Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving day to all. I am thankful that I have so many wonderful friends and family. I am thankful for each of the beautiful grandchildren that is in my life.

Ray's Recovery

Looks like Raymond is coming along just well with his recovery. He has been doing his daily walking to get strength back into his muscles and to build up lung capacity. He should be getting pretty much fed up with hospital living by now and wanting to go on home.

While he has a long way to go, he at least is beginning to adapt. If you want to give him a call his number is:
828-298-7911 ext 4637

Ray Update Nov 20th Evening

We got here about 2pm and went straight to the va hospital. Well, maybe we did take the scenic tour through parts of Asheville.

Raymonds surgery was completed about 1:15 and we got in to see him around 3pm. He was still groggy and couldn't speak because of the tubes and other devices connected to him. He came through real well with a triple bypass operation. The doctor suggested the usual, exercise and non-smoking. When we left Raymond in the room was giving us a thumb's up.

Tomorrow he will be able to talk and will be in a room other than ICU.. They expect that he will be able to go home in about 4 or 5 days.

Ray Update Nov 19th

Ray has moved into the va hospital in Asheville, NC. Tomorrow am he will have the bypass surgery. Jeanie and I will be travelling in the morning and will be there in the afternoon. I will take the laptop and update all.

Ray Update Tue Nov 18

Talked with Sharon while I was on my way home from work. What she knows at this time is that Raymond will be transported either tomorrow or Thursday from Johnson City, Tn to Asheville NC. If that happens then they will do the open heart surgery on Friday.

Here is the information that I googled for va hospital in Ashevlle:

1100 Tunnel RoadAsheville, NC 28805Phone: (828) 298-7911 or (800) 932-6408Fax: (828) 299-2502

If I learn of any thing different I will post.

Ray Update No 2

Just got off the phone with Raymond. They didn't tell hm a whole lot but he thinks they may send him to the VA hospital in Asheville NC. More than likely it will be open heart to fix the blockages. Mom is travelling back to Letcher county with Kristin.

Ray Update

They did the cath today and decided to send Raymond to the VA hospital in North Carolina. Now I will go online to find out where that is. Sheraye said there was quite a bit of blockage in his arteries.

Raymond & Va

It was good to see Raymond again. Also saw mom and Sharon.

Raymond, as always, was his usual hyper self. Sitting in the bed, more like a recliner, and inhaling some sort of white vapor. It's my understanding that it helps the breathing.

He talked about his cause for being there. Apparently, he had felt some discomfort in trying to breath and unusual feelings in his arms. This was enough to get him to go to the hospital in Whitesburg. There they checked him and dispatched an ambulance from the VA hospital in Johnson City, Tn to come pick him up and take him to their facility. Mom and Sharon followed in the car as Raymond waved at them from the back of the ambulance.

The whole time we talked to him, he was being Raymond. Fidgety all the time. So much so that he kept disconnecting the leads that monitored his vital signs. It is easy to tell when you hook up the wrong one. Lights begin to change colors on the monitors.

Of course, we had to share some family history with the nurse. She seemed awed by mom. I can understand that.

Raymond VA Hospital

Raymond is in the VA Hospital in Johnson City, Tn. Me, Jeanie, and Thelma will ride up there, beginning at 8am this morning.

Nothing too serious, just precautionary checks to see why he was having chest pains and shortness of breath.

According to Mapquest it will take about four hours. Will call if there is anything serious going on.

Having a little rain going on here. It will probably be doing that all the way up there. Not a problem.