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!

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Dad's nurses today, Ross and Clark took out the swan cath this morning around 11. Everything went well, but they waited to take out the line in which the swan was put in, meaning he still has a line in his groin just in case they need to put any meds in that way. They are waiting for orders from the cardiologists to see if they can take it out soon. Dr. Haas has not yet made his rounds today, so we are waiting to see him for an update on Dad's status. All has gone well as far as getting the swan cath out, so we're one less machine and one step closer to getting the vent out.

Ross and Clark also turned his sedative from a constant drip to an "as needed" dosage. So, we should start seeing him wake up a bit soon. He has, however, been heavily sedated for four days now so it may take a while...even days...for him to be fully awake and alert. It may even take a few days for him to realize what has happened, where he is, and what is going on.

We turned the Basketball games on this afternoon because we figured he's totally missing out on March Madness and with the lightness of our moods a little TV hasn't seemed inappropriate today. It has had a kind of funny result however in that our two male nurses, who are huge basketball fans have been extra attentive :-) Seems we're the only room with the games on. When I told them what Dad does for a living and that 1620 The Zone is one of his stations, the thought that was pretty cool. They went on and on about listening to the station and "that Kevin Kugler guy". So, to all our friends at The Zone you've got some loyal listeners up here taking care of Dad!

That's all for now. Will update again later when we talk with the Docs.

Its been a good morning

Dad had another great night! I feel like I'm becoming redundant, but at least its positive redundancy. I've never ever wanted to be the one to disappoint my Dad, and I can't help but think that he is having the same feelings about having me here. He is really fighting the good fight and he is winning.

This morning Dr. Madsen, the attending cardiology resident, said he is doing great. "Great", a word we haven't heard much from anyone around here. Dr. Madsen seems like one of the strong-silent types who is very realistic and doesn't want to get your hopes up, all wrapped up in a slender exterior with nice eyes. He has been very sullen since we arrived and today has actually begun smiling at us :-) So I take that as a good sign.

So on the agenda for today is getting him off of one more machine. He has a Swan Catheter in his heart, which measures his heart pressure and cardiac output as well as his core body temperature. Dr. Madsen feels that they can remove this yet this morning. The Swan and the Balloon pump were both inserted into the artery in his groin. So, in order to get him off the ventilator, they need him to be upright and he cannot be upright until everything is out of his groin area. Today they anticipate getting the Swan out so that getting off the vent in in the very near future is a possibility. Once they get him off the vent then we can start communicating.

Can you imagine how difficult it has been for Neil Nelkin to be so quiet this whole time? I wonder what his first words will be? Maybe, "What the hell happened?" or "Its really March 20th?" or "I'm f*#%ing starving!!!", or "No you can't take my credit cards and go shopping!" Whatever it is, I've never been more excited to talk to my Dad!

Keep the prayers and positive energy coming!

Small world

After spending almost four days in the ICU at UNMC it is reaffirming to me just how small of a world we live in...or perhaps its just a Nebraska thing. You know, sort of a six degrees of separation sort of thing. On Monday I learned that two of my first cousins work in the Clarkson Tower where Dad is. One on the 9th floor and one on the 7th floor. With all the progressions Dad has made he will most likely move down to the 7th floor and we'll hopefully let my cousin Lori take a shot at him. Last night, after shift change, we came back to Dad's room and a RN walked by and stopped short, did a double take and came in because he recognized my husband Adam. Turns out he's Adam's second cousin and works here in the ICU. He's been here every night since Dad was admitted and was quite surprised not only to learn who the man is in room 8855, but that he is doing so well. I have known for some time that Dad is in good hands here, but its even more comforting to actually have some sort of familial connection to some of the people who are and will be caring for him.

Tonight he remains stable. He has taken very well to having the balloon pump removed, and tomorrow will work toward getting the ventilator out. Once the vent is out we can begin recovery and actually begin communicating with him, which we are very much looking forward to. I know it might take some time to get my Dad back in full force, but I just can't wait to actually have a conversation with him.

Surprisingly he is quite alert tonight. He's still under pretty heavy sedation but he's got his eyes open and for the second night in a row he's reached out for Adam while he was standing at his bedside talking to him. He's always loved Adam, and I can't blame him as I've always loved Adam too.

Naturally this experience has made me do lots of reminiscing. I'm sure lots of people have also done that too. If you have any stories, funny, endearing, anything about my Dad feel free to share them with me and everyone else who reads this blog. I can't wait to read the blog to him and all the comments friends and family have left for us. And, in the mean time, it gives us all something to laugh about....which is good because we have some pretty sobering moments here. Laughter is the best medicine and anyone who knows my Dad knows he has a keen sense of humor.

Heart Beats

The balloon pump has been successfully removed. We are back with Dad and he is doing very well. He's still sedated and on the ventilator but his heart is beating on its own. In looking at his heart beat on the monitor it can be seen that there is some irregularity which is due to damage that has been done. But that fact that his heart is beating independent from any machine is wonderful news.

Next step is removing the ventilator. It is still unknown exactly when that will be, but hopefully in the very near future.

I will keep everyone updated!

