Sep 102015
SoINeedAName here – but I'm not sure if this will even post. Maybe TC has to give it his imprimatur to get published.
Oh, well … it was worth a try.
84 Responses to “SURROGATE – Updates, Questions, Concerns WRT TC”
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MAJOR TC UPDATE ~ MAJOR TC UPDATE
I shared w/ Lynn via email that I have a special phone that allows me to somewhat communicate w/ people. I just now (Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 10:30 AM CDT) got off the phone w/ TC’s nurse (Adam – but this is the first day he’s had TC as a patient, and so only taken care of him for an hour or so).
Adam said that he had an I&D (Incision and drainage) of his left thigh and debridement of his left foot yesterday. Those procedures have been done before, but he’s not sure how often, he’d have to check the chart.
He remains intubated and sedated, and is only able to communicate by opening/closing his eyes.
They plan to do more debridement tomorrow.
The cultures have not shown anything yet, but he’s on three antibiotics.
He said his COPD has not been a major issue.
He then let me talk to one of his physicians – Dr. Mike something (couldn’t understand)
Dr. Mike was very informative – but I had a very difficult time understanding both of them. And I was AMAZED at how patient both he and Adam were with me, as they frequently had to repeat things multiple times.
TC was initially found unresponsive at his apartment. They do NOT know the direct cause, but do feel that he’s currently in septic shock.
He said TC’s major problem is his hypotension (NOT hyper- but HYPOtension), and is on a regimen of pressor agents to keep his blood pressure up – which is an ongoing problem.
He did say he had some type of cranial scan (not sure if MRI or CT) on admission – but it did not show any problems (good news).
He’s very concerned with his ongoing hypotension in respect to the working diagnosis of septic shock.
Thank you for all the updates. I just read them all today.
Will keep Tom in my prayers.
Thank you so very much, "nameless," I had not been aware of Tom's circumstances, and am upset to read that they seem so potentially dire.
My thoughts are with Tom!!!
Thank you to all of you who are trying to maintain, and foster, our connection with Tom!
Mitch
Eureka! You did it! Thanks Nameless
Thank you Nameless.
Thank the powers that be someone found him.
JL A: Thank you for the update!
Yay! Your comment posted!
Wow, thanks for the info, Nameless. Sounds like TomCat's situation is very serious. I suspect very low blood pressure could be part of the cause for his recent tiredness.
I thought the same thing Jerry.
Thanks for the update. Much appreciated. Hugzzz…
(Duplicate post)
As (bad) luck would have it, my desktop computer just "died" with "Operating System Not Found" – and it looks like it's going to be a major process to even TRY to get it corrected.
I'm using my backup laptop – which I fortunately had just done a pretty throrough sync w/ my desktop right before my trip to IL.
Sounds serious. I hope it is not a result of just upgrading (?) to Windows 10.
Thanks for the update. Please continue to let us know as you find out more. My thoughts and prayers are with TC.
thanks very much, sounds scary, the hypotension is probably due to the septic shock and the fact he is intubated is also worrisome.
I appreciate all the care2 persons who shared this especially JL A who was first.
I had looked into PoliticsPlus yesterday online being worried about not seeing any mails from TC….
thinking of him
Thanks, JL for the update, and keeping me posted on TC's health and hospitalization.
Truly appreciate this! Thanks!!!!
Given everybody's desire to send good wishes to TC and wish him a speedy recovery, but not wishing to over load him or hospital staff, the following are the instructions for sending TC your well wishes:
1. Address the card to "TomCat", (so I know it is for him and not me)
2. Second line: c/o Lynn Squance,
3. Address: 436 Lehman Place, Port Moody, BC, Canada V3H 3Z6
"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
4. I will collect these cards etc and hold them until TC is able to open them. I will be talking to TC when he is able, and will open them for him if he so desires and read your good wishes to him. Once he is home, I will send the cards to him.
5. You can also get updates on TC's condition here (see link below)
Thanks to Nameless for being able to publish two new "articles" on the blog.
6. Once TC is up and running again on the blog, you'll be able to connect with him there directly.
Not to worry about addressing to "TomCat", I have 2 male cats in the house, one of which looks a lot like TC's personna, and the postal carrier has seen them . . . but never been attacked by them.
link for #5 https://www.7thstep.org/blog/2015/09/10/surrogate-updates-questions-concerns-wrt-tc/
Thanks Lynn for your efforts and commitment on this.
