Adventures
| Cuba | |
| China Sea | |
| Carribean | |
| Atlantic | |
| Cape Horn | |
| Blue Danube |
MisAdventures
| Typhoon in Manila Bay | ||
| Whale Attack! | ||
| Aground in Nova Scotia |
53 DAYS ADRIP
| Guestbook |
|||
| September 18, 2007 | |||
|
CLOSING REMARKS TO THE SKIPS HEALTH EPISODE By Bill Butler The DRIP is all over bringing this episode in my life to closure.. but then again.. for some reason.. it closed with a bang!!! After the Docs at the hospital conspired to starve me in June, I fell for their gimmick.. ”If you want to eat.. let us put a tube into your stomach.. from the outside in”.. a month later I was eating normally and the tube became obsolete. I asked every medical type around “how is the thing removed?”.. and I got ten different methods.. so I decided to go back to the surgeon in Miami who put it in. I went on the appointed hour to the hospital outpatient surgery ward.. I got my cubicle, was made comfy.. and waited for the doc to show up.. two hours later.. the doc dresses up in surgeons gear, mask, gloves, vest and all and comes up next to me. After a bit of small chat he says, “This is going to hurt. You’d better hold the nurses hand, which I did”.. The doc then grabs the tube sticking out of my tummy, makes a face.. and hauls away like the crew does with a spinnaker sheet. And POP it was out. The balloon on the end, which is what kept it from coming out was more than 5/8 inch in diameter!!! “That’s it” is all he had to say and left. The nurse held a bandage tight against the huge hole for a while and then said.. “That’s it.” And THAT’S IT. September 18, 2007 |
|||
| Day 53, July 13 2007 | |||
|
No question about it, my 66 days
adrift with all the sharks, storms and Simonne was a snap compared
to these last 53 days adrift within the local health care system
(and always "adrip" on a tube of some sort) But, it's over and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your prayers and messages. I also want to thank Lirio and my other family members for all of their tireless support. I will be released from REHAB today, Friday, July 13. I passed the "Swallow" test yesterday and have started to eat small amounts of soft foods until I get the knack of it. Seriously, I'm hooked on my PEG (Stomach feed tube). It eliminates the "What's for lunch?" enigma! Lirio and I will spend the next week near the rehab center to assure my smooth transition back to civilian life. Once again, thank you for all of your prayers. Love to all ... Bill |
|||
|
|
|||
|
No cabe duda que mis 66 días a la
deriva, con todos los tiburones, las tempestades y Simonne fueron
fáciles comparados a estos 53 días a la deriva en el sistema local
de asistencia médica (y siempre "adrip" en un tubo de algún tipo) Pero, está sobre y quiero tomar esta oportunidad de dar gracias todo usted para sus oraciones y mensajes. Quiero también dar gracias Lirio y mis otros miembros de la familia para todo su apoyo incansable. Seré liberado de la REHABILITACION hoy, el viernes, julio 13. Pasé el "Traga" la prueba ayer y ha empezado a comer pequeñas cantidades de alimentos suaves hasta que aprenda de ello. Gravemente, adoro mi PERCHA (tubo de comida de Estómago). ¡Elimina el "Qué Es para almorzar"? el enigma! Lirio y yo gastarán la semana próxima cerca del centro de rehabilitación para transición a la vida civil. Una vez más, gracias para todas sus oraciones. Adore a todo... Bill |
|||
|
|||
| Day 37, June 27 - From Sue: Back to normal on everything except for eating through the mouth. Skip still has to eat through the stomach peg/tube which keeps him at his new weight of 151 pounds (down from his usual 172). At least he didn't go down to 126 as he did after the life raft adventure. | |||
| Day 35, June 25 - From Sue: It's a lot quieter and my dad is sleeping a lot better at St. Anne's except for the fact that they come in every 4 hours to do something no matter what time it is. At least they don't have loudspeakers like the hospital did. | |||
| Day 33, June 23 - From Sue: He has been moved to St. Anne's for rehab. He reports that it is nice and quiet and he may be able to get some sleep finally! | |||
