New update from my Mom:

Need to update before I lose this computer again!!

This last week has been full of many little surprises! The occupational therapist come out on Monday and tested Bob's swallowing ability. He did well on two tiny spoons of applesauce, but not on two other spoons, coughed a lot. So we will wait for a few days and try again. He is drinking water out of a cup, tho. James suggested that we cut a paper cup down about two thirds, so that he can hold it easily. All my cups were too heavy for him to hold. (With a little help). He also can have ice chips from a spoon four times a day. He loves it but says they are cold. He is moving his left leg from the hip quite well and just started shrugging his shoulders a little yesterday.

On Friday Hospice delivered a wheelchair and "Hoyer"---which is the sling and hoist to lift him into the chair. Jenny and Doug, Rick and a couple neighbors participated in the demonstration---it is definitely a two (or three) man job. So when Bob feels ready, we will try the wheelchair---could be a few days or longer.

He is talking more and out loud a lot more. He now smiles with both sides of his mouth except when he is tired. All in all, his progress is encouraging. He is still very fragile and tires easily. He loves company but often falls asleep in the middle of a visit. Feel free to visit every day except Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:30, but please call first because we have found that we cannot hear the knock or doorbell with the oxygen pump, fireplace fan and sometime the TV going.

Thank all of you again for making my life easier, and all the encouraging cards, letters, prayers and holiday wishes.---Will update again, sooner, I hope. Keep praying, please!

Priscilla

Hello,

Below is an update from my Mom. Her internet has been on and off, so it has been awhile since she's been able to update. Please feel free to pass this along to friends and family to keep them in the loop. Our apologies for not responding to everyone's individual phone calls and emails - it's so much easier to just do these big updates to everyone. But we really do appreciate the support.

Thank you. May you find peace, comfort and joy during this holiday season.

Love,

Noelle

I am sorry that I have not written before this, but I have found Home Hospice the most overwhelming and demanding venture in my life. Hospice is finally realizing that Bob is not ready to leave us and is bringing the needed supplies and additional aides. Because they were told that he wouldn't live more than two or three days, I was given minimum supplies, which added to the stress.

Bob is holding up well; I see tiny improvements every day. He whispers a lot and makes sense about eighty percent of the time. He is also talking out loud a little. It is so good to hear his voice again! He is moving his legs and arms more every day. We are doing gentle physical therapy with him every day and he is responding with some resistance, which is great! He has had two massages and loves them, sleeps like a baby afterward. He has begun to swallow more and now wants to suck the water out of the mouth cleaning sponges, so after we clean the mouth, we let him suck a little. Since he is on constant oxygen, his mouth is dry. I am sure the cold water tastes good!

Bob loves company; he recognizes everyone and is able to stay awake for short periods. Because the mornings are so busy, we are limiting visiting to the afternoons. From 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm are good visiting times. Every day except Tuesdays---he has a massage on Tuesdays at 1:00 and sleeps the entire afternoon after that. Please also try to keep phone calls during the same time frame. This helps let the phone be available for health care workers to call in.

Thank you to everyone for the cards, food, prayers, emails, phone calls, visits, errands and general help. It is greatly appreciated. My refrigerator is full - so unless you want to buy me a new fridge (just kidding!) - please keep food limited to Tuesdays and Fridays. If anyone wants to volunteer to be my "food coordinator" - that would take some stress off of my plate and I'll just communicate through that one person. Please let Noelle know through email and she will confirm with you.

A special thank you to Carol Nohavec. She has done an incredible job coordinating volunteers from the church to help with different things. I'm surprised she hasn't sprouted wings by now.

Once again, thank you and please keep praying for his recovery.

Priscilla

My Mom's computer is having issues, so she hasn't been able to write another update. My Dad arrived home safely to his new hospice bed on Sunday. He is doing ok. There have been several hospice aides who have come through. My Mom is exhausted from all of the care that goes into a hospice situation.