I did wonder if the postal carrier might think one of your cats is, like Earl Grey, running for office. Wouldn't that be fun.
Either one of my 2 males would be a better Prime Minister than Herr Harper … PM Primo? Nice ring! PM Winston? Another nice ring!
Job sharing?
You bet! Cats need a lot of nap time! And they work cheap . . . scritches and kibble!
I grew up in Seattle, and have always thought that if I had to move and could not get back to Seattle, I would love to move to the southwestern part of BC.
Bless you, Lynn, for all your past, current, and future help with TomCat.
Thank you Jerry!
Thanks, Lynn
Thank you Lynn for doing this for us with cards. I will get one off to you soon so TC can either have you read it and eventually receive it. Very kind of you to do this. Best I can do besides thanking you is send you the green star via C2.
Thanks for the update, Nameless, it clarifies a few things for me.
Did you make any arrangement with nurse Adam and/or doctor Mike to call in now and again to be updated on TC's status? They both seem very friendly and cooperative.
Lona, one of us will be calling regularly. We are communicating with each other behind the scenes.
Thanks, Lynn!!! for the information!
thanks, Lynn, and all others who are involved in making this information available
Thank you Nameless, Lynn and jla (in no particular order 😉 for your excellent teamwork. TomCat is so lucky to have friends like you, even though he may not even know what you look like.
Thank you for the update, I hope Tom gets better soon and is back to our care2 news, I will keep him on my mind and think of him.
Thank you all for the updates, a way to send cards and everything many of you are doing for keeping us in the loop. I have been working but check my phone at least three times a day to see if there is anything new regarding his condition.
JL A: thank you
You are welcome Nancy.
OMG, I did not know this occured until you sent me a message, Lynn! THANK YOU !!!!!!!! Will keep my fave TomCat in my thoughts, heart and karmic prayers. He HAS to get better….he just has to. Period. End of Story. Full stop.
See if this comes through…Thank you.
Test worked–Yay!
I can't say enough 'Thank You's' to all who are making this possible, the links, ;-), the information, care and concern for 'our' TC and his wellness.
Y'all enjoy your Friday/weekend.
Lynn, Winston would be great.the name of someone who knew how to negotiate.(he served his country in the army. was a prisoner of war and Escaped. 0! Sorry to hear re. TC. I had been looking for his column.I look forward to its renewal as he gets better. Hope that he has a "baby sitter for puddy cat."
Hang on in there TC.We miss you
Avril, TC does not have a cat . . . he IS the cat or as I call him, the Puddy Tat.
As to my Winston, he is called Winnie in honour of a friend of my mother's and in honour of Sir Winston Churchill who was affectionately known as Winnie Churchill.
I've been worried about TomCat because I couldn't get any of his ecards to open so I could click his links to see if he was still posting & he hasn't been sending new cards like usual..I hope he gets better soon!
I Tried to post this on Care2 & it won't let me..:(
Thanks for checking in Yvonne–Care2 has been misbehaving for me today, too
Thank you so much for the update. I have been so worried about Tomcat. I have been trying to send good thoughts and prayers his way and will continue to do so. It's funny how much you can care about someone even though you only know about them through the computer.
What on earth is that little picture that got plugged in with my comment? I sure hope that it's not a seachicken!
It is your automatically generated avatar for Politics Plus. To me, it looks like a bird doing the Tennessee Birdwalk. You can Provide your own avatar if you like. When I find TC's comment about avatars, I'll reprint it.
This from TC's last monthly report:
I recommend using your own avatar. Go to Gravatar. Sign up using the email address you use to post comments here and upload the image you want to use as your avatar. Whenever you comment under that email address here or on any WordPress blog (several others too), that image will become your avatar.
He posted a link under the word "Gravatar" but it's just gravatar.com. It looks wrong, like it's a site only for developers, but on the right, just under the middle, is a big blue button that says "Create Your Own Gravatar."
