History

Journal History

Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 12:36 PM (CDT)

Hello my friends. What a beautiful service so many people put together for the finest man I have ever known. I can't thank each and every one of you enough for your contribution to our celebration of Larry's life. There have also been many behind the scenes events that not many people know about, but I do. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Marc and Sherri kidnapped me yesterday for a week at Myrtle Beach with the blessing of our other children and I am hoping to regroup a little and get my head together. I'm enjoying the fact that I don't have to think about worldly things right now but I can just remember. Although sometimes it brings tears, there is a true calming at the same time. I said that, even though I find myself with tears in my eyes, most of the time I am also smiling because what I am remembering is a very special time. Larry and I have been extremely blessed with such a close loving relationship and mounds of happy memories.

If any of you would like to keep in touch, my e-mail address is Sassybabies416@aol.com. I had another one but cancelled it in an effort to simplify my life. :)

Again, love and thanks until you're better paid. There are rewards waiting for each of us for the works we do here you know.

My sincerest thanks.................Kathy Carley

Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 07:18 PM (CDT)

Good evening to you all. Kathy had a very busy day today, but the arrangements have been made.

Monday August 19th - The Viewing
6-9 pm
Anderson Funeral Home
3654 Palm Beach Blvd
Ft. Myers, Fl 33916
694-4121

Tuesday August 20th - Funeral Services
2 pm
Faith Assembly of God Church
6950 Bayshore Road North Ft. Myers Fl 33917
543-2700

Service immediately following at
Lee Memorial Park
12777 State Road 82 (Gateway area)

Then friends and family are welcome to join the Carley family at their home for food, drinks and fellowship.

Kathy Carley
17146 Watersedge Circle
N. Ft. Myers, Fl 33917
543-6943

For those of you who have asked...
Flowers are certainly welcome and we know that Larry would have also encouraged donations to the building fund of their church Faith Assembly of God
And those can be mailed directly to the church.

To the many medics and fire personnel...if it's not too much to ask, please wear your uniform.

Thank-You again for you love and support
Sherri Matthews

Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 09:09 PM (CDT)

Dr. Larry Carley passed away this evening at 8:09 pm. It was a tough battle he fought, but he is now at peace with God. Thank-You all so much for your love, prayers and continued suport.
We will be at Kathy and Larry's home making the arrangements and we will post them as soon as we know something definite.
Once again...Thank_You

Sherri

LARRY...WE LOVE YOU SOOO VERY MUCH XOXOXOXO

Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 900AM (CDT)

Good Morning everyone. It's Sherri Matthews (daughter-in-law) I am writing on behalf of Kathy this morning to bring you the latest update on Larry...aka Uncle Sonny.
Yesturday, as you may or may not know, was a very difficult and trying day for Larry. He has developed some respiratiory difficulties that require breathing treatments and frequent suctioning. It takes a lot out of him.

Kathy did tell me this morning that he in fact did sleep well last night.

They are putting him on a morphine pump today, to be run at a low dose, just to keep him comfortable.

We are still hopeful, despite this respiratory battle Larry is trying to fight off...it's just that it has been the toughest battle thus far.

Please continue to pray for peace for Larry and for strength for Kathy and the rest of the family.

Love,
Sherri

Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 10:16 AM (CDT)

Good morning everyone. Today is a grave day for us. Larry developed severe respiratory difficulties during the night. After talking with his pulmonologist this morning, we have decided to keep him comfortable in hopes that he will find the strength to fight this battle. He is very tired but alert. We will continue to pray for God to heal him and recognize that right now He is the only one who can. Please pray for strength for all of us and rest for Larry.

I wish I could call all of you, but, fortunately, he has so many who love him I just can't. Please know that we both love you all.

Love, Larry and Kathy

Monday, August 12, 2002 at 09:57 AM (CDT)

Good morning. Hopefully they will be able to begin therapy better today. He is getting so weak. He has also spiked another fever and just feels terrible. I'm not sure how much he'll be able to accomplish until they get that under control.

He continues to sing with me at night but does spend most of the time sleeping. The doctor is going to add another medication in hopes that it will interact with the Sinemet and make him more alert. What a battle he has.

