Has anyone heard from Denny?
He hasn't posted on here lately and his blog since Aug 28th.

i was gonna post the same thing today. i haven't received any emails or responses from him lately, either...

Leah Ann was just asking dcg and me the same thing... I think Windjammer and/or Gay may have his home number. Perhaps we should call...

I just received this email from WJ -
Just called St. Lukes, he is in 7South4, bed 2 and unable to answer the phone according to the nurses station. Guess we need to go to hospital to check on him.

I first tried calling his house but phone would only let you send fax which I did along with email. I then decided to start calling first ST.Lukes and then the VA. Found him at St. Lukes but obviously not in good shape. Of course they can't give out information so not sure how long he has been there. If anyone would like to go see him with me, let me know.

can someone check on him?

I can. I'll go by today.

What location?

Not good... not good at all... he had a massive stroke on Wed. Aug. 29th and they found him at his home the following day. I was fortunate to arrive at the hospital just prior to his sisters arrival, fresh off the plane from Philly. The fortunate part was that the doctor explained his condition in front of me. Basically, his latest stroke had nothing to do with the two prior strokes (clogged arteries). He had blood in his brain. One of their concerns is that he could be battling pneumonia and meningitis (not the contagious kind) as well as the stroke. Since he's been in the hospital for the last several days, he has only opened his eyes just a few times and hasn’t talked at all. The doctor just said what they usually say, she doesn't know what is going to happen. She said he is in "critical care". The thing she did say was that his left side will no longer work (not sure if it was working before this) and he will no longer do basic things (like typing on a key board).

Please keep Denny in your prayers. It was a very sad time at the hospital and I hate reporting that it sounds like we will no longer be able to communicate with him via the computer any longer.

Be strong Denny!! xoxo

BTW, his sister Darlene has my contact info. and is going to keep me informed. I'll report anything new I hear.

Very sad to hear, you're a good friend for checking up on him.

This is very sad news indeed!
I spoke with a board member a week or so ago a bit worried about Denny and now I wish I had done more to investigate.
travelqueen, THANK YOU SO MUCH for going to the hospital... MANY of us appreciate it!
My thoughts and prayers are with Denny and his family!!!

Thanks for the update TQ. Puts a lot of petty things in perspective.

Good vibes as always, Denny.

Thanks TQ for the update. I'm so sorry to hear the news..
I will keep Denny and his family in my prayers...
It's so, so, sad..

No need for thanks.

denverdan, I was just lucky enough to have been at the hospital when his sister was there... otherwise, I'm not sure that we would have learned anything.

Thanks all for the updated information. I called Denny on Monday after TQ and I had talked about him and checked his blog over the weekend. Didn't get an answer and was worried it might be something like this.

Denny is an interesting character and I'll miss his input here.

Wishing him comfort and peace during this time.

prayers.

So sad to hear this. I Hope and pray that he gets well soon. and Will surely miss his postings here if he cannot communicate with us anymore. Thanks for the info TQ.

This is sad news about Denny.

Although I never met him personally, he did communicate several times with me via e-mail when I was contemplating a move to Texas - he went out of his way to give me information about practicing law in Texas and hooked me up with a woman lawyer down there. Pretty nice to do for a stranger who you have only talked to on a computer.

Always liked his clever and witty postings. I hope he pulls out of this.

I apologize for not mentioning this before... sister, Darlene, and husband obviously wanted to know who I was so after explaining that there are people throughout the world inquiring about Denny's well-being and that I was sent there on behalf of everyone who reads this board and the several of us who view his blog regularly - she was beyond grateful. I told her that we have been praying for him a lot this year. She told me to tell you ALL thank you. Clearly really meant a lot to her and hubby.

I have the original post of "Dennys Trip Report" To one of the first SPSC get together. If I can figure out how to post it
, I will. For thoes that know Denny, it is quite funny, for those who do not know Denny, it will give you a glance at his since of humor.

E !

This is so sad. I have been reading this board since 1999 and feel Denny has the wittiest sense of humor on here. It is entertaining people like him who kept me coming back for more. I as well had worried something like this had happened.

Thank you TQ for filling us in.
Denny's family, our thoughts are with you.

E, please do find that post, I remember it. Funny as hell.

Helping out Big E here.........


Immissing says:
For those know Denny, here is a sample of his humor. For those who do not know him, please meet Denny Shane!

Here is my own personal trip report for the 2nd Annual San Pedro party in Conroe. I started out early in the morning and headed up Interstate 45 North just as Ernie’s directions were outlined. I was excited as I got off the Rayford/Sawdust exit and made my U-turn, just as Ernie’s directions outlined. I did find the now infamous Mobile gas station and turned right, just as Ernie’s directions outlined.

I found Papa’s on the right as Ernie’s direction mentioned. I thought it odd that the Best Western where we were all staying at, wasn’t across the street from Papa’s, as Ernie said it was. So I drove up and down that road for 15 minutes looking for my room. I went into Papa’s finally… which just happened to be having what looked like a local chapter meeting of the Hell’s Angels. I would estimate there were at least 200 motorcycles in the parking lot. I thought to myself… “wow, the ambergris.caye people are really into bikes, plus they’re really rough looking”

I walked around, holding onto my wallet for dear life, looking for Ernie, Gay, anyone that I might know. Of course the fact that I never met any of them and I didn’t know what they looked like didn’t matter. I was simply looking for anyone that looked somewhat normal. While sauntering around and enjoying the ambience of leather permeating the fresh air, I bumped into a guy who had his back to me. This guy was huge. You’ve seen the type… big, muscular, long straggly hair. Anyway I walked into him, and immediately thought if I had to, I could use my walker cane as a sword to protect myself. The guy turned around, looking a little annoyed. Then I saw that it wasn't a guy and realized it must have been Mr. Killer’s wife. I said, “excuse me, do you know where the men’s room is?”

