Another major hurdle last night checked off the list. He swallowed on his own. This was a big concern after week one. His nurse gave him some ice chips, and according to my mom, he swallowed them right up. They also removed his IV that was still in his wrist as a precaution. It wasn't connected, but just in case they have left it on until last night. Hopefully soon we can get both his food tube and his catheter removed, as I am getting the impression that both of these are beginning to bother him. The more he becomes aware of everything around him and what is going on, the more he realizes something is going where it shouldn't be going. :)
He is trying to tell me something, and it is frustrating that I cannot "hear" him, or understand him. He is trying so hard to tell me, and I just feel helpless.
My Mom tells me he cried again yesterday. I can't begin to imagine the struggle he is enduring. Laying in that bed for hours on end, having everyone care for your personal affairs, wondering why your left side won't work. I am sure he feels scared, and alone. We assure him every night that he is not alone, and not to be frightened. That everything will come in time, that he needs to be strong, that he needs to believe. He gave me strength for so many years, and continues to do so...I consider this payback time.
Even in a bed restricted from speech, he teaches me. He teaches me love, humility, generosity, and to be a better man. 800 hits on this website?? He is loved by, and has touched more people than I had ever imagined. We all have said at one point in our lives that we 'will never be like out parents'. I can only wish I can be as good a man as him one day.
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4 comments:
Chris,
In these many blog posts, you have kindly expressed your admiration of your father's unmatched kindness, generocity, and humility. These are the exact things I would say I admire most about you. It is evident that you have indeed learned many great things from your dad, and not just in the last three weeks.
Well done on the blog. Keep up the strength and encouragement. If any family can persevere in trying times and prove that "where there's a will, there's a way", it is the Petrovich family!
Stay strong,
Jamesy
John and Family,
John, you have been in our families prayers ever since we heard you was having this procedure and I have kept in touch with John Stark over the years checking on your health.John,Even though I'm not very good at keeping in touch,I want you to know how much you mean to me.Back in 1988 when I was with Mckesson and you contacted me about the United sales position,I had been with Mckesson for 8 years and starting over somewhere else was a hard thing,but when I experienced what a great person you were,I wanted to be part of United and working with you.The store owners all loved you and still ask about you 20 years later,because they knew you genuinely cared about their business and worked hard to help them.You are a great mentor and I haved tryed to emulate what I saw you do,not only in the stores,but with my family.You love people unconditionally and I have seen over the years and with this blog how that has come back to you.Chris put it best,and I echo his sentiments when he said he would be happy if he could be as good a man as you someday.It has made me a better person knowing you and trying to follow your lead.I look forward to talking with you soon.
Your Friend,
Laine Lee
hris,
You are doing such a wonderful job both with the blog and with your Dad. I know Claudia and your brothers are also contributing in a major way, but through the blog you are the most visible to the outside world.
From your description of my brother's progress, I am absolutely amazed at his fight and progress as compared to just a week ago, when Olga and I were there. I would really like to come back up and see for myself, but checking the calendar, there is simply no window of opportunity before we leave. I know the Petrovichs are a tough and stubborn breed, but I am not sure how I would respond to such a circumstance.
Here is some insight for you into some of the things that may be going on with John (crying, etc.)
* Perhaps when he is so desperately trying to tell you something, he is really trying to ask you why he is in a bed with tubes running into or out of strange places, when the result of the original procedure was to be a short stay and then home. Although he may have been told about the complications, he probably does not remember. There is a better than average chance that he will not remember what is happening today a week or a month from now, so you might have to tell him the story repeatedly.
* Just a few months before I retired I had an episode where I could not walk down the hall without falling over sideways. The conclusion was that it was a TIA (your mom probably knows what this stands for--I cannot remember) which was a ministroke and they would probably happen again. Olga and I had plans for travel and retirement and I was devastated. I did cry, because I thought my chances for a long and active retirement were over. John may be having the same emotion.
* Also he may realize that the incapacitating problem he was trying to resolve with the surgery may have become worse.
* He is probably getting extremely frustrated that he cannot speak properly or get out of bed.
I am going to send him a Get Well card and try to come up with some inspirational and motivating thoughts that you or Claudia can read to him. I hope it does not get dorky.
Love to you and the family
Bud & Olga
hris,
You are doing such a wonderful job both with the blog and with your Dad. I know Claudia and your brothers are also contributing in a major way, but through the blog you are the most visible to the outside world.
From your description of my brother's progress, I am absolutely amazed at his fight and progress as compared to just a week ago, when Olga and I were there. I would really like to come back up and see for myself, but checking the calendar, there is simply no window of opportunity before we leave. I know the Petrovichs are a tough and stubborn breed, but I am not sure how I would respond to such a circumstance.
Here is some insight for you into some of the things that may be going on with John (crying, etc.)
* Perhaps when he is so desperately trying to tell you something, he is really trying to ask you why he is in a bed with tubes running into or out of strange places, when the result of the original procedure was to be a short stay and then home. Although he may have been told about the complications, he probably does not remember. There is a better than average chance that he will not remember what is happening today a week or a month from now, so you might have to tell him the story repeatedly.
* Just a few months before I retired I had an episode where I could not walk down the hall without falling over sideways. The conclusion was that it was a TIA (your mom probably knows what this stands for--I cannot remember) which was a ministroke and they would probably happen again. Olga and I had plans for travel and retirement and I was devastated. I did cry, because I thought my chances for a long and active retirement were over. John may be having the same emotion.
* Also he may realize that the incapacitating problem he was trying to resolve with the surgery may have become worse.
* He is probably getting extremely frustrated that he cannot speak properly or get out of bed.
I am going to send him a Get Well card and try to come up with some inspirational and motivating thoughts that you or Claudia can read to him. I hope it does not get dorky.
Love to you and the family
Bud & Olga
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