Bonnie Frank
EF0
Is there any news at all about Eric?
MatthewCarman
If you don't see updates here ask BKDPhillips for the information to view the website at Caringbridge.org. I just checked the site out and could not find any page with the name Eric Flescher. Probably because it is set to private.
It has been over a week without any updates. I hope Eric is alright.
Joey Ketcham
Here is the latest from Eric's wife:
Yesterday the snow kept me from going into KCK to see Eric. I did go to Shabbat services as I needed to put the week behind me and just focus on one thing, Somehow, the past few weeks it has been comforting.
Today the weather was better and I went in to see Eric. Eric seemed more tense and less responsive. They came in to give him the Provigil around noon. I hope that will make a difference but was not there long enough to see whether it made him more alert. I will stop by tomorrow afternoon.
Yesterday the snow kept me from going into KCK to see Eric. I did go to Shabbat services as I needed to put the week behind me and just focus on one thing, Somehow, the past few weeks it has been comforting.
Today the weather was better and I went in to see Eric. Eric seemed more tense and less responsive. They came in to give him the Provigil around noon. I hope that will make a difference but was not there long enough to see whether it made him more alert. I will stop by tomorrow afternoon.
Bill Schintler
EF4
I continue to check here often for updates. My thoughts are with Eric and his family.
- bill schintler
- bill schintler
BKDPhillips
EF1
Thanks Joey for posting an update. I teach and have been very busy the past two weeks. Here is the latest from his wife via Caringbridge Journal.
After a morning of Sunday school Art, I drove to see Eric. He was more alert than I had seen him in the past few visits. Even the RT felt he was making eye contact. Sometimes I have seen what she was talking about and he gives the appearance of looking right at you and sustaining eye contact. He still is not tracking at all nor is he moving his eyes or head to face you when you are talking to him, so we really don't know whether he is seeing us.
The Speech Therapist had been in to see him. The only piece of information we were able to glean from the visit was that Eric did have a response to loud sound, but no real purposeful movement. I do suppose that means that he can hear!
They did a new CT scan but nothing new showed up. They also took him off antibiotics to see whether the infection would return. So far no fever and his WBC was at 12. At 6am on Tuesday the neurosurgeon will draw fluid to see whether there is infection. Overall, his color has remained good.
Tonight he was very tired and in a very deep sleep. I tried speaking very loudly at him; his eyelids fluttered only very slightly. I found a cooking show on TV (there is no food channel on the TV in his room) and even that was not enough to arouse him. I stayed about 45 minutes as it was already getting late.
So many things during the day remind me of Eric; the hummingbirds and photographs of his trips, a TV show or cartoon he would have liked. I am missing him a lot right now. The days fly by and it is hard to believe two months have come and gone.
I also know, she placed a guest book in his room. When you visit, please sign so she has a record of who visited him.
Belinda
After a morning of Sunday school Art, I drove to see Eric. He was more alert than I had seen him in the past few visits. Even the RT felt he was making eye contact. Sometimes I have seen what she was talking about and he gives the appearance of looking right at you and sustaining eye contact. He still is not tracking at all nor is he moving his eyes or head to face you when you are talking to him, so we really don't know whether he is seeing us.
The Speech Therapist had been in to see him. The only piece of information we were able to glean from the visit was that Eric did have a response to loud sound, but no real purposeful movement. I do suppose that means that he can hear!
They did a new CT scan but nothing new showed up. They also took him off antibiotics to see whether the infection would return. So far no fever and his WBC was at 12. At 6am on Tuesday the neurosurgeon will draw fluid to see whether there is infection. Overall, his color has remained good.
Tonight he was very tired and in a very deep sleep. I tried speaking very loudly at him; his eyelids fluttered only very slightly. I found a cooking show on TV (there is no food channel on the TV in his room) and even that was not enough to arouse him. I stayed about 45 minutes as it was already getting late.
So many things during the day remind me of Eric; the hummingbirds and photographs of his trips, a TV show or cartoon he would have liked. I am missing him a lot right now. The days fly by and it is hard to believe two months have come and gone.
I also know, she placed a guest book in his room. When you visit, please sign so she has a record of who visited him.
Belinda
Dave Gallaher
EF5
Thanks to you both, Belinda and Joey, for keeping these updates coming.
Karla Dorman
My heart broke at this comment from Eric's wife
He's there, but not there ... so sad. Prayers continue for Eric and his family. *tears*
BKDPhillips
EF1
Karla, I agree and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sue-Ellen reads these.
I have a long weekend coming up due to parent-teacher conferences and plan to go see him. If anyone is in the KC metro area, he is at Providence Hospital 4th floor in KCK. Easy to get to and the staff is wonderful. She has a guest book for you to sign, so she and Eric can thank you for coming.
Sue-Ellen's 2/3 update:
The neurosurgeon was finally able to do the lumbar puncture. He had tried through the shunt but was unable to get the fluid. The fluid will be cultured to see whether there is any new infection. Meanwhile, he has been off antibiotics for about 5 plus days and he has not developed any fever. Tomorrow they will do an EEG to determine activity. In all this, there is so much we do not know.
