Tuesday, May 11, 2010
May 11, 2010
Thank you to all who attended my dad's viewing and funeral. You guys have been a great support to my family and I. Please continue to keep my mom especially in your prayers. Thanks...Julie
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May 6, 2010
Obituary for Gary Joseph Albiston
Gary Joseph Albiston, born October 16, 1951, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2010. He was the second child born to Mary Evelyn Cronquist and Gilbert Joseph Albiston. He grew up in the state of Colorado with his two sisters, Gladys and Beverly. After graduating from high school, he served a mission for the LDS church in Pennsylvania. He went to school to become an accountant. He met his wife, Rebecca, in Washington and they were married in the Manti Temple on December 4, 1973. He was the father of 8 kids: Julie, Laura (Brice), Nathan (Naomi), Spencer (Diane), Ryan (Stephanie), Megan, Jacob, Katelyn, and his bonus boy, Ray. Gary was heavily involved in Scouting and earned his Silver Beaver Award in September 2009. Gary especially enjoyed his work at the LDS Humanitarian Center, where he was the one who told the jokes. He loved the people he worked with and considered them an extension of his family. Throughout his lifetime he served in numerous callings in the Church and was currently serving in the Young Men’s Presidency. Gary loved the outdoors, his horses, and was looking forward to having another son serve a mission this fall. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, his 8 children, and 8 ½ grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 grandson, Brock Robert Albiston. A viewing will be held Sunday, May 9 from 6-8 pm at Anderson & Sons Mortuary (49 E 100 N, American Fork). Funeral services will be held Monday, May 10 at 11 am at the American Fork West Stake Center (500 N 700 W, American Fork). A brief visitation will be held prior to the service (9:45-10:45 am). Internment will be at the American Fork Cemetery following the services.
Gary Joseph Albiston, born October 16, 1951, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2010. He was the second child born to Mary Evelyn Cronquist and Gilbert Joseph Albiston. He grew up in the state of Colorado with his two sisters, Gladys and Beverly. After graduating from high school, he served a mission for the LDS church in Pennsylvania. He went to school to become an accountant. He met his wife, Rebecca, in Washington and they were married in the Manti Temple on December 4, 1973. He was the father of 8 kids: Julie, Laura (Brice), Nathan (Naomi), Spencer (Diane), Ryan (Stephanie), Megan, Jacob, Katelyn, and his bonus boy, Ray. Gary was heavily involved in Scouting and earned his Silver Beaver Award in September 2009. Gary especially enjoyed his work at the LDS Humanitarian Center, where he was the one who told the jokes. He loved the people he worked with and considered them an extension of his family. Throughout his lifetime he served in numerous callings in the Church and was currently serving in the Young Men’s Presidency. Gary loved the outdoors, his horses, and was looking forward to having another son serve a mission this fall. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, his 8 children, and 8 ½ grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 grandson, Brock Robert Albiston. A viewing will be held Sunday, May 9 from 6-8 pm at Anderson & Sons Mortuary (49 E 100 N, American Fork). Funeral services will be held Monday, May 10 at 11 am at the American Fork West Stake Center (500 N 700 W, American Fork). A brief visitation will be held prior to the service (9:45-10:45 am). Internment will be at the American Fork Cemetery following the services.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 5, 2010
At about 2 am this morning my dad passed away from his traumatic brain injury. Please keep my mom especially in your prayers. When I know what arrangements will be I will write them here. Thanks all for your support.
Julie
Julie
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May 4, 2010
My dad was moved from one floor to another one. Unfortunately, it was not due to him making a recovery but due to him being placed in hospice care. My mom made that decision yesterday afternoon. It has been a difficult couple of days. Intellectually I know that it is probably the best thing that can be done for him but emotionally it is difficult.
Okay, that is it for now.
Julie
Okay, that is it for now.
Julie
Monday, May 3, 2010
May 3, 2010
I am sorry that I did not update the blog yesterday. I am going to do so now.