Thank you everyone for your continued support, prayers and offers to help. My Mom will let you know when help is needed. This is definitely a stressful transitional time.

Love,

Noelle

She wrote this last night:

Bob's "peg' surgery went well. He was somewhat tired but I think he feels much better with the feeding tube out of his nose and all that tape on his face (so that he wouldn't tear the tube out) cleaned up. When I left the hospital, he was resting calmly. After 24 hours, he will be ready to leave---!!!

The hospice bed was delivered this afternoon with all the oxygen, suction pump, etc...this is going to be interesting. I was checked out on the equipment but am still a bit nervous. Thank goodness there will be a hospice attendant with me---at least at first.

It is time to go back to the hospital----will have a better update in a couple days.

Thanks again for all the prayers and good wishes.

Priscilla

Here is an update from my Mom:

Bob continues to stay about the same, at times he seems stronger, but with all the noise at the hospital, his sleep is constantly disturbed. He was very exhausted this morning, he coughed a lot last night and it was not until almost eight this morning that we could get respiratory to suction him deeply. Then he tried to sleep, but was constantly interrupted. I know the medical personnel are doing their job but it would be nice if they could all come at about the same time. I am able to suction him, but I don't dare go deeply for fear of dislodging the oxygen or feeding tubes.

He is still very weak. Physical and occupational therapy are working with him a little every day; he tires so easily. We are proceeding with the Home Hospice Care, and if all works out he should be home by Saturday. Then a new era begins.

Thank all of you for the prayers, good vibes and wishes and offers of food and help. At this time I am not home enough to eat, but there will be the time when I may need help, so you may be hearing from me!

Thank you again,
Priscilla

Hello,

My Dad continues to rest a lot. On Tuesday evening we had a scare. His airway became blocked and his blood pressure dropped to 49 over 29. We thought we would lose him. But he is resilient and bounced back once they reopened his airway and gave him some added liquids.

He has been fighting another infection. It sounds like it came from either his IV or the sore on his nose from the BiPAP mask. They are giving him antibiotics to treat that.

He is very weak and has lost a lot of muscle mass and 10 pounds since he was first admitted. At times he is more responsive than others. He can still squeeze hands most of the time and still nods to questions, although he is not as responsive as he was two days ago.

My Mom hasn't had time to write an update. She wants to be with my Dad as much as possible - and she is caring for him as only she could. I'm amazed by her strength - I know it is fueled by her deep love for my father.

United Airline Captain Molly Flannagan Littlefield, a neighbor and fellow church member, recently dedicated her flight from Chicago to Seattle to my Dad. Many of the passengers, all strangers to my Dad, wrote messages to him the airline napkins. Many signed their names with their row and seat numbers. It was amazing looking through the variety of messages from all over. As Rick said to my Mom after looking at them, "I'll never look at these airlines in the same way again." (We will scan these in and share them down the road - they are incredibly touching)

I was able to start putting together a slide show of my Dad. Many treasures have yet to be scanned in - but this is a start.
http://www.flickr.com/gp/69894039@N00/MM50VX

Your prayers, cards, emails, calls and visits are greatly appreciated. This has been an emotional roller coaster for us, as we approach one month of his hospitalization. Your support helps us feel grounded and connected to to greater community of family and friends - representing love and support. Thank you again.

Love,

Noelle

From Joseph Atak, from Sudan

HEY NOELLE,

I was caught by surprise when I was told that your dad was admitted many days in VMC intensive ward.I run there with George I called his name he open his eye to give me a signal that he recognise my voice but inside me it tore me apart.I wish I have time to talk to him,to told him how much I proud of him, for everything he did to me and for all of us,he was figure father,we prayer for him and we love him too.
with much LOVE,

Joseph

Joseph,

Thank you for your email. These last couple weeks have been very hard for me and my family. And I consider you and George part of my family too. My Dad's health has been very unstable and knowing how much energy he used to have, it is very difficult to see him in this state. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I know your presence in my Dad's life has meant a lot to him - and that my parents love you very much.

