My buddy (co-pilot) Steve

Hey hey! Just came back from the hopspittal and I am encouraged, somewhat. His eyes didn't open today but he does look better. Good color. I held his hand and "sang" *such as it is* :rolleyes: one of our favorite tunes.. "Your Sweet and Shiny Eyes, Are Like the Stars Above Larado".. etc. And I sang "Hush Little Baby Don't Say a Word, Momma's Gonna Buy You a Mocking Bird"... When I did, and he heard my voice, I swear he moved his broken arm and reached to me. He held onto my hand very tightly. He even rubbed his thumb against my fingers. Maybe he was asking me to not quit my day job and don't even try to sing any more :rolleyes: That's a VERY GOOD THING. I was able to speak with his Doc's and when I called his mom & dad after getting home they were soooo pleased.

OH GOD!! I just saw this thread! I think you know what I have been through last year with my son Eddie.

Eddies wife brought his CD player in his room and played his favorite CD's while he was in his coma and as he was waking up. I think it helps for them to hear things, sounds, music they are use to and probably comforting. Keep talking to him and when you run out of things to say, read to him, a book a magizine, anything that he may be interested in.

Read this to him from me, Laura Sibley that lives in Louisiana

Hi Steve, did you know you have a ton of people praying for you all over the world and sending good thoughts and vibes at you to help you heal and get well? I am one of those people. My son was hurt real bad last year in an explosion and he survived when most wouldn't have and you can too and you will. Hang in there, feel our love and strength and draw from that if you need it. God will place his healing hand on you and make you well but you have to do your part too, as my son did. Hang on and hang in there, feel the love and prayers and let them and the doctors do their work while you rest and heal. Take it easy there, get your rest since your body needs all it's strength to heal and recover. We will continue to pray for you and send you good thoughts and vibes until you no longet need them. God Bless you Steve and He will take care of you. Laura

My thoughts and prayers are still going out to Steve and all the rest of you. I can't imagine how hard it is to go through this. I can't wait to hear that he's made a complete recovery. (((((HUGS)))))

Hey Laurie, tell Steve he'd better get around to opening his eyes soon, or we'll all be sending tapes for you to play him - or for the nurses to play when you're not there. Mario singing Day-O ... Lady howling along ...

I know some really, really really annoying songs I could teach you, Laurie - the kind that'd wake someone out of a coma just to tell you to STOP ALREADY!

Seriously, he's still in our prayers, as are you.

Laurie, it must be so difficult for you to see your long time friend in this condition - but your recent news sounds so hopeful.

Debbie's comments really helped too and hopefully Steve won't remember any of this time (especially your singing to him :p ).

Big hugs to you and more prayers for Steve.

xxoo

I don't reply every day but I do check the thread. Continued prayers and support from us!

Just sending some more well-wishes, hugs and prayers your way. That is encouraging news about Steve and I hope things continue to improve. As for your singing, well remember when that "singing" message you left for me on my answering machine last year for my birthday??? If Steve hears anything like that, he'll wake up in a hurry.... ;) All kidding aside the family must be so grateful for your love and support. Don't forget, you are there for them, but we are here for you.

Thank you all. Laura, yes I have been thinking very hard about you and Eddie and understand so much better about inner strength and the power of love. Travis, my eldest grandson, is putting a CD thingy together for me to take to the hospital and yes Karen, he is adding DAY-O - it's amazing how much Mario can sound like Harry Belefonte ;) Every day that isn't bad is good, right? Slick, Gini and Tonya - how could I get by without you? And all the rest. With love,
Laurie

Wonderful news, Laurie! I hope and pray he continues to improve everyday. The tight hand holding and rubbing his thumb on your finger means he's in there, he just has more healing to do before he's ready to come back to reality.

Happy LES.

{{{hugs}}}

IBaker, Eddies wife's most often comment in the beginning was " I don't care what shape he is in, he is ALIVE and I can work with that!".

Eddies nurses use to tell us whenever we asked how he was doing, "He is doing GOOD!".. no matter how bad a day he had so one time we asked what that was all about... he had a bad day so just say so! One told us "Any day he didn't die IS a good day!" There was one of his nurses that told us he shouldn't have made it, that most that are burned that bad, don't. So I know it was the prayers and good thoughts from everyone that kept Eddie alive.

Keep singing and talking to Steve, tell him your PT friends are pulling and praying for him... If you give us a address, we can start sending cards to him at the hospital... That use to amaze Eddie (people he didn't know sending him cards) and believe me, it DID lift his spirits SO high!

yes laurie we need to have an card avalance for Steve.

Laurie, I agree with Laura's suggestion. Could we get the address at the hospital so we can start sending Steve some cards? When he becomes more aware it would be wonderful for him to see how many people were praying for him.