El día 33, junio 23 - El ha sido movido al S. Anne para la rehabilitación. ¡El informa que es callado y él finalmente puede dormir. |
|||
| Day 32, June 22 - From Bill: Food has finally arrived via the "peg" which is like a tube which goes into my tummy through which we pour a can of ensure and a couple of cups of water every time. I had my first one at midnight and another one this morning and will have another one at noon. I expect to be transferred out of here sometime today (to St. Anne's) where I hope it will be quieter because at this hospital because sleeping at this hospital is highly difficult. Someone comes in here every 15 minutes to take my temperature or blood pressure, give me a breathing tube, or just to check to see if I'm still kicking. | |||
|
El día 32, junio 22 - De Bill: El alimento finalmente ha llegado vía la "peg" que está como un tubo que entra la barriguita por que vertemos "Ensure" y agua. Tuve mi primer copa a medianoche y otro esta mañana y tendré otro uno a mediodía. Espero ser transferido a S. Anne hoy, donde espero que será más callado. En este hospital durmiendo es sumamente difícil. Alguien entra a aquí tomar cada 15 minutos mi temperatura o la tensión, déme un tubo que respira, o para verificar apenas ver si pateo todavía. |
|||
| Day 31, June 21 - From Sue: My poor dad is STARVING! He says he has had no nourishment in over 3 days. Apparently there is some issue with the "peg" they inserted yesterday. I am waiting to hear from Lirio to find out what the problem is. I'll update later when I hear what's up with his food. | |||
| El día 31, junio 21 - De Sue: ¡Mi papá pobre MUERE DE HAMBRE! El dice que él no ha tenido alimento en más de 3 días. No es de extrañar él ha tratado de tener alimento pasado de contrabando a él. ¡Soy sorprendido él no ha tratado de conseguir alguien pasar de contrabandole un roncito! Hay aparentemente algún asunto con la "peg" que ellos metieron ayer. Espero para oír de Lirio para averiguar lo que el problema es. Actualizaré luego cuando oigo la problema con su alimento. | |||
| Day 30, June 20 - From Bill: Revelie was at 6 am with a nurse turning on the bright lights and removing the catheter painlessly so far. Will report tomorrow on my first successful pee pee. At 8 am I was wheeled down to have a "peg" inserted in my stomach wall so I can be fed externally until my throat muscles start working again. Since then, I've been laying on my back. Thanks to all of you for your messages. Sue prints them out and sends them to Sally who brings them over. I love you all. I enjoy all the messages. It looks now like I'll be shipped out of here on Friday and taken to St. Ann's rehab center where I will spend a week working on all my muscles starting on my throat down to my big toe. Skippee. | |||
| El día 30, junio 20 - De Bill: Revelie estuvo muy temprano (6 a.m). Una enfermera prendió las luces y quitar el catéter sin causar dolor. Informará mañana en mi primer "pee pee". A las 8 am fui rodado para tener hacia abajo una "peg" (percha?) metida en mi estómago tan yo puedo ser alimentado externamente hasta que músculos de garganta empiecen a trabajar otra vez. Desde entonces, he estado colocando en mi espalda. Gracias a todo usted para sus mensajes. Sue los manda a Sally y Sal me los trae a mí. Te quiero todo. Adoro todos los mensajes. Pienso que saldré el el viernes del hospital y ire a S. Anne para un tiempo corto donde trabajaré en todos músculos. | |||
| Day 29, June 19 - From Sue: He did not pass the official "swallow" test given by a nurse at the hospital. This means that he must go back on a feeding tube. He rebelled at first but starvation set in and he submitted after trying to get Sally to smuggle him a hot dog did not work. | |||
| Day 28, June 18 - From Sue: I called and wished my Dad a happy Father's day. He was eating his first food in a long time. Applesauce and other soft substances. He is able to swallow again. So now there is only one major bodily function remaining to repair. After speaking for 10 minutes he was tired. | |||