Anyway, I made my way to the bar, looked at my watch… geez, it was only 9AM… I ordered a Bloody Mary. The guy next to me at the bar, with this huge skull tattooed on his arm with a dagger in it was downing shots of something. I immediately removed the little umbrella from my drink and threw it on the floor. I decided I had enough of this fun and got the phone number from my pocket. The same phone number than Ernie had posted elsewhere on the board. I dialed, hoping Ernie would answer and tell me where the hell I was. Co-incidentally, after I dialed, the phone at the bar rang as well. The bar matron answered it “Hello, Papa’s” I was doomed. I told her who I was… she looked down the bar and laughed. I told her I was here looking for the San Pedro people but had a feeling they weren’t here. She laughed and said they were all here last night for the concert. Next question: Do you know where the Best Western is? She didn’t know, she asked the cook… he didn’t know. My thoughts went to the guy next to me with the skull and dagger… I wondered if I could hire him to visit Ernie at midnight.

Then I noticed this biker dude at the end of the bar… he was smiling at me. I think he winked also, or maybe it was an old war wound affliction. He said: “hey, I think you want the OTHER Papa’s up in Conroe. I smiled and said “aren’t I IN Conroe already?

Then he told me about the other Papa’s on the Lake in Conroe. He told me to continue on 45 north and get off at 105 and go left. So back onto 45 I went… I kept driving and driving until I saw a Best Western. I decided to pull in and ask if I was heading in the right direction. I hobbled into the lobby and was greeted by a very smiling young girl. I asked if she knew where the Best Western Motel was… the one across the street from Papa’s…. She was obviously one of the girls in school who had no brains, but a great body.. she not only didn’t know where it was, she acted as though she never heard of Best Western. I looked at her and asked “I AM in a Best Western aren’t I?” So we had to go on the internet and find the correct Best Western. I got back into my car and scratched Ernie’s name into my dashboard. I wanted to remember his name.

I finally found the Best Western. I was elated… I was hopping up and down in my car. I pulled in, and went into the office. There in front of me was this cute looking woman,. I waited my turn and thought… Hmmmm… I wonder if she’s in our group. I gave the clerk my name and told him I was with the San Pedro group. He kept looking and looking and looking. Finally he said “I’m sorry Mr. Shane, we can’t find your reservation” I was really sorry I didn’t get the biker’s name and phone number from the bar now. Then the clerk told me they fired the previous manager because she screwed everything up. The clerk asked if I wanted a smoking room and I said yes. (If you already guessed I got a non-smoking room, you're correct)

After finally checking in I went back outside and saw a fella standing there with a Belize shirt on… it was David from Gay and David fame. We introduced ourselves… and then out came the girl I saw inside. David introduced me to Gay. Sure, why not… my day has really been great so far.

Well, that’s it for Chapter I of my trip report to the big party in Conroe… and to think, it was only 10:30 AM….. Stay tuned for Chapter II


Chapter II

As we stood outside the office of the Best Western we decided it might be a good idea to head over to Papa’s. David was nice enough to offer me a ride over. Papa’s on the Lake was pretty much right across the street. I looked around as we went in and realized the only other people in there was the help. Our group, which turned out to be about 6 or 7 people went out onto the deck and sat down… I felt much more relaxed sipping my Bloody Mary this time than I had at the “Papa’s Biker Bar” earlier down the road.

We had a nice little group there: Gay and David, skullyboy, pnowles, govikes, and others, and I am sorry if your name slips my mind right now. We were joined later by ibanole and Chap. I highly recommend everyone to stay at Caribe Island next time down. I think I will.

About 5 hours later… yes 5 hours worth of Bloody Mary’s, I decided I needed to get back to my room and put my bathing suit on. Having done that, I headed back over to Papa’s for our Cruise… I went back out to the table where we all were sitting less than an hour ago. No one from the previous group was there… new people. I took a chance.. and the first person I met at the table was windjammer. It was nice to meet Becky and her friends. I forget the girl's name now but she was one of Becky's friends. She worn a Belize hat and I thought she was pretty cute. I later found out she was married also. laugh.. my luck was holding out. Then skullyboy returned. I can’t remember the name of the other guy… the guy in the Navy now. Sorry.

3:30 PM arrived and people came out of the woodwork, as we all headed down the dock to our boat. The overcast skies didn’t diminish our fun and excitement. I think this is where I finally came face to face with Ernie… laugh But by then I had forgotten all about my interesting trip to get to Papa’s by the Lake. Actually, Ernie turned out to be a really nice guy. There were some people on the boat that I had not seen before. The one guy surprised me when I found out it was Papa himself and his lovely wife.

We finally moored somewhere in the lake, and off came the clothes. Got your full attention now huh? Laugh… nah, the clothes came off but there were bathing suits underneath. Everyone was having fun diving off the top deck of the boat, well ok not everyone, just a few. I kept wondering if I should go in the water. I waited and waited and then finally I stripped down to my bathing suit. I walked out onto the plank and kept looking over my shoulder to make sure windjammer wasn’t coming down the sliding board from the top deck. Finally, I decided to dive in. As I was in mid air, the thought occurred to me: “hmm what if because of the stroke I couldn’t kick my feet or my legs. Considering that it was too late, I simply enjoyed the rest of the dive. And I found out that my feet worked fine. Laugh. I no sooner came up from my dive and headed back to the ramp… the captain said we were heading back to Papa’s. Oh well, that ended my afternoon swim. It was definitely a fun cruise… I enjoyed it and I enjoyed the people and by then Ernie was pretty much forgiven. laugh

By the time we docked and got off the boat, I realized that the Budweisers were starting to kick in. Laugh… geez, we only had a little bit to get ready for the BBQ…

Stay tuned for Chapter III


The Final Chapter….

