Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Gypsy
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 10:27 PM

I LOVE good news! Here's to George! His brains weren't scrambled from the coma. Yay! Next you know, he will (albeit shakily) be playing the banjo!

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: jeffp
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 09:15 AM

Great news! Sounds like he is making excellent progress. I'm sending good thoughts across the country for more.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: LR Mole
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 09:03 AM

Came in late on this one but thoughts and prayers from a rainy New England morning.

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Nov 00 - 09:31 AM

I still pray for George every night. Some day I want to hear him play his banjo in Paltalk or Hearme or whatever is cooperating at the time. Thanks for the update, Ebbie.

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 29 Nov 00 - 09:23 AM

Thanks for sharing good news! he is still in my thoughts. As I have said before banjo players are hard to kill

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Nov 00 - 12:53 AM

That is WONDERFUL, Ebbie!! Wow!!

Thanks for keeping us posted!

kat

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Nov 00 - 11:35 PM

The news just keeps getting better and better. He has now gone 9 days without a setback. The other day his wife had him drawing circles and squares and so on, then she said,"What if someone put some paper in front of you and asked you to write your name, what would you do?" He said, promptly, "I'd sign it!" :) :)

Quote: This really surprised her! She then got a clean piece paper and put a ball-point pen in his hand. She asked him to write his name, he wrote it, she asked for her name, he wrote it, she asked for (their daughters') names and he wrote those. For all four he wrote out their full names. When you look at them - you can tell his hand was pretty shaky and some parts were difficult to make out but (his wife's) name - was very easy to read as were some parts of each of the four names. Enquote

Cool, huh!

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Gypsy
Date: 28 Nov 00 - 11:06 PM

So glad to hear about George! Wow! what amazing news! Anyway, as i said before, pneumonia can be fixed with drugs, so that will be the least of his worries. Maybe there could be a forwarding postoffice box, so mudcatters could send cards, huh? Just a thought. Keep in touch

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 01:50 PM

Jimmy C, that is very sweet of you but I'm not comfortable giving anyone their name and address. If it were my own family, that would be very different. But thank you very much for the thought.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Jimmy C
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 12:04 PM

Ebbie,

Thanks for the update and the encouraging news. How can I get a Christmas card to him and his family ?

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Nov 00 - 10:19 PM

Thanks Gypsy......and thank you Ebbie for letting us know about George. Very tough times but he certainly is making a comeback. Its a long road, but he seems to have great friends and family, yourself included. Thanks again for bringing him to us and as he recovers, let him know we still think of him and his family. All my best.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Nov 00 - 10:07 PM

It's good to see this again! Thanks.

George is in a top-ranked facility outside Seattle. His wife has remained down there with him and has a small apartment not far away. His children visit often. His birth family goes down for a week or two at a time.

George has improved a lot but has gone through some tough times, including pneumonia three times. But he is responding in ways completely appropriate to the 'old' George, tells his wife he loves her, recognizes visitors from home... He's going through some intensive therapies. The current plan calls for him to be there six months.

Because Seattle is almost 1,000 miles from here, not many Juneauites have visited him at this point- maybe 5 or 6- but George and his wife are getting letters, cards and packages from home every day.

It's kind of like mudcatters showig their concern!

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Gypsy
Date: 24 Nov 00 - 09:43 PM

Hey, Ebbie, howz George? Haven't heard from you lately. Any more improvements?

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 12:32 AM

Ebbie, these are all good ideas. The thing about a nursing home is that it will be more open for all of his friends to visit, not near the restrictions of a hospital.

When I worked in a nursing home, I saw some amazing things, one woman came out of a coma of over a year in duration, spent 2 in the nursing, unable to to walk or talk, or move herself, because of the massive stroke which caused the coma. Her husband put a bulletin board up by her bed, put her driver's license on it and a few other things which kept her focussed and motivated AND he bought a van and took her out in her wheelchair every Sunday to the Moose club for a beer! The only thing she could say at that point was a garbled "Oh, gawd!" She walked out of there at the end of those 2 years and she had not even been expected to live, much less wake up, even less to be able to walk again.

I believe most of her success came from her attitude and determination and that of her husband, plus the absolute love he showed towards her all of the time. She was one of our favourite patients and one of our triumphs. If Nellie could come out of the deep, deep coma she'd been I for so long, anyone can.

