We were so grateful to be together as a family over Christmas. There were 16 of us sleeping under one roof. Yes, it was as crazy as that sounds. Unfortunately, since Steve had to get IV medication, none of us were able to help MaryAnn and Joe with the overnights. That was really frustrating since there is so little we can do to help, but administering the IV meds was such a medically complex process, and they were the only ones who could do it. But as of Sunday afternoon, Steve had his last of the IV antibiotics. Yesterday, a nurse came over to remove the line.
Steve has been feeling good. He had a fevers during the week, but as of yesterday, he had about three days of no high temperatures and was feeling better. We had a couple of scary moment with clots like the one I described at the beginning of the month, but in each case, someone responded immediately and got air to Steven quickly. The morning are still a tough time since he continues to have severe leg pain then. Sometimes he's able to sleep a bit which is helpful, and then he gets up in the chair later in the afternoon.
Thanks to all of your thoughts and notes; I was able to share them with Steve on Christmas night.
I believe that the new year is going to bring great progress for Steve. It's a new start and I believe it contains that one good thing we've been waiting for, whatever it might be, and many others. I believe Steve is going to get stronger and return to his neck, mouth and swallowing exercises. I believe we are all ready to say goodbye to 2008. And I believe in every possibility for Steve in 2009. Positively.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
12/17/08 Updated
Steve's not doing well. He's been dealing with fevers on and off and pains throughout his body. He's been on a couple of different antibiotics as they try and get the lung infection out of his system and we just don't know if this is contributing to his overall fatigue and discomfort. The doctor came to the house this morning and called for an ambulance to come and take Steve to the hospital so that they could give him and IV for his antibiotics. He was there most of the day and they just got home a little while ago. The IV line will allow him to have a different, stronger antibiotic, which he will be on for ten days. We pray this will eliminate any infections in his system and leave him feeling much better.
For those of you who don't know, Christmas was Steven's most favorite holiday. From a pretty early age he would bug MaryAnn, asking to go onto the roof to cover it with Christmas lights. And so that's exactly what he did to Kris's roof last year. In Steve's mind, there was no such thing as enough lights.
He's been having a tough time these past weeks. He probably needs you now more than ever. If you are reading this, please post a comment. He needs to feel love and support. If what you want to say is too personal, or if you are having trouble posting a Comment, please email me directly at jpannasch@gmail.com. I promise to share all of your words with Steve on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, whenever the moment feels right.
On December 22, it will be nine months since his accident. That is 275 days of silence and stillness. Please bring your words into his space. I want to read until my throat is dry. I know you guys can do it, you've done it before. I leave for Alabama on Tuesday, and I may not post again until I am there. So please just say something to let Steve know that you are still thinking about him. We all appreciate it! And Merry Christmas to you and yours. xo Aunt Jean
For those of you who don't know, Christmas was Steven's most favorite holiday. From a pretty early age he would bug MaryAnn, asking to go onto the roof to cover it with Christmas lights. And so that's exactly what he did to Kris's roof last year. In Steve's mind, there was no such thing as enough lights.
He's been having a tough time these past weeks. He probably needs you now more than ever. If you are reading this, please post a comment. He needs to feel love and support. If what you want to say is too personal, or if you are having trouble posting a Comment, please email me directly at jpannasch@gmail.com. I promise to share all of your words with Steve on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, whenever the moment feels right.
On December 22, it will be nine months since his accident. That is 275 days of silence and stillness. Please bring your words into his space. I want to read until my throat is dry. I know you guys can do it, you've done it before. I leave for Alabama on Tuesday, and I may not post again until I am there. So please just say something to let Steve know that you are still thinking about him. We all appreciate it! And Merry Christmas to you and yours. xo Aunt Jean
Monday, December 8, 2008
Happy Birthday MaryAnn!
I am sorry that I haven't written earlier than now, but I just got back from the airport, that is, back from Alabama! Yup, I flew down for about 48 hours to surprise MaryAnn for her birthday, which is today. I was going to share that with you all before I left, but I was too afraid of spoiling the surprise. And the surprise went like this: I wore a blonde wig and ducked my head into Steve room. I had a scarf around my face, and MaryAnn just stared at me, I think she was actually about to throw me out because she didn't know who I was and what I was doing in Steven's room. And then I spoke and she was thrown, since I sounded like her sister, but we were just on the phone and I told her I was just back from grocery shopping. Finally I revealed myself and told her, "Happy Birthday." She had no idea. Steve knew about the plan the whole time--he said it was a good surprise!