Rick Perry Drops Out Of Presidential Race
On Friday afternoon, September 11, 2015, Rick Perry became the first candidate in the congested Republican field to drop out of the presidential race. In a concession speech delivered to the Eagle Forum in St. Louis, Missouri,
http://www.nationalmemo.com/rick-perry-drops-out-of-presidential-race/
Sorry Jim, but could you post this on the other thread. Thanks Jim. We want to keep this one for medical updates etc.
I didn't know where to post other the very last post put up by SoINeedAName.
Sorry about this.
TC UPDATE ~ TC UPDATE
I’m very concerned, and not sure what to make of it or how to pursue it further.
Today is Friday, September 11, 2015 and I called the hospital’s 800 number ~ 6:30 PM CDT [I asked Adam, his nurse yesterday, and he confirmed they work 12-hour shifts – so I wanted a close to the end of the day update] and spoke w/ an operator (Angie) asking to transfer me to the nurses’ station for TC [name given] – she said they do not have a patient by that name. I asked if she could tell me if he’s been transferred – No, she can’t. I asked if she could tell me anything – No, she can’t. I asked if she could transfer me to the ICU so I could speak to a nurse – No, they only transfer calls if there’s a patient.
I called the Manager/Supervisor of his apartment on her cell – but only got a voicemail.
Called the general number for his apartment building and spoke to a Bill – but he didn’t know anything at all.
Waited half-hour and call the hospital’s regular number and spoke w/ another operator (Betty), and got the exact same answers to the exact same questions as the first operator.
Bottom line – the hospital no longer has TC listed as a patient, and won’t say anything more except to family members or someone w/ legal standing.
I’m open for suggestions on how to pursue it …
On a week day I might contact an ombudsman or public guardian: The Oregon Public Guardian Program is housed in the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Phone Number: 1-800-522-2602
Email: info@opg.state.or.us
Mailing address: 3855 Wolverine St NE, Suite 6, Salem, OR 97305
On a weekend, I'd expect easier to get someone at the area board on aging:
http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/spwpd/pages/sua/info-aaa.aspx
Contact a Legal Aid person to make an inquiry. They usually work for free.
jla's comment above sound good.
Thanks Jim
http://oregonlawhelp.org/
Legal Aid Services of Oregon – Central Administrative Office
520 SW 6th Avenue Suite 1130 Portland, OR 97204
(503) 224-4094
http://oregonlawhelp.org/organization/senior-law-project?ref=P9A4p
If you would like to speak with a Senior Law Project staff person or to arrange for a home visit, please call:
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
Portland Regional Office
520 SW 6th Ave, Suite 700
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 224-4086
Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00
(closed from 12-1pm)
I do not like the sound of this…
me, neither
Nor I!
Thanks to JL and JD who are following up with some ideas. I will be contacting someone at TC's apartment building tomorrow. Nameless is away until sometime Sunday.
I think those are some solid suggestions – and for those who can, I hope some avenues may be pursued.
Unfortunately, I'm going to be out of town until Sunday, so I'll check back then.
Safe travel Nameless.
Also, the hospital website says HIPPA allows patients/family members and/or whoever else is authorized to act for the patient to request hospital staff not to acknowledge someone's presence at the hospital…
I got some good counsel on what should make a difference in communication if it was HIPPA and, perhaps, discharge to another facility–shared via email Lynn, Nameless, Joanne
This does not sound good at all.
I forgot to mention that someone may be acting on TC's behalf, his health status and decided not to release any information to anyone. I do hope that this is the case.
I checked here on my phone a couple hours ago but was unable to log in.
Jim that was my first thought and yes I truly hope that is the case.
Good Morning, everyone.
Do hope that (after reading the status reports), that TC is resting comfortably, and is all right. That is my hope and prayer for now. Kudos to all who are trying to get information. Please!! keep me posted if you find out anything. Thanks all.
Difficult as this may sound, we all in PP & C2 can only wait, PATIENTLY, and see what transpires in the days ahead.
Sage advice Jim. I appreciate you saying that . . . I needed to hear it. We are still working behind the scenes.
Thanks! Namaste
Is no news good news? I wish we knew something.
I am often challenged when faced with uncertainties Edie, too. Hang in there and keep praying.
Right now we can only pray for our TomCat and hope for the best. Stay positive everyone and keep on praying.