I can’t remember now if we hung around for any drinks after the cruise or not. Anyway, the next I remembered I was back in my room showering for the BBQ.

Things start to get real fuzzy here. Laugh… I think everyone at the BBQ just thought I was a quiet person…. The truth is, I was ummm, lemme think here… I was…err… soused. Yes, I sadly admit it, by this time I had so many medicinal Bloody Mary’s and beers I thought to myself “Denny, you need to slow down a bit here; you’re going way too far… I began to wonder if the alcohol and all the medication I was taking mixed or not.

I thought all that while at the same time ordering a margarita from the waitress with the damn shortest and cutest shorts I’ve ever seen. As the night went on, I think her shorts were getting shorter. Well, I figured the way my luck was running that she was probably married also.

Even at the party poor Ernie couldn’t escape the “did I win anything yet” phenomenon. Gay handed out signs with everything from “Ernie what did I win?” to “Ernie, have I won anything yet?” That was hilarious. Ernie tried calling out names amidst a sea of lunatics waving signs at him. Laugh

For the sake of propriety... and I won't mention any names here because I don't want to embarrass her... BUT there was someone standing directly in front of me at one point and she had to bend over to pick something up. OH MY GOD... I thought I was going to have another stroke right there on the spot. I do remember thinking to myself what a very cool white outfit, top and bottom, to be wearing on a beach in San Pedro with the sun behind her. laugh....


I should mention here that the food was excellent. The BBQ was delicious. At this point in time, everything was really getting fuzzy. I remember getting a bumper sticker from Barb’s Belize… thanks Barb… it will look nice on my car!

At this point I remembered my medicine and I didn’t take it. I hated to come to the realization that I had to get back to my room and take it. I started debating… medicine or another drink, medicine or another drink. Luckily the teeny portion of my brain that was still functioning told me to go back and take my medicine.

I got back to my room… took my medicine, by that time I swear I heard the bed softly calling my name…. As I crawled into bed, and I do mean crawl I remember thinking this was definitely a really good time… Ernie you did a great job…. I do have a question however, since I did leave early….

Did I win anything????


Epilogue

I woke up early Sunday morning… very early… it was still dark… and I wondered right off the bat “where the hell am I?” The room or my bed slowed down to a point where I remember trying to sit up on the edge of my bed. I fell promptly back into my pillow and went back to sleep.

I finally woke up about 8:30AM. Took a shower, drank the complimentary coffee and wondered what I should do next. I thought about sticking around but realized that I was positive the party went on way beyond the 2:00AM last call and everyone would still be sleeping until sometime Monday morning. I slowly, very slowly packed my suitcase and headed back down 45 for my trip back home.

All in all, if you didn’t get to go to the party… you missed one hell of a great party! It was fun… next year you need to make it…. It will only get better. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of really, really nice people who all had one common goal… and that was the kids of San Pedro… everything we did over the weekend, there was that thread of need and support for the island. I’m glad I was an extremely small part of it this year.

Y’all were a really great bunch of people. I enjoyed meeting everyone of you.

TQ, Thanks for taking the time to check on Denny. That was very kind of you to do.

Prayers going out for him ...

thnks soooo much TQ. Love you Denny. Fight buddy. ya got me cryin here....

Helping out another friend here.......some pics to accompany Denny's travelogue above. Click on the image to start the slideshow




and one very special pic:



Denny, David, Govikes, Skully, Pnowell, Gay

Saddened to hear about Denny.

Thank you TQ - I've been worried about him - checked his blog a week or so ago and saw that he had posted the end of Aug. and assumed all was well.

Thoughts, prayers and best wishes go out to you Denny!

MY PRAYERS FOR YOU MY BROTHER ,HANG IN THERE .GOD BLESS.

Would be fun to try to locate his blog for the last partee. He wasn't able to make it due to a car accident he was in but the blog was hilarious... miss him.

TQ. if you are board, I 'think' that would be in May or June '04/'05

E, I tried. Looks like the archives only go back to like Feb. '07. Thx.

Peace Denny

Thanks for the info Tq and Ernie and Klcman for getting that post up.

I am fortunate enough to have shared some pm's with Denny and really enjoyed that one on one time with him. He is a great guy. tacoboy and I are sending out good thoughts to him and his family.

Oh Denny you're a great guy. Our prayers our with you!

Windjammer, Gay and I are going to the hospital this evening to check on Denny. I will print all of your thoughts, prayers and wishes before we go.

Keep up the good fight Denny!

Sir Isaac Newton

Denny my good man, get strong, with all our prayers and positive thoughts for you. Love you man!

TQ, are you searching this board and not getting further back than Feb. 07? If so, I think you may have entered something wrong, as I can search back to 2001.

ladies, can you print a big, fat hug out for me, and take it to him?

we're with you, denny.

Havinfun can you please let Denny know I am still working on his case of belikin fund via his blog and that we all wish him well.

SS, if I recall, the trip report was written on his blog. I couldn't look that far back though...

will update everyone after tonight.

good pic of that hot tub shark, huh?!?

am i really that tall or are becky & vicki reeeeeally short???

ps: janie - i figured out how to get your emails now. i was not ignoring you. becky went to comcast too & i thought she just stopped loving me. got it fixed now. i am such a computer hacker wizard geek.

prayers to our bud denny.

Gay, please give Denny a special hug for me!!! And tell him, I ALWAYS think of him when I wear the AST WFD (especially since he is the one that started that rumor!).

i sure will! btw, you were an "f" long before the "wfd"

glad you floated back home safely again.

