Caring Bridge website for Frank

Dear Mary,

A new journal entry for Frank Vermeulen's CaringBridge website was posted at 9:02:00 PM on Jan 29, 2010.

Read the latest update and show your support at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/frankv

Update on Frank Vermuellen Th. evening

This is your Frank update for today

Just spent the day with Judy at the hospital. The doctors did a bronchial
on him this morning and found very little fluid. That is a good sign. His kidneys are doing just fine and he rested well all day. They are keeping him sedated but only to the point he can rest. He does respond to them with nods if they need to communicate with him. They will sedate him more tonight so he rests well.

They plan on putting in a nerve block to help him with the pain level. This will help in taking deeper breaths, getting more oxygen and improve his situation.

He will be on the vent for 48 hours and then they will reasses. Saturday would be the day they would start weening him if he continues to have good stats.

Not much to report today. Judy's computer is still not up ...she shut everything off for the winter to be in California and has not had time to get things turned back on.

Big hugs

Update on Frank Vermuellen

The report this morning, is they have him kind of in an induced coma, or totally out, and will remain that way for a couple of days....so at least he isn't in pain. They were unable to get a central line in last nite, so they will consider a port today. He is on a vent, his lung hasn't inflated yet, and he does have a fractured rib and a new fracture of a vertebrae in his lower back. So it's real serious, and we need to say some serious prayers for him and his family. (For those of you who don't know Frank....he is the husband of cousin Judy Gendreau Vermuellen, and he was battling lung problems back when I had my big cancer scare in 1996...they eventually did a lung transplant on one lung, and then a few years ago, they also did a kidney transplant from his daughter Cathy. He is continually on anti rejection medications and has of late had to be on oxygen continually....yet he still keeps fighting back....they had planned on spending the winter in California with their daughter and family till this happened, and Cathy jumped in the car and helped drive them back home in that horrid weather last weekend, and then turned around and flew home to her 3 kids.) Love, thoughts and prayers, m

Frank in the Hospital

If you are reading my blog, you know that Frank is back from California cause he fell and was having problems breathing....the doctors in California thought he had 3 compressed vertebrae causing his problems, but the doctors here say those are old fractures, and his problem is that his good lung has collapsed. So they have him in the hospital at the U of M, and are trying to inflate it. Monitoring his pain and breathing. Prayers are requested for Frank and Judy who is exhausted about the frantic trip home in battling bad weather all the way, and then dealing with getting Frank to the doctors and not getting back home till late last nite.

Desert Rains

Hi All, I've been holed up in the MH for since yesterday with high winds and rains, with tornadoes nearby. A little rain out here goes a long way, but 2" rain created lots of havoc like roads closed due to flooding, wash away, etc. That is half the avg annual rain fall and doesn't sink in very well. Lots of wind, 30-40 mph with gusts up to 50/60. The MH rocks with the wind and early in the day, I brought in the slide on the wind side. After I saw the awning of a neighbor go up over their MH, I pulled in the other slides. Their awning was not even out, wind got underneath it rolled up tight to the MH. No sun for solar, of course, so had to run the compressor to keep the batteries up for water pump and fridge. So, I watched a lot of tv news, etc, and played solitaire. No biking or even getting out. I did have a good view of growing rivers raging in ravines on either side of me, but I was high and out of danger, and felt very blessed.

My dear cousin Mary is battling cancer once again and hope you will all keep her in your thoughts and prayers, you can keep up with her at www.maryshealthupdate.blogspot.com.

My hopes are that all of you are doing very well and that the sun is shining on you and keeping you warm.

Uncle John's Granddaughter was in Haiti Quake

Just to let you know, our Randi got home from Haiti - took 16 hours to get from where she was to the Dominican Republic and the airport in Santo Domingo. Got to Chicago late Saturday night. We were glad to see her home. She was not near the quake but they wanted to conserve food and water for the country.
We will be in Bemidiji for the week next week at the national Junior Curling championships. Won't go through MPLS or would try to see you. Alex curls for Minnesota.
Take care and know that we are always thinking of you and praying for you.
Love,
Uncle John and Aunt Flo

Safe in Lincoln, Neb.

Hi All,

OK never start a trip with snow flurries!! note to self

It was a slow long day but we are in Lincoln and we are in one piece.

The roads were bad around big cities and well along different patches. Windy, icy, and cars,trucks, and Semis, in the ditches all over. The last 35 miles from Omaha were only COLD. We gassed up and I washed the windows. Omaha was really greasy messy. We are ready to go when we thaw out enough in the morning. It must have been a bad night as a lot looked like they had been there for a while except for the ones in MN that we came upon early.

I drove all the way as I was afraid to have Dad at the wheel.. It was tense a lot of the time. We did not make it to Pella so I will order some things and get them delivered. So Sorry.

Good night all and know we are safe

Judy and Frank

Earthquake

Hi All, I was out for a walk and the ground shook beneath my feet. It felt like a very short dizzy spell, weird. When I got back to the MH, it shook/rocked for another short spell. I knew then what was happening, an earthquake. A neighbor told me his MH fell off it's blocks, and that the stores in El Centro had stuff fall off shelves. The center of it was about 30 mi's away from us and it was 5 something in strength. That was exciting, hope I am not around for the BIG one.

Been here at the resevoir for a few days, now, and am thoroughly enjoying myself. The shoestring I came out here on is getting shorter, so am on the low budget. Am switching from meat to mostly soy products, including tofu. I have a new recipe book on tofu cooking and am trying different things. Have had it baked, fryed, scrambled, and am looking forward to meatballs and pasta. I know you are all envious and can't wait to try some.

It's another nice day here in the SW desert, 70's and sunny with calm breeze. Wish you all could be here, but I am thinking of you anyway.

Love, Jeanie