I agree Patty. Another thought is if he improved enough they could of sent him to a Rehabilitation Facility. I know they discharge from the hospitals as quickly as they can due to costs. When one is stable enough to leave a hospital yet not healthy enough to go home, in particular when someone is alone, then they send the person to finish the healing to a Rehabilitation Facility. As long as one knows the persons name they usually connect you to them, "if" there is a phone in the room. If not, they will forward a message and that way you know they are there. However that would mean one would have to find out the name of the Rehabilitation place he was sent to. Just a thought.
Thanks Dandelion; it is a good thought.
Thanks for that post, Dandelion. I REALLY needed that! My mind was racing all over the place and it was nowhere good! It brought me back to earth!
Trying my level best to keep sending positive thoughts…
Lockdown on info could just be due to shift change and "new" operators and nurses. When they change shifts, there is no telling who you might get on the other end of the line!
Dandelion's post was most uplifting! They may have moved him to who knows where for the rehab from all of this.
Just constant good vibes being sent his way!! The hardest thing to do when someone is in the hospital is wait for results, doctors, treatments and various other things!
Hopefully someone, somewhere will get the news we are all waiting on. That he's been discharged and sent home! That is what I am thinking, hoping and praying will happen!
Take EXCELLENT care of our TC, hospitals!
Quiet, calming, healing prayers to TC tonight…I've been rooting and praying for you, TC.
Take care, and good Night.
thanks to all you have contributed to this, I am worried, but hope Dandelion is correct and he has recovered and gone to a rehab center………….I was stunned how much Adam and Mike gave info the first time, big Hippa violatins and potentially costly financially and legally to them and their hospital
I don't have any other great ideas unless someone physically goes to the facility and says they are a relative or close friend…….
I will just say that if he was septic and intubated on 9/10 (?) he sounded very very sick and at high-risk for complications especially with his COPD…….
I apologive, but must admit I know so little about him other than what he has shared on his blog or c2, does anyone know his true name (I have always only known and thought of him asas TomCat) or his age……I know he says no family, but there must be someone….his visiting nurse, food delivery service person, other prison volunteers, etc he has mentioned by name that might be someone who could be found?
I am worried, but in the days of HIPPA cannot be totally surprised with lack of information available so will remain optimistic as able
Thanks Dave-you add a useful perspective. A handful of us do know his full name.
I had a friend who in his wallet listed me as his sister and not once did I run into problems. Hospitals , nurses are so underpaid and overworked , operators are often unaware of room changes. I refuse to even go to the worst case scenario until someone gets more information.
I am sending him green stars daily.
Thanks jla for letting me know. I sure hope Tom is ok? I will keep good thoughts that he is ok.
TC UPDATE TC UPDATE
I spoke to the hospital staff this afternoon and there is some good news and bad news: TC was transferred from one hospital to another for specific care reasons and remains in very critical condition. He is in need of your prayers, thoughts, and karma to help with his recovery.
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
Thanks Lynn
I'm sorry to learn he is still in critical condition but that they moved him to a place that can better take care of him is hopeful. Certainly keeping him on the healing list and in my positive thoughts. Appreciate your time in all of this and keeping us updated.
Also a big thanks to Jla that makes sure I'm not out of the loop.
You are welcome Dandelion. Perhaps I should add that people will remain in touch with the hospital and thus "No new news" will mean he continues to be hospitalized in critical condition. For those who can, please send cards–the main way we can support him just now; otherwise please leave an expression of your care, concern, prayer, etc. here.
Hi all,
Thank you, Lynn for the update on our dear Friend.
I was so praying and wishing that TC was in recovery. Now, it sounds like he's still in (another) hospital, and not doing well. Hopefully, he's in a quiet area, and can mend his body.
Sending out positve vibes to you, TC, and hope that you will get well. Praying daily for you, get well, my Friend.!!!
Thanks for the update, Lynn, it took a load of my mind to hear that he's been brought to another hospital. This not knowing where he was, made me think of different kind of scenarios, one of them really bad. I hope TomCat gets the specialized treatment he needs now which may help him fight off the infection and restore his health. I'm sending possitive vibes in his direction all day long.
Thanks for the update on TC.