My dad's health continues to be the same. There have been no real improvements. They did remove the bolt from my dad's head today(it measured the intracranial pressure). He looks more normal now. He continues to be unconscious, however.
Thank you to all that have supported my family through prayers, love, and other things.
Julie
PS...those of you who attended my family's church ward yesterday...you know how the lights were out during the meeting? That was my dad's way of participating in the meeting. In his hospital room they have to keep the lights out to help him (too much light stimulates him). So, even in my dad's condition he cam to church :)
My dad's health continues to be the same. There have been no real improvements. They did remove the bolt from my dad's head today(it measured the intracranial pressure). He looks more normal now. He continues to be unconscious, however.
Thank you to all that have supported my family through prayers, love, and other things.
Julie
PS...those of you who attended my family's church ward yesterday...you know how the lights were out during the meeting? That was my dad's way of participating in the meeting. In his hospital room they have to keep the lights out to help him (too much light stimulates him). So, even in my dad's condition he cam to church :)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
May 1, 2010
There have been no real changes in dad's condition today. The doctors came around today and told us that his recent CT scan showed some continued swelling. He is still unconscious.
The doctor's decided to remove the "cooling" IV today. They thought there might be some infection in it because he has been having a continuing temperature. They had planned to replace it with a PICC line (an IV that is placed into the heart). Prior to inserting the PICC line, they did an ultrasound to make sure all was going to be okay. They ended up finding some blood clots. They can't really can't give him any blood thinners because that would be harmful to the brain. They ended up putting in two shorter PICC-like IV lines.
It is just a waiting game now. Tough but that is all we can do now.
Julie
The doctor's decided to remove the "cooling" IV today. They thought there might be some infection in it because he has been having a continuing temperature. They had planned to replace it with a PICC line (an IV that is placed into the heart). Prior to inserting the PICC line, they did an ultrasound to make sure all was going to be okay. They ended up finding some blood clots. They can't really can't give him any blood thinners because that would be harmful to the brain. They ended up putting in two shorter PICC-like IV lines.
It is just a waiting game now. Tough but that is all we can do now.
Julie
Friday, April 30, 2010
April 30, 2010
Okay, I was gone a lot of today with meetings at work and massage clinic. I am at the hospital now. I just got back from seeing my dad. This afternoon they took my dad off of the ventilator. So now he is not being assisted in breathing anymore because he is able to breathe on his own. That is good, huh?
He is still unconscious but continues to move his right arm and leg occasionally. His left arm and leg move less frequently but that is an improvement.
The CT scan that they did late last night/early this morning showed that the bleeding had stopped in my dad's brain. That is good.
I am tired so I am going to sign off for tonight. Until tomorrow...
Julie
PS...my mom mentioned that I should write a special note for Micheal G. My dad is so glad to know you. You inspire him with your positive attitude and your faith. He loves you Michael! Thanks for being his friend. Julie
He is still unconscious but continues to move his right arm and leg occasionally. His left arm and leg move less frequently but that is an improvement.
The CT scan that they did late last night/early this morning showed that the bleeding had stopped in my dad's brain. That is good.
I am tired so I am going to sign off for tonight. Until tomorrow...
Julie
PS...my mom mentioned that I should write a special note for Micheal G. My dad is so glad to know you. You inspire him with your positive attitude and your faith. He loves you Michael! Thanks for being his friend. Julie
April 30, 2010
Last night (or the middle of the morning) they did a CT scan. My mom will get the results as soon as they finish with the shift change. I hope the results are positive for my dad.
They also changed out the trach tube (I think it is because he seemed to be choking on the extra phlegm.) My brother, Nate, said that he seems to be not choking as much any more. Nate has spent the night here every night since the accident.
Until later, Julie
They also changed out the trach tube (I think it is because he seemed to be choking on the extra phlegm.) My brother, Nate, said that he seems to be not choking as much any more. Nate has spent the night here every night since the accident.
Until later, Julie
Thursday, April 29, 2010
April 29, 2010
I went in and was with my dad for almost 1 hour alone. It was good to be alone with him. I cried some more. Again, today has been very difficult for me. It seems like everyone else is handling things well.