Great news, he has just been moved to "Intermediate Care" which is "stepdown" from Surgical Intensive Care where he has been. He can now start receiving cards and I am allowed to bring in some music. The Intensive Care unit was so crowded with tubes and wires and stuff they asked us not to bring in anything and we could only stay a few minutes at a time. His folks will call me after talking to his Dr today. As for now, his address is
Steve Jackson
Washington Hospital Center
Unit I-H
110 Irving Street NW
Washington DC 20010-2975
maybe the hospital name should go first or it should say "for patient Steve Jackson" ???
No email system in place at the hospital. You guys are the greatest.
L

A card will be in the mail to him no later than tomorrow from here!! I am even going to ask Regina to send one if she will (and I am sure she would!). I may even print out some pictures to send since Eddie got a real kick out of pictures one lady kept sending.

STEP DOWN! YAAAAAAAA! That is the most thrilling news ever since Eddie was sent to step down, them HOME! I am Happy Dancing with all of you there!! WAY TO GO STEVE!!! http://bestsmileys.com/dancing/9.gif

Wow, even better news!!!

They normally don't allow much in intensive care, but now that he's leaving there, I'm sure his room will be filled with flowers, cards, and lots and lots of people who love him. :D

I just spoke with Bill & JoAnn, his folks. They were there this afternoon and Bill said he looked much better. His main care nurse isn't exactly Nurse Kratchet but according to Bill she comes close :mad: Although Steve's eyes still aren't really focusing, when Bill said "Steffie says hello" [Steffie is Steve's dog, one of my Badger dog's daughter's] Steve's eyes actually focused and stared at him. Oh my. K and Jenny and I will be by tomorrow just after noon hour. I am printing these thoughts and prayers from you all out and will read them to him. If my son Kenneth allows me, I may even sing him something :rolleyes: ;) Travis [eldest grandson] is busy putting the CD thing together. I may sleep well tonight. If only I hear Delta is home that would make this the best day in years. Thanks doesn't even start to explain how I feel.
Deb, I'm sorry to say he really doesn't have "lots and lots" of friends to visit him. He is rather reclusive and my family and his folks are pretty much it. :(

Laurie, I'm so pleased to hear that Steve has been moved out of intensive care! That is fantastic news!

I am so happy to hear how well Steve has progressed. I know how very scared and helpless you feel in those circumstances - my husband came very close to death a while ago after an accident here in China. Lots of loving thoughts from both of us here and we will keep you all in our hearts and prayers!

Yippee!!

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Originally Posted by Laura's Babies

Eddies nurses use to tell us whenever we asked how he was doing, "He is doing GOOD!".. no matter how bad a day he had so one time we asked what that was all about... he had a bad day so just say so! One told us "Any day he didn't die IS a good day!" There was one of his nurses that told us he shouldn't have made it, that most that are burned that bad, don't.

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That is so insightful! It makes sense, really, when you consider that they see the most needy of patients in the ICU. Reminds me of the early days with Samantha, my neice. {shudders}

Step down is such a cool, cool event. One step closer to home. ;)

I'm so happy to hear Steve has been moved out of Intensive Care. I'm still thinking of him! *hugs*

We went to see him again yesterday and his eyes opened and seemed able to focus, a little. His jaw is wired shut but he seemed to at least know we were there. He can't really follow directions "blink if you hear me" but definately seems heading for a slow but positive prognosis. Lots and lots of physical therapy and time, especially time - but so what? I will tell him you are thinking of him. Thanks dear friends.
Laurie

Great! Another positive report. Laurie, one thing you all need to remember is the ups and downs that are involved. There are going to be good days, there are going to be fantastic days, there are going to be bad days and there are going to be horrible days. The only way you can survive the bad and horrible days is to remember the good and fantastic days, and know that more are ahead.

Oh, and Laurie, you're wrong about him not having lots and lots of friends. Even though we here at PT can't be physically in the room with him, we are all here in spirit for him, his family and you. :) {{{hugs}}}

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Oh, and Laurie, you're wrong about him not having lots and lots of friends. Even though we here at PT can't be physically in the room with him, we are all here in spirit for him, his family and you. {{{hugs}}}

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Absolutely Debbie and I hope you will relay this back to Steve, Laurie. Please let him know that many, many people around the world are praying for him.

So glad to hear about the improvement. It will be a long hard struggle but I believe that with time, love and hard work he can get back to where he was before the accident.

His card is in the mail with pictures of my babies (hopefully will make him smile when he can see them) and I mentioned to Regina about him and asked if she would send a card too and I think she is.

(Take a shoe box or box about that size to put his cards in for him. We use to put the cards on the table, window sill or around and as newer ones came in, we put the older one in the shoe box so he could someday go through them.)

How is he doing now? More alert and aware?

