Out of the hospital!

Craig finally left Duke University Hospital and is now at a rehabilitation center at Durham regional. There he will have physical therapy and occupational therapy and prepare to be able to go home! His number there is: 919-470-7313.

Room Change

Craig is making slow and steady progress. I keep thinking I need to make him do an entry here, but then it just doesn't quite happen. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure everyone knew he switched rooms. He is right next door in 8124. It is a bigger room and better situated to move his wheelchair around in, etc. He still goes to dialysis, etc but if you want to know if you can stop by, just call him and he will usually answer the phone and let you know if it is a good time.

Photos!

Yesterday when I went to visit Craig, I was able to wheel him down to a garden area just outside of the cafeteria at the hospital, and we took these photos. I thought everyone might want to see just how good he is looking now. What a difference from a few weeks ago!

Doesn't he look great!?!


Here's one I took of both of us.

Enjoy!

-Tiffany

Lots of improvement

So back in NC and had a good day with Craig, he looks almost like his former self, I'll try to summarize his status as best I can:

Pros:

1. Can move around in a wheelchair and we went outside at the hospital for lunch. He is eating almost anything now and he needs fattening up like a Thanksgiving Turkey. 

2. Kidney function slowing improving, there is hope he may recover from that. Still going for dialysis three times per week.

3. Wound is healing well.

4.  Brain is back to normal and he is looking forward to going back to work, getting fitted for a prosthesis...etc. He can talk about his situation with "ease" and is actively involved in his treatment.

5. Discussing the next phase of treatment...rehab centre.

Cons

1. Phantom pain is frequent and hard

2. Leg and foot are very swollen but hopefully soon that will go away

3. Still looking at a very long time before a prothesis can even be considered as the wound has to be completely healed...months perhaps.

4. Craig gets agitated and angry at times but it doesn't last for long and he cracks a joke again. Of course that is to be expected as well.

That's all for now....talk to you soon!

Coming Back to NC

I know it's been a while since I last updated the blog...sorry for that but when I return to Canada, family and work commitments don't afford me much time. Further to that, Craig's recovery is moving forward but slow as anticipated, so things are not changing as quickly like before. I am looking so forward to seeing Craig and the next phase of his rehab will be finding a facility for him. Maybe I will get to help in that this week. My mother-in-law is returning with me again and I am very grateful for that as she is a huge support to both Craig and I.
Anyway, I hope to see some you this week and once again, thanks for checking in on Craig these past weeks I know how much he enjoys visitors! I'll be updating the blog again regularily while I'm in NC.
See you soon,
Barb

Craig's approximate schedule...

I am headed out of town for 1 1/2 weeks starting tomorrow. I thought that I'd post Craig's current schedule so that people know it and can visit him. Of course, this is subject to change any time the hospital decides. Right now Craig has physical therapy every morning (Monday-Friday) in his room. I'm not sure how long it is, but I don't think it's terribly long (I doubt more than 1 hr.). You will know he is doing physical therapy if the door is closed and you can hear them making noise inside. Then in the afternoons on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday he goes for dialysis. It is hard to know when they are going to take him because it seems kind of random, but they will probably take him sometime between 12pm-2pm. He is usually gone for around 4 hours, but this also varies. If you get there and his room is completely empty, you may be able to look at the book at the front of the hallway and see what time they took him off the floor. You can use that info to estimate when he will be back if you want to return later. On the weekends he doesn't have much at all, so this is a good time to pop in if you are in the area. Weekends are also great because a lot of his co-workers pop in before work, during lunch, or after work if he is there (which is wonderful, and I know he really enjoys it). The weekends tend to be slower for visitors as people aren't around campus. You can also call him and see if he is there and available before you come over. He has both his cell phone and the hospital line, and can usually answer them if the phone is near his bed, but give him plenty of time to get the phone picked up and answered. I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy your visits with Craig!

