Eric Flescher

[BKDPhillips]

dec29

Dec 29 update on Eric from his wife -

Today was a very difficult day. Eric was given approval to transfer to the LTAC and the Drs. came in for a final evaluation in the CCU. I could not have asked for a better team to care for Eric during this time. From a physical standpoint, they have done as much as they can do. He has been in the hospital for 4 weeks now and you begin to develop a relationship with his caregivers. Eric seemed more somber today (even though he remains in a coma, you can tell when he is relaxed, tense, doesn't like something by his face) as if he knew he was leaving. It was a tearful goodbye with staff.

Eric is still in the same building but on the 4th floor. His status has not changed. He will continue to get good care, it just felt more isolated today having a wood door instead of a glass door and having to get to know all new staff (although many of the Drs. that know him also work on the 4th floor) The equipment is different, but it functions the same. They have ordered an air mattress for him. It will be so much more comfortable for him when it arrives. In two weeks they will be moving and it will be farther away. There are no LTACs closer to me, so this will be another adjustment.

Friends and family continue to send well wishes. Eric and I both appreciate this.


This message also refers to this forum because she has been reading your comments to him. Thanks, Belinda

 

[Dave Gallaher]

Thanks for keeping the updates in the forum, Belinda. I was pleased to read that Eric was perspiring on his forehead. Back in the early 80s the keyboard player in my band took a blow to the head and was under for quite a while, can't remember exactly how long now. But it was little things that gave the first clues he was coming back; he returned to performing with full faculties. Lots of prayers, needless to say, including a pile of thank-you's afterwards...

 

[Bill Schintler]

Eric and his family continue to be in my thoughts. - bill

 

[Elinor McLennon]

Continuing prayers for Eric and his family.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I was thinking about maybe getting something setup for monetary donations to help the Flesher's with the medical expenses. I'm not sure how to go about getting something setup like that, I know some others on here have been involved with that. Would anyone be interested in setting something up? I would certainly help out in any way that I could in getting something setup and providing a donation for them.

 

[Karla Dorman]

Wish I could contribute, but I can't. Only thing I can do is pray, have been since I heard about this sad news. Hope Eric gets through this alright.

 

[BKDPhillips]

Joey, I like the idea and would be happy to help as well. I don't know how is the best way to do this but am in contact w/ Sue-Ellen and able to drop by her house very easily if that helps.

Update from Sue-Ellen -

...Eric was resting most of the time (Dec 30) getting used to a new environment. PT came in during the morning before we got there. I am glad to hear this as being in bed 24/7 makes one very stiff and it will be good to increase his range of motion.

They are slowly changing the settings on the vent so that he can work towards breathing on his own. There still is no change and he continues to remain in a coma. We spoke with the neurologist who was previously on the case while Eric was in the CCU. We have come to respect the way he explains what is going on and his honesty.

We are waiting for the air bed to come. I am sure that this will make him feel much more comfortable. He did, however, look more comfortable today than he did yesterday.


One of their kids are back in town and this will help Sue-Ellen for a few days. - Belinda

 

[BKDPhillips]

Dec 31 2009 update

From Sue-Ellen's journal entry:

It is hard to believe it is the last day of 2009. Ethan came by to work on Eric's eclipse trip DVD and we think he has everything he will need to put something together that Eric will like. He was trying to get it finished before all this happened.

The days go by so quickly; it is hard to believe this is already Eric's 3rd day on the 4th floor. Today he was more "awake" from about 10:30am until about 7pm this evening. The early report was from the RT who was working with him on breathing today. Throughout the day he was overbreathing the vent by quite a bit. They give him 8 per minute and he was doing between 25 and 32.

For those of you who have been following the journals and those who have sent their thoughts and prayers, I thank you and wish you all a very happy, healthy 2010. Take time to appreciate each new day, and those you love.

 

[Dave Gallaher]

From Sue-Ellen's journal entry:

It is hard to believe it is the last day of 2009. Ethan came by to work on Eric's eclipse trip DVD and we think he has everything he will need to put something together that Eric will like. He was trying to get it finished before all this happened.

