Tuesday Update

Up until now Bob has had a drain that comes from the top of his head to drain excess fluid around his brain.  Today the doctors turned the drain off to see if Bob's body could get rid of the fluid on its own.  So far his body has done a nice job and the nurses have only needed to turn the drain on twice for about 5 minutes.  A sample was taken of the fluid that has been collected to check for bacteria or infection.  We are hoping to get those results back tonight or tomorrow.

The doctors have also continued to limit the amount of Morphine that Bob receives.  He now only receives the Morphine shots to calm him down when his blood pressure or pulse get too high.  Over the past day Bob has had a good gag reflex and cough.  He has even shown some fight against the ventilator by initiated movements to grab the tubes in his mouth.  A few times he has even moved his left leg and extended his left arm to grab a hand, or the side of the bed when he has been agitated.  

We are pleased to report that all the tests completed on Bob from the neck down have come back good.  The doctors will continue to monitor the blood gases and Bob will get a chest x-ray on a daily basis.  As of today there was talk about the pulmonologist POSSIBLY decreasing the oxygen level on Bob's vent.  We hope that as Bob gets stronger he will begin to take more breaths on his own so that the vent can be taken away, although the doctors have warned us that it could take weeks.  

As we reach the one week point since Bob's stroke we are thankful for the constant support of the nurses, doctors, friends and family. Your thoughts and prayers have meant so much to Bob and the entire Morden Family. 

Pictures of Bob and Family

Bob and his Wife, Agnes

Bob and Kids

Laurie and James

With Mom and 3 of 4 siblings

sisters Laurie and Debbie and brother Bill

Monday Update

Bob's CAT scan this morning did not show any change in the hematoma like we were hoping, but we were able to get a better idea of the size and specifics.  The hematoma is 6.7 cm x 3 cm on the left side of his brain.  The area that the bleeding is in controls the motor functions of the right side of Bob's body.  The CAT scan showed that the fluid that has accumulated in Bob's brain has forced the one side of his brain to lean on the other side.  Since Bob had his stroke the trauma inside his brain has not changed.  We are waiting and praying for improvements and healing.

Feel free to leave a note, comment, or prayer on the blog for Bob.  We will be sure to read it to him as the ICU has requested that only immediate family members visit him at this time.  

Sunday Update

Over the past few days that Bob has been in the ICU he has had tons of visitors.  Although we always knew what an amazing person Bob is, the family has been overwhelmed at the amount of people Bob has made an impact on.  At times, all the chairs in the ICU waiting room have been filled with family and friends of Bob.  Thank you all for your visits and encouraging words!

Although the first few days Bob was in the ICU the nurses were very nice about letting people back to see him, they have started to limit visitors to just family.  We want to thank those who have been coming to the hospital to see Bob, but at this point the nurses have decided that it is best to limit visitors so that Bob can rest.  In the past day Bob has had a fever and been diagnosed with a sinus infection.  We are hoping that through this blog we can keep everyone updated and let you know when Bob is moved from the ICU and can have visitors.  

Now, the important stuff, PROGRESS....

Bob had an EEG yesterday that came back negative, which is good.  It showed that there was no seizure activity.  His EKG also came back good.  The doctors took Bob off of Morphine and the sedative hoping that they could begin to wake him up and have him follow simple commands (open your eyes, squeeze my hand).  Although Bob is off the morphine drip, he does continue to get morphine shots when he becomes agitated.  Bob remains on a ventilator, feeding tube and the drain in his head to relieve pressure.  He is starting to respond to voices.  He has opened his eyes very slightly on a few occasions and moved his left hand and leg.  We won't know for another couple weeks if these movements are voluntary, or involuntary.  At times Bob has responded to certain voices and even attempted to pick his head up off the pillow.  Bob is also starting to exhibit a gag reflex.  He will have another CAT scan in the morning to determine if there has been any change with the bleeding.  

One of his nurses made a comment that she expects him to come to the hospital in December with Christmas cookies.  With 4 siblings, 2 kids, a wife, multiple nieces and nephews, a mother and tons of friends always in the ICU he is going to need to bring a lot of cookies to thank the nurses for not only taking such great care of him, but also putting up with the Morden clan!

Thanks again to everyone for all the prayers and positive thoughts.

Background Information

Background Information

After closing things up at his Wendy's Bob came home around 2:00 in the morning.  He was having a difficult time using his right arm and legs.  By the time the ambulance came Bob was unable to talk.  Bob's family went with him to Wellington Hospital where he was diagnosed with a bleeding stroke.  He was given some medication and transfered to St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach.  After different tests and scans the doctors have determined that Bob had an Internal Cerebral Hemorrhage.  Bob continues to be in the ICU at St. Mary's and will be for a few more weeks.