I am amazed at the things that people are saying about my dad. One of dad's friends at the Humanitarian Center came yesterday and told us that my dad had helped him a lot with his math skills. This young man is now in college. Other people have mentioned about dad's sense of humor. If you know my dad he always had sort of a dry sense of humor. If you told a joke he would get mock offended and say "I tell the jokes". That was always good for a laugh for everyone.
Dad's ICP's have been a little high today. This is probably due to the fact that he is coughing occasionally (likely due to residual mucous from having the tube in his throat). Hopefully that goes down soon to better levels.
Julie
I am amazed at the things that people are saying about my dad. One of dad's friends at the Humanitarian Center came yesterday and told us that my dad had helped him a lot with his math skills. This young man is now in college. Other people have mentioned about dad's sense of humor. If you know my dad he always had sort of a dry sense of humor. If you told a joke he would get mock offended and say "I tell the jokes". That was always good for a laugh for everyone.
Dad's ICP's have been a little high today. This is probably due to the fact that he is coughing occasionally (likely due to residual mucous from having the tube in his throat). Hopefully that goes down soon to better levels.
Julie
April 29, 2010
I guess yesterday we got back the results of the EEG (electroencephalograph--measures activity of the brain). They were concerned that dad had had a seizure. The EEG showed that no seizure activity has taken place. That is good.
This morning they removed the endotracheal tube from his throat and replaced it with a trach tube in his neck. This will help him to continue to breathe on his own with some assist from the ventilator as needed. They also removed his nasogastric tube (tube in his nose that was used to give him "food") and replaced it with a PEG tube (tube surgically sewn into his stomach to bypass the usual route of food and drink). His face looks more like my dad but is still swollen a bit from the trauma. His tongue is swollen due to the tube formally being in his throat but the nurse says that the swelling should come down. They asked us to only come in for 5 minutes at a time after the surgeries until later on this afternoon so that he could rest.
Today has been a hard day for me because I miss being able to call my dad up and talk. I mean I talk to him in his room but he is unable to answer back. They said that 3 days after the accident would probably be the worst---that what happened would hit us. Well, for me it was 5 days. I miss my dad so much.
Okay, I am sorry that I put that personal bit in this blog. I meant for it to be clinical only--what is happening to dad and his progress. It is just very hard.
Julie
This morning they removed the endotracheal tube from his throat and replaced it with a trach tube in his neck. This will help him to continue to breathe on his own with some assist from the ventilator as needed. They also removed his nasogastric tube (tube in his nose that was used to give him "food") and replaced it with a PEG tube (tube surgically sewn into his stomach to bypass the usual route of food and drink). His face looks more like my dad but is still swollen a bit from the trauma. His tongue is swollen due to the tube formally being in his throat but the nurse says that the swelling should come down. They asked us to only come in for 5 minutes at a time after the surgeries until later on this afternoon so that he could rest.
Today has been a hard day for me because I miss being able to call my dad up and talk. I mean I talk to him in his room but he is unable to answer back. They said that 3 days after the accident would probably be the worst---that what happened would hit us. Well, for me it was 5 days. I miss my dad so much.
Okay, I am sorry that I put that personal bit in this blog. I meant for it to be clinical only--what is happening to dad and his progress. It is just very hard.
Julie
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
April 28, 2010
Thank you everyone for your kind comments. I know that our family has been strengthened by your faith and prayers.
Today dad is doing okay. When I went in to see him it was right at the time that they were giving him his vitamins and other supplements. They squirt them down the nasogastric tube which feeds into his stomach. He is also getting a meal supplement called "Crucial" that looks like watered down mustard. I am sure it doesn't taste like mustard though. I was also there when they had to brush his teeth. They use what looks like a sponge on a stick that is dipped in peroxide solution. Dad hates that. Maybe he feels like he is going to choke, I don't know. Then they have to use the sterile suction tube (it is a long tube-like vacuum enclosed in a clear plastic bag to keep it completely germ free). Yeah, that is sure fun for dad. He gets a little bit anxious when they do that. But it keeps him from choking on saliva, phlegm, etc.
