"A view from Lake Tahoe"

01-18-2009

1909 Hours.

Just returned from Kentfield a little while ago. Got Mav all fed and he is on our bed watching me as I bring you up to date.

Left this morning a little after 5:00 and arrived shortly before 8:00 am. Took Mav on a walk and we strolled down the bike /running/dog path to the little hamlet of Ross Calif. Reminded me of Desperate housewives town, very quaint and friendly.

When the doors opened I was the first visitor to register. Dar was awake and looking around and we had a nice time chatting and laughing. I took the opportunity to tell her that our friends Pat and Doug took me to Walmart yesterday and Pat helped me pick out some comfortable clothes for Dar. Dar already had several pairs of "scrubs" so that was not an issue. The tops presented a whole new set of issues. Trying to find blouses that button or snap in the front between seasons was a nightmare. We settled for 4 white medical smocks for women. Thank God they had 4 very small ones. We returned home and put a care package together for Dar with enough clothes she can wear for a week and I can bring more and launder every week. Thanks Pat, thanks Doug.

Dar laughed alot about how she was going to look like one of the staff and not a patient. Her aides got her dressed in her new duds a couple hours after I arrived. She really looked cute, and stupid me forgot to take a picture and I even had our Nikon.

Something that happened on Friday that I did not tell you about, I can now share with you. Dar's dad said at one point during there visit Friday he thought he saw her head move. Now remember, these were the things that Oroville was hoping to see as "purposeful movement". These were the kind of actions that would have lead them to believe that Dar was recovering. Well we now know that Dar has been recovering since the 5th of Janurary.Thats when I posted about her laughing about Maverick and his pilly-willys and his cookie treats. Thats when she woke up.

Back to my story (sorry, my bad). Today, I thought I saw the same thing Dar's dad did, but if it did happen it was so slight I could not be sure. Dr. Redkin, (forgive me if I got it wrong), Chief of Medicine was her attending doc today came in and checked Dar out, suctioned very little from her lungs listened and told me she looked real good. After he left I again could have sworn I saw not only move her head but just before it appeared that she was looking at something outside her door.

Let me set her position, when I arrived she was on her back slightly rolled to her right side. Her head looking more to her right than her left and definatley past center. As I said Icould swear I saw that head and pillow move, it appeared that just before she moved it she tracked her eyes from right to left as if looking at something in the corridor and followed it with her head, ever so slight I was sure I saw it move. Guess what, I made sure the Doc knew.

Well folks I can beyond a shadow of a doubt inform you that Dar is definatley rolling her head from right to left and appears to be tracking something in that left directions with her eyes. Dar moved her head more and further as the day went on. By the time I left I had seen her almost move her head center straight up from close to a flat postion on her right cheek. This is great news. I left a note for Speech Therapy and P/T, and asked that both her Doctors were made aware of what I had seen. Alvin I do believe you saw what you thought you did.

A very good friend and co-worker of mine, Nancy Metz has a Lavender ranch at her home. She recently gave me some lavender based creams to put on Dar's hands, feet and her joints. Nancy I don't quite know why today was so special, but when I asked the "madam" if I could rub some cream on her feet and hands you would have thought she was the Queen of England. Dar smiled so big and laughed so hard, I think cuz she thought she WAS the queen. Nancy thank you so very much. I hope nobody finds where I hid it. Of course when asking Dar I had to sound like an English butler, I did and not to bad if I say so myself. Thanks Nancy.

It was hard to leave, especially as we learned Friday, Dar's memory at this time is very short, her brain is processing very well, I have to be careful what and how I say things. If she hears me say that I have to leave, look out, the tears come. Today it was especially hard for me to leave '"cuz" I could not tell her, and as much awake as she was today I could only keep telling her how special she is and how proud of her I am and how much I love her. I had to wait for her to drift off and sneak out so as not to upset her. It was really really hard to walk away this afternoon. It will be really hard not seeing my best friend till next week-end, my saving grace is that I (as you remember) am to call Dr. Waters daily and get updates for the blog.

Think about it, as much progress as Dar has made since the 5th I might find her up and about or even in a wheel chair. I know what your thinking, I am just so proud of my wife I just get excited. The real world says that this is going to be a long recovery, since I very much live in a black and white world (gray is sometimes hard to find), it is not real hard for me to live in this REAL WORLD. I have every hope, dream, faith and trust that Dar is going to recover, same as you all do. She is a very special lady to many of you that she knows personally, and a very special lady to those who have just recently met her through this blog. I love my wife and will climb every mountain with her and be at her side through this recovery. I say it again, without your prayers and I know there have probably been thousands, and there will continue to be, thank you is not enough, there are no words that can genuinly express my feelings to all that ARE playing a part in this recovery. Just remember this, WE LOVE YOU AND APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

I think with that I will close for the night and grab some supper, curl up with the dog and watch a little tube.