I went in to see him tonight. He seemed very relaxed when I came into the room. His eyes were closed and the room was semi-dark. I turned on the light behind the bed, said hello and touched his arm. He opened his eyes. They were open for most of the time I was there. Tonight, although he still remains unresponsive, appeared pensive, as if he were thinking about something. A few times he seemed to move his head only slightly, to try to cough. I held his hand, I talked, and we watched basketball on TV. KU beat Colorado (sorry Shira) in overtime. A very exciting game.
We will await the news the Drs. find out as they do the tests. I was up late last night so I had better get some sleep tonight.
friend through storms, Belinda
I have a long weekend coming up due to parent-teacher conferences and plan to go see him. If anyone is in the KC metro area, he is at Providence Hospital 4th floor in KCK. Easy to get to and the staff is wonderful. She has a guest book for you to sign, so she and Eric can thank you for coming.
Sue-Ellen's 2/3 update:
The neurosurgeon was finally able to do the lumbar puncture. He had tried through the shunt but was unable to get the fluid. The fluid will be cultured to see whether there is any new infection. Meanwhile, he has been off antibiotics for about 5 plus days and he has not developed any fever. Tomorrow they will do an EEG to determine activity. In all this, there is so much we do not know.
I went in to see him tonight. He seemed very relaxed when I came into the room. His eyes were closed and the room was semi-dark. I turned on the light behind the bed, said hello and touched his arm. He opened his eyes. They were open for most of the time I was there. Tonight, although he still remains unresponsive, appeared pensive, as if he were thinking about something. A few times he seemed to move his head only slightly, to try to cough. I held his hand, I talked, and we watched basketball on TV. KU beat Colorado (sorry Shira) in overtime. A very exciting game.
We will await the news the Drs. find out as they do the tests. I was up late last night so I had better get some sleep tonight.
friend through storms, Belinda
BKDPhillips
EF1
Caringbridge excerpt from Eric 's wife, Sue-Ellen :
This has been a busy week. Still no change in Eric's status, however, we are trying to gather as much information as we can about Eric's condition to know what had possibly happened and what are the next steps. We are awaiting the results of several tests, including an MRI and EEG. We meet on Monday to discuss the results.
In the meantime, since Eric has not awakened from the coma, the LTACH has done all it can do with regard to rehab at this time. A change in status can allow him to return to a similar type of facility. They are ready to move him to skilled nursing .....
He opens his eyes, some of the time, to touching his shoulder. And although there is still no tracking, there are times when the eyes seem more natural. Hard to explain in writing, but I can tell when observing him. On Thursday, there were moments of that look and then a less natural look which lasted for probably less than a minute or so.
This has been a busy week. Still no change in Eric's status, however, we are trying to gather as much information as we can about Eric's condition to know what had possibly happened and what are the next steps. We are awaiting the results of several tests, including an MRI and EEG. We meet on Monday to discuss the results.
In the meantime, since Eric has not awakened from the coma, the LTACH has done all it can do with regard to rehab at this time. A change in status can allow him to return to a similar type of facility. They are ready to move him to skilled nursing .....
He opens his eyes, some of the time, to touching his shoulder. And although there is still no tracking, there are times when the eyes seem more natural. Hard to explain in writing, but I can tell when observing him. On Thursday, there were moments of that look and then a less natural look which lasted for probably less than a minute or so.
Skip Talbot
EF5
Thanks for the updates, Belinda.
I caught a news article the other day about a patient they thought was in a vegetative state. He was able to answer yes or no questions though that were asked to him during an fMRI scan by measuring the changes in his brain. I remember hearing about similar uses of fMRI while I was doing an undergraduate research program at Northwestern Radiology. Does the hospital Eric is at have fMRI capabilities? Here's the article:
http://www.ecpulse.com/en/clusters/2010/02/04/coma-man-communicates/
I caught a news article the other day about a patient they thought was in a vegetative state. He was able to answer yes or no questions though that were asked to him during an fMRI scan by measuring the changes in his brain. I remember hearing about similar uses of fMRI while I was doing an undergraduate research program at Northwestern Radiology. Does the hospital Eric is at have fMRI capabilities? Here's the article:
http://www.ecpulse.com/en/clusters/2010/02/04/coma-man-communicates/
BKDPhillips
EF1
fMRI
Skip,
I will forward your question and article to his wife. I know she will appreciate the article. I will get an answer back to you as soon as I hear from Sue-Ellen.
Thanks - Belinda
Skip,
I will forward your question and article to his wife. I know she will appreciate the article. I will get an answer back to you as soon as I hear from Sue-Ellen.
Thanks - Belinda
BKDPhillips
EF1
Skip,
Here is your answer from Sue-Ellen his wife:
I read the article but do not believe they have the capability of doing the fMRI where he is. The article also indicated (if I was not mistaken or it was a similar article) that only one of the 23 tested had shown the capability of answering the yes no questions but had not progressed far beyond that point. I could be wrong. We did do an EEG to see if there is activity, and if so, where there is activity. We will know more on Monday.