TQ - Here it is:

Denny Shane

!

I am soooooooooooooooo pissed..... I mean REALLY pissed. The morning, Saturday, started out like so many other mornings... however by lunchtime that would all change. I am driving up 45, minding my own business, when this dumb shit yahoo in a pickup decided to cut in front of me. He was on the left and me in the middle lane. Normally, it wouldn't be a problem but this guy wasn't quite fully in front of me when he cut over. The back of his truck caught my left fender... I'm not even sure he knew he hit me.

However, it started me in a spin... the car behind me couldn't stop in time and he plowed into my right side... and pushed me into Mr. Yahoo. The ONLY reason Mr. Yahoo is alive and didn't get shot by me was the fact I was trapped in my car.

Several things went through my mind. Kill Mr. Yahoo, am I going to Heaven or Hell, shoot Mr. Yahoo. Luckily I had my seatbelt on and my bags deployed like they were suppose to deploy. I always wondered about that... but they did. At first I couldn't see because there were bags all over the place... went they went down I realized how lucky I was to be alive. That's when thoughts of "kill, kill and more kill" started flooding my mind.

Fast forward after the cops got me out of the car... Mr. Yahoo was sitting on the side of 45 looking as if he didn't have a clue what happened. I think he was a bit started when I ran, without my cane over to him with my fist clenched. I guess lucky for me and him a cop grabbed me. A trip to the hospital for the excrusiating pain in my neck and back, a call to my attorney, car insurance, etc I got home thanks to one of the cops.

Everyone involved was medically fine... I think the guy in back of me also had major pain in his neck and back... amazingly the yahoo had insurance.

Anyway... it's funny... believe it or not I practically never wear my seatbelt. I'm petrified of being trapped in my seatbelt and the car catching on fire and blowing me up. But for some unknown reason yesterday I hooked it on. I think God knew what was going to happen. I tried to think of why I was spared... the only reason I could come up with is that God wants me to be a pain in Ernie's ass for the next year.

Can I get an "Amen?" laugh AMEN!

AMEN !!!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with Denny. I hope he surprises us and gets back on board.

AMEN!!!

Amen! Our prayers are with you, Denny!

Update on Denny. Gay & I went to see him, unfortunately Debbie (HavinFun) had to bow out as she has the "snuffles" from kissing snotty nose grandkids on the mouth for the past couple of days.

Gay & I arrived at the hospital around 6:15 to find a sign on the door to ICU that the Unit is closed from 6pm-8pm. We pushed the button to open the doors and went in anyway if only to leave all the pages of well wishes & prayers posted on the message board. His nurse was very nice and said he was improving. Today he shook his Dr's (female) hand & held up two fingers on request. She further allowed us to stay and visit even though the unit was technically closed to visitors.

I feel sure he knew we were there even though the majority of the time his eyes remained closed. He did open his left eye briefly a couple of times, but his right eye seemed to be stuck together. When we first entered and started talking to him he squeezed my hand with his right hand quite firmly and did many times while we were there. We talked to him a lot, told him how many people were concerned, sending hugs, love, prayers. We read him much of the posts made (not all verbatim) and Ernie we even reminded him of his wreck and that God spared him before to be a pain in your ass and that today you said AMEN so look out. LOL

His vital signs are good, he has no movement on his left side but Gay told him he just has to learn to type with his right hand and foot. He has a feeding tube and trach which the sign over his bed say was installed 9/11. Don't know if that was when it (trach) was installed new after being on full ventilator or replaced.

While very sad it was good to see him & glad I went, will go back. He still needs lots of prayers & I know he is getting them.

We left the print out of all the message board posts for his family to read or read to him. I hope they will be happy to know how much he is loved by others.

Becky & Gay, thanks so much for being our ambassadors!

Gay and Becky thank you for the up date you guys are great....All right now lets do some heavy prayers Team .Denny when you get well and are fit to go you can borrow the love shack for a few weeks , you can party all you want there , drink all my booze !!! You can even look at the xxx cd's ,my private stock so hot there wrapped in asbetos,you will find them on the right side of the entertainment center.now get well quick.!!!!! Or we will all hold you in contempt of court!!!!! .

Becky and Gay, you gals rock, thanks for giving Denny the human female touch, with love from all of us.

Hi all,
it was our pleasure to make the visit. i was both happy & sad. upon walking into his room i did well up. i am so glad we went. he is in bad shape but it appears that he is making progress, however slight. that part made me happy.
he did grip our hands when we held his right hand. no activity on the left side. he would also move his right foot & bend his right knee. he has more computers than dell. i bet they can monitor when he passes gas!!! as we spoke to him, there were slight changes in his expression, maybe he was trying to speak back. keep our buddy in your prayers.

Thanks for the update y'all! Glad to hear about the movement! That's great!!

I'll check on him again here soon... next couple of days or so.

you guys are so sweet. thanks soooooooooo much. welling up myself. love is a wonderful thing

marty:

none of this would have been possible without you.

thank you for giving us this venue to develop friendships.

denny:

sending you thoughts of soft pretzels with mustard, tastycakes, and cheese steaks (provolone, no cheez wiz, EVER!)

To Denny with LOVE

Thank you Windjammer and Gay for checking on Denny. I'm sorry I couldn't make it - Denny didn't need my germs sniffle - ahchoo.
Please continue to let him know that you are all thinking of him - I believe from what WJ & G said their visit and reading to him your kind regards boosted his spirit.
You're in my thoughts and prayers, Denny : )

Y'all are so nice to go there and check on him. Well thoughts coming from the Malibu household to Mr Shane. Well thoughts...

Encouraging update on Denny. I had a call from his sister Darlene tonight. She just today found the pages of well wishes Gay & I left from the message board on Friday night with our phone numbers. She asked that I tell everyone how moved & grateful they were.