I hope that some time, soon, you other band members will be able to go to George and play for him. In case you weren't here when BSEEDCharlesKratz had threads going about his friend Sally, please read some of them. She was severly disabled by a bug bite if I remember correctly, was a musician and it was touch and go with her for quite awhile. She is still learning how to do a lot of physical things, but she is much, much better and I believe she is home again. The story about her and her recovery is very inspiring. Of course, so are the ones about our Spaw who tried to die on us a couple of times, 2 years ago last May. I think we had 5-6 threads, all running well over 100 posts...truly an incredible experience and inspiring read.

I vote for the HearGeorge Concert, too.

Still giving thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Gypsy
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 10:37 PM

Ebbie...it is the deacon in me talking. When George gets home, try to coodinate people to help, so that no one gets burned out. Be nice to have at least 12 people, then there wouldn't be more than 3 shifts a month per person. Drafting volunteers for cooking instant food is good, too. So glad to hear that George has been promoted to a nursing facility! Take his banjo in to visit! For that matter, take musicians in to visit, and play!

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 05:28 PM

Hey! I'll pass that on! George is a good singer who knows a lot of bluegrass songs and definitely does Darlin' Corey. The song I first think of in connection with him is Little Darlin', Pal of Mine.

Geo's best friend emailed me the other day that he wants us to get together with just the other parts of the core of the band- there are 5 of us, including George- to play in George's honor. I agreed- I told him that since right now George is not firmly inserted into his body I have a feeling he'll be there!

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 03:49 PM

Ebbie, we still continue to think of George and his familt.....and of course you too. The situation of the move may not sound good now, but I have seen people come out of their comas after such a move with no ill effects from the move. He still needs nursing care and he still needs to hear from all of you.

I'm with Sins.......We're waiting for the concert.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 03:26 PM

George - We are all awaiting a banjo recital on Hearme. Shall we schedule the date for Dec 15,2000? Just one simple chorus of Darlin' Cory will suffice...Well????

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Áine
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 01:34 PM

Thanks for update, Ebbie. Still keeping your friend and his family in our thoughts and prayers. And remember, even 'baby steps' are steps forward, and should be cheered just as loudly as 'giant steps'.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 01:22 PM

Well, another development. After 30 days in ICU and two days in the general ward, the powers that be have decided George is ready for a nursing facility, and require that he be moved forthwith.

His blood pressure is still very high and electrolytes are not yet in balance so the prospect of moving him dismays his family, but they are looking for a suitable place.

It is my hope, if he has to be released, that he can be brought home where his friends can help.

And life goes on...

Thank you all for the almost palpable love and support you have given. It is awesome.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Gypsy
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 11:42 PM

I love good news! Been away for a couple of days, and when I didn't see a current posting was worried. May Georges BP go down and his electrolytes go up! How is Mrs. George, and of course, how are you holding up, Ebbie? Still praying for the 3 of you.

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 12:40 PM

Ebbie, thansk for keeping us posted. That is very good news. I continue to hold George, his family, and you and his other friends in the Light. Giving thanks for his complete recovery; this or something better for the highest good of all concerned.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 12:14 PM

Yes-- let's not shut off the flow of support now.

What's the next prayer item in this, Ebbie?

And how are YOU doing?

~S~

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 11:57 AM

thanks for good news! still in my thoughts and prayers, never thirst!

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 05:30 AM

How's the wife????

~S~

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: KT
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 04:34 AM

Come on, George, you can do it!!

If you just read that sentence, please, go back and read it one more time. Out loud. Thanks, all.

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 01:57 AM

Praise, Jimmy C- and all you other lovely people: George is continuing to take small steps back.(and not so small- when we remember just earlier this week!) Gave a tiny nod when he was asked by his daughter if he knew who she was, has again wiggled his toes on command, sipped a little water today, his temp is just about normal, his blood oxygen level is coming up, they're "gaining on the pneumonia", he's coughing up gunk, they may move him out of icu tomorrow... All marvelous.

Doesn't yet open his eyes. And his blood pressure is still not responding properly, which is worrisome.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Jimmy C
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 11:59 PM

Ebbie,

Delighted with the news, he has been in my and my family's thoughts and prayers since you first posted the message. Praying and hoping the news continues to get better.

God, I feel very close to him, you and his family,

God Bless

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 03:59 PM

Dear Ebbie,

YES. What I experience, often, is that the prayer is the way we make our will known to God-- that we need to hear ourselves out loud to believe and commit ourselves to what we must, in order for Him to work with us and in us and through us to do what He has longed to do-- but which He will not force upon us in any way. We must be clear with ourtselves that we are willing to have BE what He will make SO.