| Day 27, June 17 - From Sue: I spoke to my Dad. While we were talking someone came in the room and he put the phone down. I kept thinking he would remember to pick the phone up but he forgot all about me and the phone was off the hook for hours. Maybe the hospital stay has affected him in many ways. | |||
| Day 26 June 16 - He is out of the ICU once again and was moved to a regular room yesterday. Still having trouble with bodily functions (!*@#$!#$%) and not a happy camper but flirting with all the women so that's a good sign. | |||
| Day 25, June 15 - No update yet! No news is good news. | |||
| (DAY 24) June 14, 2007: From Lirio: He's sitting up in a chair and doing better | |||
| June 14, 2007: Direct from the
skipper himself, "Surrounded by beautiful women who give me orders
to which I reply "Si, Mi Amor" The day started at 3 am
when the usual team came in to draw blood. Then I rolled over and
tried to sleep. Then the guy came in for an xray. Then I
rolled over again and tried to sleep. Now at 9 am, still no sleep
and the big job for today is for the urologist to see if I can pee
on my own. I guess I'm doing all kinds of vocal work on my
vocal chords. "Ooh, Aaa, Eeee, OOO, AAA, eEEE " [ and
other strange noises ] The vocal chords are apparently important for
swallowing, getting the food to the stomach."
From Sue: From what I gather, the pneumonia is better, but there are issues with recovering from procedures done to save him from the pneumonia. So, hopefully he can get out of there before any new procedures! The main issues are 1) the swallowing and 2) the urology. |
|||
| June 12, 2007, from Lirio - a little better. The transfusions have helped. He is talking. He is having trouble swallowing. | |||
| El 12 de junio de 2007, de Lirio - un poco mejor. Las transfusiones han ayudado. El habla. El tiene el problema con tragar. | |||
| June 12, 2007, from Sue - He is back in ICU. He had to have a transfusion due to blood loss from a catheter removal. (ouch). | |||
| El 12 de junio de 2007, de Sue - él ha vuelto a ICU. El tuvo que tener una transfusión de sangre a causa de la pérdida de sangre de la eliminación de un catéter. | |||
| June 10, 2007, from Sue - He speaks! He is hungry! Thirsty! Coming back to life! | |||
| June 8, 2007, in the afternoon, from Lirio - Great news: He is off of the respirator and breathing on his own! | |||
| El 8 de junio de 2007, por la tarde, de Lirio - las buenas noticias: él ya no tiene el respirador y él respira en su propio. | |||
| June 8, 2007, in the morning, from Lirio - Good news: He is breathing on his own but still has the respirator.....Bad news: a slight fever of 99...which in the grand scheme of things is probably normal. Hopefully this too shall pass...I think my dad would rather be on the life raft! | |||
| El 8 de junio de 2007, por la mañana, de Lirio - las buenas noticias: El respira en su propio pero tiene todavía el respirador. las noticias malos: una fiebre de 99... es probablemente normal. Optimistamente este pasará también...¡Pienso que mi papá estaría más bien en la balsa salvavidas! | |||
| June 6, 2007, from Sue - I talked to my dad yesterday on the phone while he listened and motioned to Sally. I read to him over the phone many of the e-mails which you have sent to him. I think this greatly lifted his spirits as Sally said he was smiling as best he could. She was there in the evening and he seemed to be doing better than yesterday. The nurse said there was a possibility that the tube would be removed soon. | |||
| El 6 de junio de 2007, de Sue - hablé a mi papá ayer por teléfono mientras él escuchó y promovió a Sally. Leo a él por teléfono muchos de los correos electrónicos que ustedes ha mandado a él. Pienso este levantó mucho sus espíritus como Sally dijo que él sonreía como mejor él puede. Ella estuvo allí por la tarde y él pareció estar haciendo mejor que ayer. La enfermera dijo había una posibilidad que el tubo sería quitado pronto. | |||