While he is still not speaking, his eyes are open, he follows everyone with them and today when they arrived he was sitting in a chair. The feeding tube which was down his nose has been moved to his side for more comfort. While he still has the trach he is breathing on his own.

They read him all the message board info today and he seemed pleased. He even kicked his sister today which is a good sign.

They played with his left foot and he reacted. They asked him to give a thumbs up if he felt something and he did. When they told the "not so nice/unfriendly nurse today that he was improving and had feeling she said no it was just a reflex. They convinced her to try and after she screamed at him, "Mr. Shane, if you can feel this give me a thumbs up", he gave her a thumbs down. That's our Denny. I'm sure he would have said ugly words if they could only come out! LOL

His sister is sad they have to leave on Wed. and that their parents will be happy to know so many people care and are praying.

He will be moved tomorrow or Wednesday to Kindred Hospital on Main Street for rehab. I promised to visit and said others would too and that we would keep in touch and let them know his progress.

The power of prayer and love is amazing. Let's keep it up.

Thanks WJ for the update. Your in our thoughts and prayers Denny Next visit we want to hear that you pinched a nurse!

i just keep cryin. people are wonderful. go denny go. love you man. PINCH ME A NURSE

Thank you Becky and Gay... you guys are great being the eyes, ears and hearts for all of us!

Tons of well wishes and bunches of Aloha to you Denny!
Pinch all the dang nurses... and give that nasty one hell!

Thanks to you all who have helped keep us up to date on Denny's condition. His party re-caps are priceless. I will keep him in my prayers, and send good wishes his way every day.
God Bless you Denny.

lets just hope the ladies can outrun him with a walker!!!

Too funny!! I'm a little disturbed by Nurse Cratchets remarks. Rather than dismissing his improvements, she should be cultivating them. Perhaps she is in the "Burned out on nursing" department? Denny deserves the best nursing can provide.

Ha! That's Denny! He can handle Nurse Ratchet! Keep up the good work Denny, love and prayers flowing your way.

Well it's good to hear that he's keeping his eyes open! His male nurse wasn't very optimistic of THAT! Yeah Denny!

That's great news. Thumbs down, you gata love it. He's a thinking man. Go Denny, go.

Short converstaion with Denny's sister tonight as she was busy getting things done before her departure tommorow. Denny was moved today and is now in Kindred Hospital on Main St. Houston, Tx. Room 418, evaluation tomorrow & then therapy begins. While he still has a looonnnnnnggggg way to go progress is being made. I plan to go after work tomorrow when I get off at 6pm before I go home as it is close to work and don't have the ICU restrictions where it is closed from 6-8. Will report back on what I find.

Thanks, WJ.

No thanks needed Ernie. I just want to be able to report tomorrow night that things are even better.

Go Denny GO !! Just a matter of time until he breaks out of the joint

Been home for a couple of hours, just trying to compose my thoughts. Really, really wanted to be able to report good things and disappointed not to. Had my hopes up but was sad. I couldn't make him open his eyes and do all the things I had hoped based on my reports from his sister. Things still have a long way to go but not giving up by any means.

Kindred is a very specialized hospital and nice. Nurse was a sweetheart. She gave me a hug, said she took very good care of him last night, bathed him, etc. While I was there they brought him an air mattress so they came in with this huge piece of equipment to lift him. Two nurses rolled him from side to side to place a sling under him which then attached to the lift to crank him up & change the mattress on the bed. While rolling him and doing all of this he did open his eyes wide and looked at me with horror at what was happening. Once it was all changed he kept his eyes closed and relaxed.

I took the Metro Rail & if anyone is going you get off at the Hermann Park/Hospital/Zoo stop(by Hermann Hospital just past McGregor, go south a little bit & Kindred is on the right, the entrance is actually in the alley between Fannin & Main. I did find out from the sweet nurse that parking for this hospital is free which is unheard of in the Texas Medical Center and you can come at any time of the day or night, no restrictions.

Denny still needs lots of prayers & I will continue to visit and report. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and good wishes.

Kindred Hospital - Houston
About Our Hospital
Kindred Hospital Houston is dedicated to providing quality care to medically complex and catastrophically ill patients. We provide a full spectrum of acute-level services including a 6 bed ICU and 10 bed IMU. Programs focus on ventilator/respiratory management, medically complex patients, wound management and rehabilitation. Kindred Hospital Houston has various clinical affiliations with The Baylor College of Medicine and The University of Texas Medical School. Kindred Hospital Houston is licensed for 110 beds and maintains the highest standards set by medical professionals:
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keep praying for our buddy.

Windjammer, it's so very nice of you to do what you are for Denny and all of us who cannot be there. Thank you.

Oh No! This makes me so sad. Denny, if you're listening, know prayers are coming from all over. Ya gotta get better so you can come play with us all again in SP (and look down my halter top). Gotta love ya. We're all pullin for ya, feel the tug? God Bless ya Babes.

Debbie (HavinFun) & I went to see Denny yesterday afternoon, not a lot of difference but he did open his right eye again a couple of times so I think he knew we were there. His right hand is no longer restained to an extent but it is now in an inflated large "floatie" for a better explanation. I think it is so he has more freedom with his hand but cannot pull out any tubes, etc. I called his sister today, left a message, she called back, we are playing phone tag. Hoping the hospital is communicating with them & can get further info. Will report back when I know more.

Windjammer, thanks for the update. You are an angel.

Yes, indeed, an angel. HA!
ok, ok, she is.
thx for the update. keep good thoughts going for denny.

Still visiting your blog Denny (and helping belikin fund there lol) and sending good thoughts your way

Thanks for news Windjammer

taco girl- what do you mean helping beliken fund?

