Jack had a lot of visitors over the weekend! We are so grateful for all of the family and friends who have visited him and shown their support! I was there all day yesterday and here are some of the things I found out:
Unfortunately, he has developed pneumonia which the doctors say is normal in these cases when they had the intubation in his throat. He has already been placed on antibiotics to kill the pneumonia if it is bacterial (which in most cases it is). If it is viral, there is nothing that can be done and it has to run its course which could be dangerous given his condition. Cultures were taken and we are awaiting the results and hoping for bacterial!
Once Jack gets over the pneumonia and starts to become a bit stronger, they will allow him to gradually wake up on his own. Once he awakens, we should have a much clearer idea of how the stroke has affected his speech and understanding of speech.
One thing we do know is that he is responding to voices! He has responded well to my sister Amber's voice, my Aunt Katie's voice and especially to my Mom's voice. As she was telling him that she was going to have to get home for the night last night, he grasped her hand so tightly as to tell her that he did not want her to go. Mom continued to talk to him for 10 - 15 more minutes before he loosened his grasp on her hand and let her go home for some much needed rest.
This is the most current information that we have at this time. The doctors and nurses have all stated that this will be a lengthy process and we are looking at 6 months of 'three steps forward, two steps back and then three steps forward again.' Let's hope we don't have any more steps backwards and lots more steps forward! I will update again later this week when we have more information on the pneumonia!
Thanks again for all the support, thoughts and prayers! They are all very much appreciated!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
March 26th Update
Sorry for the lack of an update the past couple of days! I (Neil, the updater of the blog) have been with Mom the past couple of days without Internet access.
Today's update will be short as I am pretty positive we will know a lot more tomorrow and Sunday: Today (Friday) they took out the breathing tube and did a tracheotomy. The good news is he is still attempting to breath on his own. They have the feeding tube going through his nose but are considering moving it to the stomach area this weekend.
One small setback which the dr's say is normal and common is that he has developed a fever of 102 degrees so they are keeping him under sedation until he breaks the fever.
We are hopeful that they will allow him to wake up from the sedation this weekend and from there, we'll have a much clearer idea of where he'll be and what kind of treatment he will need.
We have been told that this is going to be a very long process and that it could be 6 months before he makes significant improvements. That is why this blog was created, to give everyone continuous updates on his progress as we all travel down this long road to recovery with him.
Again, thank you everyone for the well wishes and prayers! We are all very grateful!
I will write again later this weekend with another update. I will be going up to the hospital all day on Sunday so I will write an update upon my return!
Today's update will be short as I am pretty positive we will know a lot more tomorrow and Sunday: Today (Friday) they took out the breathing tube and did a tracheotomy. The good news is he is still attempting to breath on his own. They have the feeding tube going through his nose but are considering moving it to the stomach area this weekend.
One small setback which the dr's say is normal and common is that he has developed a fever of 102 degrees so they are keeping him under sedation until he breaks the fever.
We are hopeful that they will allow him to wake up from the sedation this weekend and from there, we'll have a much clearer idea of where he'll be and what kind of treatment he will need.
We have been told that this is going to be a very long process and that it could be 6 months before he makes significant improvements. That is why this blog was created, to give everyone continuous updates on his progress as we all travel down this long road to recovery with him.
Again, thank you everyone for the well wishes and prayers! We are all very grateful!
I will write again later this weekend with another update. I will be going up to the hospital all day on Sunday so I will write an update upon my return!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
March 24th Update
This blog has been created to help update friends and family members of Jack Singleton who wish to be updated regularly on his progress after suffering a brain bleed and being involved in a car accident in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 21, 2010. We are unsure which occurred first.
As of today, Wednesday, March 24th, there have been a few positives that give us hope for his recovery: His daughter, Amber and her husband Ed arrived from Phoenix on Tuesday and upon arriving, Jack responded by turning his head upon hearing Amber's voice to look at her. He also appeared to try to chuckle at a joke that his oldest daughter, April told.
Today, we have learned that he is starting to respond more correctly to the nurse's commands with his left side and that he has slightly began moving on his right side which is great news!
Tomorrow, the breathing tube will possibly be attempted to be removed to see if Jack can breath on his own. April will be discussing this possibility with the Dr. tomorrow morning.
Suzy, April, Neil and Amber are all very grateful for the outpouring of support shown by so many of Jack's friends and family members. We know that Jack will be very happy to learn of all of the concern for his well being and progress. We know that it may be a long road to recovery but we look at every small step he is taking as progress and we all continue to hold out hope that he will fully recover from this tragedy.
Please continue to keep Jack in your thoughts and prayers. He is in Methodist hospital. If you would like to visit, please check with the information desk. Methodist asks that flowers and balloons, etc. not be sent. In lieu of this, any donations should be sent to Suzy Singleton to assist with copay and long term care expenses.
As of today, Wednesday, March 24th, there have been a few positives that give us hope for his recovery: His daughter, Amber and her husband Ed arrived from Phoenix on Tuesday and upon arriving, Jack responded by turning his head upon hearing Amber's voice to look at her. He also appeared to try to chuckle at a joke that his oldest daughter, April told.
Today, we have learned that he is starting to respond more correctly to the nurse's commands with his left side and that he has slightly began moving on his right side which is great news!
Tomorrow, the breathing tube will possibly be attempted to be removed to see if Jack can breath on his own. April will be discussing this possibility with the Dr. tomorrow morning.
Suzy, April, Neil and Amber are all very grateful for the outpouring of support shown by so many of Jack's friends and family members. We know that Jack will be very happy to learn of all of the concern for his well being and progress. We know that it may be a long road to recovery but we look at every small step he is taking as progress and we all continue to hold out hope that he will fully recover from this tragedy.
Please continue to keep Jack in your thoughts and prayers. He is in Methodist hospital. If you would like to visit, please check with the information desk. Methodist asks that flowers and balloons, etc. not be sent. In lieu of this, any donations should be sent to Suzy Singleton to assist with copay and long term care expenses.
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