Report from Steve

Howdy everyone, this is Steve! Got Intermet acess and stuff caught up so thought I would drop you all a note. I'm currently currently incarcerated at Kindred Hospital here in Denver. It is a nice place and I'm getting excellent care. They are doing breathing, speech and physical therapy so they keep me pretty busy. I'm feeling well but do get a little tired by the end of the day. I seem to get stronger and more energetic each day.

I would like to send my heartfelt thanks to everyone out there on the blog for all the support you have provided. I feel that it is your thoughts and prayers that brought me through my crisis. I am moved beyond words at how people have shown their concern and care. I have so much to be thankful for.

It is so wonderful to have Andi and Nick here to take care of my sorry carcass. Andi has painted the bathroom, cleaned up the patio and is planting some veggies in the garden. Nick is keeping busy fighting back the yard. Nothing like three days of rain followed by 80 degree days to get the grass crop thriving. Brother Keith is supposed to be through next week as he heads toward
Sheridan on his motorcycle. I think he is trying to kill me from envy. Brother Dave is planning a visit soon and Andrea's friend Gillian and Cathy are coming up from Phoenix in a couple of weeks. Things will be happening at the Bartenhagen motel.

Lunch is here so need to take a break. Again, thanks to all you wonderful people! I will add more later. And thanks to Andi fro startingand maintaining the blog.

All the best,
Steve

Hello everyone. I'm sorry for not writing very often. Dad is doing great. He is walking really well and getting a lot stronger. We have been going outside everyday and its been really nice. They are planning on moving him to the new facility on Monday. However hospital time is always a bit off. He is eating full meals now. It really nice to be able to eat in front of him now and not fell bad!! Dad is busy catching up on everything he has missed. He is online all day reading his e mails (he had over 2000 work e mails, that took some time to go through). Other than that his health looks good. They say the pneumonia is gone but it could come back. As long as he is careful and pays attention to how he feels. The biggest goal now is to get strong! He is doing great. Thank you all for your support and prayers I will let you know how his new home is.

Dad can now eat semi solid foods!!!! Yesterday he was upgraded to any liquid he wanted. That was pretty fun. He wanted to taste everything they had including soda, tea and all juices. Today he was told he could have mashed up foods. He told me for dinner he had steak and green beans all mashed up. Unfortunately he said it was really gross. But at least he is making progress. They are talking about moving him into a rehab facility, maybe even tomorrow. The place he will go to is really nice. It is a very communal atmosphere. He will go to a dining room for all the meals and they have tons of group activities. He is pretty excited to talk to other people besides me and the nurses!! They said people really seem to flourish when they get there since it is not so hospitalish. This is all so exciting and I thank everyone for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

We had a pretty quiet holiday weekend. In between rain storms we all went outside to sit in the sun. Dad had a great time! His breathing is doing really good and we may get out this week. He will then move to a rehab facility where he will work on getting more independent. He is not allowed to walk alone and still has trouble even getting out of bed. I think more activity and people pushing him will be very successful. Thanks to the Culligans for a great weekend, it really meant a lot to dad to have people be with him. And thanks to all of you for all your support and prayers, dad know how much everyone cares about him. I believe it is making him work harder.

We had a pretty successful day today!!! Dad walked all the way to his x-ray appointment. Sure there was a little resting in the elevator but he did really well. The other good news is the new swallow test they did was very successful. The liquid is not going directly into his windpipe like it was before. The only problem is a little is getting left behind in his throat and is slowly leaking into the air way. They think with more throat exercises and more conscious swallowing he will be able to eat soon. He is pretty excited to be walking more and really wants to go outside for a little. I think that will be our goal for the weekend. Hopefully it will stop raining so we can do that.

Dad is officially a walking man!! He made it a whole 60 feet before he got tired. He said it felt really good but his joints are a little sore. He will be pushed more and more until he can walk out of this place. His complete recovery is moving a little slow but he is doing great. He is having a few little anxiety attacks so they have to give him meds to calm him down. I think he gets short of breath and it really scares him. He is also really worried about getting sick again. We are going to see about talking to a doctor and letting dad know what his future could be. Besides that we are doing great and I am so excited that he is walking. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Its amazing how well it has worked!!!