Tiffany

Staying Alive..Staying Alive..ah ah ah ah..Staying...Aliiiive

A bit of humor, courtesy of Craig! It's Saturday night and Carole and I are just finishing our "Spa" treatments for Dr. Bennett; facial, full body massage, Reiki healing...etc. He will certainly miss this pampering next week. We leave tomorrow at 6:00 am to go back to the "real" world of taking care of kids, work, cooking, laundry...and so on. He is doing better each day and we will certainly miss watching his progress. I will miss terribly. I haven't spent this much time with my brother in years. How sad it takes such an event to reconnect. For the next stage, the doc has told us that he will prescribe "live-in" rehab which is wonderful and will give Craig and us more time to plan his permanent future. Once again, for all those who have called, emailed, vmailed, visited and all of the above, thanks so much. It means EVERYTHING to us. If I could ask yet another favour, if you are able, while we are back in Canada, please pop in for a few minutes to chat with Craig once in a while. It will make our absence less difficult. He is a very busy boy, however, during the morning and all day if dialysis is scheduled so be patient if you miss him. Take care and I'll keep the blogs up-to-date as needed. Bye for now,

Barb

Ground Hog Day

Remember that movie? That is what I feel like these days. Hospital time is unlike "normal" time. There are no days/nights as one just flows into the other, repeating various events; dialysis, physio, meds, sleep...etc. I never know what day/time it is and waiting has become an art form. Aside from that, I'm sure more info about Craig is what you want to read, not my ramblings. Anyway, yesterday was a difficult stressful day as Craig had back-to-back dialysis and physio. That is not the best order in which to do those functions so today it was reversed, so we'll how that works. He was so uncomfortable because of the beds so Greg, his nurse, ordered a special bed, I guess you could call it the Lamborgini of beds, that provides an air cushion all over his body. It has already made him happier. Further to this we have started to regularly massage his body, to get his circulation going and this too has made him happier. When Craig is happier, he is engaged in conversation, asks questions, watches TV, smiles, laughs a little...etc. It is just wonderful. No news on his kidneys but they stopped the antibiotics so the infection is finally gone. He still can't eat anything yet and this is driving him nuts, so I hope that will change either today or tomorrow. Bye for now!

Barb

Cherry Popsicle

Today was a good day, we added some flavor into his sad feeding tube diet (throat still healing) and you guessed it...a cherry popsicle. We have to chop it up into little pieces, however, but he really enjoyed tasting again. He has had lots of visitors today so hopefully we have tired him out enough to sleep better tonight. He also has been doing physiotherapy everyday and needless to say that is both painful and tiring. Although it's hard to sit at a hospital all day, just ask Craig :-) it's joyous to see him smile, carry-on conversations and fist-bump his friends as they come to see him. Every day he overall is a little better than the last. Our next goal is to get him to be able to phone and email and hopefully by the weekend that may be a possibility. Unfortunately I'm frustrated that my two requests to meet with the Attending have failed and I'm still waiting again, so I don't know the prognosis of his kidney failure. He goes for dialysis three times per week currently. Obviously, this is our BIG concern right now. I guess I will go try again. I'll be in touch!

Barb

Sitting with my Brother

It's about 8:00 pm on Monday, July 6 and I am having a brief but wonderful chat with Craig. Carole is as well. As I told him, I am so very relieved and grateful to be able to have this chat. He is having much difficulty talking so I am doing the chatting and giving no pressure to respond! He is tired, of course, but he looks 1000 times better than when I left a week ago. Anyway, the healing process will be very long...so it's one day at at time. I had to laugh when I told him he looked so good, he responded..."It's better to look good than feel good" A famous "Craigism" 

Bye for now,

Barb

Back to Duke

This is a brief update to let everyone know I am returning to NC tomorrow (Monday) with Chris's Mom Carole. I will post more details tomorrow after seeing Craig. 

