5 months, 17 days.
Today he goes home. I'm headed to the hospital now to pick him up.
Chapter 2 begins.
And he hates boats...Thursday, August 20, 2009
Dad goes home today...
170 days.
5 months, 17 days.
Today he goes home. I'm headed to the hospital now to pick him up.
Chapter 2 begins.
And he hates boats...
5 months, 17 days.
Today he goes home. I'm headed to the hospital now to pick him up.
Chapter 2 begins.
And he hates boats...
Sunday, August 9, 2009
going home...
I'm in tears. I can't help it.
Today I thought about the day dad's heart stopped.
I also thought about getting that phone call from mom. The only thing she said as i answered the phone with some non-sequitur witticism was "Eddie, This is serious. Your father fell." I knew it was more than that. Without any details, I immediately sent a simple email to all my immediate coworkers. "I just got the call. I'll be stepping out for the rest of the day."
I have memories of things i don't wish on even my worst of enemies.
Seeing him on that first day, in that first hour in the emergency room. His face bloodied and looking of fresh hamburger, i couldn't tell what was actually left of him. I could see teeth through his nose. Blood was caked on his ears marking the path of which it first poured. He was bound to a gurney, and being a big man myself i couldn't help but chuckle under my breath as I noticed his arms were only resting on the straps used to hold him down securely. I put my hand on his chest and leaned over to address him directly. "You've done well. If you need to go, we will be ok. I love you dad."
I remember the first words he said to me after regaining conciousness. "I need to take a shit."
Today, from the vantage of sitting in his wheelchair, i looked over at him on the couch at my mother-in-law's on this only fourth outing from the hospital since March 3rd. He was lying on his side, eyes closed, with his hand resting over the misshapen half of his skull. In less than two weeks he's going home. He's going home.
I just got a text message from my sister. She said, "Hello to you on this beautiful day!" How fucking corny. I'm crying again.
I think he's saying, "And that's why they call me big poppa."
Today I thought about the day dad's heart stopped.
I also thought about getting that phone call from mom. The only thing she said as i answered the phone with some non-sequitur witticism was "Eddie, This is serious. Your father fell." I knew it was more than that. Without any details, I immediately sent a simple email to all my immediate coworkers. "I just got the call. I'll be stepping out for the rest of the day."
I have memories of things i don't wish on even my worst of enemies.
Seeing him on that first day, in that first hour in the emergency room. His face bloodied and looking of fresh hamburger, i couldn't tell what was actually left of him. I could see teeth through his nose. Blood was caked on his ears marking the path of which it first poured. He was bound to a gurney, and being a big man myself i couldn't help but chuckle under my breath as I noticed his arms were only resting on the straps used to hold him down securely. I put my hand on his chest and leaned over to address him directly. "You've done well. If you need to go, we will be ok. I love you dad."
I remember the first words he said to me after regaining conciousness. "I need to take a shit."
Today, from the vantage of sitting in his wheelchair, i looked over at him on the couch at my mother-in-law's on this only fourth outing from the hospital since March 3rd. He was lying on his side, eyes closed, with his hand resting over the misshapen half of his skull. In less than two weeks he's going home. He's going home.
I just got a text message from my sister. She said, "Hello to you on this beautiful day!" How fucking corny. I'm crying again.
I think he's saying, "And that's why they call me big poppa."P.S. I needed mention one other thing. He walked from the car, to the couch on his own with help from a single crutch and only guidance from me and Mom.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
TJs
This weekend dad left the hospital for the first time (that I know). He went to Trader Joes, and Barnes and Noble.
He did well, considering his complaints otherwise.
You're getting there Dad. Stay strong.
He did well, considering his complaints otherwise.
You're getting there Dad. Stay strong.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Taking it easy...
He's slowly making progress. He's nowhere near the levels he was before the seizure, but isn't fighting the tests and exercise.
He's only answering yes or no questions, mostly with nodding. He's only said one thing without being solicited: "My head feels good."
He's only answering yes or no questions, mostly with nodding. He's only said one thing without being solicited: "My head feels good."
Friday, July 10, 2009
Eyes open...
Unresponsive to external stimuli.
Although Chloe did mention to him after watching him scratch, "It's good to see you're aware enough to know when your balls itch."
Last night he was still mostly out of it. The CT scan results came back, showing no sign of stroke or other damage, for which I'm thankful. At this point it's just another waiting game within a waiting game.
Although Chloe did mention to him after watching him scratch, "It's good to see you're aware enough to know when your balls itch."
Last night he was still mostly out of it. The CT scan results came back, showing no sign of stroke or other damage, for which I'm thankful. At this point it's just another waiting game within a waiting game.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
He's not waking up.
Dad started in with seizures last night.
He's not breathing well on his own so they're reattaching the "bigger" trach tube and hooking him up to the ventilator.
He's not awake, and they can't wake him up with drugs or otherwise. He can react some to external stimuli, but it's minimal.
I don't know much else. I will post more if anything changes.
Please send those good thoughts today. They're needed.
He's not breathing well on his own so they're reattaching the "bigger" trach tube and hooking him up to the ventilator.
He's not awake, and they can't wake him up with drugs or otherwise. He can react some to external stimuli, but it's minimal.
I don't know much else. I will post more if anything changes.
Please send those good thoughts today. They're needed.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Message from Mom
Thank you for all the prayers and positive energy; many of your prayers have already been answered.
Since Wednesday July 1st I have seen my husband walk down seven steps and after a short rest, determined to build up his stamina and rebuild his muscles, turn around and climb the seven steps. He has walked 40 feet using nothing but a small lap table for support. He is accomplishing these feats while being in the worst funk imaginable and trying to fake a positive attitude.
Since Wednesday July 1st I have seen my husband walk down seven steps and after a short rest, determined to build up his stamina and rebuild his muscles, turn around and climb the seven steps. He has walked 40 feet using nothing but a small lap table for support. He is accomplishing these feats while being in the worst funk imaginable and trying to fake a positive attitude.
Without the love, support and prayers of of his family and friends Wayne would not be with us today.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and in your prayers.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and in your prayers.
Much love,
Lucy Kestermont
No. They're not Gallagher fans.
No. They're not Gallagher fans.
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