We had a pretty uneventful weekend. Dads shoulder is doing much better. They gave him a pain killer patch for it and he says the pain is gone. His heart rate is also doing great. The doctor guessed that he was a little dehydrated so they are giving him more fluids. It seems to be working, his heart is normal again. Dad is practicing standing and sitting in the bed to help with the blood pressure problem. He still gets dizzy, but it is not as bad. Dad gets pretty board laying around all day. I am going to have to find something for him to do all day. Any ideas!! This week should give us a picture of how dad is healing and what the next steps are. There are so many decisions to make and hopefully those will come easy. Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Today was a little tough. Dad hurt his shoulder and we are not really sure how. It hurt to even breath so he spent the day in agony. They tried giving him pain killers but it just would not take the pain away. At the end of the day they were going to try a pain killer patch so hopefully that works. His heart rate was also really high and that made him pretty anxious all day. The doctor was going to try pushing more fluids so again, hopefully that works. I will keep you updated on how he is feeling. Thank you all for your thoughts. Good night.

Hello All! We are doing good here at Kindred. They are making good progress with dads exercises. They have upped the weight he lifts and he is doing more reps. He says its too much, but he is doing great. He is also doing a little bit better at standing. His blood pressure is still dropping but not as dramatically. They are also starting to consider a check out date. We have to have a meeting to figure out were he would go next and how well he will do without breathing support. I am hoping that I will be able to get my laptop connected to the Internet at the hospital so dad can do his own blog. He is really looking forward to that. He does say hello and thanks everyone for all the support he has been getting. He was really surprised when I told him how many people read this and are thinking about him. Thank you all again!

Dads progress is slow but successful! They are taking him completely off the vent for a few hours each day and he is doing really well. He has also had a lot of exercises each day. They work his arms and legs pretty hard. All this work makes him really tired so he does sleep a lot. But at least he is trying as hard as he can. Standing has not been so successful. His blood pressure drops dramatically so they don't want to risk any more damage. It really makes him sick when this happens. There are a few tricks they can try so that they can avoid any medication, she will try them tomorrow. Dad loves all they cards he is receiving it gives him something to do. He hates watching TV all day so the cards help. He is also really focused on getting his finances in order so I think we will work on that later this week. His mind is doing great, its like nothing ever happened. The nurse thinks that if dad is feeling better tomorrow they might wheel him outside to enjoy some fresh air. He seems pretty excited. All of dads progress is remarkable and I am so thankful that you all stuck with us and continue to pray. Thank you so much.

Dad had a big day today!! He called to wish grandma a happy mothers day and she was thrilled. He really wanted to get her a present but I told him a call was the perfect gift. Then he decided to call a bunch of other people. It was great to here the surprise in every ones voice when he talked. Dad spent most of the weekend doing his exercises. He really wants to get stronger and get out of the bed. The doctor seems to think he can get off the vent completely very soon. It would be so great if he could get off that. I spent a lot of time telling dad everything that has been going on with him the last two months. He is shocked at how sick he got and even more shocked that he was able to survive it all. It has kind of become a joke. He says "at least I'm talking from the right side of the dirt"!! Its so great to have him back and he is really working hard to get better. Thank you all for your support and prayers, its amazing how well it works.

Hello All! It is good to be back!! Like Laurie said I have my dad back. It is so great to be able to have a conversation with him. He know exactly what is going on and I have been explaining all the details of the last 11 weeks to him. It is a little shocking for him to hear but he is listening. He can stand a little but he is still very shaky. You have to stand behind him so he does not fall back. We did a lot of catching up today and it was so wonderful. They are going to leave him off the vent now for as long as he can handle. So if he does well they can start talking about taking out the trech tube. We sat down with speech therapy today and they did have a little bad news. When they put they camera down his throat they realized that his vocal cords are not sealing shut when he swallows. That means that anything he drinks is getting through that hole and into his lungs. He does not seem to care he still asks for water constantly. She gave us some exercises to build the muscles in his throat and hopefully fix that problem. Everything is looking great, hopefully he will have a productive weekend and get lots of exercises in. Thank you all for your support and thanks to Laurie for helping me while I was gone!!