Good News...with Caution, of course

Dr. Haas made his rounds this morning at about 10 and thinks that Dad is doing so well that he wants to remove the balloon pumping his heart. Completely remove the sucker! I was very surprised because when we spoke with another Doc earlier, he moved the balloon pump down to help Dad's heart every three beats, and projected that Dr. Haas would probably stop the pump but want to leave it in just in case he needed it again. On the contrary, Dr. Haas wants to remove it all together. He is very adamant about getting Dad off the ventilator as soon as possible and he feels he is strong enough right now to begin this process of weening him off the machines. I am very hopeful.

The plan to do this procedure at around 10:30...so approximately 15 minutes from now. Please keep your thoughts and prayers coming, especially right now! I will let everyone know how it goes as soon we can get back in and see Dad.

Wish us luck!!

For all you early risers...

I know that there are quite a few of you crazy radio people out there who have been up for hours today and wondering about Dad's condition. No offense :-) I mean that in the most endearing way possible, as my Dad is the craziest of the radio people out there. By 7:30 am he'd have already put in a good four hours of work, something that will undoubtedly change after all of this.

He had a good night. He's been stable pretty much since he's arrived. At 6 am today his heart rate was down considerably, around 104 and his blood pressure had risen a little. He has been taken off of his BP meds and the sedation drugs have been lowered. He seems to be right where they want him. His cute little blond nurse, Amanda, said that if he did well through the night they would look at reducing the balloon's work (that is pumping his heart) to every third beat.

He was responsive to us last night and again this morning, which is bittersweet for me. Of course I want him to know we're here and have comfort in that, but at the same time I don't want him to be aware of how uncomfortable he is with a breathing and feeding tube. Hopefully it won't be long before those things are gone. One day at a time.

I will update again later when we see his Docs. Keep the prayers, positive thoughts, warm fuzzies, funny stories, whatever you do coming our way. He needs it all right now! Thank you!!!

Today we have made small, but amazing successes. Knowing my Dad, he is amazing at everything he does, so being amazing at recovery is very Neil-like (I'm a little biased). Through the day his nurse has said she is very pleased with his progress. A lot of comments have been made, even by his cardiologist, to the effect that he is doing better than they all expected.

So, right now the improvments, small though they may be, have been uplifting. The balloon that has been put in place to help his heart beat every single beat has been reduced to every other beat. This has been very positive and his heart actually reacted better to this than before. Another thing they're watching very closely is his blood pressure. It has been very low and it is also leveling out. He began tube feeding today as well, though corned beef and cabbage it was not, he has reacted well to some good ol' nourishment.

He continues to be stable which is really, really good. Every hour that passes in which he is stable is wonderful. He is sleeping. Which gives me great comfort because I don't think Dad has gotten good sleep in years, literally years. His color is good. He actually looks better in complexion than he has, also in years.

That's all for now. Gonna go hold his hand and try to think of dirty jokes to tell him. I have told him about everyone who has called and emailed and will continue to do so. Please keep all the positive thoughts, prayers and energy coming our way. We can feel it. Thank you so much!

Baby steps.

So, if you're reading this you've heard the sad news that my Dad, Neil Nelkin, has had a heart attack. What has transpired over the last two days has literally rocked my world and has put everything in my life into a new perspective. I would give everything to have my old world back. One is which my Dad, my rock, were only a phone call away, with his powerful voice and worldly knowledge. I am truly lost without him.

For those of you who do not know what has happened I will try to give a brief review of the events of the last few days. Forgive my lack of knowledge on the subject, as I am quickly learning all the correct vocabulary for what is happening. Sunday, March 15, 2009, at around 11 PM Dad drove himself to the ER at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Fortunately for him, and the rest of us, he lives less than a mile from this hospital. By the time he arrived he was in serious cardiac arrest and the Doctors and Nurses were unable to get any information from him beyond what they found in his wallet. Unfortunately, he had no next of kin or in case of emergency information on him. Through the night they found a blockage in the front part of his heart and were able to put in two stints. He had suffered a massive heart attack.

At around 9am Monday morning I received a phone call at work from worried coworkers who had not yet heard from my Dad. They were actually in his apartment with the Omaha Police Department. The police eventually tracked him down at UNMC which is where we have been ever since.

Monday was a long day. Wrapping my head around the sight of my Dad in any incapacitated state has been very difficult.

He is on a ventilator to breath, under heavy sedation and has balloon inserted into his heart to help its function. This balloon is essentially the only thing keeping his heart beating right now. His cardiologist told me that the next few days are critical in knowing the outcome of this situation. He has no future goals right now but getting through the days and nights, which we have done successfully so far.

The Doctors and Nurses here at UNMC have done a great job. Much to my Father's amusement, if he only knew, his night Nurse this week a cute little blond...just my Dad's type. Dr. Haas, his cardiologist, even though I've just met him really seems to know what he's doing. He's even got great bedside manner. I just want everyone to be assured that he is good hands and receiving the best care possible.

Dr. Haas makes rounds once a day, so I'll try to update this blog as the information comes in.

I always knew that my Dad had a lot of friends, but the outpouring of love and kindness over the last few days has been overwhelming. Everyone from US Senators, to people he started KX104 with in North Platte have been contacting us on a daily basis just to send love and prayers and get updates. It has been great, and much needed support to my Dad and our family in this hard time. I know my Dad would be pissed if he knew how much people have been fussing over him. But we all know what kind of a person he is and how lucky we all are to have him in our worlds. He IS Neil, and there is no one else in this world who can come even close to comparing.

Keep the prayers and positive energy coming!