wi hospital

Someone mentioned we should put the address of the hospital here for those who want to send cards so here it is. Aspirus Hospital 333 Pine Ridge Blvd Wausau Wi 54401 Gil has been in good spirits. Does various therapies throughout the day so evenings are the best time to visit, or afternoons through evenings on the weekends. Visiting hours end at 8:30. He uses his good side to help move the bad side so hopefully his brain will quickly retrain the right side again. Time will tell. I am going to the hospital early today as I am going to watch his therapies. I don't know if I will stay til 8:00 as I usually do, will see. Anyways, thanks for your phone calls, cards, and for keeping us in your prayers. We truly appeciate it. Have a safe, happy, healthy New Year. Susie

Sorry it has been awhile. I don't know where the time goes. Gil is doing about the same. He still has no speech and still no movement on the right side. But he still has his sense of humor as he chuckles readily. He has had some visitors, the kids and I of course, his dad and jan stopped in for a short visit, his boss and one of the dispatchers from work, one of his very good friends Norm and his wife, and he seems to enjoy the visits. I know it is hard as we do all the talking and he can only shake his head yes and no. But still, the visits are encouraging. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. I have some things to do next week, and so my planned date to go back to work is Jan. 6th. Reality is, those people still want payments for bills, imagine that!!!! But luckily we have some savings to back us up for a few months and then hopefully the disability will kick in. Have a great New Year. Love to all. Susie

Gil is back in Wisconsin

Hello all, just a quick note , Gil is in Wisconsin, at Aspirus hospital in the rehab dept. Room # 1449. more updates later today.

Oh and he is going good.

Dorrine

Benefit for Gil

Just to let everyone know in advanced, us kids are hosting a benefit for Dad. It is scheduled for March 14th, 2009 at Rib river ballroom, Marathon WI. . the benefit will help mom and dad out with updates for the house for when dad is ready to come home, for example, wheel chair ramp, a special shower, special bed, a wheelchair, etc, etc., plus any other expenses that may arise to help out till dad recovers, like more rehab if needed if the insurance decides they will not pay any more. Mom and dad have no income coming in right now and only one income once mom gets back home till dad can get disability which I heard takes several months. I have told mom that we will not put dad in a nursing home till he gets better. So if we have to hire a nurse to help mom out so she can go to work we will. I am hoping that dad will be able to attend this event, maybe not all day with his rehab, but I hope a couple of hours at least.


Dorrine

If anyone who lives out of town and would like to come , please let us know, we have my house, moms, Claytons, and our friends Larrys house. Or I can give you info on hotels if you like your own space. Give me a call for info. 715-443-2419

Okay, we got the clearance, the okay from the insurance co, the airlines tickets and I have already started to pack. So we are headed to Wisconsin tomorrow, Saturday. We won't get into Central Wis Airport til about 9:00. Because we can't check in that late to the rehab unit we will stay somewhere until we can check him in at 8 a.m Sunday. So tomorrow will be a long day for all of us. He did well with therapy today and said the word "no" accoring to the therapists. So will try to send out another update on Sunday to let you know what room he's in, visiting hours, ect. Thanks, Susie

thursday

Well, we were hoping to find news about him possibly going home this weekend, but it doesn't seem to be working in our favor. Found out that the rehab center in Wausau normally doesn't take new patients on the weekends. Clayton is going to try and use a pull and see if that can be changed. And my insurance is not the fastest working people in the world either as far as getting okays to us on insurance stuff. So it is frustrating. The Dr. we saw today was not his regular Dr. I talked to Gil's nuerologist before he went on vacation and although he was worried about altitude change ect. last week, he didn't think that was a concern this week. And the Dr. that normally sees Gil knew we were hoping to take him home this weekend and didn't show any concern about that. However, the meeting they had today was with the back up Dr. that I had never met before but who was covering the floor today. And it was his opinion that Gil shouldn't fly at this time. So because he was the only one that felt that way, I am making arrangements to move Gil back to Wis. So if not Saturday, we are shooting for Monday, with hopes that all the arrangements can be made and the weather cooperates. Gil was in good spirits today and did therapy well. He still has some confusion at times and still no use of right side or speech. But he is getting stronger and making little strides every day. He understands that he is going to a rehab in Wi. when we leave here and not directly to home. And he is okay with that. So that is where I am at today. Continue to keep us in your prayers. Thanks for your thoughts, cards, flowers, goodie bags, and just for being there. Love to all. Susie

