January 4th
Where to begin? So much has happened since our last post.
We were searching for a primary care physician.When Marty's secretions turned a greenish color we knew we had an infection brewing. Knowing an infection could be lethal I went in to high gear making calls. We found Dr. Grace Laurencin. After a payment of $825.00 for the first 3 months she arrived at our home the following day. That night we had a portable x-ray come to the house (No trip to the ER ) and an RN drawing blood for critical tests, plus IV antibiotics on board by 10 PM that same night. Best money I ever spent.
By Sunday Marty's pain was growing and the infection didn't seem any better...so Dr. Laurencin had him admitted straight to Dominican ICU. (again no ER) She was at the hospital when we arrived and sat looking at his history and labs for hours.
After 6 days in the ICU, many tests and bags of antibiotics and fluids he was ready to go home. Another Doctor, Dr. Paul Godin , a pulmonary specialist decided to be sure Marty went home with a speaking valve.
While at the hospital, Reverend Deborah Johnson arrived and spent a good healing session with Marty...I believe it made a huge difference.
Marty spent the first few days at home resting and
then that Wednesday our respiratory therapist showed up and took Marty
off the vent and placed the speaking valve on. Marty was talking AND
breathing on his own.
Marty speaks
The road will still have ups and downs. Dr. Laurencin warns Marty won't be up and around or ready for work for perhaps as much as a year. But he IS improving.
We had a visit from Dr. Randy Baker who brought an arsenal of supplements and a visit from a nutritionist . Marty is now on massive doses of vitamens, nutrients, greens and whey to boost his weight gain and overall healing process.
We had a meeting with folks from the studio so Marty could give his input on critical changes happening there. It tired him, but did his spirit a great deal of good. We know there needs to be a balance. Dr. Laurencin is looking at the overall picture and suggests only one event/meeting a week for him.
We continue with physical therapy and are wanting him to gain a pound per week.
Next Sunday the benefit to help raise funds for Marty's medical expenses will be at Don Quixote's. Marty's friends and family will be here to watch it with him via skype.
Buy tickets here
There
is till a long way to go and Marty gets tired, and is on the vent at
night while he sleeps. But we are encouraged and can see the light at
the end of the tunnel.
There's a
plan in the works to do a documentary/film to help folks who are
dealing with complicated health issues at home . There is so much that
we have learned and perhaps something we can add of value from this
whole journey. Perhaps that is the reason this whole mess happened who can know.
We are grateful and pacing ourselves for the next steps on our journey.
Our deepest thanks to all who have graced us with support, knowledge, good wishes, prayers and love.
Ginny and Marty
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