Back to Regional- Bleekers

This morning we received a call from Jennifer. At 1:00 AM this morning, Brian was rushed to the Alaska Regional ER for the second time this week. He was having seizures and there is a build up of fluid on his brain. The doctors suspect an infection in the bone flap. Brian was admitted into the Alaska Regional Critical Care Unit.

In addition, Jennifer said that in the wind storm last night, a board blew onto her windshield and put a soft ball size hole into it. She said she had a lot of cleaning up to do today. She is pretty discouraged.
She said she will not be able to make it into Anchorage today to see Brian and asked that others would please take time to visit him for her. Visits to Brian have really tapered off. He is very encouraged by any and all visits. Please consider taking time, on a weekly basis, to just stop in for a short time and encourage Brian.
Please consider what you can do to help this family. Jennifer really needs our support in prayer and encouragement. In addition, the Deacon's are working with her to provide for her financial needs. Please consider giving regularly to the Deacon's Fund to meet the needs of our church family. Lets not get busy and forget this family's needs!

Finally, keep in mind what our Lord Jesus said, "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I [was] naked and you clothed Me; /I was sick and you visited Me/; I was in prison and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed [You], or thirsty and give [You] drink? When did we see You a stranger and take [You] in, or naked and clothe [You]? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, '/Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did [it] to one of the least of these My brethren, you did [it] to Me/.'" Matthew 25:34-40

Return to Emergency Room

Thursday evening Jennifer got a call that Brian had been moved from St Elias to Alaska Regional Emergency Room. Spinal fluid had built up on his skull to the point that the stitches were leaking. They drained it off and took him back to St Elias where he was much more alert and responsive.

We did find that the writing on the small white board that we thought might be Brian's was not. He does to some degree but that fine art was not his. Bruce is working with him on it though.

Rehab Progress is Positive

Jennifer called last night to inform that the occupational therapist had Brian sitting up yesterday. His blood pressure was steady. He did indicate a lot of pain though when range of motion movements were introduced to some of his limbs. It is a reminder that the road to rehabilitation is a painful one that requires a lot of guts and discipline and prayer.

He also has a speech and respiratory therapist working with him. His volunteer writing therapist (Bruce Long) left a little white board with some of Brian's writing on it. (We assume this from analyzing the log where visitors sign in.)

Jennifer says that notes and letters would be especially encouraging at this point. They are such a contrast to the piles of bills that come in the mail.

Their mailing address is:

7968 N. Wolverine Road

Palmer, Alaska 99645

Papa Brian Hushes Kids

Yesterday's visit found Brian asleep at St Elias Special Care facility. Jennifer and the kids were there so we took a family picture. Jennifer related that the other day Brian was awake and the kids were making some noise so he snapped his right fingers to get them quiet. He is losing a lot of weight with the liquid diet that is pumped straight into his stomach. It has also elevated his sugar levels to the point insulin has to be added to his regimen.

St Elias Here we Come!

Jennifer called yesterday to say that Brian is now in St Elias.

She also clarified that Brian did not have meningitis. He had pneumonia and it is all cleared up. She says he is back to the level of functionality that he had before the surgery. They do not plan to install a stint at this point but to extract the fluid buildup with a needle and apply a sort of tourniquet to force his body to absorb future fluids. Visitors are welcome at St Elias which is across Tudor from Lowes.

Hi Jennifer

I heard something very encouraging this week that indicated Brian's capabilities. Prior to his last surgery last Thursday he was being visited by Bruce Long when Bruce gave him a felt marker and asked if he could write. About that time Jennifer walked in. Brian wrote, "Hi Jennifer". Evidently Brian was writing on the back side of an invoice that David Kincaid had so he still has it. I would like to get a picture of it to post.

There has been a flurry of activity between the hospital, Social Services, Social Security, family members, and Brian and Jennifer's attorney to get Brian on Medicaid.

He is still being treated for a serious infection in his last surgery wound. They are talking about putting in a stint to drain it.