Steve napped off and on all morning so by early evening he was awake. I think he was getting ready to see Andi who flew in today around 5:00
Steve's progress this week is once again miraculous. He moved from 5th floor to 3rd floor. A patient is put on a floor according to how much care he/she needs. 5th floor is ICU and Almost ICU. 4th floor is Acute care. The lower the floor number, the less care the patient needs. Steve was on 5th floor, skipped 4th floor and is now on 3rd floor.
Andi was amazed at how much her dad had changed over this past week. She said, "He is now like my dad."
Roland, a co-worker, came in and after visiting with Steve for a while told him it was nice to be able to talk to him and carry on a real conversation.
Steve was so happy today. He was excited Andi was coming back to Denver and greeted her with a big smile and a cheerful greeting. He was grateful for the help he was getting and wanted to sit more, walk more and just do all he could to get stronger and out of the hospital.

Steve, welcome back!! We will continue to pray for you to get stronger and for you to be patient with the healing process, with those who love you and with the staff at the hospital
Andi will be returning tomorrow so good night and thank you. It has been a privilege to be here.
Laurie

Steve slept most of the morning. I think he was trying to not think about the surgery he was going to have at 2:00 but staff kept coming in and waking him up and reminding him.
The doctor - Steve, I am your surgeon. I will be doing the scope. I am going to look down your throat and check for any problems. Any questions
Steve -No, I am going to nap
The nurse - We are not going to change your bed until after you get back from surgery. Do you have any questions
Steve - No, I am going to nap
The surgical assistant - We need someone to sign the papers giving permission to do the surgery.
Me - Steve will sign it.
Steve (signs his name on paper then eye roll)
Assistant - any questions
Steve - nap
They came and got Steve early and the procedure was done in less than 1/2 hour. I did not get official results but was told there was nothing dramatic.
While Steve was in surgery, the staff came in and announced that Steve is enough better that he no longer needs the amount of acute care that he is now receiving. After surgery they took him to a room on another floor. They said it is still acute care, but a level below the care he was getting.
Now comes the orneriness:
Steve - I want some ice chips
Assistant - not till 4:00 when Novocain wears off AND we have results of surgery.
Steve - There are nurses all over this #@% floor. I am not going to choke to death.
Nurse - Time for bath
After bath it is now 4:00
Steve - Laurie get me some ice chips
Me - I can't. We do not have results back yet
Steve (looking at clock) It is 4:00. They said I could have ice at 4:00.
Me - Sorry Steve but they will not give me ice
Steve - close the curtain.
Me (I closed the curtain)
Steve - I need my mail. It is time for me to get things straightened up.
Me - I can bring it with me tomorrow.
Steve - I want my mail NOW
I left to get mail and bring it tomorrow.

I think Steve is getting a bit depressed and that is why he is acting the way he is.
He is well enough to know he is feeling lousy but sick enough to not be able to do a whole lot. Things started coming together for him today for the first time and he realized that he has been sick for months. It is like he just woke up after 2+ months.
Steve asked if he was in St Joseph hospital to begin with. He asked if he had had surgery at St Joseph's. He understood that he had part of his lung taken out. He told me to tell him good-bye when he went to surgery today and took my hand. He asked if the hospital he was in now was part of the trio of hospitals that were close together (He is).
As Steve works through all that he has gone through and all that is to come, his emotions will probably continue to be on the roller coaster that I witnessed today.
Thank you everyone for being there for him. He needs you now more than ever.
Laurie

As I write tonight, the tears could flow. It is not because of sadness, but because it was a day filled with emotion. Steve took a baby step today......literally. For the first time since he went into the hospital in Feb., Steve was up, held on to a walker and took a step. It was such a blessing to see him standing. I only wished that Andi would have seen it.
Steve so badly wants a shower, or a bath. He also wants a soda. Unfortunately he can have neither right now.
Tomorrow Steve is scheduled for minor surgery. They will put a scope down his nose and look into his throat to see if there is a physical cause (other than just weak muscles) for him to be having trouble swallowing. This is scheduled for 2:00 so please remember him and the doctors in your prayers at that time. It would be great to get a diagnosis to find out what can be done to help him swallow and be able to eat again.
Steve's blood sugar is high, not at insulin level yet, but it needs to be watched. The food that he is getting through the tubes has a lot of sugar for energy. Unfortunately high blood sugar can be a side effect so they are keeping an eye on it.
A side note: Buddy, Steve's dog ran away today. I guess he met up with the neighbors 2 Jack Russel Terriers that look just like Buddy. The neighbor came over just as I was going to search the neighborhood and said when they opened the door to let in their 2 dogs, 3 came in. So thanks to a great neighbor, Buddy is back.
Thank you for your encouragement, your prayers and your love and concern.
Laurie (sister-in-law)