Your continued prayer and support are deeply appreciated. The good Lord above I'm sure hears us all.

Love....Larry and Kathy

Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 09:30 AM (CDT)

Good Sunday morning all. I've spent the last two nights in the same room with Larry and what a comfort that has been. They have us set up really nice at Lee. Larry really needs the physical therapy to start intensely. I see the muscle tone in his body withering a great deal. I believe that tomorrow they will begin that. I make him do arm lifts for me and show me his muscles every now and then. :)

Last night he watched almost an entire movie with me. Of course I had to get James Bond on the t.v., but that's OK. He would doze off during the commercials but I was able to wake him up to finish the show almost to the end. That is an improvement in his length of time awake.

He had several coughing spells last night but did a REALLY good job with them and was able to swallow the muck he brought up quite easily. I am very encouraged by that. His swallowing I believe has improved in the last couple of days. He had a little bit of a fever again this morning early so they did blood cultures. We'll pray they are negative as they have been in the past.

I am on my way to church and then back to the hospital. Thank you all for your prayers most of all and your kind words. They really keep us going sometimes!!

Love, Larry and Kathy

Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 01:33 PM (CDT)

Hi everyone. I think Larry has finally reached the room he is going to stay in for awhile. It is room 531. They will begin rehab in earnest on Monday although they have started a little. Unfortunately, not much has been done in that regard since we left Orlando so I feel he has regressed a little. I work with him as much as I can but it still seems he's backed up a bit. He was running a little fever again yesterday and, hopefully, that will go away soon.

I want to tell you all how very important your messages have been to us. I printed out the sheets and took them up to him yesterday and read a few to him before he got too tired. I will read more each day until he has heard them all. You have all been such encouragement to me and our family and you can never know how much we needed to hear just what someone wrote on any given day. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My husband is such a well-loved man - by many.

Please continue your prayers. The road is long and tiring.
Love to all.............Larry and Kathy

Thursday, August 08, 2002 at 09:13 PM (CDT)

Good evening everyone. Sorry I didn't get on-line to update yesterday but it was a very busy day. Larry made the transfer really well but was very tired once he got settled. Once at the rehab unit, we all decided he still needed a little more nurse monitoring than was available there so he was moved today to neuro step-down, room 401. He will remain there for a few days until this hospital can determine what they think he is and is not capable of.

He makes a little progress everyday. Tonight they had given him rolled up wash cloths to squeeze and he was working hard on them. Sometimes I get discouraged and I know he does too but then he'll make a little progress and we all get excited.

Please continue your prayers. We need a true miracle from the Mighty Healer to recover from this one. I know God has a plan and we just need to follow the path. I would be lost right now if I didn't have the Lord, my family and friends to lean on.

God bless.......Larry and Kathy

Tuesday, August 06, 2002 at 08:27 PM (CDT)

Good evening all. We will be leaving sometime in the morning to transfer to Lee Memorial. Larry's room number I believe will be 523. I and he look forward to seeing everyone once he gets settled in. Maybe Thursday would be a good day for visitors since I'm not sure when we'll get there. I do know that they request visitors after 4:00 p.m. as apparently they spend most of the day on rehab.

Please continue your prayers. Again, we have a very long way to go to recovery but I know God can bring him back to where he was and even better. I have to warn you all not to expect too much from him right now. He does recognize people but is not able to communicate much. :(

Love to all.....Larry and Kathy

Tuesday, August 06, 2002 at 12:19 PM (CDT)

Hi everyone. It's early in the day so no news yet on the transfer. Larry sat up on the side of the bed for a full 30 seconds today before "toppling". When shaking hands he has a very strong grip. He was able to wash his own face this morning and his use of both arms is better and better each day.

Very encouraged again today. After his "workouts" he's very tired but we all know how he loves his naps. Sometimes I think he's fooling us. :) :)

Will keep you posted. If they're ready to move him, I'm ready to go and just waiting on the word. If not today, they say "fairly certainly" tomorrow.

Love and keep praying please.......Larry and Kathy

Monday, August 05, 2002 at 06:12 PM (CDT)

Good evening dear family and friends. Today was a rest day for Larry. He is very tired. He did perk up and work with the physical therapist this afternoon, but it tired him out quickly. They took him for swallowing study x-rays this morning and unfortunately he didn't pass so still a feeding tube for awhile.