Barb

Out of MICU

Craig is out of MICU and even had physio therapy today. This is a far cry from a week ago! I am thrilled at his recent progress and hope things remain on the upswing. It is still hard for him to talk for even short periods of time so I can't get a feel for how he really is. I guess that will wait for this week when I go to see him. So life goes on and I'm feeling sad that I can't visit him and give him some support! I know his pals are there and I thank you all for you care and concern. See you all soon!

Barb

A Chat with Craig

Well after about two weeks, we had the relief and pleasure of talking with Craig. This was especially special for our parents, who hadn't talked with him since he was admitted well over two weeks ago. He can't talk for long as his throat is very sore from having the breathing tube removed. Tiffany had the "duty" of filling him in on the time line and I'm sure he is waiting for my account when I return on Monday. Tonight I am not going to itemize all the issues that still plague his recovery but the word "recovery" sounds so good and although the road ahead is so very long, let's enjoy this first victory! Now that Craig is back with us, Tiffany asked him his thoughts on visitors and he is very open to them for short period of times...so if you feel like visiting him go for it. FYI, you can't visit between 2:00 to 4:30 pm, 7:00 to 8:00 pm and before and after 9:00 am/pm in the MICU. Take care and we'll be in touch!

Barb

Nancy...I guess Craig decided to "stay on the bus" this time!!!!!! Hope Harry and Pooh are behaving themselves

steady improvement and a favor....

Barb asked me to update the blog tonight. When I stopped by to see Craig this evening, they had obviously decreased his sedation. His eyes were open when I walked in the room and he was alert for minutes at a time. He couldn't stay awake long because he is still fairly sedated, but there was no question that he knew I was there and he could nod a bit if I asked him a direct question, etc. He even sort of waved his hand goodbye when I told him I was leaving. So, things are going slow, but they are steadily improving. There is no plans for any future OR trips and so they are hoping to be able to take out the breathing tube in the next couple of days.

Now for the favor. The nurse had asked him earlier if he wanted to watch TV, but he had nodded his head no. I think he is still way to sedated to be able to watch a show. However, I asked him if I should bring in some of his music and he seemed to like that idea. Does anyone have an inexpensive, small CD player they wouldn't mind leaving in the hospital for a while? I picked up some of his CDs at his house and thought I could have some music for him if he wanted it. I just don't have anything like that. Thanks!
Tiffany

Brief Update

I called the hospital at 6:00 pm after work and will do that everyday. Craig is still stable and sedated. This will go on for a few more days, maybe till Friday. They want to be absolutely sure he is finished going to the OR before removing the breathing tube. So the waiting game continues and I'm ready to return if need be. This is it for tonight. Take care!

Barb 

Back in Canada

Chris and I arrived home today, Sunday, at around 5:00 pm. It was so nice to hug Laura (Alex was at an X Box competition with his friends so that hug comes later). My last update with the hospital was at 6:00 pm and Craig was "stable" and Tiffany was visiting with him. It is all the support of Craig's friends and the excellent care at Duke that has enabled me to return home for a while. Thanks for that! I will continue to update the Blog daily post my Duke "check-in" but this is going to be a looooooong journey. Talk to you soon!

HEADING HOME!

It's Saturday night and I have met with the surgical team at Duke. Craig will still be heavily sedated for a minimum of five days still while they work out all his varying health issues, as a result I have decide to return to Canada while he is the excellent care of the MICU staff. I will return to NC when he starts to wake up in a week or two. It is with a heavy heart that I leave him but I can't stay here for a month straight. I know his friends will rotate visits to see him and for that I'm truly grateful! I'll still be in touch daily with Duke and if need be I can be back within 16 hours. As Peter (the most amazing guy in the world) his nurse says...he won't remember any of this, I hope he is right! I will keep updating the blog daily post my calls to MICU. Thanks for continuing on this journey with us!

Barb

Final OR Trip???

Craig emerged from surgery at approximately 6:00 pm. They closed the wound above the knee as they thought it would be best, considering he had a knee replacement anyway. I haven't had a chance to talk directly with the surgeon but the nurse filled me in and the surgeon would have called me if there were any impending complications. At least the surgeries are over (I am assuming), the infection is under control, and now they can work on his kidneys. They also will start bringing him "back to life" and removing the breathing tube. We will see what the weekend will bring. My thoughts are very troubled at having to explain to him the events of the past week and his reaction but on the brighter side...thank goodness I CAN tell him!

