History from myfamily.com

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July 10, 2009
James is in Medical City hospital due to a bleed in the Vision area of his brain. He is unable to see except for tunnel vision at this time. Utensils and food items on the left side of his plate and tray are invisible. He tells us to stand still because when we move the part of the body he sees, disappears. He sees parts of faces. The doctors said that he will not regain his sight. He seldom uses his left arm.
July 11
James' 67th birthday celebration at the hospital with my daughter and me.
July 12
The bleed area was slighly larger on the CT scan yesterday. James' nausea returned so he ate very little dinner and a strawberry off his chocolate birthday cake 3/5 inches. His sugar is elevated due to his breathing treatments to keep his lungs clearn. He walked with his PT and sat in his chair. For his 67th birthday, we got him a Audio GPS system for the car so that he will know what streets Michael or I am driving down. Because he is in ICU he cannot receive calls at this time. The doctor said he will have another CT scan and if the bleeding is stopped then he can come home by middle of this week. The pacemaker prevents him from having a MRI and the CT scan doesn't show what is causing the bleed. It takes 6 to 8 weeks for the blood to clear so that a clearer picture can be seen with the CT scan.
Tomorrow morning James will have an angiography of the brain.
July 13
The angiograph showed that a Dural arteriovenous fistulas was drawing blood from both lobes of the brain, so James was transfered to Baylor University Medical center for a coiling procedure sometime tomorrow.
July 14
James had another CT Scan today at Baylor, but the DAVF was cancelled for futher deliberation between the doctors. Michael and I enjoyed talking with James on our last two visits today after lunch, however he slept all morning.
July 15
I met James' new Internal Medicine and Neurologist doctors today and discussed medicine changes and condition. They stated that they want James' brain to become more stable: reduced swelling and no seizure activity as well as monitoring his irregular heart beat and blood pressure while getting together with his heart specialist to discuss brain surgery more intensive then coiling sometime next Monday or Wednesday when all specialist can schedule the surgery. His Neurologist stressed the risks of the operation, but without it the hemmorrage will continue to bleed. His recovery could be 2-6 months with maybe some improvement in vision. They moved him to brand new unit with a phone we can receive calls whenever we are in his room.
July 17
James' surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday.
James stood for the first time after arriving at Baylor. He had lots of visitors and phone calls yesterday. His doctors are arranging for presurgery blood and angiography tests in preparation for his brain surgery on Wednesday. I am spending the nights in his room to prevent falls because he tries to get out of bed at night.
July 21
After another angiograph procedure 10:00-3:30, James now has two of four suppliers to his hemorrage plugged and the other two marked for brain surgery tomorrow. He spoke to both Michael and I on the elevator ride back to his room. Tomorrow around 11:00, the rest of the AV fistula abnormality is scheduled for surgery.
July 23
James' surgery went well with extra lung and heart precautions. He has a large horseshoe shaped incision on the back of his head. He is back in ICU. His breathing tube respirator came out and he is doing great. Later on they will remove the jugular vein PL probe that monitors the heart and lung, but so far so good. He is gesturing, squeezing, hands and moving head, arms, and legs on command. Don't know about vision at this time, but was warned not to expect any improvement.
July 24
James has his urine catheter but all others were removed. There is talk of moving him to a new room tonight. Doing fantastic!
July 26
James had a little fever 100.3 last night, woke this morning after a night on the bipap with nausea body and head aches, so the Neurologist sent him for a CT scan and blood work. He hasn't eaten breakfast or lunch...just a little water. and tea. Hopefully his temperature will stay down with the shots for nausea which made him sleepy. Yesterday he walked to the chair and ate fine.
July 27
Last night the Social worker came by with a list of Acute Rehab facilities and after the PT's visit, Michael and I walked across the street to Baylor Rehab. His surgery and current fever has weakened him. He was only able to sit up on the edge of the bed with lots of help. His headache continues but nausea has lessened.