Good night my dear friends, God bless each and every one of you.

Darlene, I love you, I'm proud of you, you are my best friend, Rest well my love.

Good night all,

Danny

PS, a reminder, feel free to leave a comment or thought at the bottom of each post (comment section), or email me at.............. cntrydjpro@sbcglobal.net

" Second time fly fishing, First Steelhead, Chico Fly Shop, Joe Sousa and me ," A day on the river"

01-17-2009
0512 Hours

What a day that was, new to fly fishing, caught fish, good friends, good weather, what more could you ask for. It don't get no better than this or.........................does it.

I think it does, last evening I learned from Dr. D that Dar is not in a coma any longer, in fact she has probably been out for awhile. Yeee Ha

Now the rest of the story, abridged version for now but I will add pieces as the days and weeks go by.

The steak and patatoes is this, Dr. D came to Dar's rom a skeptic and left a believer, I was already aware the she had examined Dar and found it hard to believe that Dar was capable of anything. Well, Dr D left Dar's room a believer, a believer so much that when we were in the conference room she told Dar's mom and dad and myself that Dar "is not in a vegitative state, she is awake, she is processing, she is not in a coma". She probably has not been in one for awile, possibly 1-5-09, (see blog that date.) that is when I posted that Dar was laughing and smiling big time. That was the day after my birthday.

Dr D continued with her assesment of Dar and basically explained it this way,

Dar is not in a vegitative state, but her brain is processing information faster than her body can respond. She is very much awake, the fact that she is showing these signs 2 weeks post the event means that this "is not an up hill battle", "in fact the odds are very much in Dar's favor".

Time is Dar's best friend and sleep is her best tool, Studies now show that sleep is what these patients need most. Thats when the body heals and the brain cells can heal. Dr's. Dahorty and Waters have a big row to hoe, keeping Dar healthy and strong. The therapists have a big row to hoe, keeping Dar fit, continuing her ocupational therapy, her speech therapy. I have a big row to hoe, staying strong, staying healthy, staying fit for what will be a long marathon. Yes, this will be a marathon, a bumpy road, uphill,downhill, whatever you choose to call it, this is going to be a very long road to recovery. Please keep in mind, again, we do not know what recovery means, there may be some residual affects, there may be some issues, we do not know. Time will tell.

Just remember, Dar is not in a coma, she is awake, she is processing, she needs rest, sleep, therapy, and most importantly................... time

Dar will receive all that she needs and more where she is at. Everyone, please believe me, Kentfield is absolutly the best place for Dar right now. This place is fabulous, get this, last night I met the CEO of Admissions or something like that, (sorry Chris), because I was enquiring as to a WiFi service for my laptop. This guy (Chris), comes out and starts chatting with me and asking about Dar, I have know clue who he is and how he learned about Dar, well he told me that he has a way that when Kentfield Rehab info is on the web is gets sent to him to his email. Chris started following the first day that I mentioned that Dar might be going to Kentfield. He has been following ever since. How cool is that, how cool is it that when I left yesterday I pretty much have in my briefcase every phone number, email address and, permission to use them in the event that I simply panic or get anxious about something, or just have a question. How cool is that.

Again Dar's Dream Team just keeps getting bigger and better, and goes to show me how much the "Man upstairs" has had his hand in this, from Oroville Hospital and the fantastic staff of Team Players to the "New" staff of Team players at Kentfield, Dar has had nothing short of the best that medicine can provide.

Again to the staff at Oroville Hospital, all my new friends in the ER, Unit II, Emergency Room, First Responder Transport, Thank you Thank you Thank you, you are all lifesavers and you mean the world to Dar and I.

To Kentfield Rehailitation and Speciality Hospital, my new friends I am getting to know, Dr. Waters, Dr. Dahorty, Ana, Nicole, Debbie, Chris, Elsie at the front desk, Ramon, Dar's CNA last night. Mike in Physical Therapy, Jennifer and Linda from Speech Therapy, to Ocupational Therapy (not met yet). To the friendly folks that smile as you walk by in the hallway, to the other family members like myself that find themselves displaced as they care for a loved one, To everyone that God has chosen to bless and bring into Dars and my life today, tomorrow and the days to come, we love you, we may not even know you yet, but we love each and everyone of you, Thank you is such a small phrase, a small word but can do and be so much.

