The four of us who have been working both in front of and behind the scenes (Lynn [aka “Squatch”], JLA, Joanne D, and myself, SoINeedAName) are now glad to add a fifth person who has been very helpful in providing us first-hand information. It’s someone TC has worked with related to his prison program, and she has had the opportunity to actually visit him in the hospital!
We know we still all share your desire for as much information on TC as possible. But we will continue to respect his privacy, and recognize the hospital has an ethical and legal obligation by HIPAA to also protect his privacy.
I had the good fortune to have a 15 minute discussion with TC’s nurse last night. (I know I’m a tad late sharing the good news – but I have out-of-town guests, so it’s a bit difficult to break free.)
Folks, the good news just keeps coming! TC no longer requires any mechanical assistance with his breathing! He still remains on supplemental oxygen – but he was on O2 for his COPD even prior to his hospitalization. And they have been able to gradually titrate his O2 requirements down! So there has been some very definite and encouraging improvement from his respiratory status.
Additionally, TC is now able to communicate with the medical staff, although not as fully as they or he would like. But they’ll be working on that this week according to the nurse.
In addition to the chaplain being a regular visitor, he’s also had several friends stop by to visit – which is always good for the psyche. In fact Lynn has called hoping to be able to speak to him, but the nurse has said he’s too sedated at the times she’s called. But they are working at weaning him off his pain meds, so down the road maybe …
While I don’t want to be a “Debbie Downer” – I will repeat my caveat from Update #4 that for all of you in the medical profession, as well as anyone who has been critically ill themselves or had a family member who needed ICU care, know – there will always be bumps on the road to recovery. Some of them may be anticipated, and some unanticipated. It’s just the nature of the beast.
But for now, we're able to share some very good news on several fronts!
Lynn has graciously offered to serve as a point source to relay cards you would like to send to him. This is from her earlier post:
A reminder for those wishing to send cards to TC, please address them as follows:
"TomCat"
c/o Lynn Squance,
436 Lehman Place,
Port Moody, BC
Canada
V3H 3Z6
For US residents: Please note: International Postage required!
http://www.stamps.com/usps/postage-rate-increase/
For other International residents: please check locally for stamp rates
For Canadian residents: please use “oversize” letter rates if applicable (applies to many but not all cards):https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/business/farLetter?execution=e5s1
19 Responses to “SURROGATE Updates, Questions, Concerns WRT TC #5”
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This is such good news! I am really missing that mangy old Puddy Tat, green chili and all! . . . when I heard this, I sure did start a happy water works!
Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming for TC. I have a number of cards here for him and will pass them on as soon as possible.
My bad! I forgot to include the info WRT sending cards & missives – but I have now edited it in.
You are such a subtle sweety to LMK "Hey, dude – did you forget something?"
Looking forward to your update when you'll actually be able to read them to him and share his response.
Thanks for this great update post Nameless!
Speaking of chili…his taste buds are going to have to build back up to tolerating his customary fire when he returns to doing his own cooking! Thanks for letting card senders know what is happening Lynn!
So glad to hear a positive update on the ole cat! I've been wondering if my card for TC got there from Virginia yet…
Thank you all for your work! 🙂
Oh, SO, SO Happy! Glad to hear this! He is slowly improving and that is so COOL! I am ecstatic and elated to no end!
Thanks to you, Nameless. I know EVERYONE is just as excited as I am to hear this! Keep us updated and we appreciate it SO MUCH! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I'm slow too, sorry – posted to Care2 at http://www.care2.com/news/member/101612212/3913184 Yes, very happy.
Thank you, thank you , thank you. So happy to hear that TC is improving.
Thanks so much for the updates! 🙂 I hope TC gets better soon!!!!!!
Thanks for the update. Much appreciated.
Hugzzz…
Thank you so much for this very encouraging update, Nameless. It sounds like he's making progress in the right direction, getting him of the ventilator is one very important step. You are also right to warn people that recoveries come with ups and downs. It's not about being pessimistic, but it's the reality of the ICUs and hospitals in general, as you say. As you indicated, the next major step seems to be to get him less sedated and when he can indicate that he feels no pain, continue weaning him of pain killers. Knowing TomCat like we do, he'll improve so much faster when he can communicate with other people, but he'll also try to get back on his paws too fast and will soon start to aggravate himself again with Republican tidbits. :-). Not to worry, the nurses will soon get to know him well enough to not let him overdose himself on GOP candidates.
Thanks to Lynn, JLA and Joanne D for all you do too!
Thank you, Nameless for keeping on and getting the info out here.
This is indeed Wonderful news, I feel so much better knowing that while TC is still recovering, and has
a long road ahead, this is very, very encouraging.
Thanks for the update, Nameless, Lynn, Joanne, and JL, you folks are doing such a good job holding 'the fort down' for our Beloved TC. Take good care!
Thanks for the update Nameless, and to Joanne D for the message with the link – and of course to Lynn and JLA, and Miss/Mrs/Ms X, the hospital visitor! So glad to hear the good news about TC – so sorry I can't even send him a card as I can't get out of the house, and haven't been able to for years, but I would if I could!
Hallmark and other card companies let you personalize a card on the internet and then print it in a real card and send it for you, Pat. That works quite well.
sounds more promising, but still a long-road to travel…….thanks for all the work and updates being done and made.
I hope our Top Cat comes homes soon!
Thank you for the good news update on our sick Puddy-Tat. Prayers and healing thoughts continue.
I'm very happy about the good news!!
And, again, thanks to all of you who are keeping us up to date on TC.
As always glad to receive an update, glad it's still moving in a postive way. I'm also happy to learn that there are actual people in his area that are able to visit with him; that adds a comfort to him. Always good to have someone report back that has in fact actually seen him.
So glad to hear TomCat is improving. I've been thinking about him every day. hoping he was getting better. Thanks to Lynn [aka “Squatch”], JLA, Joanne D, SoINeedAName and everyone else who has been helping TomCat.