Sis:
I'm going to pick up a card for Steve tomorrow and get it in Monday's mail. Still praying fo him and his family and friends.
xoxoxo

Went to see him again today and every visit seems just a little bit better. They do have him in some sort of isolation thing where we are asked to wear the hospital coverups and such but that's ok. I didn't have to wear a mask and he looked directly at me. His mom & dad have an appt with his primary Dr on Monday so maybe, FINALLY someone will have some answers about a reasonable, honest prognosis of where we go from here, and what to expect, when. They even had a TV on in his room, I suppose to give him something to listen to instead of the beep beep beep of machines. Turner & Hootch was on so perhaps he got a little "dog fix" in his subconsious ;) How can I possibly explain how wonderful you all are to care so much for someone you've never met, well.. except for you Phred :) Bless you all.
Laurie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lbaker

How can I possibly explain how wonderful you all are to care so much
for someone you've never met ...
well... except for you Phred :)
Bless you all.
/s/ Laurie

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Well, HE cared enough to drive across Pennsylvania and a lil bit more ...
I think he already understands *caring for people* ...

Just his turn to Get Some! ;)

Give him a {{{HUG}}} from all of us.

Well I can't say I wasn't warned about "Good days and Bad" :( Both Debbie and Laura warned me. I'm upset about the non-answers his folks and I are getting/not getting. I don't think his Mom & Dad are anyway prepared for the time this might take. This was a bad day for Steve. No response at all. But that's only the hour I was there. It could be different in an hour, right? I think it's time for me to be a bit pro-active and, can I say "pushy"?? I want. I want to show him a picture of his dog Steffie and ask him to touch the picture. Would that be OK? No one will answer, so I'll just DO IT.
I could swear that I see something in his eyes. Is this wishful thinking? NO IT'S NOT. He's there ~ I just know it.

{{{hugs}}} Sis. You all remain in my prayers.

Laurie - prayers being offered for Steve........and you too.

It must be so difficult to see a dear friend in this condition.

Yes, Laurie, just do it! If you end up doing something that the hospital really doesn't want you to do, they will be sure to let you know. In the meantime, there's nothing wrong with being a little.....pushy...even when it comes to getting answers out of his doctors.

Hang in there sweety. {{{hugs}}}

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I could swear that I see something in his eyes. Is this wishful thinking? NO IT'S NOT. He's there ~ I just know it.

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That is why you all keep talking to him, play his music and BE there! Be ever so careful what is said in ear shot of him too, he only needs to hear positive things. Tell him how good he looks, who said what and even tell him a joke or two. Let him know that you know he is there and just can't acknolage it and not to let that scare him, even comment it sould be all the drugs in his system so not to be scared or afraid. Just remind him, he needs his strength to recover and let his body heal, stressing only steals his strength and he need that to heal. Talk to him as you would any other time in his life.

Yes, good days and bad days... I know those so well! Lack of information I know about too. Do not let it discourage any of you. Regina just found out last week that Eddies discharge from the hospital is only temporary, they thought 2 to 3 months at home would do him good. :(

Tell Steve I am still praying for him and have asked other to pray for him too so he has the south covered for prayers. I have another card ready to mail as soon as I get to the mailbox..

This isn't easy to write so I'll try to just say certain *points*
His mom & dad finally spoke to the main Dr and he said
Steve is not responding as well as should be [should be? after being hit by a train?] and not responding to "directions"
Although he appears to be aware of people around him they are not sure if he knows who we are.
After a month [almost] it's basically "what you see is what you get". :mad:
They should start thinking of a nursing or rehab institution for him.

I did have a wonderful talk with our PT friend EmilyTheSpoiled/Cheryl. She and I visit and she is in the health care field and she said that moving him out of the Hospital where he is, is a prudent thing to do. His immune system is down and he actually will be better off in another facility. There are some options. I am checking out NIH for Clinical Trials or other resources. Poor Steve has no insurance or assets and his folks can't cover all this.
I have phone calls and emails to make to try to find as much info as I can.
His mom & dad are elderly and understandably too distraught to "chin up and go on" right now. :( Thank you all and updates will be forthcoming. It ain't over till it's over. It "ain't" over yet.
L

Oh Laurie, I don't know what this means for Steve, but we are with you. Let us know how things are and what we can do to help you.

Laurie, I am so sorry. I was hoping for something much more positive. I will keep Steve, his family, and you in my prayers.

Does not look well. Drs called his mom a bit ago, he's taken a turn for the worse. Back in ICU. Lung infection. Back on ventilator. May not live through the night. Please, I am not a religious person but if there is a God please help his Mom & Dad through this. When his mom called me a few minutes ago she sounded so resigned. Help him be comfortable and without pain. Thank you.
L

Big prayers on the way. For Steve, his parents, and you as well.

Oh Laurie I'm so very, very sorry. :( :( I'm reaching across the country to give you some big {{{hugs}}}. Can you feel them???

I can only imagine how hard this is on Steve's family and friends, but please, do not give up hope. I'm not a nurse, but if it's a lung infection, can't antibiotics do the trick??

Mega prayers on the way, Sis. You know where I am if you need me....24/7.
xoxoxoxo

Big prayers for steve, Laurie, and hugs for you.

I am so sorry I will keep Steve, you, and his family in my prayers.