July 29
Discontinuing the antibiotics because blood work did not grow anything worrisome. He ate half his lunch and sat on the edge of the bed a little longer today, but was unable to stand our walk. He answered the phone as it rang on the bed tray and talked to several friends last night and today.
July 30
James is eating a little more, off anitibiotics, and sitting stronger.
July 31
Plans are for James to be moved to Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation this afternoon. He will take the underground tunnel and go across the street from the hospital.
August 1,My daughter writes:
Daddy's finally been moved to the rehabilitation room and is getting more than enough exercise. He has Recreation, Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy daily. The doctor says that dad's looking at a 4 week stay before he can go home. So far so good.
August 8, Our anniversity
James' departure date is tentatively set for 9/11. He is starting to use his left arm and hand to assist.
August 11
Last night I spent the night in James' room because he was talking about going home with me. In the middle of my sound sleep, James called to me asking for help back to bed...I found him sitting on the toilet. He'd walked unassisted without a walker about 10 feet and sat down, but couldn't get up, so was caught in the sleep walkin act. I pulled the help cord and the nurse came to help put him back in bed. His story brought smiles, warnings, and the bed alarm activated.
August 13
James and I demonstrated to the PT specialist that he can get safely in and out of the Mustang so a two hour home visit this Saturday is a possibility.
August 17
Mica and I were able to return James to BIR on Saturday night without any noticable problems...The wheel chair wouldn't fit into the Mustang, but we had one at home and he used the walker. Oh yes he mooned the girls at the Waffle House when his pants fell because he lost weight and as he sucked in his breath to step up on the curb, down they slid. When we got back with him unharmed the nurse asked if he wanted to go out again on Sunday.
August 18
He showered at home getting his bandage wet and I put on a new one that stuck to his stitches, but again we got him safely back.
August 20
James got his stitches removed today and an earlier dismissal date 8/29. Michael reported that during PT he is walking with a cane and practicing outside stepping on and off curbs. His therapist loved the mooning story but is making sure it doesn't occur while on her watch.
August 27
James had his Discharge meeting from Baylor Institute Rehabilitation today, so he will get to sleep at home for the first time since 8/9/09. Starting Tuesday, he is suppose to go to the Day Neuro Program at BIR for 30 more days. five days a week..same floor and same survices, but no meals or bed. He is walking with a black one prong cane with verbal turning directions and needs little to no assistance at home. His 50% visual field is creating some challenges for reading as the extreme left side of the page is blank until he scans in that direction, the left side of his right eye is also blind so the midline section is also blank unless he moves his eyes. ATMs, Charts, writing checks, and top to the bottom eye/hand movements are also a problem.
September 11
James is going to Day Neuro five days a week, walking with a cane at the center but not at home, and grilled on Labor Day. Michael is our Taxi driver and works from 2:30-6:00 m-f. My life should get back to normal...whatever that looks like in a couple of my weeks whenever he starts with Rehab Without Walls which is a home...community program.
September 16
I have my Family Conference this Friday to discuss the new step in James' Rehab...Rehab without Walls. He has been behaving so well and acting compliant that it is scary. Hopefully he will continue to particpate in the Rehab program...if not, he'll make it with our help. He is way past tired of other people following him around and telling him what he should do after two months.
September 23 A week off
My daughter and I caught the Swine flu so James had to miss the last week of Baylor Rehab.
Oct 10
Rehab without Walls Therapist have started coming to give James therapy at home-16 hours a week through Nov 2. He will receive Speech-Reading and vision activities, Occupational, and Physical Therapy. He still requires 24 hour/7day a week supervision.
November 28
James needs very little asssitance. He is talking about going to look for work and driving again...He has a follow-up appointment with his surgeon next.
Dec 3
His Surgeon said that James has recovered from his operation. He also said that James should follow Dr. Stendig's recommendation about driving which was...Wear the tinted glasses not the reading ones...You can drive in emergencies and only in small towns not Dallas where he, Dr. Stendig lives....We are still locking the cars and hiding the keys.