Gil had a slow start to the day after breakfast, not wanting to do therapy. When I got there just before lunch he just wanted to sleep. I made him wake up and eat. Then he did get up and seemed to be better. Then he went to therapy and did much better. He fed himself dinner tonight and got himself from the wheelchair to the bed with very little assistance. Still no communication vocally and still no use of right side, but I do try to point out all these little accomplishments and taking it one day at a time. Last night went well and I slept well being my first night alone here. Tomorrow is the meeting to see when he might be able to go back to Wis. so will fill you in on that I hope. Until then, thanks for your thoughts. Susie

Hi, today is Sunday. Nancy, lil Nancy and I went to church, stopped at the store a few to replenish the candy in the nurses' treat bag and came here. He had a rough morning the nurse said although he seemed okay when I got here and found the aide taking him for a ride around the first floor. h e ate well as he always does. Nancy played some 21 on the computer with him before he tired and took a nap. she showed me how to do it so I can play on the computer with him during the day. His dinner should be here soon. The two Nancy's left a few minutes ago so I am officially here by myself with him. I'm sure it will be fine. But I assured the kids I would let them know if I feel I need someone here. He has alot of pain in his shoulders so I don't know if it is from all the therapy he does and starting to feel in his muscles or something else. I did inquire to make sure that he didn't break something when he fell from the truck but assured me it would have showed up on the tests they did when he first was admitted. Dorrine had a awful trip home yesterday. Left here 45 minutes late so when she got to Detroit she had to run to her gate. They didn't know if she could get on, but she did. Then they took off and after 15 minutes had to return to Detroit due to a motor that blew in the deicer for the wing. They got them on another plane and she got to home about 2 hours late. And the fact that she was without a cigerette for 7 hours didn't help either I suppose!!! Dorrine said they had all 500 lb. women on one side of the plane and she just knew it would roll on that side and crash. No wonder she doesn't fly often!!!!!!!!!! Okay, off I go. Dinner should be here literally any second. They must have gotten the message as the last few meals had no veggies on it!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your prayers and support. Susie