I've been gathering pictures of my Dad and wanted to share them with you. If you click on this link, you should be able to look at them. It is a work in progress - there are many that are not included yet. But I think you might find these interesting - especially the older ones!

http://www.flickr.com/gp/69894039@N00/MM50VX

With much love,

Noelle

HEY NOELLE,

Thank you so much,Noelle I really understand the pain they whole family go throught we are really with you at this time of pain and I take a look at each picture I understand the reallity of what a momory means to you at these movement and thank you for sharing your dad photos with us.

with much
LOVE

Bob is resting peacefully, but is slowly failing---he still knows us and responds, but not quite as frequently and with less energy. I don't believe he is in any pain---at least that is what he nods to. He has lost a tremendous amount of weight---and he didn't have much to lose to begin with. Pray that he is in God's hands--it is so difficult to think of loosing him.

Thank you, all of you, for your kind and thoughtful messages, cards, etc....We do read them to him and he does respond, and of course the family appreciates everything.

Thank you, Priscilla

Hi,

My Dad continues to be fading. He is very weak, but still makes eye contact and recognizes visitors. For someone who has always been in tip-top physical shape, it is difficult to see him in this state.

I'm sending out this request for photos of him. We have a lot within our family, of course - but it is always amazing what gems extended family and friends have. In order to keep things streamlined, it would be easiest for them to be in digital format only - so either from a digital camera or scanned in. Carter and I wanted to start working on a couple projects and this would help immensely. Please email them to me at this account - noelle.smithhart@gmail.com. (The benefit of gmail's huge storage capacity!)

Thank you again for all of your support. We have not been able to reply to everyone's emails and voice mails, but know that we have been reading them to him and I've been sharing your emails with the immediate family.

This has been a very difficult time for all of us. At the same time, seeing the impression my Dad has left on all of us is an amazing reflection on his character and it helps us through this time.

With Gratitude,

Noelle

I know this last week has been sketchy as far as updates.

On Monday night Bob had a massive heart attack, but was brought back after two-three minutes. He was not in good shape through Thursday, but then Friday afternoon he was breathing on his own a bit again so they took him off the BiPAP; the powerful oxygen, and on to a lesser system. He was on the least support all Friday night through noon today and they put him back on the BiPAP for about five hours, (this machine gives his lungs a rest from working so hard.) They will do this back and forth for a while. He is amazing; two Doctors have called his "recoveries" a miracle, but of course he is still in critical care and very ill. He can communicate with us through nods and hand motions and has whispered to us a few times.

A speech therapist came in to work with him for a few minutes this morning, he could cough, swallow, turn his head left and right and several other things that she asked him to do. All these signs are encouraging, but much more has to happen in order for him to have any kind of quality of life. Please keep praying.
He can have visitors for a few minutes--if he is awake, he really seems to enjoy people---probably no longer than ten or fifteen minutes or so--no flowers or cell phones--he is in Critical care room #3710---he will fall asleep on you if he is tired!

Thank you for all the e-mails, cards and messages. We tell him about them or read them to him. He smiles and I am sure would laugh if he could.

Thank you for your prayers and good wishes---they are much appreciated.

Priscilla

As of right now, Bob has been in the hospital twenty days, all in Critical Care (three in intermediate care and one in regular).

He was progressing slowly but well last week and then this last Monday had a heart attack and has been on high oxygen since. He is on BiPAP which forces the oxygen into the bottom of the lungs. He will not stay on this machine more than a few additional days. He recognizes all of us and tries to laugh and communicate in spite of the O2 mask. He continues to move his hands, arms, feet and legs. Once in awhile he shrugs the shoulders or an entire side.

Thank you for the messages, emails, and visits. He can have visitors and shows how delighted when he sees a familiar face. We have read many of your emails to Bob and we can tell it means a lot to him.

