When is the Surgery?

Grandpa is going to have surgery today on his other foot and maybe a wrist. It was supposed to be at 11:30 a.m., and of course that changed to 2:00 p.m.. First Dad drove Grandma to the hospital, thinking it was at 11:30 at the time. When they got there, they found out it was going to be at 2:00. Later, Aunt Debbie visited and still is there. 

I am so happy that everything is going well! Yesterday, my family and I went to visit Poppy/Grandpa. He was asleep most of the time, but every once in a while talking. It was funny because sometimes he would just fall asleep for 30 seconds and then wake up. Once or twice, he would look like he was really awake but then would conk out! The nurse he had yesterday was very nice and cares about him! I just like the hospital because everyone seems so nice, friendly and caring - I then know he is in a great atmosphere!

~Kate Drake =p, (the granddaughter of Howard and Bonnie, and daughter of Kristi and Kenny)

Rental Shoes

Rental shoes.  This is the new name Howard has given for the fancy casts on his feet.  He did wonder how long it would be before he could take them off . . .  

He sat up for a long time today and enjoyed being able to look outside and see trees and sky.

Kelli and I had a nice visit with him.  He enjoyed the conversation, chuckling from time to time and gaining ground on longer conversations before he needs to rest.  He even dared asked how much all this was going to cost.  When told the first bill has been received - he wanted to know how much it was.  $22,000 was the answer.  He said "That's okay." And then he changed the subject.  Good idea.

As each day brings good news - we continue to laugh and joke together.  It is a wonderful way we can cope with all of this.  Here is the latest funny one.  We were thinking about how long it has been since Howard has eaten.  And Mike said - you know - the next time he says, "I'm hungry.  I haven't eaten for month."  Well, now it is really true.  Time is coming closer for "real food".  He will enjoy that.

The family gathered at home for Sophie's birthday. Much laughter of course.  We all had cake and ice cream for Sophie and Howard!

Tomorrow is the surgery for the other foot.  We will find out early in the day if the schedule is still that same.  We sure hope so.

Sitting up and lookin' out the window!

Okay, so not quite sitting up, but Howard was moved to a chair-like bed for 3 hours today that was facing toward the window.  We asked him if he could see the trees and cloudy sky, and he clearly responded, "Yes."  We were able to have several conversations with him today, although  not for very long.  He told Kelli he wants to watch M.A.S.H with Amy, and that she needed to find a really big pie for Mom...with lots of ice cream.  

Speaking of food, he continues to get nourishment from a feeding tube, but a therapist has come in the last two mornings to give him small drinks and tastes of pudding, to see if he is getting closer to being able to eat on his own.  

It really wears him out to sit up and concentrate hard enough to converse.  So when we left, he was sound asleep, back on his comfy airbed. 

With his surgery for his other foot/ankle scheduled for Monday, we are enjoying these short bursts conversation before he is once again heavily sedated.  But our hopes are high that he'll soon be out of ICU and be about the work of recovering so he can come home.  It was a good day.

Things are looking up!

The theme for today....OUT!  The breathing tube from the Thursday's surgery....OUT!  The chest tube that's been in his left lung since the beginning....OUT!  Stitches in his right arm where a plate was put in....OUT!  Staples from the hip surgery incision....OUT!  

We requested to see a surgeon to ask about the status of Howard's feet.  Again, the helpful staff contacted one of the orthopedic surgeons and he answered our questions.  He explained a little more about what they did on the left foot and gave us more information regarding the upcoming surgery on Monday to work on his right foot and ankle.  We have a better idea of the healing and physical therapy it's going to take to get him walking normally.  

Yesterday's surgery inserted a plate of sorts in Howard's foot that will serve as a stabilizing surface to which the bones will attach.  His foot will essentially become a single bone, with no joints. With time and rehabilitation, he will be able to walk again.  He may need to use a walker or other supportive device to stabilize himself until he gets used to walking with his new single-boned feet. We assured the doctor that Howard is a man of determination and we know he will be up and walking sooner than we think.

When we left today, we knew he would sleep peacefully tonight. Without so many tubes and hoses, we really saw Howard/Dad/Grandpa sitting up in that bed.  We are all grateful for this kind of day.  We have hope that tomorrow he may be able to talk to us.  Things are looking up.

  

Promises, Promises.....

Well, we were promised that Howard would be first in line for surgery today.  But since this hospital is the biggest trauma center in the state of Oregon, by 7AM he was 4th line!  So, the waiting began.  But waiting wasn't a bad thing.  We talked and listened to Howard reminisce.  As Howard was escorted to surgery, Joe and I grabbed some food and proceeded to the 9th floor waiting room.  We found this new waiting area fascinating.  The tram takes off from this floor and the view is expansive.  We settled into comfy chairs which became a grandstand view of the approaching weather that overtook Portland with a tremendous storm.  We heard there were tornadoes in the area so we walked to glassed in walkway to try and catch a peek.  We did some see pretty spectacular lightening strikes!

The surgeon came to talk with us and explained what had been done in today's almost 3 hours of surgery.  They removed both of the external fixators from his feet and inserted a plate in his left foot that will be permanent.  The doctors will fix the other foot next Monday along with his left wrist.  They just found that break this week and it will need a plate as well.  Next time he flies in an airplane, everyone at the security station will know he is made of steel.

Thursday is the day !

Joe got a face to face meeting last night with the head of Howard's surgical team.  He assured Joe that his dad had been kept waiting much too long so they would definitely put him on the schedule for thursday.  When I arrived this morning I was told that Howard's foot surgery would be the first on the schedule at seven a.m.  He was feeling so good this morning that he whistled at me when I walked into the room.

They have discovered another injury too.  It must be the wrist or near there because the new cast covers part of the palm of his hand and reaches to his elbow.  So much for a quick return to the computer.  There is an odd foam brace between his lower legs.  We always thought that contraption was to hold the feet but actually it keeps his legs lined up straight as the pelvis break heals.  We are learning interesting medical trivia as we go along.

He has been sitting up in a cardiac chair which is really a gurney that bends in many places.  He appears quite comfortable there awake or napping.  He can be turned toward the windows and see that the hospital buildings rise right out of the forest on Marquam Hill.  It is a pretty drive just to get up there as well.  The nurse (Jen) has been exceptionally helpful to him.  She gives the greatest toothbrushing I've ever seen

Will let you know when the repairs to his feet are done.  

Things Happen Or Not

A call to Howard's nurse this morning gave us the info that his surgery had once again been bumped by another person whose need was so much greater.  Some of us went to the hospital hoping to continue the conversation but he had been sedated in order for them to put in a new port so he would have fewer needle pricks.  

 

Soon they will reschedule the foot surgery, but in a big trauma center like this one never knows.   We had a bit of the Howard we all know and love and we want more.  He talked, laughed at Jon's jokes, ate ice chips and even sassed the nurse yesterday.  Today he slept peacefully and that is good too.  Tomorrow will be a new day.