Jim’s Medical Journal

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...

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...

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...

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...

August 3, 2021

August 3, 2021

I am writing this from Jim's room at the RML specialty hospital, watching him rest. I flew into O'hare early Sunday morning and will be leaving Wednesday night to head back to the Twin Cities. I have intentionally written these updates as a reporter. Jim's father Joe...

July 30, 2021

July 30, 2021

Jim has had a couple of very productive days at RML. This place specializes in pulmonary rehabilitation, so Jim is at the perfect hospital to get off the vent. One of the pulmonologist lung specialists went to high school with Jim. Always helpful to have another...

On the move

On the move

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...

July 22, 2021

July 22, 2021

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....

Back in Chicago

Back in Chicago

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...