Dear Bob, Priscilla, and all your family,

Just wanted to share how much Jim and I have enjoyed the friendship you have shared with us. I think it first began when I got to know Nicole at Chryalis. How very proud you must be of all your children. You have done an amazing job of raising them. I know they love you both very much.

Then it was such fun to share in the caroling parities during the holidays. Some times they were quite chilly. That is why Priscilla's food was so welcome when we returned to the house. You always made everyone feel so welcome.

Then we were placed in a Dinner for 8 group together, and the boat ride one Lake Washington was one we will always remember. I think the Huskies even won that day, maybe because a boat load of Christians passed their way!

After that Priscilla, Linda, Catherine and I went to lunch in our purple and red outfits, and that began several years of good food, good laughs and good friends.
Then when we gained custody of our little guys almost 5 years ago, you were so supportive and understanding. Your kind words and prayers were always appreciated.
Lastly, you have been a shining example of true Christian servitude at Cornerstone. Always faithful and diligent in your works. Thanks for your love and friendship, you know you can call on us for any thing we can help with.

Always, Jim and Janie

Uncle Bob~

Of course some of my best memories of our family trips to Seattle involve you and the boat and plane trips you took us on. Twenty + years later, I still share the story of how you let me fly your plane and we went over the destruction of Mt.Saint Helen! Friends are always wow'd by that! I always loved visting your family - as evidenced by the one time in my mid-twenties I came up for a long weekend by myself to do some soul searching while on a "break" with my long term boyfriend. I remember the long walk we took one morning, the cool Seattle air, and the relaxed conversation. All much needed by me at the time. You and Aunt Priscilla created a warm and loving environment for a troubled girl that weekend. Thank you for that. Thankfully, I have now found a wonderful man to spend the rest of my life with and I would love for you to meet him someday. Nate is a laid-back, CA native / surfer / high school history teacher who is very genuine and loving. I am keeping you and your health, as well as Priscilla and the family, in my prayers, Uncle Bob. I hope this note brought you a smile, as my great memories of you bring me a smile.

Much love and prayers, Julie

My husband just forwarded your email to me in San Diego. I have been down here helping my mom clean up from the aftermath of the San Diego fires. Her house and yard were covered in soot, but at least her house survived the fires. I am so sorry to hear that your dad has taken a turn for the worse. I can only imagine how hard this is on all of you, because I know how close your family is! Please know that each and every one of you are in my prayers.

I would love for you to tell your dad just how very special I think he is! When I think of him, I think of all the kindnesses he has extended to our Sudanese friends. He has always been so incredibly loving and giving to each and every one of them. He gave so much of his time and his energy to them for so many years! They were constantly telling me how Bob had helped them with their cars, or helped them move or helped repair something in their apartment, or co-signed a loan for them, or had them for dinner, and on and on. He really has been a saint to so many of the Sudanese and they all love him dearly!

When I think of Bob, I also think of he and Priscilla serving the homeless guys with me. They would bring all those delicious dishes that Priscilla had slaved over all day and they would serve those guys with such love and respect. Every one of those homeless men could see the face of Christ in Bob and Pricilla's faces!

When I think of Bob, I think of the hundreds of times I would see him in the church office counting the offering after church. He always had a smile on his face as he opened the locked office door for me. Even though he had done it hundreds of Sundays before, he never looked like he was tired of serving, or resentful of the time he spent taking care of church business. I know he has given thousands and thousands of hours to making sure the finances of the church were in order. Talk about a thankless task, but he has always done it with a willing heart!

Please tell your dad that he really is one of the most Godly people I have ever had the priviledge of knowing and I feel extremely fortunate to call him my friend.

With love and prayers to you all, and especially to Bob!

Carol Nohavec

Dear Noelle, Bob, Priscilla and Family,

Thank you for the emails keeping us all up to date on Bob's situation. You all have been in my prayers for sometime now, and that will certainly continue. Bob is such a special guy. Always quick with a smile and willingness to pitch in wherever needed. I don't think our dear African brothers would have made it without his great love and support for them! And our church finances. Who else could be so trusted and conscientious about our books? You know, there aren't many who give of themselves so wholeheartedly and without any thought of recognition. But that's the Bob we know and love!

