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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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Ensenada Dr - for someone who was just doing her part by telling us about the proble, you sure have gone above and beyond what anyone could have
asked for.
THANKS.
shows you sure deserve your license ....
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Reporting in a timely manner
I watched how everyone suffered through the Ron Hoff incident by wanting to know how to help and what was going on, so I want everyone to know what is
going on here and that NO money is needed. | Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Ensenada Dr - for someone who was just doing her part by telling us about the proble, you sure have gone above and beyond what anyone could have
asked for.
THANKS.
shows you sure deserve your license .... |
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
Member Is Offline
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Txs Doug for the great update.
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaNomad
When I stopped by there this afternoon, Dennis was "on hold" waiting for the doctor (internist) to come see him - before they were going to admit him
to the hospital from the ER.
Said that having sirens on the vehicle is the absolutely the BEST way to get through Tijuana. I think he said they were playing banda music for the
ride up to the border. He was appreciative of his view of the nearby nurses' station in the ER.
He indicated to me that he (originally) thought he'd had a heart attack, and that it took place on Sunday morning. I told him he'd last been active
on the forums here just before 7am on Sunday, and he said that it must've been just after that. The records here show him last active at 6:34am
Sunday. Said that Vicente had found him when he came to work on Monday morning.
While somewhat anxious at the hospital today due to the circumstances, he seemed to be in good spirits and thinking positively towards what his
outcome would be eventually - knowing he still had some physical therapy to go through. The staff at Kaiser seemed to be fairly attentive to making
him as comfortable as possible. He'd requested a catheter removed because of discomfort, and requested a pillow to prop up his right side because his
tuchus was numb or sore - and they took care of these for him.
I'd brought some stuff with me for him to use if he wanted - a laptop, a cell phone, and reading glasses - but he refused all. Said his Kindle would
get him online satisfactorily, that he'd just use his room phone with a credit card if he needed to place any calls, and that his neighbor Pam (who
was there when I arrived) left him some reading glasses already.
I left at 3:30pm, and it seemed like they were going to have him in the ER for a few more hours.... which appears to have been the case judging from
the items posted in the thread above.
I did let him know that Lulu was apparently being well taken care of, and he seemed confident that indeed that would be the case.
He spoke very positively and gratefully towards everyone who had been helping and supporting him through this - and especially noted his appreciation
for the help from Janene.
-
Doug
[Edited on 6-20-2012 by BajaNomad] |
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Stroking ON
Given the higher level of treatment available today, the odds for future At-Bats in the Nomad Nonsensical Nattering League seems promising. We would
expect in no time at all to hear the same acerbic invective so well-framed.
Strokes, of course, can go either way. I've known (as I said) recently, one person who recovered completely from a severe stroke and is building a
house in a remote area of Arizona. No residual effects other than some speech and difficulty reading LONG documents. Of course, he also has this
feeling (so he says) of a Bomb poised to go off in his head at anytime. That fear will likely fade with time.
Others I've known, their FIRST stroke was just the prelim bout to the Championship fight which either took them to the land beyond or left them
helpless invalids in a rest home reeking of Urine and other odd smells. One of those amazingly hung on in that condition for years, unable to move on
her own and mostly unable to comunicate. The WORST of ALL Worlds. Although still "Alive" (?), we no longer visit because
she has NO IDEA who we are.
So Dennis:
"Luck be a Lady Tonight".
Tomorrow, the next night and so on .................
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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First of all a huge hip Hip Hooray! For all the Nomads! I knew if I took the time to detail my experiences with not having use of one arm and most of
one leg, that it would help Dennis.
But wait. Please read and understand the following.
A "stroke" does not "go away" like the flu. You can't set it like a broken leg. It is going to be a long-term recovery and whether or not he makes a
successful return and recovery at Punta Banda, is going to have to lay on the shoulders of his friends.
A wheelchair ramp is fine. But he is going to have use of only one arm and hand for a long time. One really strong hand will make a wheelchair go in
circles just fine. Please think about what you suggest. Pretty please.
He is going to need to have someone there very close by to help him. When I was all screwed up, I had to have a housekeeper in three times a week. A
gardener. Just getting out of bed and making it to the toilet was a freakin' challenge. The closer he can be to "half-standing" when he gets out of
bed or up from a chair, the better. I mean to not overdo it with sliding down onto one's feet, but don't make him arise from almost a squat position.
