The doctors and staff have been working with the travel insurance people to get Larry a ride home. Sounds like it took some persuading, but they have agreed to an air ambulance. They also have to make sure they have a bed available here at the right time. Peg is thinking it might be Thursday or Friday before it all comes together. Still, having a plan in place is more than we had imagined even a week or two ago.
Two of Larry's favorite nurses, Norine and Lisa, have continued to check in on him in the new room. They gave him a card that said they have never wanted a patient to get better more than Larry. We know how they feel!
Curtis and Nate made it home safely despite some delays. Nate is quite enthused about his travels and Jay would like a turn to do some. Jay is also excited to see Grandpa with a mustache!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Late Sunday Night
It sounds like Larry has continued to improved steadily each day. Today he got the last chest tube out so he is even a little more free. He's also no longer on any oxygen. They are continuing talks about when and how to bring him home. We will know more tomorrow but they are planning to work on the insurance tomorrow to see if they can get him on a medical jet in the next couple of days. If so, he'd probably go to Methodist for a while. We will certainly keep everyone posted.
Curtis and Nate were able to get into the Red Sox game today!! It sounds like Nate might have inherited his Dad and Grandpa's love of travel. They will be coming home late Monday night and hopefully, Larry and Peg won't be too far behind.
Curtis and Nate were able to get into the Red Sox game today!! It sounds like Nate might have inherited his Dad and Grandpa's love of travel. They will be coming home late Monday night and hopefully, Larry and Peg won't be too far behind.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
4th of July!!
Peg says Boston is all decked out in flags and ready to celebrate. They went to the Boston Pop's rehearsal last night and said it was really worth it. Nate's favorite part was the cannons. They will listen to the music tonight over the radio and watch the fireworks from Grandpa Larry's room.
He got to go to step down care yesterday as planned. Peg says he is doing great although he might be a little impatient. He apparently would like to be running the halls or something, and his body isn't quite ready for that. The point of step down will be to get some strength back. He was down for a really long time so it might take a little bit of work. I'm sure he is up for it with the prize being coming home!
Speaking of the home front, Jason, Debbie, Teddy and Charlie are almost here. We are planning dinner together, smores, fireworks and sparklers, in sweatshirts, no less. We wish that Grandma and Grandpa were here to join us but we will definitely be thinking of them and sending good thoughts out to Boston.
Hope everyone has a safe 4th and can take a moment to give thanks for the freedoms we have.
He got to go to step down care yesterday as planned. Peg says he is doing great although he might be a little impatient. He apparently would like to be running the halls or something, and his body isn't quite ready for that. The point of step down will be to get some strength back. He was down for a really long time so it might take a little bit of work. I'm sure he is up for it with the prize being coming home!
Speaking of the home front, Jason, Debbie, Teddy and Charlie are almost here. We are planning dinner together, smores, fireworks and sparklers, in sweatshirts, no less. We wish that Grandma and Grandpa were here to join us but we will definitely be thinking of them and sending good thoughts out to Boston.
Hope everyone has a safe 4th and can take a moment to give thanks for the freedoms we have.
Friday, July 3, 2009
More Good News
Nate and Curtis made it to Boston despite all the difficulties with United and their computers and got to see Larry last night. This morning they are back and there is more good news. Larry is supposed to get moved to cardiac step down this afternoon! Nate will be able to be in his room when this happens.
There is also some talk of possibly getting Larry back to Des Moines early next week. The preferred method being discussed is air ambulance. He would be met at the airport and be transported to Methodist so they could monitor how he is doing and make sure everything is okay before he heads home. None of this is definite but at least a plan is starting to form! Keep it up, Larry!!
Peg, Curtis and Nate are hoping to attend the Boston Pops rehearsal tonight so that they can hear the music. They should get to see the fireworks tomorrow night but it is difficult to get close enough to hear the music and see the fireworks so they will try to take in the music tonight. They are expecting some rain, as are we, so they are hoping to get a duck ride in today.
There is also some talk of possibly getting Larry back to Des Moines early next week. The preferred method being discussed is air ambulance. He would be met at the airport and be transported to Methodist so they could monitor how he is doing and make sure everything is okay before he heads home. None of this is definite but at least a plan is starting to form! Keep it up, Larry!!
Peg, Curtis and Nate are hoping to attend the Boston Pops rehearsal tonight so that they can hear the music. They should get to see the fireworks tomorrow night but it is difficult to get close enough to hear the music and see the fireworks so they will try to take in the music tonight. They are expecting some rain, as are we, so they are hoping to get a duck ride in today.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thurs Afternoon
Larry is still improving each day. He was able to get with an endocrinologist and start getting his blood sugars more in line. They are worried about lows in the hospital so had been running him a little high. He will feel much better having this more controlled.
He had been up in a chair for about 3 hours when Peg emailed!! He's hoping to be wheeled out to see Nate for a little while when he arrives, because you have to be 12 to go in the ICU. I'm sure he wants to see Curtis too. :) Curtis and Nate are on their way but have had a few delays. Hopefully they will make it mid to late afternoon. (Nancy and Jay are holding down the forts and dogs at home and hoping to do lots of their own special stuff over the weekend!)
One of the docs came in today and said they have talked things over with Larry's docs and hospital at home and even the travel insurance they had about how to best get him home. Even talking about this is progress!! They are hoping to get him to step down care in a day or two where they will get him ready to go home. Nothing is determined yet, but we are so thankful to be talking about getting him home. (not too soon, okay? I'm angling to use your cleaning lady next week!) just kidding, Larry. We will be very excited to have you back.