Even though the last few days have been very exciting with Larry's progress, I feel I should take a moment and let you all know that he is still very bad. He can't speak hardly at all and, although he lifts his arms and right leg, he can only lift them a little. He is unable to turn himself at all. He has been exercising his neck muscles and is trying very hard. When the physical therapist had him up today, he was able to sit on the side of the bed alone for about 15 seconds, but then he falls to the side. I guess, after reading over my notes the last few days, I feel I may have mislead some of you to think he was ready for dancing or dominoes, but he's still a ways off from that. :)

Lastly, we are trying to get him moved to the rehab center in Ft. Myers. I don't know if it will happen tomorrow or not, but that is the goal right now. I will keep you posted as he progresses and as to whether he gets moved.

Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Love, Larry and Kathy

Sunday, August 04, 2002 at 02:57 PM (CDT)

YEA!! It's Sunday and Larry is even more alert. What a nice surprise for me this morning when I walked into the waiting room and Zoki and Shannon were waiting for me. It was nice to see a familiar face although I wasn't sure who it was for a minute!! Completely out of the "normal" element you know. Anyway, after visiting with them for a minute, I went in to see Larry. He was alert and "exercising" his neck muscles trying to lift his head off the pillow. Moving all extremities except the left leg and foot, but I can get a jerk from him when I tickle his foot hard enough.

He seems to be in a little better spirits this morning. Not so afraid as he seemed yesterday. One of the nurses told me she was really glad when she looked in the room and he had his hand all the way up to his face but she wasn't so glad when she saw the NG tube in it. I thought he'd just taken hold of it but another nurse said he'd gotten it caught in his hand and pulled it out and they had to replace it. After she left, I asked him if he'd taken it out on purpose and he said yes....... He also told me how pretty the nurse was. He's definitely feeling better :)

He told Marc and I this afternoon that he wanted his I.V. out and he was again reaching for the NG tube. I told him to do better with his swallowing and they'd take it out for him. He's completely off the O2. All vitals are good. We are thrilled to say the least.

God must have known I needed something good because He has sure doused us with goodness this past 3 days. Thank all of you for your continued prayers and support. We love you all.

Larry and Kathy

Saturday, August 03, 2002 at 04:06 PM (CDT)

OK - today is two weeks since the "happening". In some ways it seems like yesterday - in others I feel like we've been doing this for a year or more!

Yesterday when they moved Larry from the chair to the bed, he tried (unsuccessfully - but he tried) to bear weight on his legs. That is another good sign. He is still using his left hand today and is very alert.

The fever seems to be under control finally. Heart rate is back to normal. BP and respirations normal. So.....if we could get him to swallow, maybe he could lose the NG tube. Until then, status quo.

The Neurosurgeon this morning told me that the MRI revealed that his right frontal lobe took the worst of it and he does have some tissue damage there. The Neurologist told me that that part is the area which controls personality and such. If he was going to have a huge change, he said we would probably already be seeing some sign of that. He is still the sweet, gentle man you all know.

Today I thought he was going to cry a little. I asked him what was wrong and finally got from him that he's worried about the use of his legs. I told him he's going way too far ahead and shouldn't be fretting about anything yet. I'm sure that's easier said than done. He doesn't have much to do lying in there.

I've been reading to him trying to keep his mind off things. But, he still finds himself alone at times. They are very good to me in the ICU. They've only asked me to leave a couple of times and those were only to change the bed.

They put him on a Step One air mattress today. He doesn't have any sores but they don't want him to get any either.

Nothing else to report right now. Progression is slow but it is there. We are grateful and look forward to each visit for something new.

Continued prayer please..........Love, Larry and Kathy

Friday, August 02, 2002 at 12:56 PM (CDT)

What a mighty God we serve! Went in this morning and, after Larry had a little nap, talked with him for awhile. I was reading him a book and got up to do something. When I turned around to sit down again, he had his LEFT hand almost all the way up to his face. I don't know what he was going to do with it(probably pull his NG tube out!), but sure was glad to see him moving it. The nurse said "that gave me the chills!".

