Sandtrap was back in the Columbia ICU from 9/11-10/6, but is now in the step-down unit. He has a feeding tube, bilateral pneumonia, as well as pain from spinal fractures due to osteomyelitis. PT has not been able to get him out of bed, even with the special brace made for him. I do speech therapy with him to strengthen his tongue and throat muscles, but it could be quite awhile before he can eat or drink. I also exercise his legs. So, I am still driving into the city almost every day. I managed to convince his two daughters to go today and tomorrow, to give me a much needed rest. I got a call this morning at 2am from his nurse, saying he was very confused and wanted talk to me. He asked where I am, and wanted to know where home is. We talked for 5 min. and then he felt better.
Please continue your prayers for him. He will eventually have to go to an acute rehab facility for extensive physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. He has not walked now for 8 weeks, and has lost 35lbs due to not eating because of the intractable pain from the spinal fractures. He is all skin and bones, but he is still fighting.
Goddess
Replies:
Posted by: Dominator on October 14, 2017, 12:35 pm
He is a fighter!
Right now I am thinking of those great poems he wrote for about me. Man did we all laugh!
I got a feelings he has 1 more poem in him!
Dom
Posted by: DoughBoy on October 15, 2017, 2:13 am
Praying for both you and Sandtrap. Hang in there.
Posted by: HardNine on October 15, 2017, 7:49 pm
Praying for Charlie. Love you guys! Take care of yourself too, Marilyn!
Don
Posted by: Philham on October 17, 2017, 8:19 pm
Our prayers for his recovery.
Posted by: Greenskeeper on October 17, 2017, 8:59 pm
My thoughts and prayers to Sandtrap. He’s a tough guy for sure.
Posted by: brothelman on October 18, 2017, 3:25 pm
Praying for the best.
Posted by: Goddess on October 23, 2017, 4:20 am
Sandtrap had been stable through Friday, and staff were told to start getting him ready for discharge middle of the week. Then a CAT scan showed worsening pneumonia, and labored breathing, even with the face tent at 12 liters and 40%. Tried to get blood gasses to check for C02 vs 02 content, but couldn’t get it. Was transferred Saturday back to the CTICU, and was intubated again. I have been crying since I got the call from the physician assistant.. Thank goodness Ross, from NC just flew in, and he drove me to Columbia. I was in no shape to drive. Today he is heavily sedated, and culture was sent from a bronchoscopy to see if they can give him anything else. I think the bacteria are resistant to the antibiotics he is getting. Please continue your prayers for him. He is still fighting.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to go to AC this week. Good rolling everyone.
Goddess
Posted by: ACPA on October 23, 2017, 4:28 am
Our prayers are with you both.
Sally/Noah
Posted by: JawBones on October 25, 2017, 7:41 pm
Thoughts and prayers for you both. So sorry that you are going through this.
Dennis
Posted by: Butcher on October 30, 2017, 11:44 pm
I have not seen you in several months but my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Posted by: Goddess on November 15, 2017, 3:49 pm
I am so excited! All your prayers haves pulled Sandtrap through another miracle. I just got a call from Columbi that an ambulance will pick him up between 2-3:00 today to take him to a sub-acute rehab center 15 min from our home. He has a lot of work ahead of him, since he hasn’t walked for 3 months due to loss of muscle mass, and is still on a feeding tube, but he has a strong will, and I know he will succeed.
Goddess 😀
Posted by: JawBones on November 15, 2017, 4:41 pm
Great news Goddess! Looking forward to seeing you both at the tables again in the future.
Posted by: DoughBoy on November 15, 2017, 6:02 pm
Glad to hear things are improving. The best to you both. Hang in there Goddess.
Posted by: Greenskeeper on November 15, 2017, 6:19 pm
Great news.
I hope his recovery will get him back on his feet.
Hope for the best.
Posted by: ACPA on November 15, 2017, 7:57 pm
Great news, but we know you still have a lot of work ahead.
Take care of yourself also.
Noah
Posted by: HardNine on November 15, 2017, 8:48 pm
Praise Him! Prayers work!
So glad to hear it, Marilyn
Don
Posted by: brothelman on November 22, 2017, 6:21 am
I see a future trip to the table great news all the best.
Posted by: Goddess on January 10, 2018, 10:18 am
Sandtrap has been in and out of Columbia hospital since I last wrote, usually for low Hgb and low BP. He was again discharged last Wednesday, and is back working hard in rehab. He has started walking with a walker, but continues to fail the swallow tests. He has a peg in his abdomen, so feedings can be given directly to his stomach. Speech therapy is working with him, and he is conscientiously doing oral exercises. He was intubated so many times, his throat muscles were badly affected. He is in good spirits, and the rehab people love him because he never refuses to do anything they ask of him. He also still has his wonderful sense of humor.
If he remains stable, I hope to see some of you in AC in April. This will be the first time we have not gone to AC for my birthday on the 15th.
A healthy and Happy New Year, everyone.
Goddess
Posted by: DoughBoy on January 10, 2018, 12:02 pm
You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Dr Crapology on January 10, 2018, 12:50 pm
Goddess, we think about both of you almost everyday. It only seems like yesterday that Rose and Doc were new to GTC . We walked up to a table named after The Crescent City, you were SL1, Sandtrap SL2 and Skinny SR1. We did not know you at the time as we had only taken the class about 2 months prior to running into you guys. Doc was so excited to see someone from GTC that he started talking to Sandtrap. He escorted me away from the table and in very nice terms explained to me how one should not talk about GTC at the table–in other words that is a near no no. I was new, had not been told to keep quite at the table concerning GTC, and frankly did not know any better. I learned my first lesson on table etiquette. We have become great friends since that time.
We will keep you in our prayers and hopefully you can make the class in AC in April. Rose and Doc will volunteer to be your designated driver during the weekend. Hope to see you then.
Rose and Doc