Bob, I miss your smiling face and gentle presence. Sunday we prayed as a congregation for you and Priscilla and your family. I know you are in good hands and held tightly by His loving embrace. May God bring you healing and comfort.

Your sister in Christ,
Anne Grunow

A letter to Bobby

Dear Cuz,

Learning of your most recent illness, I thought back to some of the good times we had growing up.

I remembered one of the times we went to the Cotton Carnival in Memphis in the old dark blue panel truck with you driving. I can't remember who all went, just that the truck was packed and we had a ball! I also thought about one trip we took in your folks' green packard. It was packed, too, but, for the life of me, I can't remember where we went.

Another memory that came back was of you, Leroy, Bill and the Johnson boys throwing chinaberries at us girls from the tree in Grandmama and Granddaddy's back yard. I thought I would never forgive any of you for that!

I remember when you joined the Marines and what a rough time that was for you. But you survived and went on to accomplish what you had started out to do. I am so proud of you.

I also remember well the revival night when you, Leroy, Bill and I walked down the isle of First Baptist Church in Indianola and accepted Jesus into our hearts. That was a very special time. I didn't understand a whole lot about what I was doing then but God understood and He has "grown" me a lot since then.

I am praying for you constantly and hoping for a good report.

I love you, Karen

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you so much for all of your kind words. Today was a very long day for us all at the hospital, but Dad is still hanging in there. He was awake and alert for a little while this evening, and his granddaughter, Michelle, reminded me of an email I had sent the immediate family about 2 years ago. It is at the bottom of this email. We read it aloud to him and he nodded along with every word - acknowledging his amazing early years in aviation.

We can tell he is with us mentally - even though he can't respond with words. I shared with him this evening the many people who have called and emailed in the past few weeks. His eyes lit up when he heard your names. This last Friday, Jenny, my Mom and I were reading "get well" cards to him and he had a very similar response. At one point, he even grabbed for a card, wanting to read it for himself.

So many of you have asked if you can do anything - and one idea that came is to share this gift that we have - these precious hours with him. If you feel so inspired, please feel free to share your memories, stories, messages, etc with him. We can then take turns in the hospital reading your words to him. Just email them to me. (And of course, feel free to forward this on to anyone who might have something they would like to share and just have them send me an email).

Thank you again for your amazing love, support and prayers. It is a truly beautiful thing to see all of the lives he has touched. Our appreciation is beyond words.

Love,
Noelle

Some of you may know about Bob's hospitalization but since I am not sure, this information may be redundant. Bob was in the middle of moving the address book to g-mail from incredimail so I hope I am not missing anyone.

On Saturday, Oct. 13, at about 10:30 am, Bob was taken by ambulance to Valley Medical Emergency. I had thought he might have had a stroke from his actions and slurring of words.

At 2:00 pm he went down for a brain scan and when he came back up he was in a coma. They had given him Ativan because he was too anxious to keep his head still. He did not come out of the coma in the two-three hours which is normal. After several hours they realized he should have been conscious so started to try to revive him.

He coded blue at about 1:30 am and was resuscitated and then a few minutes later coded again. He has been slowly improving over the last two weeks. He was moved from Critical Care to intermediate care and then two days ago to the regular floor. He could track us with his eyes, was totally able to follow a conversation and answer questions with nods. He had considerable nerve damage and they were about to start physical therapy; gentle stretching exercises.

Then last night at about 3:00 am, he coded again and was once again resuscitated. He is responding a little bit, but it does not look good.. As of right now, they think he may have had a heart attack. We are waiting for the latest x-rays. Blood thinners caused internal bleeding, so they had to take him off of them. They are stabilizing his blood pressure with medication, and he is back on a mechanical respirator.

