Update from Gateway

Hi All,

Steve is getting a therapy workout of about 4 hours per day at Gateway Rehabilitation Hospital in Florence, KY. We find this place to be top notch and pray he can be there as long as possible. Right now, discharge is scheduled for July 2 and we don't know where he would go after Gateway. All depends on the progress he is making according to Medicare. Of course, he only wants to go home.

And he is progressing :) As you know, he got his trach out June 6. A huge milestone and we must again mention the amazing Drake Hospital respiratory team who patiently and frequently adjusted his ventilator settings and gave him so much daily assistance with breathing.  

Last week, his feeding tube to his stomach was removed and he gets all his nourishment by mouth.  He also passed the swallowing test that allows him to drink thin liquids -- bring on the Grape Nehi Soda, his favorite! Speech therapy signed off, satisfied with his improvement. Occupational and physical therapists say he is making progress on their front.

Thank you so much to the many who sent cards, brought food, and visited Steve during my first two weeks post-op from foot surgery. Your faithfulness is a blessing beyond words. Also, the "card shower" launched by daughter-in-love, Flora, brought so many cards to Steve and they decorate his room so he can see the love every day.

Thanking God for you,

Nancy and Steve

Happy Father's Day!

Dad-
We are so proud of how you are doing. Keep pushing forward. We love you! - Tim and Becky

New location!

The past two weeks have been the busiest and most constantly changing in a long while! I thought that scheduling my foot surgery for June 5 would be a time of relative stability in Steve's recovery.  Not so fast.....

Two weeks ago Steve experienced a urethra tear from the catheter and was rushed to the ER and then admitted to St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was then checked out with multiple Xrays, CT scan, MRI, bone scan, etc. to check on not only the original problem but possibilities of pneumonia, broken arm, trach infection, cancer, etc. While we are waiting for one more test to come back, all the others came back with great news of NOTHING.  He was given several heavy antibiotics and will finish off the last of them tomorrow.

I believe he still wouldn't have his trach out if he hadn't taken the "side trip" to the hospital! It is so good to see him without a collar of some kind around his neck! It was also good to have a new set of eyes on him checking him out from head to toe. St. Elizabeth Hospital in Edgewood, KY, is high in my book! Everything was top notch.

It was great to have a visit from Steve's cousin John and his wife Carol while Steve was at St. E. They were here for 4 days and uplifted us both. Good timing, Cousins!

Then, Tim's and Becky's families came to town in shifts for my foot surgery and to help with my recovery and Steve's care. They had their hands full! I'm doing fine, though still confined to keeping my foot elevated and being in a chair most of the time. Thanks so much to those who came by to visit both of us and brought food too, even though I don't remember some of your visits:)

Great news!, Steve moved from the hospital to Gateway Rehabilitation Hospital in Florence, KY, June 10, for intensive therapy. The therapists at Provident Pavillion did good work in 5 weeks and got him ready for this next step. He will be working hard! Thanks to Tim and Becky who researched places, talked with case managers, and kept things moving along toward Steve's release from the hospital straight to intensive rehab!

Prayers would be so appreciated for Steve's ability to keep progressing in meeting therapy goals as insurance will be watching even more closely and progress is a requirement for staying. Also for peace and perseverance for both of us.

Thank you, Friends!

Nancy and Steve

It's out!!!!

Mom went to the hospital to visit Dad this morning and he greeted her with these wonderful words "Look, my trach is out!" He had been discussing it with his pulmonologist and after reviewing his level of secretions, breathing treatments, etc., it was determined that he didn't need it anymore. Since he already had the smallest diameter trach, they decided that they could go ahead and simply remove it. Dad didn't feel anything. Everyone take a big cleansing sigh of relief! Feels good!! ;)

End of May Update (by Nancy)

As you know, Steve was transferred to St. Elizabeth Hospital Tuesday to check out problems from his catheter, UTI, and possible pneumonia. Good news is he has no pneumonia and infections are being chased away with "big guns" antibiotics. He does have a urethra tear but is expected to heal. He should be heading back to Providence Pavillion on Monday, June 1. They were very quick to evaluate this new problem and send Steve to the ER. Grateful for their quick reaction and also for the excellent care at the St Elizabeth ER and hospital. 

So the work of recovery continues... As always, we appreciate the many prayers, cards and visits, and for staying with us on this long journey.

Nancy and Seve