I trued bupdating yesterday but apparently didn't do it correct cause it didn't go. Thursday he had a rough day as the Dr. mentioned to him he would probably never drive truck again. That bummed him out. His therapist and I both told him that he would have to prove that dr. wrong. Gils mom and stepdad from NY came as well as his brother Kevin and nephew Nathan from California. I think that helped pull him out of his slump a bit, but we did limit the number of visitors at once so he wasn't so overwhelmed. Friday, again he had a sluggish day and when I got here he was refusing to eat. I walked into the dining room and asked if there was vegetables on his plate and the aide said, Oh yeah, I forgot. I told them to take those damn things off and he would eat. By then, he was in tears and so upset. Dorrine talked to the nurses and then to the kitchen staff, as we have talked to them many times about NO VEGETABLES, and she finally told them if they couldn't get it right, she could come down each mealtime and fix his tray for him. He did finally eat for me and then the above company came, as well as sister and lil Nancy and that perked up his spirits. So had a good visiting day, although he tended to forget about me, but I guess that's okay. Last night he had an antsy period which usuallly means he has to go to the bathroom. I did the urinal thing and asked him if he had to do more as he had passed gas. He shook his head no but I rang for the nurse as I wasn't sure that was what he meant. They almost made it but not quite, so its times like that , that he is so embarrassed and emotional too. So the two girls(aides) took him into the shower to clean him up. Apparently the hose got away from them and the girls got sprayed. I could hear Gil chuckling in there and that made me smile. Now, how many wives would know that their husband is in the shower with two girls and still be able to chuckle and smile about it? I wouldn't recommend any of you guys trying it though unless you are in a hospital, or you may be!!!!!!!!!!!! Today, Lil Nancy and I took Dorrine to the airport to fly home. She had a hard time leaving. She wanted to go home as she was homesick, yet didn't want to leave her dad either. She should be calling soon to let us know she landed in Detroit. She only has an hour layover and then a 45 minute flight to CWA. Donald will be there to pick her up. She is hoping that Gail and or Tony will bring the kids as she really misses them too. I'm not sure if she got hold of Clayton or not but I did tell him she was coming home this evening. Jan, Paul, Nathan and Kevin left a little while ago to go back to New York. The Nancy's and I will stay til 7 or so and head out for something to eat and back to the hotel. He had a good day today. His therapy is going well and yesterday he helped the therapist put on his pants(Gil's pants, not the thereapists!!!)He tries to say words but nothing comes out. Still no movement on his right side, although the therapist did feel muscle resistance in his shoulder and he said that was a good thing. Did I tell you, the dr. therapists, nurses and social worker will have meeting on Tuesday to discuss his progress to see about when he can go back to Wisconsin. At this point they think perhaps 10 days. We'll see what they say on Tuesday. Okay, I will try to do daily updates and make sure they get sent. Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts, and phone calls. It most certainly helps. Love to all, Susie

Wednesday Dec 10th 2nd update

I have such good news and funny news at the same time. Tonight at dinner time I took off the lid of dads food plate and he noticed that there was two kinds of veg on the plate. He was mad. To update on the food dad hates veg. . He was so mad that he refused to eat. So I went out and told the nurses and they went down and got him a plate with mashed potatoes and gravy. We had to take the meat off of the first plate and put it on the second and he was still mad. Mom told him to eat ( forcefully tone)
and he looked at her and mumbled really loud at her. We could not understands what he said ,but If I had to guess it would be all cuss words. lol

Then after he finally ate his food the nurse came in and was removing his wires( he is moving back to rehab dept tonight) he said ouch, or mumbled it. We tried to get him to talk again and he wouldn't. I told mom to try to make him mad again, but she wouldn't.

Dorrine

Wednesday dec 10th Update on Gil Keene

Today dad is doing about the same as yesterday. He is eating by himself with little help from Mom or I, Which is a great big improvement from the beginning of last week.


Yesterday in therapy she asked dad several questions to see what he knew and I was surprised that he kept nodding his head yes to questions that he should of said no to. Last night I asked dad more questions and some he got right and some like are you pregnet and nodded his head yes. So today I asked him 20 questions and these were his answers. Now please note that he can not speak , this is his answers on nodding yes or no.


1.Is your name John? no
2.Is your name Gil? yes
3.Is you last name Smith? No
4.Is your Last name Keene?Yes
5. do you know what year it is ? yes
6. Is it 2006? yes
7. is it 2008? yes
8. Is it 2010? yes
9. do you go the church? yes
10. Do you like to pray? Yes
11. Are you a boy? yes
12. are you girl? yes
13. do you have to poop? no
14. can you read? yes
15. can you move your leg ( I touched his right leg) ? no
16. do you want to wear your hat? yes ( I gave it to him and he put it on.)
17. do you want to get me a hug? yes ( he gave me a hug)
18. can you see the clock? yes ( he did not look at the clock)
19. are you tired ? yes
20. do you have a pet cat? no

Tuesday Dec 9th update #1

Hello all, today mom and I showed up at the hospital early to see dad and to talk to the doctor about what happened yesterday.

