Morning rounds...

Bob is focusing more with his eyes and moving his hands nad feet. He still isn't doing the hands and feet on command, but he's doing it "on Bob's command".

Today's nurse said he needs to do things more on command before they move him from ICU. He also needs to be able to clear his trach better on his own before moving him.

Today, is Sunday, and I'm sure he's having a "bird" not being able to sing and do "his" thing in church. Pray an extra prayer for him today. Also, ponder about the lesson you have learned from God because of this incident.


email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org
OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park. Rd., Portland, Oregon 97239

singing..."Here he comes...Mr. Robert" 5/30/09

I spoke to the night nurse. She said Bob had a good day. His eyes are open, he's moving his hands and feet, and he breathed all day long by himself. There is talk of moving him out of ICU soon. She said the day staff commented that his personality is beginning to show.

God is using a good person to teach us all a lesson. Let's hope we can figure out the lesson that pertains to each one of us individually. I can come up with several. One is that those who are important in my life can be gone in a split second, so treat every second as though it is your last with them. What is your lesson from this?

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org

OHSU: 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239

5/30/09 at lunch time

Bob is more alert today. He was wiggling his left foot this morning. Michele, sister, read him all of the emails that I printed out. He seemed to be getting emotional over them, so she backed off a bit. That's my t, though. His bark is waaayyyy bigger than his bite. He's a teddy bear.

email: jiachini@msn.com

stroke info: www.strokeassociation.org

Better news yet!

Michele, t's sister, spoke with the doctor today. Another CAT scan was done this morning, just to check things out. The results showed that everything is positive, and the doctors don't see any reason why he won't recover. Woo-hoo.....I'm jumping out of my skin!

I'm so excited to have my t back. Also, I can't wait for my big bear hug! HA! If he thought I was clingy before this, he's going to learn what the real definition is of clingy in the very short future.

Keep those prayers coming though. We're in for a long journey together.

Right before all of this, Bob and I were working on a new project. I'm going to continue working on it. I will keep you all updated as it unfolds. It's focus is traveling mobility. If it were completed, some of the items included in this project would have been handy.

Email: jiachini@msn.com
stroke info: strokeassociation.org

Friday 5/29/09

This is the first weekend I've been home and away from my t (I call Bob, t). I feel more at ease leaving for a few days, since he was bright-eyed and bushy tailed last night; but it's going to be the longest weekend ever.

I'm in the process getting him transferred to the VA in Roseburg for his extended rehab that he will need when he leaves OHSU. Anyone know any tricks or have clout to make the process easier? Most of you know he was a cardiac ICU nurse in the Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed stateside. Currently, he rides with the Patriot Guard. After each ride, he comes home so emotional. That's one thing I love about t; he has such a sensitive side that he makes me cry too.

Your prayers and thoughts have helped tremendously. Please keep them coming. I'm reading your emails to Bob. They can be sent to jiachini@msn.com

For more information about stroke, visit www.strokeassociation.com

Bob's awakening! 5/28/09

Bob is awake! Talking to him tonight was like talking to an actual person. His eyes were clear, not blood-shot and foggy. He looked at each person who talked to him while standing around the bed. (This morning, his eyes still were searching.) I want to thank all of you for your prayers. Please continue them. Like I said yesterday, we are at the end of the runway, ready to take off.

Many of you have asked where have I been staying. I have been staying at the Crown Plaza in Lake Oswego. This hotel gives family members and friends of OHSU patients quite a big break on rates. Bob and I have stayed at this hotel previously. I need shower accomodations, and the Crown Plaza meets that need easily. Many hotels we've stayed at say they have handicap rooms; I'd like to see the person who designed the bathroom, sarcastically said.

I'm printing any email sent to me, and I'm reading them to Bob now that he's awake, so please keep sending them. jiachini@msn.com

For more information on strokes, visit strokeassociation.org

5/27/09 Bedtime visit

Any type of movement Bob makes is celebrated with great delight by everyone. Tonight, he made the funniest facial expression that made us laugh. I was wiping his forehead with a washcloth that was not quite warm enough for Bob. He wrinkled his nose and forehead, as to say, "What the f***!" He doesn't talk or make noises yet. He can't move his arms far enough to push things away. Like I said, any movement is celebrated; his facial expression was funny.

I can't wait to get a hug from Bob. I miss him.

Bob is at OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098

email: jiachini@msn.com (I'm saying all emails for Bob to read)

Stroke information, visit www.strokeassociation.org.

Party time! Day 14 5/27/09

Bob reached the next milestone-day 14. It is so nice to see his face with no tubes coming out of every orifice. He is being weaned off of the ventilator. He was off of it for three hours today. He's breathing on his own. The ventilator is attached just for backup.

His feeding tube was put directly into his stomach through his abdomen. Also, a CAT scan revealed that Bob's brain seems to reabsorbing any fluid remaining in his head. Therefore, the shunts have been removed from the top of his head

I feel we're finally at the beginning of the runway. The past two weeks, he's been taxiing to the runway, and now, we're ready for the journey. Maybe this will be my road to recovery too. (For those who don't know, I'm in a wheelchair due to MS.)

He and I have discussed many many times, that God brought us together in a round about way, and that God teaches us lessons in strange ways. I think my lesson to learn from this incident is to show me that my love for Bob is much bigger than I ever imagined.

Bob is at OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098. Flowers are not allowed in the room. Cards and pictures are being hung in the room.

