Home

This morning we loaded up Dad and all his stuff and made the short trip from Raleigh to Pine Ridge.  Eli welcomed us all, but especially Dad, who was very glad to see his dear old dog.  We had a quiet day, with naps for everyone.  Late in the afternoon we all headed down to the barn to take care of the animals.  Mom recruited Matt M. to do some repairs on the chicken coop, and in the meantime, she and Dad herded a wayward flock of young chickens.   Tonight we all shared dinner together at the kitchen table -- a vast improvement over eating in a hospital room!

Let's Roll

According to Jackie's therapy team, he is ready to return to our home; it's been a long three weeks and three days.  He is medically stable,  has completed the necessay inpatient assessment, and is ready to transition to day therapy three hours a day, three days a week.  Matt Mullen and Sarah Katharyn are here to help with the homegoing. I have to tell you, nothing brings a smile and a glow to this man's face more than to see his children appear at his bedside.  And, I am so grateful to have their help.

Busy Day

Long, sound naps followed Jackie's therapy sessions today. This is hard work. Of course, this man, as you all know, thrives on hard work. And he loves nothing more than a good, stiff challenge. At this stage, there are many challenges on the road to recovery -- but in usual fashion, he's going after them "like killing snakes." And his progress reflects it; he's walking unassisted and it's becoming more and more evident everyday that he's successfully picking up and reorganizing those vocabulary files that were scattered by the stroke.

I continue to be overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity all of you are showing us. It sustains me and gives me the strength and the courage to carry on with faith and hope.

Holding Down the Fort

Meanwhile, our family in Rocky Mount and Pine Ridge has sprung into action and done an amazing job caring for the house, the gardens, and the animals.  We so appreciate everyone's help.  Knowing that all is well has definitely put Mom's mind at ease, and made her feel OK about staying put at the hospital.  The same is true of Paul Gaskins and the office staff, who are doing a great job with the practice.  Thank you thank you thank you to you all.

Thanks to Betsy

We wanted to post a special note of thanks to Betsy Gaskins-McClaine, who has shown us tremendous kindness and generosity during our 6 days here at Wake Med.  She's made sure Dad receives the best possible care, she was instrumental in getting him into a private room in rehab, and she has shepherded Mom through the most difficult moments.  Thank you, Betsy.  We are very grateful.

June 20, 2008

Mom and Dad are settling into their rehab routine nicely.  Mom has set up shop in Dad's room and plans to stay with him as long as he's here.  The room has a large recliner that folds out into a relatively comfortable bed, and last night she and Dad were able to sleep soundly side by side.

Today Dad had a busy morning schedule and a quiet afternoon.  Weekends are a little different than weekdays; the therapy sessions are less rigorous, and Dad had a free afternoon.  Lots of friends visited--thanks to all of you for spending some time with us this afternoon.

On the Lam

For those of you who might be wondering if Dad's personality has been affected by the stroke, you'll be pleased to know that the staff in the rehab center has written the word "impulsive" on his wall chart, complete with an asterisk by the word for extra emphasis.

And early this morning, Dad made a break for freedom.  The staff found him at the end of the hall by the elevators, preparing to exit the building.  

While the rehab staff is surely frustrated, we are all pleased to see the Jackie we know and love shining through.  Needless to say, this isn't just an indication of his naughty personality.  It also means that his ability to walk without assistance has improved dramatically.  Mom reports that his right leg is very strong, and his gait is almost back to normal.

This morning, he is having his first full set of therapy sessions, along with an appointment with a neuropsychologist.  This afternoon, he'll be transferred into a private room, and he'll wear a monitoring bracelet that sets off an alarm if he leaves the room.  This should preclude any more ill-conceived attempts to go on the lam.

Another Step

June 19, 2008

Jackie's move to the WakeMed Rehab Hospital will happen this afternoon. We're told the average stay is two weeks. Of course, Jackie's odds-beating track record could mean a shorter-than- average stay. I certainly wouldn't be surprised. What a life! Forty five years in August.  I might even describe it as a roller coaster ride - fast and furious, up and down, round and round, fun and exciting, and scary!  But, I'm a better person because of it. Thanks Jackie.

Real Clothes

June 18, 2008

Seeing Jackie in his typical farm duds today is really exciting. And to top it off, he is wearing his favorite orange, UT, baseball cap. He was even mistaken by a nurse as a visitor on one of his trips down the hall.  His physicians have recommended continued therapy as an inpatient at the WakeMed Rehab Hospital and today he was accepted; we're waiting for a bed.  

Your prayers, cards, emails, and calls have been wonderful, and I believe, a huge factor in his dramatic progress. Keep it up.

Judy

June 18, 2008

I flew back to Princeton early yesterday morning, so my last visit with Dad was on Monday night. But Mom reports that he spent most of the day out of bed working with his various therapists, and even taking a short walk (with the help of a walker) outside of his room and down the hallway. That's amazing, really, considering that he didn't leave the bed at all for more than a week while in Florida. His occupational therapist predicts he'll be able to walk unassisted in a few days.

Mom also reports that Dad really enjoyed his visits from Shelia, Jane, Deborah, and Travis. Thanks to you all! And huge thanks to Dominee, who took time out of her crazy schedule to sit with Dad yesterday morning. Mom was able to make her first trip back to Pine Ridge to check the mail, collect some different clothes, etc. We're so grateful for all the help we've had from friends and family.

June 17, 2008--a few words of clarification

This morning it occurred to me that the glowing reports I've been posting of Dad's improvement might be somewhat misleading, and that visitors might be surprised to find him in a seriously compromised state. Let me be clear: he suffered an acute stroke, and currently, he is simply not the same person who left Pine Ridge for Disney World almost two weeks ago.