The doctor came in and said that all the lab work and tests they did yesterday. came back. They think what happened was 1 of 2 things. 1) a side affect from one of the meds that he was taking. 2) that he had what I call a baby stoke, but he was leaning towards his meds. So they changed his meds and he does seem good today. Dads cat scan showed that there was a little bit more swelling around the stroke area , which the doc says is common days later after a stoke. Gil seems to understand some things and confused when asked other other questions. Sometimes I don't know if it is Gil's 56 year old mind playing games with me or a trapped 4 year old mind playing impish tricks. /For instance, yesterday, Gil was trying to take the lodes off his chest that reads his heart rate for the machine. Dorrine grabbed his hand and said no, and he grabbed tighter. Dorrine told him to let go, he threw his blanket off, lifted his butt and "let go". 56 or 4? I was on the phone and Dorrine said when I wasn't looking at Gil, he would move his lips like he was mocking me talking. 56 or 4. We'll never know. But knowingly or not, he does give us a laugh occasionally!!! The Dr. asked him questions today and Gil looked confused, so Dr. told me to ask him as maybe he wasn't understanding. So I told him to close his eyes and he did(Gil-not the Dr.!!!!!!!) When I asked if he was having pain (Gil has complained about pain in his back and stomach in the past few days) Gil nodded yes. Dr. wanted to know if he was having pain in his head and Gil nodded yes. Was he having pain or nodding yes to everything? I will ask him again later. I don't know if you have the right phone number. I have Gil's cell phone and the number is 715-574-4179. Dorrine's cell number is 715-573-3142.

THis was written by both me Dorrine and Susie

Oh and by the way my moms sister Nancy left her laptop here with us and yesterday dad and I were playing cards online yesterday and we won $9.00 for my aunt Nancy.

Dorrine

Gil Keene

monday

gil had a bit of a setback this morning. He was just out of it, not responding, and it scared the heck out of me. I insisted on a dr. evaluating him and they ordered blood work, another cat scan and ordered the monitors put back on. They can't do that in rehab so he was moved to Progressive care unit. His vital signs were good, however his blood sugars were very elevated. I know that the white mass in his brain around the stroke area was mildly more swollen. The dr. is on the way to explain all this to me and hopefully will be able to tell me what happened and what it means. Gil is coming out of it. His eyes seem so cloudy and he is a bit confused, but he is back to shaking his head yes and no and even causing trouble. He was trying to pull the heart monitor lodes off of his chest and Dorrine grabbed his hand. He clutched those wires tightly she said. I was out of the room. She told him to let go and he raised his butt and "let go". When I came back into the room and she told me that, I asked if he did that and he shook his head no. Dorrine said, you are not being honest. As she walked away I whispered did you really do that? He shook his head Yes!!!!! He is very adament to get out of bed so has to be watched. Will send info after I talk to the dr. Love Susie

Gil is at Carlisle, PA at Carlisle regional medical center
1-717-960-3946
THIS NUMBER WILL RING RIGHT TO THE ROOM
room # 243
MOMS CELL # 715-573-0953

gils update Sunday

Instead of everyone having to have an account to leave a message I have set up a guestbook to allow a place to leave notes or questions and then After I recieve a message I will cut a paste it to the correct area. When my dad gets better and he will , we will be able to show him all the letters and comments left for him. The guest book is on the left side above the links.

Updates. To day Mom, Nancy, me(dorrine) , aunt nancy ( moms sister) and Jason (nancys boyfriend and the angel that found my dad), are all at the hospital. Today he is complaining that his stomach hurts. So we are trying to find out why, my opinion is that he has not pooped since wed. So once he goes he should be better.

Today we got out the dry erase board to see if he would write on it. On thursday all he drew circles, and today he wrote Nancys name and his name with little or not help. So we are hoping that he will continue with this so he will be able to let us know what hurts and wants.

Today Aunt Nancy and I was telling dad to move his leg on the right side( the side that does not work) and he moved it twice for us. last week he was trying but nothing would happen.


I will write more tonight after 8:00p.m. when we have to leave the hospital.

