Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.
First and foremost, thanks so much to all the friends and family for your thoughts and prayers. We see every day how much Rich is appreciated as a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather and friend to so many.
As we move along my amazing sisters Sherri and Brenda plus the rest of the family will be sharing thoughts as well. We invite everyone including you to please share a fun thought about Rich.
This last week has been quite a journey of highs and lows. I have definitely gone through a crash course in medical jargon....
On February 11th, dad fell on the ice getting out of his truck. Rich's already ailing back took the brunt of the fall and the T12 on the spinal column was crushed. He also hit his head and started bleeding badly from he head wound. Mom took him to the emergency room where they stopped the bleeding and told Rich he was good to go.
Over the next few weeks his back wasn't getting any better so mom took dad in for an MRI on Tuesday, February 26th. This indicated the crushed vertebrae. From there he was admitted to the hospital to get stabilized until surgery.
It seemed like he was doing okay however non stop sharp pain, sleep deprivation and medication took a toll. After awhile Rich's lungs had acquired water so his breathing was limited. They tried various masks to force oxygen however eventually doctors sedated and intubated dad.
The emotional ups and downs that all families eventually go through in this situation hit us hard. Mom has been through so much and driven forward watching her husband of 56 years lay immobile yet can't do anything but wait in limbo. We cried, we talked and we waited. Today they took him out of sedation and checked if he could breathe on his own. We held out hope and prayers were somewhat answered. Dad looked cognizant and was breathing on his own. There are a few more things he needs to do tomorrow to pass their litmus test before stopping intubation.
By the way, Rich and Karen's 56th anniversary was Sunday, March 3rdll! Happy anniversary mom and dad!!!
Thank you for bearing with me. I tried to give you the Readers Digest version.
Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers! I have come to know mom and dad have the best friends in the world. And of course in my heart we have the bestest family evvvvvverrrr!
