in California did nothing to stop it?

Bro Update

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Here's a happy k of them!

Still has a lazy eye, but he's out and about and that smile on his face is not pharmaceutically derived.

Not sure if he's still working his right arm like Big Bird or the Bear in the Big Blue House or not. ;)

Best Update Evah

My "little" brother home with the kids!

He's still got lots of PT left to do, but this is the best way to show the progress.  Sisinlaw says this is just a visit home with his actual discharge being next week.

Thanks for all your prayers towards this crusty atheist's family!

Thump Drag

I've been remiss.

The Lovely Harvey has been tracking things via Facebook and my Sister In Law isn't giving easy to blogify text messages anymore.

Herk is walking in physical therapy!

There's even a vid.

His gait is steady and slow.  But he's doing it unsupported, just has a therapist standing by with a recovery strap.

Considering he broke a femur and had stroke-like damage to the other side, he's doing awesome!

Speaking of that stroke-like thing...  His face doesn't look all slack and lifeless on the right side anymore.  Pictures of that scared me more than anything.

The jury is still out on how much he's lost and how much he can regain; but considering how terrifyingly bad the outcomes on one end of the scale could have been, everyone is relieved.

PS: the post title is from MY physical therapy when I was learning to walk again after the shattered bilateral tib-fib had stitched enough to take weight.  The left leg healed far better than the right and when I was on the parallel bars the first few times the left leg would hit hard THUMP and then I'd kind of flop the right into position for the next "step" without lifting it DRAG.  The Bat thought this was the most amusing thing in the world so she cheered me on with "thump-drag-McThag!"

Herk Update

Sisinlaw reports:

Getting stronger, speaking more, speaking clearer and remembering more each day! Cleared to eat regular foods! During tomorrow's rounds they should be determining when his feeding tube can come out and looking closer at the bone fragment and hip in his left leg to address his pain. Hopefully they don't have to surgically remove/correct anything right now with all the progress he has made. Today they estimate 3 more weeks with next week possibly setting a target date for discharge.

Rehab Report

Sisinlaw says:

Herk is doing well, getting stronger everyday. Had his trach removed yesterday morning and it looks great already! Working with therapists next week to come up with some plans of action when he leaves so my parents and I can figure out how to keep the wheels turning through all of this! Herk is expected to be there another 3-5 weeks (they think 5 max) then will be following his outpatient plans.

She's posted some pics to Facebook.  Herk looks like he's had a MASSIVE stroke.  The entire right side of his face is completely slack.  But there seems to be spark in that left eye!

It's just starting to set in to me just how bad this accident was.

She's also selling off some of the bikes and quads to help offset the costs.

Rehab Report

Herk is making steady progress, he has a lot of work and a long road mentally but learning a lot of physical independence again. He is expected to be in rehab up to 6 weeks. Learning to take care of himself, brush his teeth, feed himself, and of course eventually walking. He is not there yet but was riding the stationary bike today and learning to use his right hand more. He can talk and when you have his attention can carry a conversation, he is easily confused and distracted, forgetting names and places but knowing his answers are wrong at the same time just can't find the right answer. Sometimes in the middle of a sentence he can change topics and you will have no idea what he is talking about, but when focused is engaged. The trach may be coming out tomorrow, he is on the second phase of food, phase three is next then a regular diet. He feeds himself and picks what he wants
to eat. He is getting impatient and keeps repeating that he needs to do this to get home, so he is working hard towards his goal of getting back to us!!!

He Speaks

Sisinlaw:

He finished his short session of therapy today and he is pooped! He will be in therapy daily and will be pushed the way he needs! He is off oxygen and can be understood when speaking in short sentences. Got to try some water and pudding today, they will be doing an x-ray tomorrow because his swallowing is not perfect but shouldn't be too far from food. He brushed his teeth, got to [wear] some of his own clothes and talked about himself and the kids a bit. All in all the therapists are impressed with what they actually have to work with compared to what they read in his chart, so we just have to keep working!

Yes, I did just HAVE to change where she had where instead of wear for his clothes.

Incentives Are Important

I learned that in rehab.  Capt. R. Rico.

Sisinlaw reports:

Well, we made it to rehab! Nothing much new to report, will be meeting with the Drs and therapists tomorrow for a plan of action.

Escape From ICU

Yesterday Herk was "medically" cleared for rehab. Today he was evaluated by rehab and will be recommended to go over sometime next week! Moved his legs, stuck out his tongue, said "hi", he laid on the [chair] and got in! Lol Will be waiting to make sure insurance clears him, so we are on the way! Saying he will be there a minimum 4-6 weeks for inpatient rehab. Then after going home will require more outpatient rehab.

Happy dance!

Now if the stubborn fucker would stop gold bricking and start talking for reals we'd be golden.

Improved Brother

Sisinlaw Says

Herk did good today wore his voice box attachment to his trach for a while and is breathing well with it on. Still wants to get up and go, he mouthed "I want to go home",
awww! He is learning to talk through his trach, he said "hi" and stood up (with help). Watching TV, movies and reading magazines (sort of). Plan is just to keep him progressing, working with him to get enough stamina for rehab, he gets tired after 15-20 min so needs to work up to 3 hours throughout the day.

That's outstanding news.  Still a long row to how.

Ray Of Hope!

Looks like them prayers work!

Sisinlaw Says:

Herk is off the ventilator now for almost 48 hours, just on regular oxygen and doing well! He is a terrible patient! Constantly trying to get out of the bed or chair and stand, but he is not used to sitting still so I can imagine his frustration! Showed him some pictures today and asked him to look for an object, he only participated for one but found the right one! Freely moved his right leg a couple times to get comfortable in his new bed. Just finished tucking him in at the new facility, will meet all the new Drs in the morning. Hopefully we are only here for a short time with the recent progress and he can get right to rehab!

Long ways yet to go, but this is the best news she's sent so far.

Herk Daily

Herk was on CPAP all night and switched to regular oxygen about an hour ago, breathing all on his own through his trach collar! Last time he failed this in less than a minute. Sitting in the chair today when I got here and full of piss and vinegar! Giving me some all too familiar faces and hand gestures, actually making me laugh today! He is able to push himself forward in the chair to sit up and make himself comfortable. Today is much more encouraging than the last few, hopefully he is willing to follow some commands now too!

This seems a bright spot.  I'll attach some hope to this!

Daily Bro Update

Herk is still in CPAP since yesterday and tolerating, they lowered the settings a bit today but he was breathing quick again so the put them back up. He is alert and moves his left side with intent (scratch his face or to adjust in bed) but still not actively participating in therapy or following commands, only moves for his own comfort. He is getting some pain meds to relax the rest of the night since he was stimulated a lot today.
Tomorrow visitation will be 12-4 only so therapy can work with him as needed and he can rest after all the stimulation.

I hate to break it to my sister in law's bubble of hope, but that is not alert. That is awake. And that's not up to conscious.

Damn, damn, damn.