His ICP (intracranial pressure) was a little high when I went in (around 18-21) but it came down when they finished caring for dad (about 10-12). Again, they like to keep that lower rather than higher. Another thing that has come down is his arterial blood pressure (it is measured by an IV line inserted near his heart). The last couple of days it has been around 170/90's and today it was 120/88. Dad continues to move his right side very well (in fact he has the strongest grip on that side--it has caused some discomfort for more than one of us). His left side he can move slightly but not near as well as his right. The way our brain works is that the left half of our brain controls the right side of our body and the right half of our brain controls the left side of our body. His injury was on the right side of his head so this movement pattern makes sense.
They have turned off the "cooling IV" on my dad. It was to help cool his temperature down (he had a little bit of a fever). The IV is still in place just in case it is needed for anything else. He has several other IV's in place as well (one gives him insulin to keep his blood sugars on a good level--he is not diabetic it is just when you are not moving around normally and burning up the sugars you need some additional help). He also has an IV in place to help keep the vein open just in case.
Something I forgot to mention yesterday is that a volunteer came in with her therapy dog. It was a collie (like Lassie) and very fluffy. It didn't go into dad's room because of circumstances but it could go in other patients rooms. After the owner and dog were finished visiting patients they came into the waiting room and asked if anyone wanted to see the dog. I went over to the dog and just hugged him and scratched his hind legs (he seemed to love that). It was a good stress reliever, I think, for anyone that visited with the dog. We then jokingly asked if we could bring in my dad's favorite pet. They asked what type of pet it was and we were forced to admit that it was Scout (Scout was the first horse my dad bought. It was not the horse that was involved in dad's accident). The mental picture of Scout walking down the hallway made us all laugh.
Some more news...today they told us that they would be removing his ET tube tomorrow (endotracheal tube---tube in his throat to help him breathe) and be replacing it with a trach tube (tracheotomy tube---instead of having the tube in his throat to help him breathe he would have an opening in his neck with a tube to help him breathe). Also tomorrow they will be removing his nasogastric tube (the tube that he gets his "food" through and replacing it with a PEG tube (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tube). Basically it means that they will put a tube surgically into the stomach and bypass all the normal routes that food goes through to get to the stomach. By doing these 2 changes it will make it easier for dad to get out of the hospital and into a rehab facility. It won't make him completely better but it is a positive thing.
Thanks again for everything you guys have done for me and my family. The kind words, thoughts, food, and everything else have meant the world to us. Please know that we want to say thanks to everyone individually and perhaps in time we can do that but for now know that you are appreciated.
Julie
Today dad is doing okay. When I went in to see him it was right at the time that they were giving him his vitamins and other supplements. They squirt them down the nasogastric tube which feeds into his stomach. He is also getting a meal supplement called "Crucial" that looks like watered down mustard. I am sure it doesn't taste like mustard though. I was also there when they had to brush his teeth. They use what looks like a sponge on a stick that is dipped in peroxide solution. Dad hates that. Maybe he feels like he is going to choke, I don't know. Then they have to use the sterile suction tube (it is a long tube-like vacuum enclosed in a clear plastic bag to keep it completely germ free). Yeah, that is sure fun for dad. He gets a little bit anxious when they do that. But it keeps him from choking on saliva, phlegm, etc.
His ICP (intracranial pressure) was a little high when I went in (around 18-21) but it came down when they finished caring for dad (about 10-12). Again, they like to keep that lower rather than higher. Another thing that has come down is his arterial blood pressure (it is measured by an IV line inserted near his heart). The last couple of days it has been around 170/90's and today it was 120/88. Dad continues to move his right side very well (in fact he has the strongest grip on that side--it has caused some discomfort for more than one of us). His left side he can move slightly but not near as well as his right. The way our brain works is that the left half of our brain controls the right side of our body and the right half of our brain controls the left side of our body. His injury was on the right side of his head so this movement pattern makes sense.