It seems to be true with Steve that with every bit of good news, there is some bad news.
First the bad news: Steve's chest was hurting today. It could be because the super strain of pneumonia is back. He has gone back into isolation so all visitors have to gown up again. The doctors have changed his antibiotic to a drug that is so strong that if one were to drink it, it is fatal. However, Steve is inhaling it so it goes right into the lungs and will hopefully kill the bad germs that are keeping him sick. He was on this drug before and it seemed to work so we pray that it will be effective again.
Now the good news: Since the respiratory therapist lowered the amount of time that Steve is off the vent he has more energy, better understanding, and more spunk. He was cracking jokes today and seemed more like himself. They will continue to raise the amount of time that he is off the vent, but plan to continue at a slower pace.
Steve is at a stage of healing that cards and notes are very encouraging to him . Thank you for continuing to send them. They really mean a lot. (Tony, he just got your turtle card).
For those of you wanting an address, you can send mail to Steve's house. We will make sure that he gets it.
Steve has come a long way and is improving every day, but he still has a ways to go. We truly thank you for your continued prayers.
Laurie (sister-in-law)

Steve had a sleepy day. He was very tired. The respiratory therapist decided it was time to slow down the process of taking him off the vent. He was off 18 hours yesterday and it made him too tired so she let him stay off for only 8 hours today.
Still there is evidence that his lungs are getting stronger. He is coughing hard and bringing up mucus from the pneumonia. This is kind of gross but a very good thing.
Steve decided today that he wants to be home by next weekend. (Dave, he wants you to take him fishing in Story. He heard you bought new fishing poles). He said he has seen enough doctors. He also said that he wanted every doctor and specialist to come in and introduce themselves and tell him what they are doing for him because he wants to know what he is paying for. (Must be feeling better, he is starting to get concerned with finances...oh and food)
Steve wants to eat real food but is still given only ice chips. He keeps telling us he is hungry and asks whats for supper! They are planning on looking down his throat in the next day or two to try to determine why he is having trouble swallowing.
He will take the last round of medicine for pneumonia soon. However, they will probably start a new round of perhaps a different kind of medicine to continue treating him until at least most of the 'gunk' is out of his lungs.
The nurse came in today when I was clearing out Steve's mouth. (Andi can vouch that it is not a pleasant task but needs to be done so he doesn't swallow what he has coughed up) She asked me if I was Mrs. Bartenhagen. I laughed and said, "yes, by marriage to a brother."
Laurie: sister-in-law from North Dakota

Steve started out kind of slow today. He seemed to know it was the weekend and time to rest. He slept until after 10:00a.m. He even slept through the respiratory therapist clearing out his lungs...not a bad thing to miss.
Then he woke up and he was wide awake and TALKATIVE. It is so great to be able to understand what he is saying. We talked about Buddy (Steve's dog), Lexie (sister) and Rolland's construction project, fishing, finances, the weather and then he got tired. Steve's mind seemed to wander as he got tired.
But even so, he knew he wanted out of the chair. He was tired of sitting and wanted to do something else and be somewhere else (home). He has gotten quite strong and was really moving himself around!
He loves his ice chips and can not have as many as he would like so was asking for them frequently. He is able to hold the cup and use a spoon to put the chips in his own mouth. The ice, the only thing he is allowed to eat, is very precious to him and he spills very little.
The really good news is two fold:
First, the hole in his lung has healed!!!. We praise God for this because if it did not heal, Steve would be headed to surgery again.
Second, Steve has been taken out of isolation.....visitors no longer have to put on gloves and gowns. He still has pneumonia, but it is no longer resistant to antibiotics. This too is an item of praise.
God has truly shown Himself as the Great Physician in watching over Steve and answering prayer. Please continue to pray for Steve. Pray for complete healing of the pneumonia, that his mind will heal along with his body and for the ability for Steve to endure. As he heals, gets stronger and becomes more alert, he has become a bit impatient with the whole ordeal.
Laurie (I will be filling in for Andi for the next week)