I asked if they were planning to move him based on her last entry and this is her reply:
Yes they are moving him again due to lack of progress. The rehabilitation/trach weaning process requires him to be awake and able to follow some simple commands in order to continue...
We are looking at a few places, one of which is Royal Terrace in OLathe. It was where he did his rehab after the stroke...nothing fancy but caring staff.
The others are Indian Meadows and Manor Care. We were hoping he could go to Meadowbrook in Gardner, but they had no availability.
Please continue to pray for Eric, his wife Sue-Ellen and their family as they go through these moves. Thanks to all of you for your on-going support. With the conventions and the seminars during the upcoming weeks, I am sure Eric would have been active trying to attend some of them as time permitted. Pray the snows arrive at a time that permits easy removal of the snow for her to continue visiting Eric. Though it is making it difficult for her sometimes, I'm sure Eric would have been enjoying the beauty of it through the camera and discussions on this forum.
Belinda
Here is your answer from Sue-Ellen his wife:
I read the article but do not believe they have the capability of doing the fMRI where he is. The article also indicated (if I was not mistaken or it was a similar article) that only one of the 23 tested had shown the capability of answering the yes no questions but had not progressed far beyond that point. I could be wrong. We did do an EEG to see if there is activity, and if so, where there is activity. We will know more on Monday.
I asked if they were planning to move him based on her last entry and this is her reply:
Yes they are moving him again due to lack of progress. The rehabilitation/trach weaning process requires him to be awake and able to follow some simple commands in order to continue...
We are looking at a few places, one of which is Royal Terrace in OLathe. It was where he did his rehab after the stroke...nothing fancy but caring staff.
The others are Indian Meadows and Manor Care. We were hoping he could go to Meadowbrook in Gardner, but they had no availability.
Please continue to pray for Eric, his wife Sue-Ellen and their family as they go through these moves. Thanks to all of you for your on-going support. With the conventions and the seminars during the upcoming weeks, I am sure Eric would have been active trying to attend some of them as time permitted. Pray the snows arrive at a time that permits easy removal of the snow for her to continue visiting Eric. Though it is making it difficult for her sometimes, I'm sure Eric would have been enjoying the beauty of it through the camera and discussions on this forum.
Belinda
sebenste
EF1
Wow.
I just read through the whole thread. In winter, I'm very busy and rarely get on here...but this is so sad. My prayers and throughts go to Eric, and his family, as well as the doctors taking great care of him.
I just read through the whole thread. In winter, I'm very busy and rarely get on here...but this is so sad. My prayers and throughts go to Eric, and his family, as well as the doctors taking great care of him.
BKDPhillips
EF1
Sunday 2/7 update from Eric's wife, Sue-Ellen:
Eric was pretty tired today. His eyes were closed when I arrived and he appeared to be asleep. His eyes opened after a while but seemed unresponsive today. I called his Mom .... She spoke to him by speakerphone.
We talked and watched the Superbowl pregame show. ..... so I left the Superbowl on the TV.
I (will meet)....with the hospitalist Dr. and find out the results of the tests that were done this past week. I have many questions and a bit nervous about what was found. .... It is very difficult to see Eric like this. It is also hard to keep moving him to new locations. True, it will bring him closer and it will be easier to visit without spending so much time driving...but as he is moved, there is less intensive and continual care to the extent he is getting right now and after 6 weeks, you get to know the staff who work with him and now we will have to get to know a whole new staff and way of doing things. I will choose a place where he will continue to get the RT, PT/OT and daily care. I will also be sure he can get an air mattress as it has been better for him. ......If nothing else, it makes one realize what is important in life and not to take anything for granted.
Gilbert, Thanks for commenting. I'm sure Sue-Ellen will be uplifted by knowing you care. She reads these updates.
Belinda
Eric was pretty tired today. His eyes were closed when I arrived and he appeared to be asleep. His eyes opened after a while but seemed unresponsive today. I called his Mom .... She spoke to him by speakerphone.
We talked and watched the Superbowl pregame show. ..... so I left the Superbowl on the TV.
I (will meet)....with the hospitalist Dr. and find out the results of the tests that were done this past week. I have many questions and a bit nervous about what was found. .... It is very difficult to see Eric like this. It is also hard to keep moving him to new locations. True, it will bring him closer and it will be easier to visit without spending so much time driving...but as he is moved, there is less intensive and continual care to the extent he is getting right now and after 6 weeks, you get to know the staff who work with him and now we will have to get to know a whole new staff and way of doing things. I will choose a place where he will continue to get the RT, PT/OT and daily care. I will also be sure he can get an air mattress as it has been better for him. ......If nothing else, it makes one realize what is important in life and not to take anything for granted.
Gilbert, Thanks for commenting. I'm sure Sue-Ellen will be uplifted by knowing you care. She reads these updates.
Belinda
Bonnie Frank
EF0
Thank you Belinda for keeping us updated. I remember Eric & his family in my prayers daily.
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