I didnt know Denny was ill. Thanks for letting us know.

Spl

I have link to Deny's blog on my blog links. Denny has ads on his site to earn income, I used to joke with him that every time we pm'd it was a reminder and I would go to his site and help his belikin fund ha ha.

You're a peach Becky!! And Debbie!! Y'all are great for helping Denny. Good thoughts to you Denny!

While I appreciate the thanks and comments of being a "peach" or "angel" which I've tried to convince people for years but they just don't believe :D, more the angel flying too close to the ground, no thanks are needed. I truly believe that if the tables were reversed and any one of us was in Denny's place and he was capable of doing what I've done (which isn't much) he would.

His sister & I keep playing phone tag. She left a message today that the nurse she talked to said he just wanted to sleep today which is mostly how I have found him on all visits.

I did go by after work and did not see much difference but do know he is "there" and does not have brain damage. While he just pretty much sleeps, I did get him to open his eyes a few times, squeeze my hand, asked him if he wanted to go to San Pedro with me and did he want a Belikin or Rum & Coke, got a bigger squeeze on the Rum & Coke. Asked him to give me a thumbs up which he did. Continued to tell him lots of people want him back on his computer, communicating.

My biggest concern is the same as his sister's, that he needs and is not getting enough stimulation. While I can't get him awake totally, I do get responses and his family is in Philly. His ex-wife does visit some with young girls but don't know how often. It has been almost a month now since the last stroke and he has not really been "awake" for any length of time. We need him to wake up & talk.

I will continue to visit as often as possible and report what I know. Just keep telling him he has to wake up if he wants the visits to continue. Can't imagine being in his condition/position/ and basically alone in a hospital hooked up to feeding tubes and breathing equipment while your mind still works. Hugs to all that are sending good thoughts.

;(

thx, you are an angelic peach!

Windjammer, I am concerned that your remark that he "doesn't have any brain damage" may be misleading. Depending on where his stroke was, and the kind of stroke he had (hemmoragic vs. thrombolitic)he probably DOES have brain damage, and although he WANTS to open his eyes and be able to communicate, he can't. He probably can at times, but total control of this has to be re-gained. He can hear you, and can want to respond to your stimulation, but perhaps he has damage in the part of the brain that allows him to respond to what ever your request is.
I'm sure he's very tired and the sleep is a much needed retreat from his tiring efforts. Even to breath is difficult, and while we see him as not making progress very quickly, if he can squeeze his hand with more force now than a week ago, that's progress. In stroke patients, even the smallest improvement is a major victory.
We all need to continue to keep Denny in our prayers, and Windjammer, please keep us up to date on what ever progress, however small, our Denny is making. I can't imagine how hard it must be to have full thinking capacity, but unable to communicate to those around. God Bless you all, and especially Denny.

Thanks Sun&sand for setting the record straight. I did not mean to imply that he "doesn't have any brain damage" as I'm sure he does. What I meant to say is he does have "some brain function and is not laying there totally brain dead". The first 7 strokes were thrombolitic and the last hemorragic. As was reported in the early pages by Travelqueen he has no movement or feeling on his left side. I can tell you that even my first visit when he was still in St. Luke's ICU his grip of my hand was strong and really hasn't changed much. Lukily he is not on a ventilator but does have a trach which seems to be connected only to the oxygen and he does breath on his own. I watched my mother on the vent prior to her death so this is much better.

As I said, my main concern is that where he is and without family and daily visitors stimulating him, he may not be able to re-gain total control and it breaks my heart. I do not feel and I hope I'm wrong that the staff is trying to help him regain anything. They told his sister he's just sleepy today and doesn't want to wake up. Knowing Denny and if by chance he does have "full thinking capacity but unable to communicate to those around, sleeping would be his choice". I have no say as I am not family, but just when I had him moving and yawning, I wanted to swab the YUK from his mouth, but didn't find the swabs or would have. Yes God Bless Denny and hopefully allow him to function again to some degree. He is very adaptable.

I'm not positive, but I'm quite sure he is receiving some form of physical therapy. He may be very busy at times when he is not receiving visitors. What I mean by that is .... he has people around him and not totally alone. He will get to know them like he has us.
I've seen and cared for many (CVA) 'stroke' patients and I agree, every tiny improvement is a victory!

Is this messaging to us breaking any violation of HIPPA?
Just curious. I want to know his progress as well as the rest of you but...... just wondered.

Bless Denny and his family. They all need strength.

Nygal, do you mean HIPAA?

If so, then no, the messaging is not a violation. None of his health care givers are telling us anything; only his friends are sharing.

OK
Oh dear a typo. don't look for PAA

NYgal, promise no HIPPA laws being broken here. I am just a friend and relaying my own personal observations. I did not mean to imply he was totally alone and not receiving any therapy, but from my observation as well as messages from his sister who talks to the nurses, I'm not sure enough of that is happening and I hope I am wrong. My real reply/concern was that since his family is in Philly and he doesn't have a huge support group here in Texas to add to any therapy/stimulation he may be getting from the staff alone, it may not be enough. Somehow I can't seem to say the right things here. I guess what I'm trying to say is I think he needs more constant stimulation from lots of different people day in and day out. When his family was here they were able to spend hours talking and trying to stimulate which is different than people who know nothing about him or how to get his interests stimulated.

you're saying the right things. i only made a statement from my personal experiences.
perhaps he wasn't transferred to the extended care facility like I know.
Thanks

HIPAA prevents health care personnel from releasing information without approval.

If it comes from the family, its fair game as far as HIPAA is concerned.

Just wondering, could a laptop be put in front of him and could he read it?

My prayer for Denny

On a lighter note if there can be one in this situation...