They have turned off the "cooling IV" on my dad. It was to help cool his temperature down (he had a little bit of a fever). The IV is still in place just in case it is needed for anything else. He has several other IV's in place as well (one gives him insulin to keep his blood sugars on a good level--he is not diabetic it is just when you are not moving around normally and burning up the sugars you need some additional help). He also has an IV in place to help keep the vein open just in case.
Something I forgot to mention yesterday is that a volunteer came in with her therapy dog. It was a collie (like Lassie) and very fluffy. It didn't go into dad's room because of circumstances but it could go in other patients rooms. After the owner and dog were finished visiting patients they came into the waiting room and asked if anyone wanted to see the dog. I went over to the dog and just hugged him and scratched his hind legs (he seemed to love that). It was a good stress reliever, I think, for anyone that visited with the dog. We then jokingly asked if we could bring in my dad's favorite pet. They asked what type of pet it was and we were forced to admit that it was Scout (Scout was the first horse my dad bought. It was not the horse that was involved in dad's accident). The mental picture of Scout walking down the hallway made us all laugh.
Some more news...today they told us that they would be removing his ET tube tomorrow (endotracheal tube---tube in his throat to help him breathe) and be replacing it with a trach tube (tracheotomy tube---instead of having the tube in his throat to help him breathe he would have an opening in his neck with a tube to help him breathe). Also tomorrow they will be removing his nasogastric tube (the tube that he gets his "food" through and replacing it with a PEG tube (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tube). Basically it means that they will put a tube surgically into the stomach and bypass all the normal routes that food goes through to get to the stomach. By doing these 2 changes it will make it easier for dad to get out of the hospital and into a rehab facility. It won't make him completely better but it is a positive thing.
Thanks again for everything you guys have done for me and my family. The kind words, thoughts, food, and everything else have meant the world to us. Please know that we want to say thanks to everyone individually and perhaps in time we can do that but for now know that you are appreciated.
Julie
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
April 27, 2010
Thank you to everyone that has given our family treats, kept my dad in your thoughts, and in your prayers. You guys have been great!!! My family has been richly blessed because of your generosity! There are so many to mention but I do want to mention the people from my dad's work. All of you at the LDS Humanitarin center...you guys are amazing! You thought of all of the most appropriate things. We are totally in awe of the number of people that my dad touched and made a difference in their lives.
My mom wants to make sure as well that the members of her ward know how much she appreciates the fasting, prayers, and food stuffs given to our family. Understandably, she is a bit overwhelmed with all that is going on and the food and snacks have been great. My dad would also be very appreciative of your effors to assist his family. If he could talk right now I know that is what he would say.
Julie
My mom wants to make sure as well that the members of her ward know how much she appreciates the fasting, prayers, and food stuffs given to our family. Understandably, she is a bit overwhelmed with all that is going on and the food and snacks have been great. My dad would also be very appreciative of your effors to assist his family. If he could talk right now I know that is what he would say.
Julie
April 27, 2010
Good morning everybody. Not much change to my dad this morning. They are currently doing an EEG (electroencephalograph). It is a test to measure the function of the brain. I don't know the results yet.
They gave him a bath last night. I think he enjoyed it. Dad has a splint on each foot/leg to help keep his foot in neutral alignment. After his bath he kept moving his right leg around so it was difficult to put the splint back on. I say, "go dad. Keep fighting!"
Unfortunately, I am meeting way too many people in this unit. I say that because your loved one has to be seriously hurt to be in the "club". There are so many people that have been impacted by serious injury or illness.
I will write more later when we know the results of the EEG. Julie
They gave him a bath last night. I think he enjoyed it. Dad has a splint on each foot/leg to help keep his foot in neutral alignment. After his bath he kept moving his right leg around so it was difficult to put the splint back on. I say, "go dad. Keep fighting!"
Unfortunately, I am meeting way too many people in this unit. I say that because your loved one has to be seriously hurt to be in the "club". There are so many people that have been impacted by serious injury or illness.
