Update. An email from Vitalady

Hi guys,
Here's Michelle's update on Don. Dang, I wish I could go out there and help.

--gina

****

Don is making vast progress with using his hands and legs again. Bladder
has started to work. That's good, because living with a cath at home was
scaring me (infections). And it's part of C-4 damage.


BUT.

The swelling from the surgery has damaged his throat. It's too swollen to
swallow properly, so about 30% of anything he eats tries to go down the wind
pipe. The installed an NG tube today for feeding/watering and to keep him
from aspirating. I think it took the spirit out of him. He has lost so
much wt from the dehydration and no food that it's scary.

I'm there as much as I can be and so things at home are falling all apart.
One of my friends has offered to come and help me, and I think I'll have to
take her up on it. We run out of medical benefits on Wed for inpatient
rehab. So, out he goes, into nursing home or we beg for money or some other
thing. The walking/feeding thing would be good if his swallower worked.
They're pretty sure it's mechanical, not nerves. WHEW.



Thanks,

Michelle
****

And this was in response to someone on the Protein board....
******

Yes, because after we get him home....... Can it happen again?

He felt some chest pain, intended to walk a bit and there is a tiny blank
space before he found himself on the floor unable to move. He made a loud
thud. He was ok at 3am, when we passed in the hall, and on the floor by
6am.

Yes, they ran every conceivable test for heart/stroke. All ruled out. GI
distress ruled out.

Why he fell? No idea. That he had aging degeneration, imagine OUR
surprise. No clue. But when he fell, he hit his head (still a mystery) and
snapped it back smartly, fracturing C-4. They fused C 3-4-5-6. Now it's a
long recovery because it is a spinal cord injury

Thanks,

Michelle

Thanks Gina!
Glad is he progressing. Such a stressful time for them.
Continued prayers here.
Maria

Hi Gina,
  Thank you for keeping us posted.  I'm not sure where these posts are being listed, but has anyone suggested that Michelle take donations?  I bet there are a lot of folks who would want to give a little to help.  I know I would.  These expenses can add up, and a lot of little gifts could go a long way...

R

Thanks for the update.  Yea, I wish I could go help too.

Still swinging critters...... but I feel so helpless.

Good thoughts and Prayers for strength and Peace still continuing.
Hugs Ena

 Oy Vey.  I'm sending lots of prayers to our Vita family.  Im so sorry that they are all going through this.  I'm going to focus on 100% recovery!