Thursday, January 1, 2015
Dad was in ICU when I came to visit. Dad was sleeping for most of the visit. I said, "Daddy, I'm here." Dad was able to open his eyes and wave to me with his right hand. I waited a bit more and repeated "Daddy, I'm here." He once again waved. I let him sleep as he just had a traumatic night. He was hooked up to monitors, and IV's. I prayed and asked God to watch over him and help him to recover.
Dad was in ICU when I came to visit. Dad was sleeping for most of the visit. I said, "Daddy, I'm here." Dad was able to open his eyes and wave to me with his right hand. I waited a bit more and repeated "Daddy, I'm here." He once again waved. I let him sleep as he just had a traumatic night. He was hooked up to monitors, and IV's. I prayed and asked God to watch over him and help him to recover.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Dad was doing so much better. He was talking and seemed to be a bit more lively. He was joking with the medical staff and complaining that he was hungry. (They had him on a clear liquid diet.) My husband activated the TV for him so Dad was able to catch up with Judge Judy! We left him in good spirits
Dad was doing so much better. He was talking and seemed to be a bit more lively. He was joking with the medical staff and complaining that he was hungry. (They had him on a clear liquid diet.) My husband activated the TV for him so Dad was able to catch up with Judge Judy! We left him in good spirits
Saturday, January 3, 2015
I found Dad in good spirits. He was disconnected from much of the IV's and monitors. The catheter was removed. I met with Dr. Acefe again and he said that Dad was doing well. They planned to move him to a regular room either on Sunday or Monday. Dr. Chen called and spoke to me earlier and told me that Dad was doing well and that he had invited him to come to Antigua for vacation......Daddy was back!!
I found Dad in good spirits. He was disconnected from much of the IV's and monitors. The catheter was removed. I met with Dr. Acefe again and he said that Dad was doing well. They planned to move him to a regular room either on Sunday or Monday. Dr. Chen called and spoke to me earlier and told me that Dad was doing well and that he had invited him to come to Antigua for vacation......Daddy was back!!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Dad was moved to a regular room. I did not get a chance to visit today. Will definitely see him tomorrow
Dad was moved to a regular room. I did not get a chance to visit today. Will definitely see him tomorrow
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Will be seeing Dad later. There was a bit of a snow storm in NY yesterday and the trip to Queens would have been a bit difficult. I did hear from his Social Worker at Jamaica Hospital and he was accepted at Burke Rehabilitation and Einstein Rehabilitation for his recovery. I have heard great things about Burke so I am requesting that he be transferred there. Will let you know what happens next!
We are now at Burke Rehabilitation Center in White Plains. The admission process was easy. They took Dad to his room immediately and began to assess his abilities. They did a general workup and then the physical therapist did a quick check in to see how well he could walk. He is now resting. I have to run in a few to get loose fitting clothes...sweatpants and sneakers. This is going to be fun...you know Dad loves his his polo shirts, dress pants and dress shoes!
Will be seeing Dad later. There was a bit of a snow storm in NY yesterday and the trip to Queens would have been a bit difficult. I did hear from his Social Worker at Jamaica Hospital and he was accepted at Burke Rehabilitation and Einstein Rehabilitation for his recovery. I have heard great things about Burke so I am requesting that he be transferred there. Will let you know what happens next!
We are now at Burke Rehabilitation Center in White Plains. The admission process was easy. They took Dad to his room immediately and began to assess his abilities. They did a general workup and then the physical therapist did a quick check in to see how well he could walk. He is now resting. I have to run in a few to get loose fitting clothes...sweatpants and sneakers. This is going to be fun...you know Dad loves his his polo shirts, dress pants and dress shoes!
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Been a bit busy with Dad and the family and a bit under the weather. Dad was making lots of progress until tonight. Burke had a great schedule of therapies for him and he seemed to be doing well. I brought his grandchildren to see him and he had great conversations with MJ. I brought MJ to see Pop Pop tonight and I noticed that he was not able to move his left hand as much as he had been able to. Then towards the end of the visit his left hand became claw like and began to tremble. The left side of his face also began to tremble and twitch to the side. I informed the nurse who recorded the incident and told me that she would have the doctor access. I took MJ home, made dinner and was in the middle of my blackened tilapia when Dad called and said that the doctor was there with him and that they were going to send him to the hospital. I spoke with the doctor and since these were new symptoms they called 911 and Dad was taken to White Plains Hospital. We are in the ER now and they just took Dad for a CT scan. See the White Plains Hospital page for more. |
![]() Wednesday, January 14, 2015 & Thursday, January 15, 2015
Dad is still at White Plains Hospital (Check out the White Plains Hospital Page). He is hooked up to an EEG to monitor his brain waves. He is talking and eating much better than he was on Tuesday. I spoke with an epilepsy specialist today and she told me that he actually had 3 seizures on Tuesday morning between 9am and 12pm. I had to go to work on Tuesday and was not at the hospital. She said that 2 of them were electrical seizures and the last one presented physical symptoms where Dad's head turned to the left and he became unresponsive. Dad did not remember any of this although they said he was conscious and was able to respond to them. Dr. Laban said that he is doing better and that they have him on an anti-seizure med called Keppra BID (twice daily). She said that they will be taking him off the EEG and that they will re-evaluate in the next 6 months.....Oh boy. My task is to let Dad know that he may be here for at least 6 months and that we are probably going to have to find a way to bring Mom up. |
January 21, 2015
Dad is still in good spirits. They finally took out the 75 staples from his scalp. I spoke with his Nurse Manager and they are meeting as team tomorrow morning to discuss Dad's progress, so I will have more information on his progress and an approximate discharge date. Still trying to see how long they are thinking of having Dad in rehab. I am concerned that I will not have a lot of time to organize care for mom if they are planning an extended stay at Burke. I know that Dad is anxious to go back to Antigua but I am worried about him being able to care for himself and Mom. I visited him yesterday and brought Ethan and Yaya to see him. Ethan got to to hang out with PopPop and watch a little bit of Judge Judy
Burke is working him overtime and he is usually tired at the end of the day, but....he looks forward to your calls and visits! He is also looking forward to some local food. He misses his fish!