Based on Denny's previous posting I would say someone needs to whisper to him that his Ex-Mother-in-laws are on the way for a visit......

I keep thinking of him and wish him all the best.

WJ thanks for all the updates. Much appreciated.

I am planning on going to see Denny here soon so I'll report what I find out later today.

Becky
Thank you so much for doing what so many of us can't. I really appreciate the updates and please don't worry about saying things "right." The news you bring us is information we couldn't get any other way and it is very much appreciated.

Denny - get better soon - you owe me lunch!!!

The good news - The nurse was telling him he had a visitor. I grabbed his "good" hand and I told him who I was. To my surprise, he brought my hand close to his mouth trying to kiss it. His eyes were open and he was looking right at me. He kept squeezing my hand as I told him (per request), "Ernie and Beth Brannon, and Becky, told me to say 'hello' and to give you a hug." I must have repeated that 3 or so times. I kept telling him he looked good. Told him that we were missing the blogs and his funny humor on the board. No real reaction but he was holding my hand tight and just looking at me... it was nice... certainly a change from the first time I had been there but in comparison, he's actually been there for what seems like a long time...

The bad news - the hand holding and looking at me may have just about 2 minutes or so. You could tell he was glad I was there but that was about all the excitement he could take. He pretty much just went to sleep after that and let my hand go... I didn't stay long as there is only so much you can say to someone who doesn't responsd... just kept repeating what I said above.

On a lighter and funny note, when I first walked in the room he was completely exposed. So I went back to the nurses station and the Asian nurse who was very sweet yet VERY hard to understand. The conversation when something like this... "Um... the man in room 418... he needs to be covered before I go in there. Can you do that?"

nurse: huh?
me: the patient in room 418 needs a sheet over his man parts. can you please cover him?
nurse: uh... ya...
(walking to his room)... (waiting)... (nurse motions me in)
nurse: uh... he had sheet on him but he take it off.
me: ok... this one will stay on right?
(denny moving his knee around trying to move the sheet off of him)
me: he's not going to be exposed again, is he? (as if I've never seen male parts before)
nurse: uh... hehotsohetakethecoversoff
me: what's that?
nurse: HE IS HOT SO HE GOING TO TAKE COVERS OFF!!
me: um... well... can we stop him from doing that?
nuse: He hot!
me: well... can we turn the air on because I agree that it's warm in here.
(my coversation starts with Denny)
nurse: ok, I going to tuck in sheets but I can't do anything if he untuck.

If Denny were aware of that situation I am sure that he would laugh as it is quite commical to me... I will remember today with Denny. He is so funny and continues that humor!

Please keep him in your prayers. I see progress but unfortunately, not that much.

Thanks TQ and all...

TQ, He just wanted to surprise you . You know he's always thinking up funny stuff. Thanks for the story, More Prayers going out to Denny.

Maybe next tome someone goes for a visit you could take a few pics of Ambergris Caye to stimulate Denny. Bet he would enjoy to see a bikini girl holding a belikin on the beach

No news is good news. Thank you angels.

yes, tq...that is SO denny! "he HOT"! he would be ROFLOL at that!

you go, denny!

I had a call from Denny's sister Darlene this afternoon. She is very frustrated as she has problems getting information from the nurses. Today she was told that they had already spoken with Denny's oldest daughter. She has left a message with the patient liason so hopefully they will call her back. She asked yesterday if they were getting him up in a chair at all and they said, "No, he is not ready for that". She informed them that they did that at St. Lukes in ICU and when they did he woke up, opened his eyes for extended periods of time and watched what was going on. His daughter was told by the Dr. today that he would spend the rest of his life basically in bed as he is now.

They want to get him to Philly or NJ where his parents, siblings, children, grandchildren can interact and take care of him or get him better. The problem is while the Dr. at St. Lukes said once he got stronger at Kindred he could fly on a commercial plane or make a car trip, the Dr. today told his daughter the only way he can be transported is by air ambulance which costs $20,000. They are trying to get some assistance from the VA but not having much luck.

She asked me to try to find someone who would come in and buy all his stuff in his apartment as he will never be able to return there and they cannot continue paying the rent. His daughter may come next week and his sister can't come back until early Nov. I asked if they have any powers of attorney and the answer is no. Not general or medical. They were told with a notary in the room that could happen, I told her I am a notary and will do whatever. They are also looking into guardian-ship.

While I planned on visiting tonight I will go tomorrow as I told her he needs his mouth cleaned. I want to see if she gets that across tomorrow so I can report to her that it was done.

If anyone has any ideas on how to get help through the VA or anywhere to help defray the cost of an air ambulance, please let me know. I do think being around family and having interaction with people would be of great benefit to Denny and certainly easier on the family to have him closer. His parents are unable to travel here to see him.

Maybe we need a Denny fundraiser!

I have experience with my father in the East Orange,NJ VA hospital. It was my fathers only option as we had no insurance at all. Do not send him there. It might be closer but definitely not better in any way shape or form. But if that is the only option, we were told by local VFW to put his discharge papers from the army on his chest, get him in an ambulance, and show up at their door. It worked for us.

But for the grace of God . . . . . . . . . .

nothing funny about that. let's give it time to see if proper channels can be done. otherwise, a fundraiser here isn't a bad idea. count me in.

This is a sad story. keep praying for our buddy.

I'm praying for ya Denny!
Count me in on a fund raiser, too!

Maybe the below listed organization can assist Denny and his family. It sure can't hurt to ask!
National Patient Travel Center
http://www.patienttravel.org
1-800-296-1217
By the way Becky, if his mouth is still not cleaned after repeated requests this would be another reason for him to be moved from this health care facility in my opinion. Also, a second opinion of his care and well being is a good thing.
It's truly wonderful that you as well as others are there for Denny, his family and all of us too... thank you again!