Independent SOB's do not want to be nurse-maided. They will want to do things on their own. To lose the ability to be independent could suck the will
out of anybody.
Try cutting meet. Try opening a can, slice lettuce or a tomato, open a bag of macaroni elbows with just one hand. Try grappling with a paperback book,
washing and drying yourself when bathing. Try picking up a bag of potato chips that fell to the floor. Try reaching a light switch or receptacle from
a wheel chair. Reach for towels up on a shelf. Even a overly big bowl in a refrigerator is going to be a challenge to get it off the shelf, and on to
a counter. If it has a tight lid, it is going to be a real son of a you know what. Ever open a milk carton or open a garrafon sealed cap with one
hand.
With all due respect I am going to repeat myself. They do not give a shot in the hospital and all the signs of a stroke "go away". He may not be able
to read easily. His long term or short term memory may be impaired. His speech may be slurred. He is going to have a hell of a time with a cellular
telephone. Forget about Blackberries, he is going to need a full size keyboard.
This much I can be sure about. If his left leg and hand do not work, and his speech is slurred, he did not have a "minor stroke". He had a
life-changing event and it is going to be with him, day and night for a long time.
All the bath accessories, and kitchen stuff I wrote about simply are not available in Mexico. I had a hell of a time finding a decent back scrubbing
brush in the middle of California. Don't assume any of this will just work itself out. People have to talk to other Nomads and think about this stuff.
Jesus, he won't even be able to reach the soap dish in the shower. I sure as hell wouldn't want a "helper" hand me a bar of soap through the shower
curtain.
A dedicated Nomad or two or four are going to have to go to Dennis' abode, and imagine themselves going about a normal life as possible, while sitting
in a chair, with one arm tied behind their back. Try getting out of that chair using one arm and one leg and getting to the toilet. Next, go into the
kitchen and still sitting in the same chair pantomime making a meal, using a toaster, the stove, the refrigerator, getting a glass of water out of a
jug of purified water.
A lot depends on what Dennis' condition is when he gets out of the hospital. But then, at that point, it is not, and may I politely repeat, not, the
time to start going about planning for his return to Punta Banda. He himself does not yet know what lies ahead as far as "resuming as normal life as
possible" with a stroke.
He is going to need all the clever, intelligent, and diligent work that he can get from his fellow Nomads.
I don't know what I would do if I were resigned to have to stay north of the border. I don't even want to think about it.
Gracias Amigos!
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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Wisely stated, DavidE!
His living location in Punta Banda is not what I would call handicap friendly.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Disabled, por favor. Handicap is when you aren't worth much in golf.
Wish I weren't disabled with a starvation budget. I am in the wrong place with the wrong resources and it frustrates the hell out of me. The least I
can do is spend some time at the computer.
The degree of mobility unknowns makes it almost impossible to know exactly how much added "assistance" he is going to need. I could permutate every
action needed during the day and burn up a hundred pages on this forum. The best I can do is with generalities.
Someone needs to keep abreast of his recovery before his discharge and see how rapidly and to what degree he regains use of his limbs. He also needs
to clearly and succinctly understand the degree of modification done to his living quarters before he comes to an incorrect personal conclusion that
he is "screwed" as far as the possibility of returning to normal life at Punta Banda.
Stairs, are the biggest challenge. The biggest danger. An uneven or scrabble walk way is another. Door sills and steps. Getting stuff from the store.
Getting medications. Getting to the doctor and lab work.
I used a lap top with SKYPE to make telephone calls. The keyboard was a godsend for dialing. I have headphones and a damned good microphone built-in.
The clarity in which someone on the other end can understand impaired speech will be vital.
He will face a hundred times the degree of hazard at night in a power failure. Make sure he has access to a one-handed battery powered lamp, and lots
of extra batteries and a few emergency small lamps.
I now what I am writing here serves to be a "downer" to some people. But "some people" are not what I am trying to help. please understand that.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Lindalou
Senior Nomad
Posts: 623
Registered: 1-12-2004
Location: Punta Banda Baja
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
Wisely stated, DavidE!
His living location in Punta Banda is not what I would call handicap friendly. |
His living conditions are a
lot more handicap friendly then most. When he built his house he put in a wheelchair ramp then. So getting him up to his house and down off his deck
will be the easy part.