Dorrine


___________________________________________________________________

This little message is from (little) Nancy. I was the first one to arrive at the hospital early Tuesday morning. Dad has improved a thousand times over. When I first arrived, he could not feel a thing on his right side and by 8 a.m. he was moving his toes when we touched the bottom of it. It has been a drastic change and I am so proud of the progress he has made. I tried teaching him sign language yesterday, but since the white board system seems to be working, mom and Dorrine will probably stick to that.

Keep Dad in your thoughts and prayers.

Nancy*

If you would like to leave a message for the family

If you would like to leave a message for the family please write it here. Thanks Dorrine

If you have a question

PLease leave a message for any questions you might have here.

Updates coming soon

Sat, 6 Dec:

Yesterday, (Fri - 5 Dec) Gil was moved to the Rehab Center at the Carlisle Regional Hospital in Carlisle, PA. He will do speech and physical therapy every day. On Mon-Fri, the family is allowed to visit after 3:00 pm each day as he has therapy until that time; on Sat-Sun, it is until noon. Today we came in around 12:30 and he was having lunch with one of the aides. He didn't seem to mind someone else's help.

We stopped at Walmart after picking up a rental car for Susie and Dorrine. The older 3 (Raymond, Clayton, and Gail) left yesterday (Friday) for home in Wisconsin as snow was due in and they didn't want to get caught in a storm on the way home if they had waited until today. (As a matter of fact, it is snowing here in Carlisle now.) Susie picked up Gil some jeans and shirts with buttons that the physical therpists will use to work with him on zipping up zippers and buttoning buttons. He worked out today in his sweats and did a good job the nurse said.

He is enjoying watching tv and has quickly learned how to use the remote control to change the channels. He likes the "CSI" program - also Lil Nancy's favorite show. I (Aunt Nancy - Susie's sister) brought my laptop computer to the hospital and will leave it for Susie and Dorrine to use while they are here. After Gil had lunch in his wheelchair, I fired up the laptop and we played some Texas Hold'em poker. Well, I played and Gil watched along. I would ask him if I should Fold or Play and he would nod his head. I'm not sure which he wanted me to do as he would nod his head yes each time I asked but he could see the cards and seemed to be following the action. I will have to teach him sign language for Fold and for Play. Susie and Dorrine can play cards with him in the next week or two that he is here. His favorite game is actually '21' so they'll have to load that for him.

We played for about 20 minutes and then he got tired. I think he had been up since 7:00am, which is what time they wake him in the mornings. He had breakfast, went to therapy, had lunch and then we came to visit so I'm sure he was worn out. He fell asleep shortly after the nurses "helped" him back into bed. He was trying to do it himself and they had to slow him down so they could get him into bed without his falling. He's still a stuborn as always. Which is a good sign now. They have to have all four railings up on the sides of his bed as he keeps trying to get out of bed, forgetting that one side doesn't work yet. The hospital considers all four railings up as a 'restraint' and has to get permission from the doctors and the family. Susie said YES!

Susie and the kids want to thank everyone for their positive thoughts and prayers as we work to get Gil better.

We will try to do daily updates. If you have anything you want to pass along, just click on the 'leave a message' link and you should be able to do so. Dorrine may have to massage the link a little before it will let you leave a message but keep trying until you have reached success. If you can't get the blog to work and want to send a message via e-mail until the blog is completely up and running, send to Dorrine (cats2dor@charter.net) and Nancy (nannie1989@aol.com) and Aunt Nancy (mngemini@yahoo.com) - we will get your messages posted until the blog is all worked out.

What happened to Gil

One Dec 1st,2008 Mom got a call from Dads work that he missed his drop ( he is a truck driver) . When the police was called in Penn. and also in Marathon where mom and dad lives. Gil was found Monday night at 8:45p.m. ,in Penn, in his cab of his truck, so they took him to the hospital where he was found to have had a massive stroke. Right after he got the news where he was, Mom and Raymond,Clayton, and I (Dorrine) drove 15 hours to see him. Nancy and Aunt Nancy was only 4 hours away so they drove up form Virgina.

Dorrine