We will continue to update everyone as to his progress. Please pray for him and all of us. The five children have been here with him as much as their work schedules allow. The first week. all five took the entire week off. Spouses were able to get some days off too. Noelle is our message handler - her e-mail is noelle.smithhart@gmail.com. Please pray for him.

Thanks, Priscilla

Just a quick update, I am leaving to relieve James at the hospital---he spent the night there. I will tonight. I asked people to pray for a miracle and I feel the prayers are being answered. Two nights ago one of his five specialists (Doctors), told me that he has improved much better than they expected him to!! Yesterday they removed Bob from the respirator, he is still on oxygen, but breathing fairly well on his own. He had his third dialysis, the first time for a four hour treatment. He is still on antibiotics for the staph infection and will be for at least a week. He has not spoken yet, but because his throat is so raw, he has been told not to!! His eyes are open fully most of the time and he tracks us constantly and communicates through nods or hand squizes. He naps and sleeps a lot. His blood pressure, pulse, sugar, etc... are in a good range. If I am not too tired, I will update tonight or tomorrow. Thank you for all the prayers, please continue!

Love, Priscilla

This will be a short update again as I am tired and will go back to the hospital for the night. Bob is a tiny bit better, had his second dialyses today, also a blood transfusion. He has fluttered his eyes about one third open twice today---and tried to track my face. He also had to give the nurse an OK to be shaved and he nodded a yes---that was great news to us!! Thank you, everyone, for all the prayers--keep them coming. I don't know when I will have the energy to return phone calls or messages, but, my personal secretary, Noelle, is on top of things!!---with the e-mails and phone answering--

Priscilla

Yvonne's account of Bob growing up in the Mississippi Delta

Bob Smithhart
Growing Up in the Mississippi Delta
10-15-07

Of the seven siblings in our family, our brother Bob is the oldest. He was born in 1928 between the Great Flood of 1927 which broke the levee which was holding back the waters of the great Mississippi River and the Great Depression of 1929. The levee broke at Greenville where Bob and his young parents lived. His granddad, William Henry Smithhart, brought the family back to Indianola, where they became a sort of compound with my grandfather’s house in the middle and his sons on either side. Our Grandparents had a general store on the outer edge of town. It was in this country-like setting that Bob grew up in a safe haven surrounded by love with siblings and cousins in great abundance.

From the earliest days, he has loved motors and especially cars. My brothers were always working on a car of early vintage. Occasionally, Bob would hear the sound of engines in the sky; and as he looked up, a dream began to form in his heart. Our dad’s storage room behind my grandfather’s store became filled with model planes hanging from the ceiling. Bob and our brother Richard, who is also a Navy trained pilot, spent many happy childhood hours assembling those planes.

When our father died in 1991, Bob recalled for those who were assembled for the service the family history as he remembered it. With so many mouths to feed, a cow was an important animal to our family. Dad taught the first three boys how to tend and milk the cow. He taught them the importance of responsibility, and they each had
paper routes as small boys. When they were in high school, they worked at the Post Office sorting the mail after school. Our parents bought a large grocery store downtown, and the boys worked there after school and in the summer. When our dad had serious surgery, they ran the store with their uncle’s help, so our mother could
stay in the hospital with our father. Most of all, our parents taught us a love for God as foremost in our lives and then a love of country.

Bob went into the Marines as soon as he graduated from high school. When he returned home after his stint of duty, he attended the community college in our area. This was a requirement for going into the naval school in Pensacola, Florida. His training also included an assignment at Corpus Christi, Texas. He received his first squadron assignment at Whidby Island, Washington, in the great Northwest.

After his service in the Navy was completed, he began to fly for United and flew for the rest of his flying years with them. He was very busy with his family and his job which he loved dearly, but he never forgot his deep Southern roots in the Mississippi Delta. He always brought our parents up once a year to enjoy his family and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. On one trip he took them to Knots Berry Farm in California and planned a trip to Hawaii for the 50th Wedding Anniversary. Our mother died that summer, but he persuaded our dad to make the trip.

