Category: Medical Journal

  • Update, Zoom & Visiting Info

    Update, Zoom & Visiting Info

    It was great to see all those that were able to join the zoom call this past Sunday. I will confirm with Jimmy that he is available this coming Sunday and we will do it again.

    Jim moved rooms again at RML. No longer in their version of ICU. Positive that Jim does not require that level of care and attention, but a little disappointing to not get the same level of care and attention.

    Jim was hoping to be able to lose his cervical collar this week, but the surgeon from Froedtert wants him to wear it for 2 more weeks. Then the plan will be to have it off for several hours per day and increase the time to allow the neck muscles to build up.

    The sore on his backside continues to be a focus. The care team is certainly making up for the lack of attention they gave for the first 6 weeks of this wound. It is getting better, but this is approximately 8 inches in diameter and an inch deep. It just takes a long time to heal.

    Many of you expressed interest in visiting. Jim explained a few of the challenges on the zoom call, but here is a recap.

    RML Hospital allows 2 visitors per day. Visitors are allowed from 8 am to 8 pm. Currently, Suzie comes in the morning and Mr. Bosco comes in the afternoon and stays until 8 pm.
    The visitor has some duties including feeding, watering, adjusting glasses, etc.
    One of Jim’s daily jobs is building up his lung strength. Although he can talk normally, it does tire him out. Some days more than others.
    So if you have an opportunity to visit Jim, please take a moment to appreciate the undertaking.

  • Zoom meeting with Jim on Sunday

    Zoom meeting with Jim on Sunday

    Zoom meeting with Jim scheduled for Sunday’s at 3:30 pm Central Time.

    Look forward to seeing you all.

    Bob Lawrence is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

  • September 14, 2021

    September 14, 2021

    Yesterday and today have been great days for Jim. Yesterday I worked with Jim on some arm and wrist movements. His left arm is significantly stronger and responds better. Any of his movements require concentration. He has to think about little arm movements that the rest of us perform unconsciously. Laura from OT worked with him again today as well.
    Jim has no feeling or movement still from his chest down. Work on his legs will start when he gets to the rehab facility.
    Last night we were trying to figure out what to have for dinner. Jim said there was a Gibsons not too far away and he could go for a ribeye. We ate like kings. Two bone in rib eyes, mushrooms, asparagus and salad. Beat the hell out of the meatloaf surprise from the hospital.

    Jim had the idea of setting up a weekly zoom call for a little face time. I will post a link and information separately.

  • September 13, 2021

    September 13, 2021

    Good morning!
    Got to RML yesterday afternoon. Gave Jim a shave and helped the nurse with a bath and hair wash. He looks like a million bucks.
    Turns out Jim never had MRSA. That’s good. He had some sort of infection but he has overcome whatever it was. He did have to go on the vent for a short period of time but has been off it now for 7 days. The weening process had to start over but now Jim knows the process. Today he made the step to using a nasal cannula instead of having oxygen free flowing to his trach. Plan is about 10 hours on cannula today, 12 tomorrow and so on. As long as he can keep his blood oxygen level consistently above 90 he’s doing well. Right now he is resting and it is at 97.
    Jimmy is eating well. I got us Portillo’s last night and he ate a cheeseburger, onion rings and a shake. Can’t wait until he decides what I get for him today!
    Goal is to get out of RML and go to the rehab facility. His breathing has to be stable, but he can be on oxygen when he goes. The other item is the sore on his backside has to be healed enough. They are changing dressing daily and using a wound vac to speed up process. Jim and I spoke with the doc this am and set 2 weeks as a goal to get out of here. We need goals!

    Yesterday marked 10 weeks. A long time to be laying on your ass, even for Jim. He is very involved in his care and understands the process. That is not always easy to deal with in ones own mind. Keep the prayers and well wishes coming.

  • August 31, 2021

    August 31, 2021

    This is a roller coaster and some downs are to be expected.
    The wound on Jim’s backside was surgically cleaned last week and they put a wound vacuum on. Over the last couple of days Jim has been a bit lethargic. In fact he has developed MRSA in the wound, which was confirmed yesterday. MRSA is a staph infection that is not uncommon to see in a hospital setting.
    Jim’s lungs are still his weak spot, so any setback effects his lungs quickly. The docs put him back on the vent. He’s on antibiotics so we just need them to do their work.