It is a different view than one often assumed in the whole notion of prayer, eh? Lovely how we learn from it, when we do it.

Your MudSister,

Susan

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 02:01 AM

Today a doctor said, of George, that he's "having more brisk signs." Such eloquence!

Still BP problems and electrolyte problems.

You know, the idea of a God who had to have people groveling at his/her feet in continual pleas to have a need met always turned me off. But I've come to realize that it is not God who needs the prayers, it's the people. It is the purity of identified purpose that creates a conduit through which change can travel. (And don't forget- a conduit is open at both ends!)

Thanks, folks.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: WyoWoman
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 10:51 AM

Great news, Ebbie. Thanks for letting us know ... We'll keep beaming the positive vibes that direction ...

ww

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 09:54 AM

Ebbie, that is wonderful to hear. The BP will come down. I had a long bout with it this summer and eventually we found the right combo of chemicals to work. They will with him, too. I'd say the music, talking, etc. are doubly important now, esp. of the soothing type.

Thanks for keping us posted.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 07:47 AM

Ebbie, my BP also has been zooming (my own fault, ran out of meds) and it is now coming back down. As it does, I'll pray his coming down too. I always feel it happening... usually feels pretty awful... I'll give it to Him, for him.

Lord, I give thanks for the steadfast protection and care you have given everyone concerned with this situation; may your glory shine through our weakness.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 03:25 AM

I'm practically giddy tonight! The first bit of good news since 8 days ago.

They put in a shunt yesterday to relieve the pressure on George's brain and he's swimming to the surface today. Wiggled his feet and toes in response to requests and nodded his head twice when asked to. Isn't that scrumptious...

His pneumonia is better and they took out the ventilator again but they're having trouble keeping him oxygenated so he still has a mask on.

Request: They have not been able to bring down his blood pressure. How about working on that, folks? And thank you in advance!

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Gypsy
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 12:54 AM

Ebbie, the pneumonia? How is it going? You know, in the scheme of things, that at least can be fixed with drugs. And it might annoy him enough to wake up. Still praying for George, and you, and Mrs. George. Since there is no clue as to how much can be heard in a coma, i would talk, or play tapes, or have public radio on, 24/7. Might help. Take care to recharge YOUR batteries, too. this might take a while.

Subject: Lyr Add: CALLING ALL ANGELS (Jean Siberry)
From: WyoWoman
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 02:17 AM

Life is so full of wonder, isn't it? Such deep, deep sorrow, and such beauty and goodness.

Here are the words to a song Jean Siberry and k.d. lang recorded that pretty much says it for me:

Calling All Angels

A man is placed upon the stairs
A baby cries and high above
You can hear the church bells start to ring.
And the heaviness, the heaviness of
it settles in. (Somewhere you can hear a voice sing...)

Then it's one foot, then the other
as you step out on the road, ah,
step out on the road. (Not much weight, not much weight)
Then it's how long and how far and how many times
Oh, before it's too late?

Calling all angels, calling all angels,
Walk me through this world, don't leave me alone
Calling all angels, calling all angels,
We're trying, we're hoping,
but we're not sure how this goes.

Ah, every day you gaze upon
the sunset with such dark intensity.
Why, it's almost as if, if you could only
crack the code you'd finally understand
what this all means

Ah, but if you could, do you think you would
trade it all, all the pain and suffering?
Ah, but then you would have missed
the beauty of the light upon this earth
and the sweetness of the evening.

Calling all angels, calling all angels
Walk me through this world, don't leave me alone
Calling all angels, calling all angels
We're trying, we're hoping,
but we're not sure how this goes.

Repeat: Calling all angels, calling all angels
Walk me through this world, don't leave me alone
Calling all angels, calling all angels
We're trying, we're hoping,
We're hurting, we're loving, we're crying, we're calling
'cause we're not sure how this goes...

ww

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 02:06 AM

Aw Ebbie, you've carried this long and well, in lovely strength and humility. You get to lay your head down too. As soon as you need to. What a good thing you have done, what a wonderful friend and faithful watcher of all this and through all this.

I know our Lord must be so pleased with you.

Thank you for the chance to share it with you, to bear a piece of it with you, to travail with you. Ebbie... you are SO good, what a dear you have been. Thank you for every lesson you have yielded to, that has let you learn, and that has brought you to such a place now. Such love pours out of you. Do you know how clear and strong it comes through? It does. It does.