I was thinking there must be some other option rather than the $20,000 for transporting a patient... perhaps if he gets to feeling a bit better and more mobile, two people (one on each side) could help Denny fly on a commercial plane to Philly or NJ. I'm not sure in what state you'd have to be in order to fly however, if he begins to start feeding himself and can breath on his own, perhaps this may be an option. Hopfully with the help of his daugher coming in as well as the sister, they'll be able to provide more insite. I'll try to make another visit here in the next few days.

If they need help with an estate sale or similar, let me know as I'm happy to help out with something like that.

Wow this is sad. I hope that somehow Denny has a turn around and gets better. I do believe that anything is possible healing wise and have witnessed some pretty remarkable stuff.

Sounds like the people in the hospital there only see one outcome and are not really about to help bring about a different one.

TQ, You work for the airlines...they are not going to let Denny fly anytime soon.
I have a call in to an air medivac outfit in San Antonio.
More to follow.

you all are amazing.

reaper, you must have my employer confused with someone else... I guess I'm like tacogirl in the sense that I am optimistic that he will improve and at least be able to do the very simple things - some day.

GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS, I GET TO POST GOOD NEWS. YIPPEE! Today is a new day and hopefully the beginning of many to follow. I think maybe Denny's daughter & sister got through to some people.

When I arrived at the hospital after work Denny was asleep as usual. I got him to wake up and he stayed wide awake, alert the whole time I was there which was over an hour. He was still awake and moving when I left.

He is now getting oxygen through a cannula in his nose vs through the trach and it is only turned to 2 not 10+. He was sitting in a chair today twice according to a couple of different people, this afternoon for an hour and a half.

He is trying to get up, did take the sheet off to scratch various places and I don't care if he exposes himself. Had too many people in hospitals and this does not bother me. Not only that Denny likes to be nude, which I think he was when they found him in his apt. He not only grabbed my hand he grabbed me by my shirt and bra strap. LOL The shirt I had on is a V neck tee with sequins around the V and he would point at them like he was trying to count or write. I offered him a pen & paper to see if he wanted to write but he didn't. He kept motioning to things and trying to communicate but unfortunately I did not know what he was trying to tell me. He would occasionally wave me off.

I finally told him I had to go before the liquor store closed to get Jim Beam (which he also used to drink) and that I would have one for him. Told him I would be back more often if he promised to stay awake. Before I left he pulled me down near him and put my arm around his back, I hugged him and he patted me on the back.

I was so excited when I left I could not wait to get in the car and call his sister to tell her the good news. She was very happy and can't wait to tell her parents tomorrow as they are already asleep. His daugther arrives next Wed - Sat.

I also told her we were trying to find ways to help them get him near so they could take care of him and get him better.

Everyone keep doing what your doing with the prayers cause they finally seem to be working. God bless you all.

PS, Thank you Hope & reaper for information and possible solutions and TQ you will see a different Denny when you go back.

This is excellent, wj. Thanks so much for the positive update! I'll go this Friday at lunch if the boss is out!

My great aunt had a stroke earlier this year and that was followed by a few smaller. She is much more responsive and stays awake better when her visits are in the morning. Perhaps this is true of Denny too?

Good news is good news. Thanks so much again. Go Denny go.

HALLELUJAH!!! The power of prayers and well wishes once again comes through. Not to mention the help of the "board family" to see him through this difficult time.

Ditto to DCG

That is great news.

Come on Denny we are all rooting for you.

I have faith you will be posting again one day soon.

well okay -- now that's more like it! I needed that good news today.

love you Denny. thinking of you a lot. keep on grabbing bra straps. its a very good sign. :>

WJ - that is fabulous news! You are an angel 0: )I bet he'd make a complete recovery if govikes visited him in her astwfd : )
You are in my prayers Denny!!!!!
I will try to make it down that way this weekend to check on him too.

Maybe we shuld search our closets for astwfdes & all make a visit!

Thought I saw something in here about a fund raiser on Ac maybe I'm wrong but would certainly contribute when I'm there

New update: I went to the hospital last night hoping to find him as awake and alert as the day before. He was snoring and there was no way I could wake him. I think they have him sedated so he doesn't get rowdy.

When I got home there was a message from his daughter Joanne asking that I call her back which I did. I'm still in shock over our conversation. She spoke to the case worker yesterday to inform them she would arrive in Houston next Wed. until Sat. to try & take care of "powers of attorney", cleaning out his apt. to stop paying rent, etc. The social worker said it was good she was arriving then because THEY PLAN TO RELEASE HIM NEXT WEDNESDAY. They said he would be released to a skilled nursing home facility, that his daughter (who knows nothing about Houston) needs to choose one, that Medicare will pay for the first 20 days, then the family would have a co-pay of $125 a day for 80 days until Medicaid kicks in! Joanne says there is no way she can pay $125 a day and is having a hard time coping.

If they could get him to Philly or NJ he would go into a similar facility close to his parents. The problem once again is the cost of transportation.

Joanne asked me to share her email address so if anyone has questions she will be happy to answer. She truly appreciates all the good wishes and concern from people on this board as well as information on possible resources for help. Her email is towner609@comcast.net

I was the one who suggested a possible fundraiser not actually on A/C but through people on the board who might want to help. Maybe those of us who do want to help could just send money to the family or have a bank account set up that they could access for his care. It was just an idea. If anyone has any other ideas to help they please pass them on to either me or Joanne.

Thanks to everyone.

WOW - WJ your help here does prove that you are an angel.

Here is just a thought. I have a US AIR voucher for $50. or $100 depending on ticket. Could this be of use for Denny? Anyone else? I won't be using it.