Bob with Campbell (his niece's daughter)
Bob had another difficult day. His lungs are worse today. They are using a nebulizer to aid in his breathing and the respiratory infection. A sample of the fluid in Bob's lungs has been taken to be cultured. The doctors will be able to evaluate the infection and what antibiotic will be most effective. He still fights the rhythm of the ventilator and has been on 100% oxygen today. Bob continues to be heavily sedated and needs no stimulation at this time. Hearing familiar voices or having us hold his hand or touch him is not what he needs while his brain is trying to heal. Family visits now mean quietly standing in the corner of the room watching over him and silently saying our prayers.
There was talk of having an IVC filter procedure done to prevent any clots to his lungs and heart. Since Bob's ultrasound of his legs and kidneys showed no sign of clotting, the filter has been put on hold. This seems to be the best plan which will allow more time to get rid of the pneumonia and get Bob stronger and better able to be moved to radiology for the procedure. They will keep an eye on Bob by doing ultrasound from his bedside.
Bob's temperature looked better this evening. It's been 100+ yesterday and today. He has great nurses, doctors, and specialists that are all taking good care of him. Our hope is that Bob's respiratory infection goes away and that the oxygen can be cut back on the ventilator. One step at a time ......
I met Joan in 1945, just after World War II ended. We quickly became best friends and in the spring of 1946 introduced her to Bill Morden, he was in college with my then boyfriend, Ernie. We all bonded and 18 days after Joan met Bill they married, I didn't get Ernie to agree to marry me until that October.
ReplyDeleteThrough the years we traveled together, had parties, had babies and became family to each other. We celebrated birthdays and holidays together.
In the summer we would "batten down the hatches" when Joan and Bill and their five children came to swim and spend the day at our house. The boys were "wild". We also spent long lazy days at their cottage in Saugatuck, Michigan and wandered the streets of town, went to the bars in the evenings, while Joan's dad babysat for the eight wild ones.
Through the years we watched as our children grew into young adults, unfortunately Bill died in his early fifties, but we still managed to carry on as family. Now Ernie too has left us, just five years ago - yet in memory we are all together, loving and caring for each other. Remembering children playing in sandboxes, jumping the waves in Lake Michigan and roasting marshmallows around a campfire.
ALthough our lives became distanced when Joan moved to Florida and her chldren scattered to all parts of the States as did mine. Yet telephone calls and letters kept us close. Somehow I have let those wonderful times slip from my memory until this episode with Robert - we never called him "BOB", always Robert. I wonder why?
Now our family is in crises again as we pray for Robert's speedy recovery and pray for him to return to his family and extended family and friends.
My prayers and blessings to all of the Morden family.
Love and blessings,
Aunt Gail
Both Chrissy and I pray each day for Bob too recover and smile again. He has touched so many people each day with his wit, frienship and caring about people. He is one very special man who gives 110% to all.
ReplyDeletePete and Chrissy
My name is Dian Gasparski, Bob knows me as Dian Arnold. I worked for Doug Valassis in his Dental office in Rochester, MI. Debbie Morden was our receptionist, Billy and Bobby (we called him Bobby) were the Dental technicians for the office. I've known the Morden family since 1978, they are a great family and I'm very saddened by Bob's sudden illness. I am keeping Bob and his entire family in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Dian
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