MRI shows no further bleeding and no stroke. Neurosurgeon expressed concern he was not using his left side so I guess he decided to show her! Also, I went on and on with him about how great that was, and he suddenly began moving his head up off the back of the chair a little and turning just a bit from side to side. These two developments are HUGE!

Stay tuned for more good news. After 12 days of patience and prayer, it looks like he's on the way to recovery. Please keep praying. There's still much to accomplish.

Love, Larry and Kathy

Thursday, August 01, 2002 at 08:40 PM (CDT)

Hi all. Not much new to report tonight except that the Neurosurgeon ordered another MRI tonight. She is not happy that he is not using his left side. They did the MRI late so I haven't heard any word.

He was fairly alert for awhile again tonight so we are still encouraged.

Thank you all for your notes and love.

Larry and Kathy

Thursday, August 01, 2002 at 01:11 PM (CDT)

Well we are grateful for miracles! I walked in to Larry's room this morning, they had him sitting up in bed, his eyes were wide open and he tracked me as I walked into and around the room. That is the most alert he has been in 12 days! It may seem like a small thing to some of you, but for me, it was the miracle I asked God for last night and early this morning.

He is still quiet. Very hard for him to verbalize with his lips and with his voice. But that's OK. Baby steps are fine. His fever was high again today and they are changing his antibiotic. Cannot find infection anywhere. Have repeated blood, urine, and sputum cultures as well as eye cultures yesterday. His Pulmonologist thought maybe the feeding tube was causing something in his sinuses and will begin treating that empirically, but as he said, there's nothing they can do about it right now because he needs the tube until he begins eating.

His BP, heart rate, and O2 sats seem to be stable, although he is on 4 liters of O2. He does better when sitting up. Occupational, respiratory, and physical therapy put him through pretty thorough workouts considering his condition, so he's pretty tired most of the rest of the day.

Prayer, prayer, prayer. Thank you all. Continued faith and hope for a full recovery, even if it takes us a long time. :) :)

Love, Larry and Kathy

P.S. To the Dougherty children, thank you so much for your mail. As soon as Larry can see it, I'll take it in to him. Meanwhile, it makes me smile. :)

Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at 09:19 PM (CDT)

Hi all: Everything's pretty much status quo. Larry is receiving breathing treatments 4 times a day with Ventolin and Atrovent. Still running a fever and having difficulty with his eyes. He saw an ophthalmologist today who prescribed some things for him so hopefully they will get better.

I met with the discharge planner today and, although he isn't ready for discharge, I did decide to have him transported to Lee Memorial for rehab when the time comes. As soon as there is nothing "medically" they are treating him for, we will begin that process. He will definitely be inpatient rehab for awhile before we can bring him home. Although some of these decisions are a reality slap, they are necessary to be made and it feels good to have made at least one. I'm sure everything will be better that way.

I told Larry tonight that he needed to do something spectacular for me tomorrow so I would have something exciting to write about. From my lips to God's ears.

Thank you all for your lyrics. He really enjoyed the entire song tonight. He's always sound asleep when I leave if I sing to him and that makes it easier for me to sleep too.

Continued prayer - he still needs a mighty touch from God. Thank all of you so much for your wonderful words about this most wonderful man. I can hardly wait until he can read them for himself. I'm glad to know so many of you know just how wonderful he is. I personally have never met anyone finer.

Love to all......Larry and Kathy

Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at 11:54 AM (CDT)

Good afternoon. Larry was some better this a.m. He asked me not to leave (voice), moved his entire arm (slightly) for me. Couldn't get his legs to move. Actually turned his head by himself to be able to see the television. Was verbalizing a little so we are having an encouraging day.

They are ordering another blood culture because he still has a fever. Doctor said her main concern right now is that he not get pneumonia.