I am reminded of the movie starring Helen Hunt, the movie, Pay it Forward, If you have not seen it I challange you to rent it and watch it with your family, it will impact your life, it has mine and I believe I am beginning to pay it forward.

OKAY OKAY enough for awhile, I need top get some coffee and wipe the tears, thank you all, you are the best.

More to follow as the day goes by, I return to Kentfield tommorow for the day, resting today at home with Mav. Napping

Love ya

" Doc Waters, You are sooooo busted"

01-16-2009
o800 Hours

Can you believe this, Doc Waters tells me to call everyday between 4:00 - 5:00. If I don't I will be in serious trouble.

So what happens, I call yesterday, Doc is on her way home and will call me in an hour. Welllll, gues what, Doc forgets to call. She is so busted.

This morning at 0800 Doc calls, laughing and apoligizing, she really felt bad. I was her first call this am.

Dar is doing fine medically, she has smiled some but has not shown the folks that she can laugh and cry. Doc Dahorty examined her and talked with Doc Waters and said that she found it hard to believe that Dar laughs. Doc Waters told her had she not seen it with her own eyes she too would not have believed it. So, I guess I will have to have Dar put on a show this afternoon. Doc Waters also thought the pre-recorded tape was a terrific idea. I am going to Chico to pick up my sisters phone which has several video clips to show the Doctors and Dar will show them what she can do later this afternoon.

Busy busy morning before Mav and I head to the Center, several stops to make before. Will keep you posted, probably take lap top with me. Thanky everyone.

Love to all, post again later. BREAK A LEG DAR, have a great show.

Oh, one more thing, DOC , DAR AGREES, '"YOU ARE SO BUSTED"

Love ya all,To all the new members of Dar's Dream Team at Kentfield, We love you all and thank you from the bottoms of our hearts.

Dar/Danny/Maverick

2226 hours,

Just arrived home, will post all details tomorrow, I am exhausted, going to bed, but before I do I have to leave you with this.................................

Darlene is no longer in a coma, in fact has not been in one since Jan 5, 2009, I will explain all tomorrow. It will be lengthy. Praise God and all of you for your prayers and support, the road ahead is long, please continue to pray. I will give all the details tomorrow. Again we love you all.

Love ya,

DAR/DANNY/MAVERICK

" Jerry, get that damn chicken out of my bed, it tickles"

01-15-2009, 1800 Hours,

You can't tell me she is not aware, Jerry had Dar laughing herself silly, All about a silly chicken, of which we must get a stuffed one for her. Dar has made amazing progress and I am so very proud of her and proud to be her husband. She is one special lady and I am very lucky to have her in my life.

Waiting to her From Dr. Waters, she was enroute to her home and would call me when she arrived. Should be anytime now. Stay tuned. I do know from Doc's assistant that Dar is doing fine. Particulars to come a little later, as soon as I hear from Doc I have to run back out to the school for a Board Meeting, talk soon everyone, love ya all.

2020 Hours

Well, I think Doc might have gotten waylaid, have not heard from her as yet. I can tell you that she did get a message to me that Dar is fine. That being said I will rest easy tonight and look forward to seeing Dar and the Docs Waters and Dahorty tomorrow. Boy, is Doc gonna get teased. Anyway as always thank you for your prayers and kind gestures.

It will be late when I return tomorrow night, I will do my best to post what I learned when I get home. I promise I will do my best to not keep you hanging. Bless you all. If I hear anything tonight I will post before I retire.

Good night friends,

Dar/Danny/Mav

" Our Wedding Day"

01-14-2009

I don't even know where to begin, so I will just try to start at the beginning.

Yesterday at 10:45 am, I received a call from Oroville Hospital that Dar was giong to transfer at 12:00 pm. Unless transport was dispatched on a 911 call while they were enroute to the hospital we should be good to go. Well, guess what, they were called to multi casualty accident on Hwy 70. We did not leave for Kentfield till 2:45.

During our wait Dar was so happy and laughing bout silly things my sister and brother-in-law were telling her we had to take advantage and get some video footage and still photos. Dar was an absolute riot, she had staff, friends and everyone laughing and wishing only the best for her at her new rehab home. It was fantastic!!!!!!!!!

We left Oroville and arrived at Kentfield at about 5:30, Dar was already admitted to her room, with her own engraved name , Ms. Mardilla. We were met at the door by an entrage of personnel, everyone introducing themselves, telling us what department they were from and how glad they were that Dar was there and how they were going to help.

I was totally impressed, The attention we saw was immediate. It was obvious that Dar new something was different, when I got to her room and she heard my voice she started to cry. After much soothing she calmed down enough to start laughing again and sharing in our stories. Dar knew that something had changed and that things were different and she reacted the only way she knew,,, tears. She is a fighter and she will overcome.