Dad is still in good spirits. They finally took out the 75 staples from his scalp. I spoke with his Nurse Manager and they are meeting as team tomorrow morning to discuss Dad's progress, so I will have more information on his progress and an approximate discharge date. Still trying to see how long they are thinking of having Dad in rehab. I am concerned that I will not have a lot of time to organize care for mom if they are planning an extended stay at Burke. I know that Dad is anxious to go back to Antigua but I am worried about him being able to care for himself and Mom. I visited him yesterday and brought Ethan and Yaya to see him. Ethan got to to hang out with PopPop and watch a little bit of Judge Judy
Burke is working him overtime and he is usually tired at the end of the day, but....he looks forward to your calls and visits! He is also looking forward to some local food. He misses his fish!
January 26, 2015
The whole family went to visit Dad on Saturday. MJ found Dad's cookies and helped herself.
He misses his local food! He is improving daily. The Social Worker there is a great help. She said that Dad is doing well and they are still working on his balance. Burke has simulated rooms for almost everything. There is a kitchen, where Dad had to make scrambled eggs and toast. Of course, he kept telling them that he wanted is salt fish! He was also placed in a driving simulator so that they could assess driving skills. I brought him red snapper, rice and veggies for dinner on Sunday. He was so happy. I think he is getting tired of the hospital food.
I probably will not get to see him tonight. NY is just about to be covered in snow with Winter Storm Juno. NYC has closed the schools so I will be home with the kids.
The whole family went to visit Dad on Saturday. MJ found Dad's cookies and helped herself.
He misses his local food! He is improving daily. The Social Worker there is a great help. She said that Dad is doing well and they are still working on his balance. Burke has simulated rooms for almost everything. There is a kitchen, where Dad had to make scrambled eggs and toast. Of course, he kept telling them that he wanted is salt fish! He was also placed in a driving simulator so that they could assess driving skills. I brought him red snapper, rice and veggies for dinner on Sunday. He was so happy. I think he is getting tired of the hospital food.
I probably will not get to see him tonight. NY is just about to be covered in snow with Winter Storm Juno. NYC has closed the schools so I will be home with the kids.
February 1, 2015
Dad is now at United Hebrew. He was doing very well at Burke and they have moved him to sub acute care. He will be there for a few weeks. The best way to reach him is by calling his cell his cell phone. He is still missing his home cooked meals. The family was with him on Thursday and then we met up with him once he was all settled at United Hebrew. He has a bit more freedom here and is able to join the other residents and/or his family for meals in the cafeteria. He will be able to get a day pass to hang out with his family. He is really missing Mom and wants to get back to Antigua soon. Does anyone know of a good internist in Antigua? Oh yes, Ethan found Dad's bag of fruits and tried to eat them...bag and all.
Dad is now at United Hebrew. He was doing very well at Burke and they have moved him to sub acute care. He will be there for a few weeks. The best way to reach him is by calling his cell his cell phone. He is still missing his home cooked meals. The family was with him on Thursday and then we met up with him once he was all settled at United Hebrew. He has a bit more freedom here and is able to join the other residents and/or his family for meals in the cafeteria. He will be able to get a day pass to hang out with his family. He is really missing Mom and wants to get back to Antigua soon. Does anyone know of a good internist in Antigua? Oh yes, Ethan found Dad's bag of fruits and tried to eat them...bag and all.
February 11, 2015
Dad is coming home! Dad is being discharged from United Hebrew tomorrow and will be staying with me for a while. He will be receiving physical therapy at home and will be provided a home help aid to help. I will be taking him to follow up visits and hopefully he will be able to return to Antigua soon. I hear that Mom is asking for him. Please continue to pray for us! Here is a cute pic. I took MJ to see PopPop after here swim class. I started to take out her hair and as usual she began to complain. So I asked her, "do you want PopPop to take out your hair?" "Yes!" And so.....
Dad is coming home! Dad is being discharged from United Hebrew tomorrow and will be staying with me for a while. He will be receiving physical therapy at home and will be provided a home help aid to help. I will be taking him to follow up visits and hopefully he will be able to return to Antigua soon. I hear that Mom is asking for him. Please continue to pray for us! Here is a cute pic. I took MJ to see PopPop after here swim class. I started to take out her hair and as usual she began to complain. So I asked her, "do you want PopPop to take out your hair?" "Yes!" And so.....