Will check back later and report again as soon as there is anything to say. Many have asked if there is anything they can do either for Larry or the rest of us and, right now, the answer is only pray. There is nothing we need and nothing Larry can have until he is moved to another room. Thank you all for your concern and, again, thank you for your prayers. Don't forget though, if you have the lyrics for I've Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop, please e-mail them to me at Sassybabies 416@aol.com

Love, Larry and Kathy

Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at 08:25 AM (CDT)

Good morning. Larry was much the same last night. His eyes are very bad because of the dry eye syndrome. Last night I asked the nurse to get him an opthalmology consult. I asked Larry if he wanted that and he squeezed my hand to indicate yes. Perhaps that is part of the reason he hardly opens his eyes. They've been putting medicated eyedrops in almost since the beginning but they just aren't helping.

I'm really writing this morning to ask a favor of anyone who can help. Every night I sing a few hymns to him before I leave and his favorite one seems to be Mansion Over the Hilltop. I can only remember one verse and he told me (by hand squeeze) he'd like me to get the rest of them. So, if anyone has access to that old song, would you please send the lyrics to my e-mail address: Sassybabies416@aol.com

Thank you. With all my christian friends I'm sure someone will be sending it :)

Love to all - will update later and are sure hoping for a better day. Kathy and Larry

Tuesday, July 30, 2002 at 06:04 PM (CDT)

Hi everyone. Unfortunately, nothing exciting to talk about. They had him up in a chair for about 3 hours today and breathes better when he's there. His heart rate is still running in the high 120's, BP ok. They have to suction him sometimes because he doesn't clear his throat very well sometimes.

Doctor says he will be in Intensive Care for several more days unless he comes around alot. I wish there was more to report in a positive way but as his nurse said today, "He'll have more good days. We just have to be patient".

They moved us in the Hubbard House to a larger room. We are grateful for the space but mostly grateful for this incredible blessing. For those of you who call for updates on the answering machine, our new phone number is (321) 841-2521. We are in room #21.

We love you all. Your prayers are deeply appreciated. Larry and Kathy

Tuesday, July 30, 2002 at 10:43 AM (CDT)

Not much to report today so far. He is having some difficulty breathing and keeping his O2 sats up so they are using some kind of machine to "break the junk up" and then will suction him I think. They wouldn't let us come in the room until they are finished.

He told me he is trying. I told him that's all that matters right now. Rest and don't give up.

Still lethargic today. They will get him up in a chair again this afternoon and, hopefully, we'll have something more exciting to report later.

Again, thank you all for your prayers and support. We know God is able to bring him back to where he was before this happened.

Love, Larry and Kathy

Monday, July 29, 2002 at 05:31 PM (CDT)

Hi everyone. Today Larry had Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy before visiting hours started. As a result of that he was very tired when we got there. He stayed tired all day and didn't respond much to us. This afternoon Physical Therapy came in and sat him up in a chair for about an hour. Larry squeezed our hand to let us know it felt good to sit up. I asked him if he was doing OK mentally and he squeezed my hand to say yes.

His b/p is 120/64, he still has a small fever, lungs are clear. Both of the CT scans came back negative. The Neurosurgeon told us the head CT showed that most of the blood has absorbed in the back of his head and slightly deminished in the front.

According to his vitals and the CT scan results, his body is healing yet we still have far to go. Please continue to pray. We love you all :)

Larry and Kathy

Sunday, July 28, 2002 at 08:32 PM (CDT)

The end of the day and Larry is not at his best as usual. When we went back over he was very tired and in a roaring sweat. Finally it looks like he broke his fever. Since the staff nor we heard from the doctor, we can only assume (rightfully so I'm sure) that the CT scans were negative.

Larry's lungs sound very junky and we're hoping they give him a little breathing treatment when they put on the Bi-pap. The nurse also said she would give him a cool bath if he didn't stop sweating soon.

He really wasn't interested in his "visiting hour" tonight. He's very tired. Still, he had a VERY good day considering the past week. So, we refuse to let his lack of interest get us down.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. Thanks for your comments. We really enjoy them. It gives us something to look forward to when we return to our little room.

Keep praying. :)

Love, Kathy and Larry

Sunday, July 28, 2002 at 03:16 PM (CDT)

Larry watched some television with us this afternoon. We asked him if he wanted to sit up a little and he said yes so we turned on the t.v. He watched the tour de france and the Discovery channel for a while.