My email is jiachini@msn.com. I'm saving everyone's messages for Bob to read at a later date.

For more information about strokes, visit www.strokeassociation.com

OHSU address

Bob is at OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098

Day 13, 5/27/09

Today was a good day, even though Bob received a trach. Pastor Daryl from Bob's church visisted today. Bob gave him quite the show. He moved both arms and one leg. I guess Bob thought it was band practice time. :0)

Also, when I mentioned a friend's name, Steve Fischer, to Bob, his eyes opened wide.

The trach surgery went fine. The reason for doing this was to get the tube out of his throat. If it is left in too long, it is irritating to the vocal chords. Heavens to Betsy, if that happens, Bob will be on OHSU's doorstep demanding new chords! He will be weaned off of the vent tomorrow.

Please leave comments to pass on to Bob or email me at jiachini@msn.com.

For more information on strokes, visit www.strokeassociation.org

Day 12, 5/25/2009

Posting about Bob on this blog is usually a midnight ritual; I'm early today. I guess that can be taken as a good sign.

Bob is moving his arms more today and was scotching around more to get comfortable. He didn't open his eyes too much; however, when the doctor lifted his eyelids and yelled, "Bob, look at me!", his eyes quickly looked directly at her as though he had daggers shooting out of them! It was quite refreshing to see and funny at the same time. If any of you know the "look" Bob can give you as if to say, "you're a dumbass"...that was the look he gave to doctor.

We aren't "out of the woods" yet, but are getting there. Keep the prayers coming, and pass the word to others. Please pass this blogpage address on as well.

For more stroke information, visit http://www.strokeassociation.org/.

WOO-HOO!

Bob had an angiogram this morning. The results showed a small vasospasm. A vasospasm is a reaction from the blood vessels of the brain. Believe it or not, the brain does not like any extra blood in its space. So, in very simple language, when there is extra blood in the brain cavity, the brain reacts by having the blood vessels spasm, which can cause them to collapse. If they do collapse, another stroke can occur. The doctor's found a small vasospasm, ballooned it, and gave him medication.

Now, the doctor's say, it's only a waiting game, waiting for him to wake up. All of the items on the checklist (BP, HR, sugars, clear veins, etc...) are all good; he needs time for the brain to heal and to wake up.

Bob's eyes were open much of the day. He opens them when you call his name. He moved both of this arms. If you've spent any amount of time with Bob, you know he's probably saying, "If you didn't see me move the first time you asked, I'm not showing you again. Maybe tomorrow."

So, today was a better day. He made it through day 1, 2, 7, and 10. The next milestone is day 14. Keep the prayers coming. You know...he's going to look back on this one day and say, "Dude, what the hell."

For more information on strokes, visit www.strokeassociation.org

One step forward, two steps back

One step forward, two steps back or is it two steps forward, one step back. I don't know! The doctors and nurses keep telling us that. They say, Bob is going to get worse before he gets better. Today was one of those back days. He had an EEG done this evening to see if there is any brain activity since he has not responded to verbal commands for two days. We'll get the results tomorrow.

He had a CAT scan done this morning, which showed the blood is decreasing in his brain; however there is an infection where the catheter is was put in. He's getting mega-antibiotics to clear that up.

To send a message, click on comment below.

Keep praying. Keep praying. Keep praying.

What happened to Bob - Stroke 101

Blood clots that block an artery are not the only kind of stroke. An aneurysm, also known as an hemorrhagic stroke, is another type of stroke. A blood-filled pouch ballooned out from the artery wall. A blood vessel ruptures in or near the brain. This break disrupts blood flow to part of the brain.

Bob's hemorrhage is a subarachnoid hemorrhage - a blood vessel on the surface of the brain ruptured and bled into the space between the skull and brain.

Bob had two aneurysms. One ruptured; one did not. He had brain surgery (5/15/09) to clamp off the aneurysms to prevent further rupturing and bleeding. The surgery was successful. Now is a waiting game. The brain is quite swelled. This keeps him unconscious 99.9% of the day.

Today, 5/22/09, he needed a day of peace and quiet. Today is a day of healing.

For more information about strokes, visit http://www.strokeassociation.org/.

I relay any messages that have been given to me. Keep the prayers coming.

Bob's progress: one week past his life-flight to OHSU

Bob is looking better each day. The multiple IVs are being eliminated slowly each day. That alone is making him look better. Ninety-nine percent of the day (so it seems anyhow), Bob is unconscious; however, he gives the nurses a thumbs up with both thumbs and wiggles his toes on both feet. His eyes open slightly at the call of his name. We've hung pictures on the windows of his room that depict his personality. The medical staff appreciate seeing the real Bob.

Joe and Isaac have flown here to Oregon from Minnesota. His sister, Michele, her husband, Dean, and cousin, Leslie, came too. My daughter, Aunika, and son, Zachary have made the trek from Roseburg several times. Bob's blood pressure and heart rate increase at the sound of all of their voices. So, even though he cannot move to greet them, these signs show gratitude.

Please keep the prayers coming. Every one helps a great deal.

Bob is at OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098

Update on Bob Pirie

As of 5/20/09, Bob is stable but unconscious the majority of the time. He is not on any sedation. He gives the nurses a "thumbs up" when commanded. The process will be slow but is progressing in a positive direction.

The medical staff say that the next seven days are very critical, and he'll be watched like a hawk.

Keep your prayers coming.