It was wonderful to see them again, of course. Steve looked good, he was feeling a little better than he had been previously during the week. On Saturday morning, the ENT doctor came and had Joe change Steve's trache. Props to Joe, that's a pretty serious deal. The doc said again that his throat was healing well, and that he would continue to change the trache about every ten days so that the scar tissue does not have a chance to grow around it. We are hoping that Steve will soon be able to try a new trache, which would allow air to pass over his vocal cords, possibly giving him the ability to speak. Let's put our collective energy and prayers towards that thought. Please.
We had a scary moment last night. I was talking to Steve, explaining how hairy I find the roads there to drive at night (I had drove my rental car out to dinner with Mare, Ashley and my mom for Mare's birthday) and the road home was windy and dark and I was a little freaked out. Anyway, as I was talking about the new concrete power poles going up on Steger, his vent alarm went off. As MaryAnn had told me to do, I asked Steve if he could breath. He replied, "Get the bag," meaning that his vent was blocked and he wasn't getting air. I tried to use the ambu bag, as I usually do when we suction his lungs, but for the first time ever, when I tried to squeeze it, there was resistance and I couldn't get a breath into him. MaryAnn, Joe, Kris, Ashley and Grandma came running into the room and thankfully, Joe took the bag and forcefully squeezed it to get air into Steven. MaryAnn ripped open a lung suctioning kit and immediately unhooked the bag to put the suction tube into his trache. Within milliseconds, she was able to get and dislodge the clog, and Joe refastened the bag and was able to get breaths into Steven. He was okay.
I can't begin to describe what this intensity felt like. I asked Steve if that was as scary as it gets, and he said yeah. He closed his eyes. I stroked his hair, not knowing what to say. He deals with the possibility of moments like this everyday. As do the rest of the family. As my plane took off, and I headed north, I was overwhelmed by the love that I witness every time I go down there. I have always felt lucky to have a big, loving family. But 265 Chipmunk Circle is a remarkable place that I feel so fortunate to witness. I just feel the need to say that. I am sure that some of you feel the same way.
Steve did not have a fever while I was there. Hopefully, the antibiotic that he's been on is kicking ass against the lung infection. He was still really tired though. His medications knock him out at 5 PM and then he has a hard time sleeping at night. That was the case last night. This morning he told me that he was up from about 3 AM on.
I think that's about it for now. To everyone who has continued to bring food by the house throughout all these months, the family thanks you. I have often benefited from your delicious generosity. I know that it is an enormous help for Mare and Joe. And as always, thanks for checking in. More soon. xo Aunt Jean
It was wonderful to see them again, of course. Steve looked good, he was feeling a little better than he had been previously during the week. On Saturday morning, the ENT doctor came and had Joe change Steve's trache. Props to Joe, that's a pretty serious deal. The doc said again that his throat was healing well, and that he would continue to change the trache about every ten days so that the scar tissue does not have a chance to grow around it. We are hoping that Steve will soon be able to try a new trache, which would allow air to pass over his vocal cords, possibly giving him the ability to speak. Let's put our collective energy and prayers towards that thought. Please.
We had a scary moment last night. I was talking to Steve, explaining how hairy I find the roads there to drive at night (I had drove my rental car out to dinner with Mare, Ashley and my mom for Mare's birthday) and the road home was windy and dark and I was a little freaked out. Anyway, as I was talking about the new concrete power poles going up on Steger, his vent alarm went off. As MaryAnn had told me to do, I asked Steve if he could breath. He replied, "Get the bag," meaning that his vent was blocked and he wasn't getting air. I tried to use the ambu bag, as I usually do when we suction his lungs, but for the first time ever, when I tried to squeeze it, there was resistance and I couldn't get a breath into him. MaryAnn, Joe, Kris, Ashley and Grandma came running into the room and thankfully, Joe took the bag and forcefully squeezed it to get air into Steven. MaryAnn ripped open a lung suctioning kit and immediately unhooked the bag to put the suction tube into his trache. Within milliseconds, she was able to get and dislodge the clog, and Joe refastened the bag and was able to get breaths into Steven. He was okay.
I can't begin to describe what this intensity felt like. I asked Steve if that was as scary as it gets, and he said yeah. He closed his eyes. I stroked his hair, not knowing what to say. He deals with the possibility of moments like this everyday. As do the rest of the family. As my plane took off, and I headed north, I was overwhelmed by the love that I witness every time I go down there. I have always felt lucky to have a big, loving family. But 265 Chipmunk Circle is a remarkable place that I feel so fortunate to witness. I just feel the need to say that. I am sure that some of you feel the same way.
Steve did not have a fever while I was there. Hopefully, the antibiotic that he's been on is kicking ass against the lung infection. He was still really tired though. His medications knock him out at 5 PM and then he has a hard time sleeping at night. That was the case last night. This morning he told me that he was up from about 3 AM on.
