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) share your desire for as much information on TC as possible. But we want to respect his privacy, and recognize the hospital has an ethical and legal obligation to also protect his privacy. So our information flow will be much more limited than I’m sure we all would like – but also recognize the paramount importance of TC’s privacy.
Another major reason, besides privacy, we have been so circumspect on providing any other information is that we are trying to help the hospital from being inundated with phone calls. They obviously have very important and difficult tasks to do, so we felt it’s in TC’s best medical interest to let them do their jobs as best they can.
Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to speak to TC’s nurse. I did identify myself as a physician to help with communication, but was hampered by my profound hearing deficit that sometimes made us resort to the “Alpha, Bravo, etc.” alphabet to spell out words. She was very kind and patient with me.
She said that TC remains in Critical condition, but he has also shown definite and continuing signs of restoring renal function as evidenced by improving lab parameters. So some definite good news!
When I began asking specific “medical” questions, she said that she would need to communicate that information with either a family member or designated friend. She did say that there is a "designated friend" who is hoping to visit TC today, Saturday. The four of us are aware of who this person is, but have not been able to establish any contact with her, as we have with a few other of his friends – some of whom TC has identified to the hospital as a person with whom the hospital can share information, which is how we’ve been getting our information.
The nurse said she could relay specific medical information to today’s visitor, so I asked if she could also have that person contact me – and the nurse said “Sure.” I gave the nurse my name, phone number and email address, so I’m hopeful this person will feel comfortable establishing a line of communication. Time will tell.
So while TC remains in Critical condition, there are some definite signs of slow improvement. He’s obviously still in need of our thoughts, prayers or whatever spiritual modality you use to send good vibes to him.
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
16 Responses to “SURROGATE Updates, Questions, Concerns WRT TC #3”
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Nameless, thanks fro the updates and the address. I'm keeping our TomCat in my prayers.
The four of you are doing a marvelous job!
Thanks Patty
And I also appreciate Nameless posting and translating medical information into statements we all can understand.
Oh, PROGRESS! So happy to hear that his renal function is returning! That's EXCELLENT! Gotta have the plumbing!
Nameless, you are a fount of info, dude! And great news at that!
Thanks so much!
I just put this on Care2 at http://www.care2.com/news/member/101612212/3911173 and will do the other one also.
Thanks Joanne!
Thank you so much for this information about what is going on.
Prayers for TC.
You four are doing an awesome job w/getting the info out here.
Kudos!
Thank you. With several of us taking turns posting the Politics Plus page to Care 2 it's not always easy to know where to look. But we do try to make it as easy as we can.
Thanks Nameless for the update and posts, and thanks to Joanne and JL for all the hard work the do both in front and behind "the camera" so to speak. We are a team and I like that.
Ditto for Nameless. I like it, too.
Thanks, Nameless, for the updates. I hope the contact person calls you. I am so grateful to you, Lynn Jla, and JOanne for keeping us posted.
Bless you Edie! I am also so glad about your cousin's progress! Still praying for him, too.
Many thanks to you Nameless, and Lynn, JL A and Joanne D for all the good work you are doing, we are all so grateful. Lovely to know TC's renal function is improving and that he is receiving such good care. Lots more prayers!
You are welcome Pat and thanks!
Thank you, Nameless, for going to all that trouble to get more information on TomCat's status. Your such a good friend to TC. It must be hard to communicate when your hearing is impaired, but you were lucky to get such a patient nurse on the line.
The news about TomCat's renal function slowly improving is encouraging. It'll give his body a much better chance of fighting the infection and healing.
Thanks too to JL, Joanne and our busy bee Lynn for all the work you're doing behind the website.
I agree Lona and you are welcome.