| June 5, 2007, from Lirio - She arrived at the hospital early today and managed to catch the two doctors. They said they are going to do a (Thorasentesis) tomorrow to remove some of the fluid in the lungs. Lirio is looking forward to my dad getting out of ICU. The doctors had hoped he would have been off the respirator by now. Lirio is now staying with her nephew, José so if you would like to write to Lirio directly you can do so by using the address above. The doctors also told Lirio that they figured out the cause of the pneumonia. Some blood test they ran has pinpointed the cause as some form of influenza (flu). So don't skip your flu shot this year!!!! | |||
| El 5 de junio de 2007, de Lirio - Ella llegó en el hospital temprano hoy y logró agarrar los dos médicos. Ellos dijeron que ellos harán un procedimiento de Thorasentesis para quitar mañana parte del líquido en los pulmones. . Lirio espera a mi papá que sale de UVI. Los médicos habían esperado que él hubiera estado apagado el respirador ya. Lirio ahora permanece con su sobrino, José tan si usted querría escribir a Lirio directamente usted puede hacer así utilizando la dirección arriba. Los médicos dijeron también Lirio que ellos resolvieron la causa de la pulmonía. Algún análisis de sangre que ellos corrieron ha localizado con toda precisión la causa como alguna forma de la influenza (gripe). ¡Así que no se salta su gripe disparó este año! !!! | |||
| June 4, 2007, from Lirio - They
put him on a brand new ventilator today (a newer, more modern
state-of-the-art machine.) It's about time they give him the
royal treatment! He breathes 2 times for every 1 machine breath. Lirio also said they gave him a new Cat Scan. And: News Flash! The pneumonia is probably "viral" pneumonia and not bacterial. That is most likely the reason for the prolonged illness and lack of response to antibiotics. Lirio is trying hard to stay cheerful but it is hard without having good news from the doctor. I will try to get Lirio's address for mailing her cards and letters. Here in Texas, we are having fun by the pool, swimming and relaxing and enjoying our summer. The children are all out of school as they are in Florida. In Miami, Cody and Jessie graduated. In Lirio's Texas Pictures (above) I have included a picture of Bill's beautiful grand-daughters Cody and Jessie who recently graduated from high school. The picture is from their recent prom. |
|||
| El 4 de junio de 2007, de Lirio -
Los médicos lo ponen en un completamente nuevo ventilador hoy (una
más nueva máquina de lo más moderno más moderna). ¡Está acerca de
tiempo que ellos lo dan el tratamiento real!
El respira 2 veces para cada 1 aliento de máquina. Lirio dijo también que ellos le daban un nuevo Cat Scan. Y: ¡Las noticias Destellan! La pulmonía es pulmonía probablemente "vírica". Eso es muy probable la razón para la enfermedad y la falta prolongadas de la respuesta a antibióticos. Lirio se esfuerza mucho permanecer alegre pero es difícil sin tener las buenas noticias del médico. Trataré de conseguir la dirección de Lirio para enviar sus tarjetas y las cartas. Aquí en Tejas, nosotros nos divertimos por la piscina, nadamos y relajamosse y para gozar nuestro verano. Los niños son todo fuera de escuela como ellos están en Florida. En Miami, Cody y Jessie se graduaron. En los fotos de Lirio Tejas (arriba) he incluido fotos de Cody y Jessie que se graduaron recientemente. El retrato es de su "prom". |
|||
| June 3, 2007, from Sally - He is doing better and trying to speed up his recovery. Sally said he asked the nurse how he could help speed up the recovery process but was told to just relax. So, no choice but to relax at this point. | |||
| June 2, 2007, from Lirio - Things are looking up once again. Fever is gone and he is breathing better. There is a chance of the breathing tube being removed soon. Lirio called me while out to lunch with Jaime Costigan, one of our cousins. He will be very happy to have the tube removed as he really wants to communicate! Question of the day: Will this turn into another 66 day adventure? He's been in for 10 days and counting. | |||
