Jan 8 update

This is an update for January 8.  Since this the first update, I am including information from the January 6 and 7 too.

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On January 6, 2011 at about 3:00 p.m. Dad was in a traffic accident that has resulted in his hospitalization.  He has suffered many broken ribs, a broken vertebra, bruising of the lungs, internal bleeding and he is experiencing kidney failure as a result of the trauma to his body and he is on a ventilator.  I was initially notified by phone from the Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor and I was told he was involved in an accident but they could not tell me more.  I happened to already be in my car in Ann Arbor for another reason and changed directions to the hospital.  I called Erin, my siblings, and Shirley.  In the meantime, reports were out about the accident on the radio and Internet.  We heard of his status as "life-threatening condition" but I had yet to talk to anyone at the hospital-it was a scary and frantic time for all of us.  

We tried to understand his condition as best we could.  The doctors were doing their best to determine what they needed to do to keep him going and at the same time explain all of the possibilities to us.  By the way, the staff at the Saint Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor (and Livingston) are great; thanks so much you guys!


We tried to assess what was happening to determine what to tell folks.  What a tough time.  It was a long night.

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On January 7, 2011 we contacted as many folks as we could think of amid the turmoil.  In addition, all of the other stuff was going on too such as talking with the Livingston County Sheriff Office as they were doing there accident investigation.  I had Dad's Christmas list of contacts but only a few phone numbers and not many email addresses.  Sheesh.


After contacting folks, we spent the rest of the day at the hospital trying again to figure what was happening and how Dad was really doing.  We were told then about a heart attack that he suffered.  We saw his CAT scan showing the broken ribs and fluid build-ups.  We were starting to understand how much trauma Dad had experienced.


It was another long day.  Although sedated, he opened his eyes briefly and he seemed to acknowledge a couple of questions during the day.  By the time we left, Dad had improved every so slightly.  He was also moving his arms and legs.  His heart started to pump a sufficient volume of blood.  We tried to call folks back as best we could.


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 On January 8, 2011 his condition improved again.  His heart is now pumping normally (after a heart attack a portion of the heart beats out of synchronization with the rest of the heart).  In addition, other indicators (sparing the gross details!) indicated that his kidneys and fluid levels were improved.  The doctors and nurses are still trying to balance the fine line of giving him enough fluids to help remove toxins from his system with too much fluid affecting his respiratory system.  When I left tonight, he was in stable condition.  I have yet to talk to him; I wish I could.

So, that is about it for today. I am going to send the link to this blog to as many folks as I can.  If you know of someone that I forgot, please pass it on.  If you don't have a computer (Aunt Joanie!), do not hesitate to call me.