Dar already had a schedule of therapy beginning today at 0900 hours. She has P/T, O/T, and speech therapy from about 090o-1500 hours, 5 and a half days a week with Sundays as a rest day.

Her Internal Medicine doctor is fabulous, now a new member of Dar's Dream Team, as are all the staff at Kentfield. Dr. Waters spent about 40 minutes with us in the lobby asking questions, taking notes and asking what could Dar do as far as follow instructions, spontaniously what could she do, all knds of questions. We were able to field all of her questions and at the end of our talk she wanted to see Dar and see the things that she could do. Dar was outstanding, she laughed, smiled, reacted to tickles slightly, (socks were on) and showed everyone that she is aware of her surroundings. Dar was very emotional yesterday and very very tired by the end of the day.

All of her comfort things, music, stuffed bear, favorite cologne, tennis shoes are all right there with her. music 24/7.

When Dr. Waters was with us she also talked at great length about Dr. Dahorty, Dars trauma Dr, and another member of Dar's Dream Team, Dr. Dahorty is very very good, very approachable and very aggressive about how she treats her patients. She does believe in alternative stimulus to enact responce and move from what we now see. Dr. Waters has every faith that Dar will come out of this coma, what damage there might be, what limitations there might be, time will only tell, but she believes that with Dr. Dahorty's help Dar will awaken. I am excited. I look forward to hearing from Dr. Dahorty later today and our appointment later this week. This is when I will learn the specific plan, hopefully tomorrow or at the latest Friday. News flash, Dr. Dahorty and I meet at 4:00pm on Friday

Another super thing that I learned is that Dr. Waters has instructed me that I am to call her daily for updates on Dar so that I can continue the blog on a daily basis, she will also read the blog to date so as to see first hand the progress Dar has made and I had better call. I even met the chief of staff for Internal Medicine. I am very serious when I say that I was totally stoked and relieved about this facility. The only time my heart strings were really pulled is when we got ready to leave. Lorrie and Jerry had said ther good-byes and I went to Dar's room to say mine. As soon as I began to speak to her, the eyes flew open. She has never done that, when I told her that I needed to go feed Maverick and give him "his pills" she started to cry uncontrolably, after some time I was able to calm her back to sleep and left quietly.

Please continue to pray for Dar, and again I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and well wishes. To the guys at Chico Fly Shop, Larry, John, I have no idea how you learned about the blog, ( I suspect Joey) thank you for your comments, I do appreciate them, somehow I will have to find a creative way to continue with my new fishing passion. You know what I'm talking about. Thanks guys.Welcome to the "Team".

To all who have written comments or gotten word to me that you are thinking of and praying for Dar, (and me), as you have read before, words cannot express what you all mean to us.

I will be calling for an update as to Dar's day later and I will post again later tonight. Once again thank you everyone, We love you all,

Darlene/Danny/The Awesome One, Maverick

1940 hours

Just talked to Charlie, RN for Dar tonight, told me that Dar is resting comfortably, not to much exciting today, started her Re-hab but was pretty quite. I gave Charlie some key tips about working with Dar, the silly Maverick jokes and the things he does, Jerry talking and joking with her yesterday that she was sleeping to long and that we have dominos to play, telling her she snores so loud that she is knocking the pot and pans out of the trailer cupboards, realizing that she has chicken legs and that we are going to get her a chicken and turn it loose in her bed. Dumb little stories that make her laugh and respond. Lorrie and Jerry also came up with the idea that we need to put these funnies on a recorder for them to playback for Dar sa as to initiate a positive responce. Guess we will look for a voice activated recorder to play back, we might have to give the folks there some tools to work with.

As I said earlier I have an appointment with Dr. Dahorty Friday at 4:00 and will go earlier and check motel prices as I believe that I may go down on Saturdays, her half day, spend it with her, spend the night and return home on Sunday evenings. Dar's mom and dad I believe will be at Kentfield and will see her a little on Friday and Saturday and I will return on Sunday morning and head home that evening.

Again thank you for your prayers and I will post again tomorrow evening after I talk to Dr. Waters between 4 & 5:00 pm.

Bless you all,

Darlene/Danny/ "Awesome Dawg"

Linda, Pat, Doug and Darlene, Pop is watching football

0430 Hours,01-13-2009

For those reading last nights post it was brought to may attention that I ommitted the name, city and street of where Dar is headed. She will recovering at Kentfield Rehab Center on Sir Francis Drake Blvd in Kentfield Ca. Ideally somewhere close is where I would like to put our trailer. I apologize for my ooopppps, my bad.

