Hello, everyone! Long time, no update! A few things to get out of the way before we dive right in: While I do have a Facebook profile currently, I am not active on it. I deleted the apps (messanger too) in May to get my emotional/mental house in order. I've really been enjoying my time away from most socials and don't have any plans to get back on anytime soon. So, no, I have not been intentionally ignoring anyone! I will leave my contact information and a note at the bottom of this update for you all to get in touch with me as you see fit. 

Here's what has been going on the past few months: 

When we last left off, Dad had just gotten to Kindred Hospital in Denver where he was supposed to spend a MAXIMUM of TWO weeks there to get off the ventilator and head to Craig. However, within FOUR days of being there, Dad had developed an open wound bedsore (which meant he started developing the bedsore the first or second day being there) which prevented him from going to Craig in February. They thought by the looks of it, it would take about a month to heal. Well, Dad developed the bedsore because Kindred had told the ICU at Memorial that they were ready to take Dad when they were not in fact ready and failed to have the special air compressed bed that he needed which is what caused him to obtain an open wound so rapidly and they were barely turning him and when they were, they weren't shifting his weight (essentially, they just moved paper thin pillows around a bit and called it a day), as well as just a complete and utter lack of knowledge in relation to caring for a quadriplegic patient (through no real fault of their own, it is its own type of education).

What was supposed to be a month of healing time at Kindred, turned into now SEVEN months (minus one month, so really six) wherein his bedsore got so bad and just was not healing in any way, shape, or form, that Kindred agreed to sending him to Swedish Medical Center (attached to Craig campus- so close to being there and yet still so far at this point) to get a muscle flap surgery done (Google at your own risk- the imagines and description made my skin crawl) where essentially, they patched the bedsore that went to the bone, up. I, personally, am going to take this time to mention that after SIX months of being there at Kindred, the day they sent him to Swedish Medical Center, admitting that they would be able to help with the problem that they (Kindred) caused was the day Dad's nice insurance through his former job ended (convenient. In my opinion, ALLEGEDLY, they kept him long enough to take every last dollar of profit he is worth before moving him on to get proper help, care, and attention, again, allegedly, in my own personal opinion). They also agreed to pay for a nice insurance for him after the fact so that Dad would be in good standing with Craig. I do want to make this clear, though- while under absolutely no circumstance do I recommend ANYONE to go to ANY Kindred facility and that yes, there are always going to be situations like this everywhere you go, unfortunately, not everyone at this specific facility is so awful. In fact, we have made some of the greatest life long friends and people who have been relentless about getting Dad's healthcare on the right track. These nurses have gone out of their way to sneak him outside for some sunshine and fresh air for the first time since his fall in January, bring him special smoothies and shakes on the way into work, take their time in caring for his hygienic and cosmetic needs (proper bed baths, shaving him, combing his hair, making him feel like a human being who matters) and just all around companionship. When COVID hit and my mom and I couldn't take turns staying with him, so some of these nurses took on the extra challenge that was not asked of them and really took care of his emotional and mental well being and we will NEVER be able to thank them enough for what all they have done. I fight back tears typing this because my god, it has been the longest journey to get to this point and every single day is a relentless fight but I know they are fighting much harder and they do it because they care. So, if you- Jennifer, Kris, Vilma, Dorene, Stevie, Coleen (from above), Diane, and countless others who take the time each day to come see Dad and spend your extra time caring for him- if you are reading this, you all are some of the best things to happen to not just Dad, but to our family as well, and you have made a family here with us. We will NEVER be able to thank you in the capacity in which you all deserve to be thanked but I hope one day we can come close to achieving such. Thank you for getting us this far and fighting for and alongside us. 

Anyways, (trying to wrap it up, as its a long one but I've been off of updates for months so I'm trying to fit it all in) Dad spent about a month at Swedish Medical Center for what started as just a muscle flap surgery but ended up also getting a colostomy bag (Google at your own risk, again). Here's the fun part: Dad went through muscle flap surgery seamlessly and everything was great until about forty minutes afterwords where Dad decided to play a fun little game and died for SEVEN minutes. They broke three ribs doing chest compressions to bring him back to life and it worked and he has been here to see a few more days! He has a lot to say about his time with death so I will let him share that when he is able to. 

After about  a month at Swedish Medical Center, Dad was transferred BACK to Kindred (biggest eye roll of all time as I take some deep breaths and try to lower my blood pressure) where he has been for the past three or so weeks to finish the remainder of his healing time from muscle flap surgery. Muscle flap surgeries required him to lay flat on his back 24/7 for FIVE weeks. Whew! Then Craig said in order for them to take him, he must be able to sit up in his wheelchair for an hour and a half, twice a day, without complications like passing out. He has finally reached that goal and is supposed to go to Craig TODAY!!!! Wahoo!!!! We are all still a little unsure, as before his muscle flap surgery, he was set to go to Craig with discharge paperwork in hand from his case manager at Kindred and then Craig called moments later and said they saw his sore and he is indeed not ready. So I personally will believe it when those little toes of his are in the ambulance on the way over to Craig. I will most definitely update on if he makes it to Craig today or tomorrow. The first couple of days will be assessment days and I will find out what the visitation schedule looks like. Thanks for sticking with us this long! Dad has been having a lot of issues with his migraines still which makes his voice softer (still talking through the trach but off the ventilator) so he hasn't been interacting with people on his phone as much as he would like but I know things will change once he gets to Craig and he does too. Just keep hanging tight with us!

Other updates: Dillon joined the Marines and left for bootcamp in July and we have received three letters from him so far and he is enjoying as much of it as he can but is seriously homesick for some BBQ and a milkshake. He writes frequently about his dreams of food... haha! Mom is back to work since the shut down was lifted and I am still floating about. I am trying to see if my university will let me finish my last semester online in January but we will see. As for contacting me, here is my cell number: 719-425-1800* However, I watch too much Dateline so if its a number I don't recognize, I will not answer the phone call. Ha! So shoot me a text or leave me a voicemail letting me know who you are and how to get back in touch with you and I am happy to respond and update as I can! Thanks everyone! Blessed Be!