Thank You...Thank You...Thank You!

This will be my last entry from the Nebraska Medical Center. They are discharging me at Noon today. These folks have been so wonderful that I really have no words to describe them. They have saved my life...and so much more. We now have an ongoing relationship. To all of you who have been so supportive, I cannot say enough. The next time we see each other will be so special, because it almost wasn't gonna happen. Those of you who have come to know Kacey and Adam through this blog, through phone calls, hospital visits and other means understand just how special they are. I owe them EVERYTHING. and I cannot wait for you all to meet King Max I. You're gonna love him!

See you all soon.

Just when thought it was safe,,,,,,,

So Kacey and I are here at the hospital, There's a Tornado Warning. They're moving patients out of the rooms into the hallways...and Hello..Here come Pat Stibbs and Charles Warner. and you know, I wasn't even really surprised. Stibbs launches right into 15 minutes of bad jokes..and Corby is trying to sell severe weather coverage to one of the doctors, cash with order of course.

Monday March 23

Thanks to all of you for so many wonderful comments. We've always said Radio people are a special breed. You prove it everyday.

Well, today was the day we were supposed to get out and begin recovery, but there is some concern about clots so we're beginning blood thinning therapy. This may take a day or two to get in place and they don't want to take a chance until this is fully up and running. So I guess I will just stay here and continue to drive these nurses absolutely stark-raving nuts. Seriously, these people could not be nicer and they care so very much....and they're cute too.

I will keep you updated. As Hyman Roth said to Michale Corleone, "This is the business we've chosen. Nobody asked who gave the order. It was business."

Thanks to everyone...(from Neil)

I cannot believe the outpouring of support for me and my family during this difficult time. It means more to me than you know!

While I appreciate all of the special care I have had here at the Med Center I can without qualification not recommend those fucking paddles. Watching myself become airborne is something I never want to experience again.

Thanks again for all your support. Hope to see y'all again soon!

Neil

The vent is out!!!

At around 11:30 they took the vent out. They asked us to leave so we went and got lunch. By the time we got back at noon he was sitting up and was alert and glad to see us. He was a sight for sore eyes, that's for sure!

We got to talk to him and found that he has not lost his sense of humor. It doesn't hurt that the sedative that is still wearing off makes him seem a tad drunk at times, so that adds to the humor. He had lots of questions like what day is it, how did I get here, am I at the Med Center...he was most surprised to find out that today is Friday. The last thing he remembers is Sunday. When we told him that he drove himself to the hospital, he replied, "That's crazy. What was I thinking?". He is very hoarse and sometimes slurring his words. He kept saying something and finally we figured out he was saying, "God damn chair, god damn chair" over and over again. He remembered that he had purchased a rocking chair and ottoman for us from Nebraska Furniture Mart that was ready for pick up on Wednesday. The man had a heart attack, has been sedated for five days and still remembers that he had something to do on Wednesday. That's my Dad...he hasn't missed a beat.

He is sleeping peacefully now. I'm so happy.

Thanks for all the prayers and positive energy. It has really made all the difference in the world.

Good morning. Today is the day we will try to remove the ventilator. The respiratory therapists have been in and have begun weening off the vent. At this moment he is breathing on his own, but still has the vent in place. Hopefully they will be removing it altogether very soon.

Dad is much more alert this morning. He knows we're here and I think he's been mouthing words to us. He is following directions, and seems just plain worn out still. Adam and I keep asking him to try and think about something else while he's awake with the vent in. I'm sure that is a crazy thing to say to someone in his position, but I just try to think about what would make me feel better if I were in his place. I've been asking him to think about the day I was born, or the day he met Elizabeth Hurley, you know, asking him to remember all the beautiful women in his life ;-)

We haven't seen any Docs yet today, but as soon as we do I will let you know what they say. Keep the positive energy coming...its what we're thriving on. Dad is doing so well. Thank you all so much.

The Latest...

Dr. Haas came by late this afternoon. He, like Dr. Madsen, was very positive today. Again, even smiled at us. He said that Dad is doing great. Clark and Ross are going to be taking the last line out soon and then they will begin weening him off the ventilator tomorrow. Dr. Haas said he wants Dad growling at us tomorrow. I can't wait!

He is coming out of sedation, but after four days of being out he's very withdrawn still. He is in and out of consciousness and just kind of out of it right now.

So that is where we are right now. Tomorrow our goal is to get him breathing on his own. I will let you know as soon as anything changes!