This morningn finds Dar resting comfortably, maybe today we will have further plans for her journey.

Dar's mom and Christine called last night as I was getting ready to head for home, brought them up to speed regarding Dar's antics yesterday afternoon, Pat came by to see Dar, stayed for about an hour. Told Dar stories about days events at school. Pat got to see first hand the progress Dar has made. Dar responded to many of the stories with laughter and a couple of times even showed her sad tearful emotions. showed some tears when she knew that I had left the room for a moment.

It is very apparent Dar is aware of her surroundings and hears everything being said. When it is her "awake" time she is very involved with conversations and it is clear she is contributing as much as she can. When it is 'rest" time come hell or high water you are not going to wake her. That is specifically what we want to change. I, they, need to be able to bring her to awareness when she is in her "sleep" mode. This morning she was a little more responsive when I tried to wake her and let her know I was here. She smiled a bit but is still operating on her time schedule.

"Talk about a spoiled pooch" Mr. Awesome and Pal

0400 Hours, 01-12-2008

Talk about a spoiled pooch, Maverick certainly has the good life. Even he is starting to show signs of wear and tear during this trying time. Yesterday I left him at home most of the day, usually he is with me all the time, but I figured with me trying to fish he would be better off at home. Well he decided to show me how ticked he was that he got left.

We have trained him not to be a digger, typical for Jack Russells because they were bred for varmit hunting. Well he decided to do some hunting in the back yard, he must have found his quarry, decided to try to get under our fence, when he came in the house he was a dirty mess. Don't think he found his prey but he had fun trying and reminding me that he can be the tpical jack. We went back to the scene of the crime and had a reminder lesson in digging 101. He new he was busted and hid in his portable house in the front room. When I came in he was Mr. apology, he is so trainable and has such a great personality you can't stay upset long.

All is good again in his world,told him we would go see mom in the morning and he would go for a ride in the truck. He knows what is going on and does'nt want to be left out. Mav has been a great buddy to have during this time.

Arrived at the hospital this am about 4:00, Dar resting peacefully, have not seen her night nurse, I think it might be Jennifer, she has been Dar's nurse before twice. I saw her go by earlier to attend other patients.

First thing this morning I am going to be on the phone to our insurance carrier, hospital discharge planner and the Re-hab facility to see what the plan is.Yesterday I got a little frustrated cuz her doctor did not seem to be on the same page as me. The hospital has what they call hospitalists, they see many patients and they are assigned an area of the hospital for a week . This being said they do not take the time to read Dar's complete chart and know what the up to date plan is. Thats what happened yesterday, observations were made regarding Dar, what he thought should happen and had he read her chart completly he would have known we were already moving in that direction. Just made me feel bad. I guess I need to remember that I sometimes have to be a little proactive. I can do that.

I will have some answers today, going to head to work at school, try to get something accomplished. Don't know what my involvment will be at Kentfield during her assesment and eval/tests. For all I know they might want me to stay away for a few days, I hope they will allow me to show them the things that Dar can do but usually only does them for me. Please keep your prayers going.

Our blog was joined yesterday by another member of Dar's Dream Team, Ryan thanks for the great care you have given Dar, and the support you have shown me and her family. Welcome aboard, love ya buddy.

1600 hours

Just arrived back at the hospital, Sherry, works at the hospital and is a good friend was with Dar, when I walked in Dar was again putting on a laugh fest. I told her about Maverick and his hunting expedition, told her he was a filthy mess and was going to have to have a bath. She laughed really big, she knows mav loves to swim in lakes the ocean and creeks and streams, but tell him he is going to get a bath and you would think he had been shot. He looks for a place to hide. Such a character.

Well the transfer to Kentfield Rehab Center, Kentfield, Ca has been approved, now we have to get the legistics worked out. I would think it will be Wednesday as I have not heard more today other than the authorization.

This new info brings me to a special request from me. As we prepare for what could be a long rehab period I have a specific need. Motel rates are very high in the bay area, this facility does not have facilities for trailers. Dar and I have a 30 foot travel trailer that I would very much like to take over. Somewhere near the facility, problem with that is that it too can get very expensive, especially since I would probably only be there on the week-ends, (late Friday - very early Monday), beat the traffic both ways.

If , as you read and continue to follow Dar's blog know of or can help with this specific need I would be eternally grateful and would be forever in your debt. As the commercial Bartels and James quotes, " thank you for your support".

If you are able to help feel free to leave me message using the comment section at the bottom of each blog post, or email me at .......................... cntrydjpro@sbcglobal.net.