Good night and I'll update you tomorrow,

Barb  

Another Day at Duke

4th surgery scheduled for 1:00 pm tomorrow. Today was spent trying to find a spot to put the catheter to start dialysis again, won't know till tomorrow if it worked. Craig still is sleeping through this all...I hope, with some very brief moments of acknowledgement. I want to believe he knows we're there but until I can ask him I won't know for sure. Wish him luck for tomorrow!

Barb 

Update for Wednesday, June 24/09

As mentioned in my last posting, today thankfully ends as a "coasting" day. No further issues reared their ugly heads and Craig is resting somewhat peacefully. We can tell he doesn't like the breathing tube and is fighting it a little. This is a good thing as it means he is ready to get rid of it but this cannot happen until the final trip to the OR is over which is either tomorrow or Friday. We will know that early tomorrow. We talk to him and he opens and closes his eyes so I think he can hear us at times but hopefully he won't remember much of this. I am more hopeful today that Craig can get through this but the infection is still circulating in his bloodstream and until it clears out 100% the risks are obviously high. Keep the comments/emails coming as it provides great comfort to us and more importantly support for Craig! 

Bye for now, Barb

Current Situation

The outcome of the recent OR trip shows no further infection in the other leg and that was the only news that we needed at this time. He has hopefully only one more trip back to the OR to ensure the other wound is infection free, prior to closing. they have restarted the dialysis to now work on his kidneys. All other tests, i.e., on his heart, show that the infection is not spreading so if he, along with the broad spectrum antibiotics, can maintain this status, things are looking a little brighter tonight. I feel somewhat relieved for the first time in days but also know that he is no where near a safe zone yet so I can't let my guard down. Tomorrow is a coasting day as they are not planning to go back to the OR until Thursday. Once again, thanks for all the kind words of support and I'm off to get a much needed full night sleep, hopefully!

Barb

Still Waiting

Currently it's 6:25 pm on Tuesday night and we are still waiting for Craig to come from the OR to see how his legs are. I was talking to him today and he knows I was there with him but he is greatly sedated. We're hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Barb

MRI Results

At 7:30 Monday night the latest MRI results are in and although the right leg has some infection, the severity is not enough, at this time, to do anything so they will monitor through the night. In cases like this hours, not days, make a difference and so we wait...and we wait...and then we wait some more. There are many other health problems surrounding this issue but as the surgeon said tonight, it's only the infection that needs to be controlled. The others are secondary. I want to say thanks to everyone for all the love and support I have received from Canada and especially all my new North Carolina friends (Craig's old ones). I have come to realize why he is so happy here!!

Talk to you soon, Barb

Some quick background and a recent update

Last Tuesday, June 16th, Craig called me and asked me to come over to help him with his dogs.  He said that he was having some trouble getting around.  I will spare you the details, but after a long, difficult day, I got him to his doctor's office and from there he ended up being admitted to Duke University Hospital.  Apparently, he had a severe infection in his left foot.  By the time he got admitted to the hospital, he was in septic shock and his kidneys had failed.  Unfortunately, they were unable to save the leg and they had to remove it late Friday night/early Saturday morning.  Things seemed to go well over the weekend, but now there is some concern that the infection has spread to his other leg.  He has been in for another MRI today and the doctors are monitoring him very closely.  We aren't sure yet what the consensus is on whether or not the infection has spread.  We will update you as soon as we know.

Craig's Status

This is a blog that Barb has created with the assistance of Tiffany to update on Craig's status.  It won't be fancy; we are just trying to keep you updated.  Barb, Tiffany, and Tammy will be updating when they have new news.  Thanks for checking in with us and for all the assistance you have given Craig over the past few days.

Tiffany