While his right side is growing stronger every day, his motor skills in his right hand are somewhat lacking, and he can only take tentative, shuffling steps. Likewise, while he can speak clearly, he often says things that don't make much sense. He might not be able to answer questions, and he often isn't able to respond to requests or commands. He recognizes me and my mom, but he might not recognize others. He often appears confused, and he doesn't seem to have much awareness about what has happened to him or where he is.

And so while we have been enormously encouraged by his remarkable progress, I thought it'd be a good idea to put everything in context. Just over a week ago, my Dad could not speak, he could not move his right side, and he did not know who we were.

Today, he's walking a bit, he knows who he is, where he lives, and what he does for a living. He can brush his teeth and comb his hair, he can feed himself and swallow solids. He's also able to carry on short conversations and interacts very appropriately with the doctors, nurses, and therapists who visit him. And we see signs of his funny, mischievous personality all the time.

Relatively speaking, then, he has made tremendous strides towards recovery. Just this morning, his Occupational Therapist commented that his strength, mobility, and cognition have drastically improved since their session yesterday.

Meanwhile, we are preparing for him to be moved--most likely tomorrow--to the Rehab Hospital at Wake Med. If you'd like to visit, please be sure to call my mom's cell phone beforehand; there's no telling where we'll be!

June 16, 2008--later in the evening

So much happened today. Dad met with a speech therapist, a physical therapist, and an occupational therapist. He spent much of the day out of the bed--this is a meaningful improvement--and even showed a little of his old headstrong self at one point by trying to force his way past Mom and out of the room. Fortunately, my uncles Charles and Craig were nearby to help restrain the old bear.

Thanks to family for visting this evening, and also to Mary Ellison and Lyn Turner. And many thanks as well to Tommy and Kelli who made an incredibly generous number of trips to and fro various points in Raleigh for us.

June 16, 2008

Always the tough competitor, Dad continues to beat the odds and is doing amazingly well. This morning he passed a swallow study with flying colors, and so for lunch he had his first solid food--spaghetti and meatballs, to be precise. He's also been feeding himself using his right hand, sitting independently, standing a bit, and taking a few tentative steps from bed to recliner. We are amazed by his progress.

The staff at Wake Med is taking excellent care of him, and Mom is doing well too. She is currently staying in a deluxe suite in the Heart Center Inn (thank you, Betsy McClain!), which is in the same wing of the hospital as Dad's room.

I'm heading back to Princeton this evening for a few days at work; I'll be back in Raleigh this weekend. I can't wait to see all that happens while I'm gone!

June 15, 2008

We have arrived at Wake Med, and all is well. 2 parts of the transport experience went extremely well: the ambulance from the hospital in Orlando was quick and simple, and the flight couldn't have been better. (Mom and I have decided that we'd prefer to fly in a private jet from now on!)

Unfortunately, the ambulance that met us at RDU was staffed with two of the most incompetent people possible -- neither of them knew how to get from the airport to the hospital. Needless to say, that added to Mom's anxiety level somewhat.

Fortunately, we got here despite the difficulties, and Dad is resting peacefully in his room. We are grateful for his (and our) safe arrival. Mom is happy and relieved to be back home.

June 14, 2008

Progress continues today. Dad has been funny and alert, and has spent much of the day glued to various sporting contests--the US Open, a Spain vs. Sweden soccer match, and an Indy car race (I'm not sure which one). He has been very peaceful, taking short naps throughout the day.

We have finalized plans to leave Orlando tomorrow morning via American Aerovac, the ambulance jet service. Dad will be admitted to telemetry at Wake Med, and then, we hope, into rehab later in the coming week.

June 13, 2008

Today marks Day 6 here at Dr. Phillips Hospital in Orlando.  Dad was rushed to the emergency room last Saturday morning, having suffered an acute stroke just as he was getting ready to finish up the last session of the Spears Conference he had attended at Disney World.

This week has brought many challenges, needless to say, but also many rewards and much progress.  When Dad arrived at the hospital almost a week ago, he was almost entirely paralyzed on his right side, and he had lost his speech altogether.  Tonight, he is alert, talking, and able to move his right side with ever-increasing strength and ease.  We don't always know what he's saying, but it's clear that Jackie is present; his smiles and sense of humor come through with increasing frequency.  And he's often able to answer questions with entirely lucid responses, which makes us all very hopeful for a full recovery of his considerable cognitive abilities.

Today he also passed another essential landmark:  he was able to take his first food by mouth.

Meanwhile, Mom is carrying on through this very difficult time with incredible strength and tenacity.  In typical Judy fashion, she is riding herd on the hospital staff, advocating for Dad at every moment and making sure that he receives the best care possible.

We hope to be able to transport Dad to Wake Med in Raleigh on Sunday.  The plans are for Dad to travel by a Lear jet air ambulance service, which has room for two passengers, so Mom and I will be able to fly with him.  It's a short flight--about 75 minutes--and the service includes transportation from hospital bed to hospital bed.

We are very grateful for everyone who has visited here at the hospital--thanks to Uncle George, Andrea, Dolores, and Sandy, and especially to Aunt Jean, who spent two nights with Mom this week when I returned to work in Princeton.   More than anyone else, though, we have relied on Matt H. for his wise counsel, for his sense of humor, and for being the Voice of Reason during the most difficult moments.  And of course we are also thankful to everyone who has called and emailed, and offered their kind words and prayers.