  • August 24, 2021

    August 24, 2021

    Stacey and I are at Marquette in Milwaukee moving our son Bobby. Thirty two years ago I met this kid from Chicago that would become my best friend and partner in many adventures. This latest adventure Jim decided to undertake without consulting me first, a deviation from our previous process, but as always I’m in.
    Jim is 100% breathing on his own and has been for a week. He still uses a nasal cannula just get a boost of oxygen, but he is doing all the work. He is able to talk and has the same deep calming voice. He still has the trach in and will for some time, but that is just in an abundance of caution.
    Feeding tube is gone. Jim is eating the hospital food and supplementing with insure. His appetite is slow to come back, but perfectly normal.
    Jim’s bed converts into the form of a chair. He is doing this daily, but his blood pressure drops as his legs drop. Doc said it takes some time for the brain to catch up to the change in orientation of the legs. Jim is experimenting with slowly moving his legs down and letting the blood pressure catch up.
    There is a sore on his backside that needs to heal up. Weeks of not much movement causes bed sores. One is pretty good size and needs to heal before he can move onto the rehab center. Hoping this can happen in the next couple of weeks.
    All for now. Going to help Bobby meet some coeds!

  • August 17, 2021

    August 17, 2021

    This is directly from Mr. Bosco.

    Today was a generally good day for Jim

    Started with Dr telling him that the weening process was going well, and that his carbon dioxide test had a score of 29.

    The range for most people is between 34 -45 or so. The lower score is better, thus Jim is one might say off the charts.

    He is catching on that eating the meatloaf and green beans, is really good for him. It will get his tummy and intestine working again like normal. He came close to eating all of the meatloaf today and a good portion of the green beans.

    The wound nurse came in to change the daily dressing and informed Jim that the Dr wants to clean out the wound on his backside and he agreed to have the surgery on Thursday. It is a 10-15 minute procedure and done in the hospital room.

    The wound is healing well on the periphery but seems needs treatment in the middle.

    After today he will have completed 2 days of off the ventilator, and one to go.

    Then another carbon dioxide test, this time it will be a blood test to insure accuracy.

  • August 16, 2021

    August 16, 2021

    So here’s the upside of not sharing an update for 11 days, lots of good news to share!
    Jim has been weening off the ventilator now for the past week. He is up to 16 hours with no machine, breathing completely on his own. They are still giving him some oxygen while he is breathing through his trach, but Jimmy is doing all of the work.

    Jim’s appetite is not real big and he still has a feeding tube to get his nutrition. He has been nibbling on what they give him, but hospital meatloaf leaves a lot to be desired. Joe is trying to get the ok to bring him a hamburger.

    He is spending time in a chair each day. We can’t appreciate how a slight change of scenery can boost morale. Jim has a talking valve he can now use. Takes some effort, but he caught on to it right away. So much easier to communicate than reading lips. PT has started up again and he is regaining some strength in his arms.

    Jim just needs to continue to gain strength and be 100% breathing on his own to get to the rehab center. A doctor from Shirly Ryan visits Jim at RML and is keeping tabs on his performance.

    Jim’s spirit is positive and his resolve is determined.

  • Ahhh Gatorade

    Ahhh Gatorade

    Jimmy passed his swallow test today. That just means when he takes something in his mouth, it goes to the right place. First request, Gatorade Zero. Luckily Joe was en route to the hospital and Suzie was able to catch him to pick up the delicious liquid gold.

    Jim had some steamed vegetables for lunch. He requested that Suzie bring him some bone broth and an orange pepper tomorrow.

    Good day!

  • August 04, 2021

    August 04, 2021

    I’m at the airport getting ready to head back to my life. Hard to leave Jim today. But it was another great day and I know I am leaving him in good care.
    Huge improvement today on the vent. Down to 50% O2 and his blood oxygen was consistently 97. He got to have a few ice cubes and a couple sips of water. Scheduled to have a swallow xray tomorrow. If all is well he will start taking in some food and liquid by mouth.
    I gave Jim a much needed beard trim. He looks really good.
    Got a couple more episodes of Ted Lasso in but we didn’t get caught up. My little trick in keeping him excited to have me back!

    Cheers