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Jim moved today from Rush to RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale. He will be here as long as it takes to get off the vent so that he can then get to rehab. Jim still has mucous in his lungs that he needs to get out, but there is less. There is some feeling in Jim’s left hand!!!! Not able to move much, but he is feeling sensation. Very positive that there continues to be an improvement, even if it is slight.

This is from Anthony Curran – anthony.c.curran@gmail.com
We have a group of guys/gals from St. Mary’s who’ll be out to help this Saturday.
Volunteer Opportunity
Bosco family help out
(Interior/Exterior “brighten up”)
This Saturday 7/31 9am-noon
[…]

Can’t make it?
Gift cards (Costco, etc.) donations accepted.
Thanks to all

Jim’s sister Joanne and his brother John have arrived in Chicago. Jim will be leaving Rush within the next week to go to a Long Term Acute Care facility. He will be well enough to be out of the hospital, but not ready to start working at the rehabilitation facility. Big hurdle is to get off of the vent. Jim continues to have good blood oxygen levels, but the mucus in his lungs is not gone yet.
He has been continuing with therapy in the hospital and is continuing to get a little stronger everyday.
This is going to be a long haul for Jim. But if there is anyone that has the grit to overcome an insurmountable task, it is Jimmy.
Keep the prayers coming and stay at the ready for when you are asked to help.

Jim got an ambulance ride back to Chicago Saturday and is at Rush in the ICU. So much easier for Jim’s dad and Suzie and Clara to be with Jim now. Visiting is still restricted as he is in ICU, but this is just another stopover for a week or two. We all want to go see Jim, but please be patient. He will want visitors and help for the long haul. Right now he has to focus on getting his lungs healthy so he can workout. Shirley Ryan Ability Lab is getting information about Jim and are very interested in welcoming him to their facility. He just has to be completely off the vent to be there, so that is the number 1 goal right now.
There continues to be a lot of production coming from Jim’s lungs. The respiratory therapist has been putting a solution in his lungs to help break up the crud. His oxygen level goes up after about 15 minutes, so it is helping. He had a bronchoscopy and he will be having a CAT scan of his lungs. The team at Rush wants to see what all is in his lungs. I’m still betting on a minnow!
He is receiving GREAT care at Rush

Jim had a new trach put in yesterday. All went well. He was weened off oxygen throughout the day and kept his pulse oxygen level good the whole time.
The plan is that within a week he will be transferring to the ICU at Rush hospital in Chicago. After a little more strength is gained he will go to an in patient rehab facility.
He is still coughing up beach and the new trach does not allow him to talk. He gets a little stronger everyday. Jim still needs lots of prayers to get back the ability to move his body.

Update from the last 2 days.
Each day has been more of the same. Sleep is tough at night. Still trying to dial in the trach and continue to cough up the the particles he took in from the lake. The current plan is that Jim is going to get a new, larger trach on Saturday. Clearly they didn’t take a good look at Jim before they put the first trach in. One size does not fit all.
Still working on getting strength back. Jim is working hard. There’s no quit in him.
The surgeon was in today and Jim was doing well. Suzie, Clara and Joe were all with Jim today. He spent 5 hours in his chair today. Right now, that’s Jim’s happy place.
Many have been asking about visiting Jim. The hospital he is in has a very restrictive visitors policy. When he is out of the ICU and on to his next place, I expect there will be a much more friendly visitor’s policy.

Lots of activity today. Jim didn’t have a great nights sleep. The vent being on caused more of the crap to loosen in his lungs, which ultimately is the goal, but makes for a rough nights sleep.
After OT this morning, the nurses used the hoyer lift to get him out of bed and into a motorized chair. He was very happy to be in the chair. A new position and he could look out the window. Although the view was looking at the adjacent building, a view nonetheless.
A flurry of specialists; PT, Speech, social worker, respiratory and OT come through. Jim was able to swallow a couple of ice chips and they were delicious! There is a plan for a video Xray tomorrow to see how his swallowing works. If all good he will be able to start eating and drinking.

Jim is continuing to have progress everyday. He is one of the few patients in the NICU (Neuro ICU) that is able to talk. His nurses are appreciative of that…most of the time. The trach that went in on Friday is doing its job. The combination of not being able to use his hands and not being able to communicate when he had the vent in was difficult to say the least.
He spent all day yesterday breathing on his own. So he has the trach hooked up to oxygen, but it is not pushing air. There is still a lot of “crap” in Jim’s lungs that he he took in from the lake. Water, sand, and gravel. Haven’t seen a minnow yet, but it’s not out of the realm. Last night they did turn on the vent to make it easier for him to sleep.
He is able to lift his arms a little. He had even rehearsed a tik tok dance, but it’s not quite ready for posting. I assured him it would go viral.
Dale from OT was just in and went through moving his arms and legs. Plan is to get Jim into his motorized chair later this morning and go for a ride.
Not sure on the time frame yet, but when Jim is ready to leave here he will go to in patient rehab back home in Chicago.

I read Jim all the comments and well wishes that you all have left. He enjoys hearing from everyone. Please keep them coming!

Saturday was another busy day for Jim. First full day with his new trach which is less invasive than the vent and makes communication much easier. Consultation with the physicians. A session with respiratory therapy cleaning out the lungs of debris collected at the lake bottom. Jim also had his first session of breathing on his own. The oxygen was removed, and Jim was on his own for 15 minutes. He passed with flying colors! This will continue to keep Jim’s breathing muscles limber and ultimately get him off of any breathing assistance. The low-grade fever and infection are still present but under control.
Jim’s cognitive skills are fully intact. He had a memory test using verbal skills and retaining information for 5 minutes. Jim continues to get stronger each day. He still does not have a phone or computer, so FB will just have to be without inspirational quotes for a few more days.

Jim had his procedure today. They didn’t get started until about 2 and he was out about 4:30. Suzie said they need to put a larger trach in. I didn’t know there were different sizes, but it seems obvious that you would give Jim the biggest one right away.
On a personal note, the hospital only allows 2 named visitors for the entire stay. Suzie and Mr. Bosco are the two. I was in Milwaukee from Monday to Wednesday and then came back to MN. I am in contact with Suzie multiple times a day, but there is a lag sometimes in getting updates. I am very frustrated that I cannot be with Jim, but this is the situation. I share this to ask all to be patient and understanding on when updates come.
Thank you to all that have left comments. Please keep them coming!

I know for many of you this is your first interaction with Caring Bridge. Suzie will read the comments to Jim. So if you are so inclined, please take a moment to give some encouraging words, share a funny memory, or just let Jim know you are praying for him. Thank you.