No matter what kind of struggles he found himself in, he never lost his base with the Lord. At one point in his life, he had a flying club called the Flying Disciples, where he trained missionary pilots to fly into the bush countries of their mission points. He and Priscilla have had a wonderful ministry working with the young Sudanese men that their church supports. He has always loved his church, his pastor, his fellow church members, the youth activities, the music, and his job with the financial aspects of the church.

As an individual, Bob has always been an intelligent, quiet, thoughtful person with many abilities which he has developed for the good of others as well as himself. He knows the sound of a well-tuned engine and loves to work with his hands to achieve that sound. He has a passion for God, his family, friends, and his country.

When I was 25, I became very ill with euremic poisoning and had the death experience. Bob flew across the 3,000 miles chasm to see for himself that I was recovering from the experience. Again and again, he has reached out to help us in our times of need according to this great passion that has filled him.

Isn’t God’s timing perfect? Two weeks ago, God gave Bob the strength to get up from his time of weakness. He ventured out of the house to the grocery with Priscilla and
for short walks around the house. Last week, he drove himself to see his beloved pastor and friend. I believe he wanted his surrender to the Lord to be complete. I also believe that God has blessed him with that peace that passes all earthly understanding.

One day he will rise triumphantly through the skies that have been his second home to his mansion that the Lord has promised him in John 14. There he will find the Lord waiting for him. He mother and dad will be there along with his grandmother who was a tremendous prayer warrior and made such an indelible impression on Bob all his life. What a celebration there will be!

Take comfort in his own words which he shared with me several times over the last few years: “Yvonne, I am so blessed. I am so proud of my family! God has surely blessed me in a great way!” Truly, my brother Bob has lived with a cup that has been running over with the blessings of the Lord.

Update on my Dad

On Sunday morning he went into cardiac arrest. He has been on a respirator since then. His body is dealing with a lot of things - heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes, and he is fighting an infection - we found out yesterday it is staph. He has been in a coma, and on Sunday was non-responsive.

We made the choice on Sunday to not do dialysis - the specialist who came in was afraid it would be too much for his body to handle. So we made a family decision to just wait it out another 24 hours.

Yesterday morning, his body temperature had come down and he was more responsive. His feet are twitching more and his face seems to respond occasionally to voices. But we still can't fully communicate with him. He had two minor surgeries yesterday. One was to insert this thing that allowed all of the different tubes that were going into him to go in through one place on his arm. Consolidate and it goes straight to his heart - so it is more efficient. Then he had this thing inserted in his arm a few weeks/months ago for a therapy he was doing - they're afraid that was actually where the infection started - so last night they removed that.

The family is meeting at the hospital around noon again today to see how much he has improved and see what the doctors say. On Sunday, we were all prepared to lose him. But now we're not sure how much he has really improved. He always used to say he never wanted to be kept alive on machines, so it is finding that point where we know he will actually improve and be able to live off of them.

As you can imagine, it has been a really difficult couple of days. I'm afraid I might be coming down with something (woke up with a scratchy throat) and my Mom said the same thing this morning when I talked to her. I'm sure sitting around in a hospital for the last two days hasn't helped. I'm worried about my Mom - she actually went home to sleep last night, but had been staying at the hospital straight through prior to that. I know she needs us there for her through this. Thankfully, the entire family has been able to take time off work - my brothers who are pilots canceled their trips. My oldest brother, Rick, was able to stay overnight at the hospital last night.

Hello Everyone,

Bob is still in a coma, but was responding better today---had a bit more kidney output--blood pressure stabilized almost to normal, and various other positive items. I am too tired to think of the rest. He had two minor surgeries this afternoon/evening and both went very well. Right now I am home to get some sleep and a shower!!! Rick is with him for the night. He is still in the Critical Care unit and is not out of the woods at all, but there is hope. Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes.

Priscilla