Author Topic: More Positive Thoughts for Bob (Read 9030 times)

bear60 · « **on:** May 27, 2009, 09:19:07 am »

Hi
You may remember my post a while ago about my friend Bob who was in the hospital and not doing well. Some of the members of this forum suggested a healing circle and we had one for him. It was really successful. Bob continued to improve and went home. Also, I mentioned that Kurt and I were going to help him paint his bedroom. Actually the painting went way beyond his bedroom. He decided he wanted to repaint the living room and the den ( read: media room) and the office and the spare bedroom and the stairway. So Kurt and I did all that painting for him. It felt good to do this because Bob had started the work a long time ago and never was able to finish. Now its finished.
Bob seemed to be doing OK. Just the regular trips to the hospital for draining fluid out of his abdomen.... adjusting his diabetes and liver meds and so on.
Last week Bob became disoriented and was readmitted to the hospital and his lover Don had to return from Thailand ( where he had gone for a vacation and some time away from his responsibilities at home with Bob). Bob was sent home after more adjusting of meds and an over night stay.
This week Bob is back in the hospital and the doctors have decided to put him "out" ( I guess that means in a drug induced coma) because he was acting out and being a very difficult patient. Its sad. I know Bob does not know what he's doing during those episodes. So, he is in ICU for monitoring and is "out". If he bounces back again it will be another miracle.
Please send your positive thoughts to Bob......at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.

edited for spelling

AlanBama · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2009, 12:22:06 pm »

will do, Joel.......

bear60 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2009, 12:40:17 pm »

Thanks Alan

BT65 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:37:48 pm »

Positive thoughts have been sent, Joel.

bear60 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2009, 02:23:30 pm »

Thanks Betty

MOONLIGHT1114 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2009, 09:52:30 pm »

I'm praying for Bob tonight. I hope he does better in the days to come.

~ Cindy

AndyArrow · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2009, 01:55:50 am »

You & Kurt sound like really amazing friends.

I send out lots of positive energy for Bob and a little extra to Don, Kurt, you and all his care takers!

Hugs,
AA

bear60 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2009, 08:06:28 am »

Thanks Moonlight and Andy.
Here is the latest from Don, Bob's partner:
bob update 5-27-2009

still at HUP ICU, on ventalator, has a blood infection
that is being treated with antibiotic;the blood infection
plus the ammonia from the hep B contibuting to his
dementia. They have the ammonia under control but still
loopy due to the infection. As that clears, they will
cut back on the sedatives he is on and try to wean him
off the ventalator. This is the hairy part, getting him
off the ventalotor.

Right now, expect he may be on the ventalor for another four days
or so. I'm very concerned if it goes much longer than that, it will be
harder to get him off.

I'll be keeping everyone posted.

Don

aztecan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2009, 10:06:21 am »

Hey Joel,

I am sending much positive energy for Bob. He will be in my thoughts.

HUGS,

Mark

bear60 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2009, 10:24:09 am »

Todays update from Don:

no real change; still on ventulator;

they have decreased sedation and changed the med to one that has a shorter half-life, still agitated.

I'm hoping they will be able to get him off the ventulator within the next day. fever is down from 102 to 99; continuing antobiotics for the
blood infection.

leatherman · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2009, 10:36:34 am »

what a wonderful thing you too did, finishing up the painting for Bob. It had to have brought him a little bit of comfort knowing that project was finally completed. Kudos guys!

I've been keeping tabs on this thread and have been keeping Bob AND Don in my thoughts. From too much personal experience, I know how hard it is to be in a hospital yourself, much less how hard it is to have your partner lying in that bed. My best wishes and thoughts for both your friends.

bear60 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2009, 11:02:33 am »

Thanks Mark.
Thanks Mikie.

franfrog · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2009, 11:32:26 am »

Joel,
I am sorry I did not see this earlier. I am still going to send positive thoughts that way. I hope things are going better. You and Kurt are great friends to help him as you do. I will send some good thoughts and hope to hear good news soon.

bear60 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2009, 09:51:27 am »

Thanks Fran. Good to hear from you!

update on Bob...5/29

- pretty much same status
- continues to spike fevers, on three antibiotics
- doing a spinal tap to rule out CNS infection
- tried to wean him off of vent, but not successful
- still too unresponsive.
- low dose sedatives
- low setting on vent, so he is breathing on own, with just minimal assist
- his liver and kidney functions still about the same as when he came in, so no impact on them so far; hope that stays.