Just a little longer, now. And not alone-- neither you, nor George, nor his wife, nor any of us, eh?

In His Name, peace to you Ebbie--

~Susan

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:56 AM

Ebbie, I'm saying a prayer for George too in my own inept way.

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:51 AM

Blessings for you, too, Ebbie for being such a caring friend. Don't be bothered that you fret, it is part of the human experience, on this plane at least. We all do it. I am glad you like the prayer.

If you feel the need, Silent Unity does have a toll free number: 1-800-669-7729. It is over a century old and as I said before,they receive calls from all over the world, of all faiths or non-faiths.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:27 AM

The Light of God surrounds George
The Love of God enfolds George
The Power of God protects George
The Presence of God is watching over George
Wherever George is, God is...

Blesssings on you, kat. It really affirms the connectedness of us all, doesn't it. Both on this planet and in this time and in the plane beyond... I don't know why I fret.

I can't begin to tell you all how cushioned and cradled and supported and warmed I feel as I read and re-read your messages and take them into my own prayers and meditations. How much more must George be aware of it. He is being richly nourished.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:11 AM

Ebbie, I will be going into meditation in a few minutes for a nephew who has run off and for your George, as well as his family and you.

If he is hanging around he must have awareness of the concern and love of everyone around him. If we send him the energy to hang on and work through the pneumonia, through whatever belief system works for any of us and for him, that will encourage him, I believe.

The following prayer from Silent Unity was taken to the moon and back by one of the astronauts. I use it for myself and others, by replacing "me" with their name, and I usually use a different name for the higher power, such as "great spirit"; god of my heart; the cosmic. may it brings some comfort:

Prayer of Protection

The Light of (God) surrounds (me);
The Love of (God) enfolds (me);
The power of (God) protects (me);
The presence of (God) watches over (me).
Wherever I am, God is!

love,

kat

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: WyoWoman
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 01:02 AM

My prayers, too, Ebbie.

ww

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 12:48 AM

Sorry Ebbie........The pneumonia they fight against, but is very hard to control, and it is indeed serious. WE still send whatever we can to him and his family......you too.

Pat and Karen

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 12:42 AM

Thank you for your prayers. It's heart-in-the-mouth time. As of last night, he has full-blown pneumonia and is very ill. I haven't heard yet tonight, but no phone call, and that's good.

The odd thing is that I feel him close by- I'm just certain that he is in there lurking, he hasn't left. I think his wife feels the same but she's about at the breaking point.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Gypsy
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 12:30 AM

Our relative did have a memory of coma. It was being cradled, (interesting thought, he is a LARGE man), and he heard words to the effect, "It's your friend, Jesus" Don't remember the precise wording, cuz it was in spanish.

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 05:20 PM

So Ebbie, what does the wife need, and what kind of prayer? And how are you doing?

~S~

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 05:16 PM

hang in there. still thinking of you and of George. Never give up, never never never give up

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 02:06 PM

Heartfelt thanks to all.

George has had minor fluctuations in the measureable stuff. Came close to the surface one day last week then sank again. As you can imagine, it's very difficult for his wife.

We're told that yesterday he was strapped into a recliner and put into a fairly upright position for a time- and that he was able to cough up some junk. And some of his vital signs show steady improvement. But he is not yet conscious, or not communicating.

When the first sign of Spring arrives, I'll let you all know. In the meantime, thank you...

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 11:41 AM

Ebbie, How is George? We haven't heard anything for a while. Still thinking and praying.
Mary

Subject: RE: Help: Recovery and Health for Banjo Player
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Oct 00 - 02:01 AM

Thanks, Spaw. We're planning a get-together jam soon with friends of his and taping everything and sending it along with any goodies we can think of to him in Seattle. I'm thinking of him as the veriest epitome of a 'lurker'!

Your speaking of the vent reminds me: I have a brother in law with a bad heart who went to the emergency room last Thursday. When he woke up, he realized he couldn't talk and he thought he must have had a stroke and would have to spend the rest of his life not able to speak. Had some really intense moments there by himself until the doctors informed him, OK, we're ready to take out the tube now. (!) He had forgotten that they had told him they were going to insert a tube down his throat. I guess the lesson here is to verbalize and keep on verbalizing.

Thanks, Spaw.

Ebbie