I think that's about it for now. To everyone who has continued to bring food by the house throughout all these months, the family thanks you. I have often benefited from your delicious generosity. I know that it is an enormous help for Mare and Joe. And as always, thanks for checking in. More soon. xo Aunt Jean
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
12/3/08
Steve has a lung infection. Unfortunately, this bacteria does not seem deterred by antibiotics, so we've just got to wait for to get well on his own. This is the reason for the fevers and the exhaustion (he's been sleeping more). Mare and Joe have needed to suction his lungs a little more often. Please pray for this infection to leave his system so that he can feel stronger and so that his lungs become healthy. Thanks all.
Monday, December 1, 2008
12/1/08
Steve's not feeling good. He's had a fever over the past few days. He's been sleeping in in the mornings. Morning time for him, from about 8 to 11, is the worst. He's just really uncomfortable. I haven't talked to Mare yet today, but this was the update after speaking with her yesterday.
On a brighter note, Jennie B brought him over a John Deere christmas tree, which is on his dresser so that he can see it when he's laying in bed. MaryAnn was telling me how much she likes having it on in his room. And I'm sure Steve does too. Thanks Jennie.
On a brighter note, Jennie B brought him over a John Deere christmas tree, which is on his dresser so that he can see it when he's laying in bed. MaryAnn was telling me how much she likes having it on in his room. And I'm sure Steve does too. Thanks Jennie.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
Steve and his family have asked for me to wish all of you a very happy thanksgiving. They are so thankful for your unwavering support and love throughout these last eight months. We all hope you have a wonderful day with your loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
11.22.08
Hey all! Sorry I have been absent, was waiting to see if we got some news from the doctor. I know that some of you were worried since you hadn't heard from me, so I'll try not to stay away for so long. I understand that even an uneventful post is a worthwhile post.
The ENT doctor came to Steve's house this week to examine his throat and change his trache. He said that he looked through Steve's file, and there is no indication, from previous exams, that his laryxn is crushed. This is great news because it means there is still potential for possibly speaking down the road! He also said that he thought the scar matter in his throat, seemed to be doing well. He is going to be coming to the house to change the trache with regularity, which should help. This is great news!
Steve has been doing okay, he's been infection-free (Yes! more good news),but he's been sleeping a lot and not too motivated to get up on some days. Steve Willet is still able to rouse a smile, as well as small group of Steve's core friends who visit with regularity. He's expecting some company this weekend, so I'm sure that he'll be up earlier than he has been. And on Tuesday, my mom and dad, Joseph, Debbie, Bryan and Patrick arrive for the Thanksgiving holiday. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a ton of family is going to be descending on Chipmunk Circle, so Steve won't have much downtime.
When I was about sixteen and quite content to sleep till midday on Saturday mornings, MaryAnn would come to our house with Kris and Steve and they would make their way up the stairs, bursting into my room with all their pint-size,boisterous, blond energy. They'd jump on the bed and there was no other choice but to get up. And I was entirely thrilled to do so--they were my little buddies. Well, you know what they say, "What goes around comes around." So that's pretty much what I intend to do every morning that I am there for Christmas. Pounce into the room well before Steve's ready for me. And I am sure Sadie, Bryan and Patrick will be my pint-sized accomplices!
The ENT doctor came to Steve's house this week to examine his throat and change his trache. He said that he looked through Steve's file, and there is no indication, from previous exams, that his laryxn is crushed. This is great news because it means there is still potential for possibly speaking down the road! He also said that he thought the scar matter in his throat, seemed to be doing well. He is going to be coming to the house to change the trache with regularity, which should help. This is great news!
Steve has been doing okay, he's been infection-free (Yes! more good news),but he's been sleeping a lot and not too motivated to get up on some days. Steve Willet is still able to rouse a smile, as well as small group of Steve's core friends who visit with regularity. He's expecting some company this weekend, so I'm sure that he'll be up earlier than he has been. And on Tuesday, my mom and dad, Joseph, Debbie, Bryan and Patrick arrive for the Thanksgiving holiday. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a ton of family is going to be descending on Chipmunk Circle, so Steve won't have much downtime.
When I was about sixteen and quite content to sleep till midday on Saturday mornings, MaryAnn would come to our house with Kris and Steve and they would make their way up the stairs, bursting into my room with all their pint-size,boisterous, blond energy. They'd jump on the bed and there was no other choice but to get up. And I was entirely thrilled to do so--they were my little buddies. Well, you know what they say, "What goes around comes around." So that's pretty much what I intend to do every morning that I am there for Christmas. Pounce into the room well before Steve's ready for me. And I am sure Sadie, Bryan and Patrick will be my pint-sized accomplices!
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