Don

Texan38 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2009, 10:00:00 am »

Joel,

I'm so deeply sorry. My thoughts and prayers go out to Bob and a huge hug goes out to you and Kurt.

heartforyou · « **Reply #15 on:** June 01, 2009, 05:24:01 am »

Sending positive thougths over to you all and specially to Bob.

May he recover soon

And yes, to echo the others, I think you are doing a wonderful job...

hugs

Hermie

bear60 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2009, 07:47:01 am »

Thanks Hermie, it was good of you to offer your thoughts for Bob. I'm so glad you came thru your "episode" OK.

5/30 update on Bob
Bob is off sedation and off the ventalator! and of course being bitchy.

He's still groggy but he's awake and talking.

No visitors today but starting Monday will be OK. He may get transferred
to a regular floor. I don't expect transfer before Monday night or Tuesday morning; I'll keep everyone posted.

BT65 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 01, 2009, 09:55:01 am »

Well, that's good news. He just keeps defying the odds, doesn't he. I'll keep him (and you) in my thoughts.

bear60 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 03, 2009, 08:17:51 am »

update on Bob (from his partner Don)
6-2-09
scheduled to be released tomarrow, Wed. Pretty weak but recovering. This has been a hard hospitalization for him, both physically and mentally.

looking to have a gardening party this Sat or Sun if anyone is interested to come out and garden under Bob's command.

Don

AndyArrow · « **Reply #19 on:** June 03, 2009, 06:55:55 pm »

Hopefully some fresh air out in the garden will lift his spirits.

bear60 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 07, 2009, 10:12:29 am »

I'm sorry to have to tell you that Bob's stay at home was short lived. He went back into the hospital with fluid in his lungs::
update from Don ( Bob's partner

..."will be at HUP at least thru the weekend and
probably part of next week.

he had fluid in his right lung. this is
common for people with severe ascites due
to liver disease. they drained 2 liters (!!!!)
of fluid from his lung, basically he was working
at about 50% lung capacity. he may need to now
get his lung drained on a regular basis as well
as his belly.

still an infection that's not fully characterized
but he is on IV vancomycin which covers just about
everything. He needs to be on that for 14 days; with
the days he was when he was in the ICU, he has about 5
days left.

long term, we're starting the process for evaluation
for transplant and to get him on a transplant list.
Problem is finding a program that will accept him. UPitt
looking like best option. HUP can;t do it as they are part of
an NIH study with strict protocol that Bob does not meet. Dr Forde (who is wonderful; if any of you ever need a liver doc, she is the
one to go to!) is going to present Bob's case to the transplant board to see if HUP can make an exception.

visitors welcome.He is at HUP Founders building rm 1470.

don"

BT65 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 07, 2009, 12:23:10 pm »

I'm sorry to hear this, Joel. More good thoughts sent to Bob, Don, you and your partner.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #22 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:28:50 pm »

I'm sending good thoughts for Bob -- he's really been having a time of it.

bear60 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2009, 06:08:34 pm »

Thanks David and Betty
Kurt and I went to visit him at U Penn Hospital today. He was in pretty good spirits given what he's been through. He said he did not remember anything from the ICU...he was strapped down to the table on a ventilator. Just as well.
He is tired of hospitals and wants to go home.

AndyArrow · « **Reply #24 on:** June 08, 2009, 05:36:39 am »

Poor Bob ... my heart goes out to him and I'll be sending good thoughts his way.

MOONLIGHT1114 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2009, 09:23:45 pm »

Hi Joel~

I can't believe what Bob has had to endure. I was happy to see he went home and then in the next post he's back in the hospital again. He must be so frustrated and exhausted. I feel terrible about this and will continue to send prayers your way for him. Hang in there, Bob.

~Cindy

bear60 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:59:05 am »

Update on Bob...June 15
Kurt and I drove out to see Bob yesterday. Don was planting the flowers that Bob had purchased but never had a chance to put in the ground. Bob was ok. Its hard to see him in this situation. Makes me sad.
Anyway, Kurt and I had taken a movie out to watch with him and Don. ..." Sordid Lives."... and we all had a chuckle. I didnt realize it had been a series on TV (based on the movie), so now I want to buy the TV series DVD.
Kurt is going to go into rotation being with Bob during the day while Don is at work. Don is making up a schedule for all thier volunteers to "sit" with Bob 2 days a week.
It aint over till the fat lady sings ...as they say.

BT65 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 15, 2009, 06:19:54 pm »

Joel, so nice of you and Kurt to be so supportive. Still sending good thoughts.........

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Author Topic: More Positive Thoughts for Bob (Read 9030 times)