I will write more later when we know the results of the EEG. Julie
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 26, 2010
For those of you who don't know...my dad was hurt very severely on Saturday afternoon in a horseback riding accident. He was trying to get on the horse when the horse bucked or get scared and took off. Dad then either hit a rock or had the horse step on his head. An ambulance was called and when they arrived it was determined that LifeFlight was necessary. Dad was loaded up in the helicopter and flown to the hospital. He underwent surgery after a CT scan determined that it was necessary. The surgical team took excellent care of him and then the doctor came to talk to us. He told us that things are critical. The nurses and doctors have, so far, taken great care of dad.
As of today, there has been little change in dad's condition. He likes to move his right arm and leg. In fact, the nurses tease him about it. He doesn't move his left side yet except sometimes when the nurses squeeze it tightly. I was in the room this morning when they gave him his vitamins through his nasogastric tube. He seems to like them. One of the vitamin/nutrient solutions looks like pink lemonade. Dad loves lemonade so we tell him he is still drinking his favorite drink.
They also did an ultrasound of his legs to check for blood clots. So far, I don't know what the results were of the test. He had trouble holding still for the ultrasound on his right leg.
His intracranial pressures were a bit up today (normally ICP should be between 10-20. Dad's has been 10-15). Because of this they have asked us to speak quietly in his room and limit touching him. These things stimulate him and tend to make his ICP go up.
On Saturday night they did a craniectomy (removed a bit of his skull to allow the brain to swell so that it is not squished in the skull). He has staples in his head to hold the skin in place. You have to be careful around his head because he doesn't have the skull to protect his brain. He is still unconscious. They mostly have the sedation turned off. They have occasionally turned it back on (like when they put the cooling IV in his subclavian vein--he had a bit of a temperature so they put an IV in to help cool him down---the subclavian vein is located just under the collarbones). He is also intubated (a tube in his throat) to help him breathe. The respirator is set to have him breathe 20 times a minute. His arterial blood pressures are holding steady. They like that to be higher (strange because I always thought that high blood pressure was bad---higher blood pressure helps to profuse his brain---needed badly right now). He also has a right orbital fracture (broken bone just below the right eye) so his face is swollen and bruised.
Please check back as I will update this blog as often as possible. Please, if you can, pray for him as he will need all the help that he can get. Thanks.
As of today, there has been little change in dad's condition. He likes to move his right arm and leg. In fact, the nurses tease him about it. He doesn't move his left side yet except sometimes when the nurses squeeze it tightly. I was in the room this morning when they gave him his vitamins through his nasogastric tube. He seems to like them. One of the vitamin/nutrient solutions looks like pink lemonade. Dad loves lemonade so we tell him he is still drinking his favorite drink.
They also did an ultrasound of his legs to check for blood clots. So far, I don't know what the results were of the test. He had trouble holding still for the ultrasound on his right leg.
His intracranial pressures were a bit up today (normally ICP should be between 10-20. Dad's has been 10-15). Because of this they have asked us to speak quietly in his room and limit touching him. These things stimulate him and tend to make his ICP go up.
On Saturday night they did a craniectomy (removed a bit of his skull to allow the brain to swell so that it is not squished in the skull). He has staples in his head to hold the skin in place. You have to be careful around his head because he doesn't have the skull to protect his brain. He is still unconscious. They mostly have the sedation turned off. They have occasionally turned it back on (like when they put the cooling IV in his subclavian vein--he had a bit of a temperature so they put an IV in to help cool him down---the subclavian vein is located just under the collarbones). He is also intubated (a tube in his throat) to help him breathe. The respirator is set to have him breathe 20 times a minute. His arterial blood pressures are holding steady. They like that to be higher (strange because I always thought that high blood pressure was bad---higher blood pressure helps to profuse his brain---needed badly right now). He also has a right orbital fracture (broken bone just below the right eye) so his face is swollen and bruised.
Please check back as I will update this blog as often as possible. Please, if you can, pray for him as he will need all the help that he can get. Thanks.
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