| June 1, 2007, from Lirio - Bill has a fever of 101 and is not doing as well as yesterday. May need some more drugs and more prayers please! Yesterday we were too optimistic. We pray that this is just a short term setback. | |||
| May 31, 2007, from Lirio - Bill is doing better, breathing better and in a good mood. Still sedated so he will rest (forced relaxation)! | |||
| Sally reports that his color is good, he looks well rested. She thinks he looks better than he has in years. Her non-medical opinion is that forced relaxation and no talking will be good for his overall well-being and may finally fix what's been ailing him all of these years! On a serious note, we think he must have had the pneumonia well before he started traveling but we don't know exactly when he first became ill. When he first went into the hospital he had me read him all of the symptoms of pneumonia from one of the popular Internet Health web sites. As I was reading them to him over the phone he admitted to having had many of the symptoms for quite some time. So, although he has been quite ill, he may come out of this much healthier than he has been in years, or at least in months. | |||
| May 30, 2007, from Sue - I spoke
while my dad listened (I'm starting to like this way of
communication where I do all of the talking and he can only listen
without saying a word.) A prayer was being
said while I was on the cel phone but unfortunately my cel line was
disconnected (Divine intervention, surely not!) El Viejo is breathing 12 breaths per minute on his own now and the respirator is handling 10, so he's breathing more than yesterday. I hope Lirio will call with a Lung improvement report but we can assume the lungs are clearing based on his improved breathing (remember I am no medical doctor, just putting 2+2 together here). I also have been told he is being "weaned" from his medication. (He will not like that terminology so I will erase that word when he gets back to his computer). His food is all via a feeding tube ... condensed nutrients I suppose and only the totally tasteless and odorless variety. Whatever it is I am sure he's happy since at least his tummy is full and he's not wondering where his next meal is coming from as he was for 66 days out in the middle of the Pacific. Is this his 9th life yet? |
|||
May 29, 2007, from Lirio -
Hard facts provided by Lirio (editing done by Sue). |
|||
| May 28, 2007, from Sue - Sally reports that he's responsive and communicating (non-verbally due to the breathing tube). Very lucid and wants Sue to check his e-mail. Sally and Cody visited and report that he's sad that he will miss Cody's HS graduation on May 29. | |||
| May 28, 2007, from Lirio - she reports that there has been a
slight improvement. He will be on the respirator His lungs are still infiltrated on both sides. He is sedated slightly so that he will stay calm. The GI man will start placing nutrients through a feeding tube to see how he tolerates them. His abdomen was distended but a catheter removed 8 liters of fluid and his abdomen is much better and his body is working better. He is on all kinds of antibiotics. |
|||
| May 27th - thinking about calling off the last rites, maybe he'll pull through? | |||
| May 26th - looking bleak ... putting in a breathing tube to help, sedating "El Viejo" to keep him from moving and interfering with his medical care. | |||
| May 25th - Moved to the ICU | |||
| May 24-25 - more shortness of breath, feeling worse, fever, electrolyte imbalance | |||
| May 23 - shortness of breath, difficulty talking, no improvement | |||
| May 22 - taken to the hospital. diagnosed with advanced double pneumonia but given good prognosis. Put on antibiotics and admitted to hospital. Alert, speaking, complaining. | |||
| Pneumonia Attack! | |||
| May 18 - Ruston High School reunion (fun!) | |||
| May 18 - Fly from Austin to Miami (starting to feel bad ... sore throat, fever) | |||
| May 15-18 - In Austin visiting Susan | |||
| May 12-15 - At MD Anderson in Houston for Lirio's appointments (Wellness checkup) | |||