While sitting up, he had a terrible pain and we figured out it was in his neck. They decided to take him back to CT scan for a neck and head scan so we came back to the room for an hour. If we get results today, we'll post them tonight. Otherwise, we'll be back on tomorrow.

He is definitely more alert but I caution everyone not to think he's up chatting. We're lucky to get a hand squeeze for a response to a question, but at least he's responding that way today to each question!

More news later. We're more certain with each day that he's going to get back to his old self.

Love, Larry and Kathy

Sunday, July 28, 2002 at 10:46 AM (CDT)

Larry is quiet this morning - seems tired. BP 155/78, fever down, Sodium back to normal. His doctor came in, asked him how he was and he wouldn't talk (which is not abnormal). After doctor left, I said "you didn't talk to him - don't you like him?" and he said "I don't know him".

Doctor was encouraged by that and got a chuckle. Came back in and introduced himself and Larry actually moved his eyes to make eye contact with him on his left. That is a big deal right now for him.

He is using both hands to squeeze - right better than left. Don't know if they'll get him up today or not. We as his family won't be sorry if they wait until tomorrow but I'm sure they know best. He says he has no pain. Thank God for that.

Keep praying for all of us. We'll update tonight. Don't forget to log onto the history for previous entries, and please be sure to sign the guest book. Your comments bring smiles to our faces when we get back to our room :)

Saturday, July 27, 2002 at 09:23 PM (CDT)

It is 10:00 p.m. on Saturday. We just got back. Larry is tired tonight but we expected that. They gave him a breathing treatment today and his lungs seemed to sound a little clearer. His temperature is still up a little and his blood pressure is also 166/78. They started him on Rocephin and Levacquin and put both his feet in those special boots. Hopefully, if he does well enough, they will get him into a chair tomorrow. They think maybe it will improve his neurological status just to sit him up.

We are still encouraged. He was alert for a much longer period of time today and certainly responded better than yesterday.

Just an aside: when you first log on to this page, you can go to "history" which is in the little log box on the left side of the page to read the entire journal in case you missed anything.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We're a long way from "out of the woods" but we're hopeful. Love to all.

Kathy and Larry

Saturday, July 27, 2002 at 09:23 PM (CDT)

Saturday, July 27, 2002 at 11:27 AM (CDT)

Good morning and a "bit" better one it is. Larry squeezed my hand with his LEFT hand this morning and was considerably more alert. He followed most of the commands the occupational therapist asked him to although he is still a little sluggish. He has developed an infection in his lungs. They are starting him on antibiotics this morning and, hopefully, this will alleviate his fever and make him feel much better.

They started an I.V. again this morning because his sodium is still up. I don't know the status of his chest x-ray today yet. His blood pressure seems to be stable. He's got a few strange arrhythmia-type deals going on with his EKG, but they don't seem to be too worried about it although they question me occasionally if he has had any cardiac problems in the past.

He wouldn't (or couldn't) tell me he loved me yesterday, but he did this morning and he talked a little bit to me and the kids and the O.T. lady. I feel that his movement in his left hand is a HUGE improvement and feel very hopeful today. He seems to have developed a foot drop in his left foot and they will probably put him in a boot today.

I don't want to look too far ahead. They have taught us well to take one minute at a time. However, I'm hopeful he is on the way up now. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts and please continue.

Love, Larry and Kathy

Friday, July 26, 2002 at 09:23 PM (CDT)

We've just come back to our "home away from home" for the evening. Larry is very tired tonight. He's still running a fever and motion is decreasing on his left side. Everyone tells me to be patient and that this is fairly normal. This morning he seemed better - said good morning to us when we came in and told Steve to go back to work. His sense of humor is definitely in there. But then, as usual, as the day worn on he began to regress.

I asked the nurse tonight to tell his doctor I would like another CT scan. They are beginning some range of motion exercises for him this weekend and, if we are fortunate enough that he wakes up enough, they are hoping to begin PT on Monday. I could tell from the doctor's face and attitude when we discussed this that he didn't think that would happen anymore than I did, but it's a great thought.

Please keep praying for him and all of us. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for us as well.

Kathy and Larry

Friday, July 26, 2002 at 09:02 PM (CDT)

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