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Wow, all I can say is that Linda, Dennis' neighbor is a really nice lady. So glad to have neighbors of Dennis around like her, as well as Mac. She
is willing to help, and I guess you better cut that tree down before he comes back, ha ha JK!!!
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edm1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 568
Registered: 8-23-2006
Location: Oak Hills, Ca
Member Is Offline
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As it has not been ascertained the extent of Dennis' physical disability as a result of the stroke, let's not focus on the negative extremes. I am a
first hand witness of someone who suffered the same, yes left side paralized (with brain hemmorage) and he recovered visual, speech and movement
coordination and strength in just 3 weeks. No wheelchairs, no grab bars, no specialized can openers, just lots of tlc from family and friends.
Dennis, I wish you the best.
[Edited on 6-20-2012 by edm1]
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Mula
Super Nomad
Posts: 1655
Registered: 8-16-2011
Location: San Nicolas y Lopez Mateos
Member Is Offline
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My Mother suffered a stroke when she was 64. Left her with no right side hand, arm or leg and no speech.
We had constant physical therapy, speech therapy, all the newest and cutting edge medical input - traveled to where ever it was. She never gave up
hope of recovery.
Hit probably every hospital on the West Coast and many others.
We ended up in Istanbul Turkey one 4th of July in 1979.
Had her with me for 25 years before passing on.
She had her Seagram 7 every night and helped raise her grandson.
Strokes are eye openers and a real challenge.
Wish Dennis the very best recovery possible.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Please pardon me, I must have gotten the wrong impression...
(From Ensenada Dr.)
[" because he can't walk because his left leg is so weak. He can't use his left arm, but I am sure in time will be back at the computer pecking with
his right hand. This is a terrible thing to happen to anyone, and for people to not pull together would be even more terrible."]
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Lindalou
Senior Nomad
Posts: 623
Registered: 1-12-2004
Location: Punta Banda Baja
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Wow, all I can say is that Linda, Dennis' neighbor is a really nice lady. So glad to have neighbors of Dennis around like her, as well as Mac. She
is willing to help, and I guess you better cut that tree down before he comes back, ha ha JK!!! |
Thanks
Janene, tell him I will cut them both down. well maybe not he will have another stroke! ...Linda
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
Member Is Offline
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Saw him just before noon today. He was in good spirits, happy to have visitors(Nomads and neighbors) and happy to be receiving good care. He had
just returned from an EKG at 10 and was wanting to sleep.
I missed meeting Ferna(FDT) for about the thousandth time, but, Dennis said Ferna had been pestering him regularly.
Hope San Diegans stop in and keep him motivated.
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DavidT
Nomad
Posts: 494
Registered: 4-9-2005
Member Is Offline
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I spent ten days in rehab at Sharp Memorial this April. As Dennis progresses with his rehab they will be very specific about what is needed. Until
there is more information it might be best to be ready and waiting to help.
With that being said, Dennis I hope you recover well and quickly.
David
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
Member Is Offline
Mood: wait and see
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Guess I'm lucky. Recently had a TIA (Transient Insigence Attack) otherwise known as a "mini-stroke". Not fun, but only a week in hospital and I'm
more or less OK. Getting old really bites. Best of luck to Dennis, really miss his acerbic commentary.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2396
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
Member Is Offline
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My gosh Dennis
I leave for a few days and come back to hear this
glad you made it, and I hope for a full recovery, please keep us posted when you are able
Ken
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Dennis, Wishing you a speedy recovery. Strokes are hard to deal with, but if anybody can deal with one, you can.
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captain4tuna
Nomad
Posts: 201
Registered: 9-3-2009
Location: Southern CA and BCS
Member Is Offline
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Wishing you well Dennis......
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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that was nice Doc...
Very nice Doc you are a laugh a minute and I am sure he enjoyed the spirited bantering. | Quote: | Originally posted by bajadock
Saw him just before noon today. He was in good spirits, happy to have visitors(Nomads and neighbors) and happy to be receiving good care. He had
just returned from an EKG at 10 and was wanting to sleep.
I missed meeting Ferna(FDT) for about the thousandth time, but, Dennis said Ferna had been pestering him regularly.
Hope San Diegans stop in and keep him motivated. |
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