Reading this brought this thought: how about some of the KC-area chasers that know Eric bringing in a laptop with chase videos, especially with exciting soundtracks? It might be another form of stimulation besides being touched, spoken to and PT. Of course, I have no expertise in this matter, but I'm guessing that some chase videos that have the natural sounds of driving, wind in the microphone, rain and hail on the vehicle and excited voices witnessing tornadoes would be a natural attractant for him, especially in contrast to the hospital sounds he's hearing most, and might add to the personal conversation he gets from his family.

 

[BKDPhillips]

Another Great Idea

Dave, no problem. I like the idea but have been chasing so few times w/ any success that I have only one video and a few pics compared to all the wonderful chasers in the KC area. I would be happy again to be a carrier or help on the project in some way if possible. I will talk to Sue-Ellen and know she will love the idea.

Here is the latest from the Caringbridge journal on Eric 1/1/10:

Today Eric had some visitors. It has been nice for Eric to have visitors besides me to hear their voices and know what is going on with them. He seemed pretty quiet today compared to yesterday. It is interesting how, even though he is still in a coma, he seems to have different "moods."

Laura and I came by in the afternoon and quite a few of the Drs. came in to see Eric. Dr. G saw pretty much what she has been seeing from him since she was his Dr. in the CCU. Dr. N came by and also looked at the X-ray from yesterday. As far as he can see, Eric's no longer has pneumonia. At least that is one less thing compromising his health. He was also going to try to decrease his number of breaths tomorrow to see whether he will continue to overbreathe the vent and breath more on his own. It is a very slow, meticulous process; a step at a time.



Belinda

 

[Bonnie Frank]

Wow I'm just now seeing this. I haven't talked with him here but I have read his posts from time to time and he always seems like a really nice guy. Many prayers sent for both Eric and his family.

 

[BKDPhillips]

01/02/10

Update about today from Sue-Ellen -

After stopping by the new location of Select, I drove to the hospital to see Eric. He was resting comfortably but had a low grade fever during the morning. He definitely does not like when they move him, and it takes a while to adjust, but eventually he does relax and get comfortable. We had company this afternoon and it was very much appreciated. What I did not know was that at one time she was a CNA, so knew quite a bit.

I left for a while and returned in the evening. It began to snow but the driving was not too bad. The evening nurse did some rnge of motion with him, which I was glad to see, since he is in bed all day.He still had a fever this evening which concerns me a little since he had been fighting infection at the time he came to the hospital. I read to him and he was resting comfortably when I left.

Today they lowered the Oxygen rate to 24% which is very close to normal (about 21%) and tomorrow they are supposed to lower the number of supportive breaths to see how he does.



Still praying for you Eric,

Belinda

 

[MatthewCarman]

Hang in there Eric. We are still thinking about you.

If there is something setup for donations I would be happy to donate some money. It is nice that ST members help out those in need. God Bless us all.

 

[jamesmseitz]

Man Eric and I chased together last year and became great friends..... I am still in Shock. I contacted his wife...... I thank you everyone with your prayers and support for Sue and there family and friends.... I will be heading to KC Soon to see him if I can. Thank you again

James Seitz

 

[BKDPhillips]

Jan 4 update of Eric

This is from Sue-Ellen's journal -

Ellen came to join me in the hospital. It is nice to have a conversation about what is happening in our lives so that Eric can hear more than my one sided conversation. (though those dialogs are also important to me until Eric awakens and can respond) Today he is breathing without the aid of a vent. There is still a tube but the oxygen flows through it and Eric's job is to breathe the oxygen as it passes through. Time will tell whether he will be able to actually breathe on his own without this assistance.

Today the staff had Eric in a special chair so that he can get out of bed for short periods of time and sit up. They have him there for about an hour. He looked relaxed and no doubt glad to be out of bed.


Jan 5 update:
Eric's daughter ...visited Eric today. If he is able to hear, then I know he is happy she is here. Eric always looked forward to hearing from his children.

He continues to breathe on his own without the vent. I think they might still put him on the vent during the evening to give him a break. He definitely has different expressions when he likes something or does not like something. At one point he looked as though he was almost smiling.

He still has not awakened.


As James stated, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, Sue-Ellen is sharing them all w/ Eric.

Belinda