He had been up in a chair for about 3 hours when Peg emailed!! He's hoping to be wheeled out to see Nate for a little while when he arrives, because you have to be 12 to go in the ICU. I'm sure he wants to see Curtis too. :) Curtis and Nate are on their way but have had a few delays. Hopefully they will make it mid to late afternoon. (Nancy and Jay are holding down the forts and dogs at home and hoping to do lots of their own special stuff over the weekend!)
One of the docs came in today and said they have talked things over with Larry's docs and hospital at home and even the travel insurance they had about how to best get him home. Even talking about this is progress!! They are hoping to get him to step down care in a day or two where they will get him ready to go home. Nothing is determined yet, but we are so thankful to be talking about getting him home. (not too soon, okay? I'm angling to use your cleaning lady next week!) just kidding, Larry. We will be very excited to have you back.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wed Evening
Larry had another night without incident and continues to improve. The doctor this morning was very upbeat about his progress and where he is heading. He said the hope is to have him at least back to where he was before all this happened, and hopefully with the by-pass being successful, the heart might even be stronger than it was ( this could take 6 months to determine.) His white count is elevated so they are working to see what he might have for an infection to maximize treatment. He's also still fluid restricted as they work to get the excess fluids off.
He's been able to view some things on-line and has been hearing your comments!!
Curtis and Nate will be on their way for a visit bright and early on Thursday.
He's been able to view some things on-line and has been hearing your comments!!
Curtis and Nate will be on their way for a visit bright and early on Thursday.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Improvement Continues
I spoke with Peg today - Larry's improvement continues. He is talking a lot more than yesterday and seems to be getting back to his old self. She said that lots of people have been stopping by telling him how good he looks!!
He was pretty tired from physical therapy and occupational therapy which both worked with him today. He is still in ICU but should be moved to step down care at some point. He is down to one of the four tubes that he had in after surgery and his only real pain is in the leg they took the vein from. He is on restricted fluid intake and has lost a lot of the excess fluid. She said he is looking forward to the next diet coke!
Curtis and Nate will be heading out there on Thursday to see him.
He was pretty tired from physical therapy and occupational therapy which both worked with him today. He is still in ICU but should be moved to step down care at some point. He is down to one of the four tubes that he had in after surgery and his only real pain is in the leg they took the vein from. He is on restricted fluid intake and has lost a lot of the excess fluid. She said he is looking forward to the next diet coke!
Curtis and Nate will be heading out there on Thursday to see him.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Improvement by the Hour
Peg says you could see Larry improve through out the day today. His speech got better and appetite improved. He actually got ice cream and a diet coke! He would probably want to send a special shout to Stephanie, one of the NP's that has been by, because she is the one who got him the diet coke. It might be a little early yet for cabernet but we heard he was missing it. Peg says that nurses who haven't seen him for a shift or two think he looks great.
They are still working with his medications to see what will work best and be tolerated and physical therapy looked at his chart but I don't think they've started anything. He did sit up in a chair for awhile today. Peg was glad that Carrie and Addie stayed until today because he was so much better today.
They are still working with his medications to see what will work best and be tolerated and physical therapy looked at his chart but I don't think they've started anything. He did sit up in a chair for awhile today. Peg was glad that Carrie and Addie stayed until today because he was so much better today.
Pictures from home for Peg and Larry
I've been promising a few pictures...
Kid's planter
Flowers enjoying a break from Nola being there every day.
First Lemonade stand
Patiently awaiting your return...
Eating and Talking Today
Larry is more responsive this morning and eating real food! Peg says he is more alert and asking and answering questions. He still has a little trouble with the atrial rhythm and they are treating it with medications right now, but they still think it is a result of the surgery and not nearly as troubling as the ventricular arrhythmias he experienced earlier.
He is un-hooked from most of the tubes and wires and will probably get up to a chair today!! They will start with that and then work to rebuild strength over the next few days with physical therapy.
He is un-hooked from most of the tubes and wires and will probably get up to a chair today!! They will start with that and then work to rebuild strength over the next few days with physical therapy.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Progress Continues
Larry continues to come slowly out of the sedation. He doesn't open his eyes much but does make some responses or requests. He is awake enough that they were able to go down to just a nose tube for oxygen. The docs say he is doing well and is on the right path. They will probably get him up a little more tomorrow.
The shuttle stops running a little earlier on Sundays so Peg, Carrie and Addie left and were planning a nicer dinner at Tavern on the Water, a short walk from the hotel. They've been doing a lot of stuff in the room since they stay a little later and can get good stuff from Whole Foods. Still I'm glad they did a nice dinner, didn't feel as bad about raiding her sage plant tonight! When they told Larry they were leaving a little early to catch the shuttle or they'd have to walk, Larry's reply was "walk." :D He makes frequent requests for more ice chips, probably due to having the vent in for quite some time and also asked to go home! All of these are good signs...
The shuttle stops running a little earlier on Sundays so Peg, Carrie and Addie left and were planning a nicer dinner at Tavern on the Water, a short walk from the hotel. They've been doing a lot of stuff in the room since they stay a little later and can get good stuff from Whole Foods. Still I'm glad they did a nice dinner, didn't feel as bad about raiding her sage plant tonight! When they told Larry they were leaving a little early to catch the shuttle or they'd have to walk, Larry's reply was "walk." :D He makes frequent requests for more ice chips, probably due to having the vent in for quite some time and also asked to go home! All of these are good signs...
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