For Family and Friends: A New Update on Ron

With Ron, July 17th

These past few days have been a roller coaster. And I can't find the words to adequately express my gratitude that Ron's sister has been visiting us from her home outside Denver since July 12th. Because Roxane was the one who woke me up...

I vaguely remember Ron getting out of bed last Tuesday morning, the 19th. Then I was back fast asleep. Until Roxane tapped urgently on me saying, "Molly, get up! Ron has to go to the hospital! You need to call 911!!

 

I leaped out of bed and found Ron slumped over in one of our dining room chairs. He was sweating profusely and having difficulty breathing. Ron had gotten up and just began to make coffee when he was hit hard, suddenly having difficulty standing, moving, talking. He managed to make it to one of our dining room chairs. And that's when Roxane noticed Ron as she was walking outside by our patio door and that her brother was motioning to her to come in.

It wasn't long after my call to 911 that the ambulance and fire truck arrived and our home was filled with EMTs. And it wasn't long after that that Ron was carried out to the ambulance and on his was to the ER at Salmon Creek Legacy Hospital 15 minutes from our home in Vancouver.

In summing up a very long, very scary and traumatic story, early tests revealed that Ron had significant blood clots in both of his lungs. It was determined that blood thinners alone would not be sufficient in addressing the danger these clots posed and the stress on Ron's heart that they were causing. Although there were risks with the recommended procedure ― "catheter-directed thrombolysis" ― we knew that the risks of not agreeing to this procedure were far worse.

Salmon Creek Legacy in Vancouver did not do this procedure. That meant waiting for an opening at Emanuel Legacy in Portland, which we were told would happen within 24-48 hours. Meanwhile, Ron was closely monitored while more tests were taken.We finally got word Wednesday afternoon that Ron could be transferred to Emanuel. The procedure occurred that day at 5:00.

And it was successful. What a relief!!

The procedure itself is mind-blowing. It involved putting a tube into a vein in Ron's neck that would then go into both of Ron's lungs and drip something that the doctor said acted like drano on the clots. This tube remained in Ron's neck and lungs for 12 hours while the drip, drip, drip continued and was then removed yesterday morning. It has also been made clear that this is not simply a fix-it all at once affair. Rather, the dissolving of the clots will be continuing to occur over a period of time. And meanwhile, the blood thinners that Ron will be on for the next six months or so will also prevent any further growth of blood clots and any new clots from forming.

 

This is a much, much longer story that I have greatly abbreviated. And there remain so many questions that are as of yet unanswered. Especially WHY did these blood clots form to begin with? Is it somehow related to his treatment for the necrotizing myositis? We don't know. Ron is scheduled to see his rheumatologist Monday, an appointment that we hope he will be able to keep if he's soon released.

And now, finally, there is more good news. I'm happy to now share that as of this afternoon, Ron is off oxygen, he is able to walk without a walker, and tonight he was to be freed from his last IV. Ron is so incredibly grateful to be able to make it to the bathroom, to shower, to be disconnected from numerous tubes and wires, to feel more human again, and to be alive! As are we all! This has been really scary.

Ron has also continued to remain in the ICU at Emanuel since Wednesday. A regular room had been requested, but a bed hasn't become open due to the hospital being at capacity. But now that Ron has been able to be off oxygen and is making notable progress today, we are hopeful that he will be released tomorrow or Sunday.

There are many who have been holding Ron in their hearts and prayers and sending so much love to Ron and me. We are eternally grateful. Truly grateful.

I'm moved to end by sharing my husband's words that he has just posted tonight. Ron writes:

"It’s an interesting time to be reading Brené Brown's book ‘Daring Greatly’ while in an ICU. Among other things, it’s about learning to be vulnerable. It’s also about the the debilitating individual and collective effects of shame, within our very shame based culture. So, regarding shame, and its cousin embarrassment, there is nothing like getting over shame or embarrassment around body and body functions than having a constant parade of folks poking, and prodding you at all hours, while you do whatever you need to do, to just say “fuck it”. And what better practice of vulnerability could you ask for than to be helpless and dependent on others for your very life and well being, to be putting your trust in others with skills you can’t imagine. The work will be to carry whatever insights learned here into the larger world outside that still largely prizes the illusions of separation, and the myth of rugged individualism as strength."

 

And Ron adds:

"Gratitude. Being unconnected to tubes, needles and wires, and taking a hot shower while pulling off no longer needed electrodes and chest hair. Not too common in the ICU according to nurse Ashley. All that tells me I’m ready to blow this joint and give the bed to someone who needs it." 

This from my wise and vulnerable, healing and hopeful, brave and beautiful husband who I love with all my heart and soul. Always so many reminders to cherish each and every moment and, as Brené Brown says, to live wholeheartedly. And to love, love, love. Love is always the greatest medicine.

 With deep gratitude and many blessings,

💗  

Molly 

 

* * * * * 

 

Update:

Ron was released from the hospital on the afternoon 

of July 30th and is now happily and gratefully 

home with his family. 💗🙏💗

 

Photo by Molly