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Oh wow, Alan...so many decisions, so much to think about. It means the world that you come back to keep us all informed. Bless you. We DO care. We DO love you both...and we ARE continuing to pray. At least now we can pray for specific needed results.

Love,
Bobbie


They'll tell you success in the music biz is all about who you know...but the truth is...it's about who knows you.

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Stay strong buddy...You're doing a GREAT job...Helen will be proud of you when she comes out of it


Herbie
JPF Chicago Chapter Coordinator
http://www.herbietunes.com

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You've been given a tough road to travel Alan. Just don't second guess yourself for any decisions you have to make. You do the best you can with the information you have and that's all anyone can do.
You have lots of support from the JPF folks. It's really a pretty tight community in troubled times
Wy

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Alan,

I'm still praying for you and your Helen. She must be a wonderful woman. I wish I knew her. I'll continue to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers for as long as it takes. Stay strong and know that we all care what is happening there. Your updates help us to know and feel connected.

Hugs to you both,

Jan

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HI Alan,

Sorry I've been out of action for a couple of days, so glad to hear at least the updated version. Though perhaps a lengthy process, it is good to know that there are some hopeful possibilities for Helen's recovery.

One note: I know what you mean about those few moments when she is awake. Poor little Samantha, she was only four, and she woke up a bit earlier than they had anticipated, and was FREAKED!! SHe has these HUGE eyes, and the tears were just pouring out of both of them down the side of her head, as she stared at me, looking for rescue. There were complications and she had to stay awake for a full day before extubation...and watching that, with the still ongoing vigorous P/T...it's a moment in time I will never forget. But I remind myself that she's just perfect now, and at least she will likely forget it....

So I wish both you and Helen well....and know that we are all pulling for you!!

xoxo,
Beth


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=949237

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Oh my gosh, Beth! She had to endure that for a full day? I know that the end justifies the means in cases like that...but that makes me cringe just thiking about it.

How are your feet? I guess that you're not doing a lot of quarter-mile sprints these days, eh? Wishing you the best. I know that you have a pretty tough row to hoe with your own chronic problems. I know that you are not one to complain very much...but if the folks only knew your medical issues!

Thanks for the constant encouragement and replies. Smiles are hard to come by these days. But, your posts often do the trick. Thanks!

Alan

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Hi Al,

Yes, that was a very very long day for all of us. I can still see those frightened eyes....never leaving mine...even as her little body jerked up and down under the hands of the physical therapist.....arrrgh...I can't let myself think about THAT very long, as you can imagine. My hopes are that one day you too will be able to look back at this time as just a terrible nightmare....

In the meantime, I'm glad I could take your mind off things for a moment.... smile

In fact, if you're up for any more distraction, you can go check out the new song challenge I just posted...it's a SPORTS related one! I haven't done one yet...Muse still being feisty...but you've given me possible inspiration with your reference to my quarter mile sprints (HA HA!) -- maybe I'll do mine about my life as a wannabe Triathlete! About the only thing I could muster up the energy for right now is a sweaty round of....

chess....Ha Ha!

Gentle hugs for you and Helen....

xoxo,
Beth


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Wow!! Alan doesn't seem near as good lookin' now with the new pic <G>
Wy

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Well, Helen told me just a couple of weeks ago that I was pretty...pretty darned ugly!

Alan

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Hi Alan,

Been following this thread for your continual updates. Glad to know things are more stable, you have a lot on your plate and yet you take the time to provide all of us here with updates...you are truly amazing. I am praying for you both and wish you both continued strength and endurance for all that is to come, it isn't easy but know that you have so much support here on these boards.

Hugs for you both from an island girl,

Rachel


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Maybe if you curl up your mustache Alan, or here's an idea, a fu manchu smile (saw This Is Spinal Tap again last night...what a hoot to see those styles)

Glad to hear things are stable ... baby steps 'll get bigger. Like they say, the only way to eat an elephant is a bite at a time...

Ciao


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Awe..tis glad to see a smile and a wee joke, Alan.
You seem to be handling this so well.... Keep sight of that light at the end of the tunnel.... smile smile
Will keep you both in my prayers.

big hugs...
Kaley.....

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Dearest Alan,
I pray that your wife be in good hands in the hospital and that they take care of her well and do not give her any unnecessary medications such as anti-depressants. I pray that her will to survive stays strong assisted by the love you both share for each other. I pray that God bestows a miracle which leads to an even better understanding of her condition so that she leaves the hospital in even better health than when she entered. I pray that God keeps you focused upon inner strength and the power of His healing hand. God let it be so.

Heidi


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Back with more info...this time, relatively positive!

I literally just returned from the hospital. The charge nurse told me that Helen woke up on her own today for about 10 minutes...even though she was still getting the Diprivan IV (a very strong IV sedative used when patients are in severe pain. This is the sedation they have been using on her, to keep her unconscieous, since she has been intubated). She was very cognizant of her surroundings. When the nurse asked her if she was in pain, she shook her head affirmitively. The nurse asked her if she was aware that she was in the hospital. Again, she nodded affirmitively. Then the nurse asked her if she was aware that her husband's name was Alan...again, a positive nod.

Also, she is doing very well with the respirator turned down to 30%. That means the machine is only providing 30% of her breathing...she is doing the rest. They also have the machine set to kick in if Helen's breathing rate falls below 8 per minute. It has not dropped anywhere near that number. Even with the respirator turned down to these very low settings (giving her but minumal breathing assistance), Helen's oxygen absorbtion rate remains in the mid to high 90's. A minimum rate of 90% is mandatory in order for her to come off of the respirator. In a nutshell, she is maintaining quite well. The lead physician told me that they were going to turn the respirator totally off in the next day or two. If she manages to breathe good enough on her own, they will be able to bypass the trach procedure. That is really GREAT news, if she can maintain. If a trach is not required, that will get her home 2 - 3 weeks earlier than originally anticipated! The reason for that is that she will not have to be transferred to a special respiratory care hospital. If she ends up needing the trach, then they will have no choice but sending her to such a hospital. But, the medical staff is encouraged that she may be able to bypass that step. If so, she will be home before the holidays!

So, it is all GOOD NEWS today! As I said, I am convinced that prayers and kind thoughts directed her way do help. They have been playing a CD of 6 of my softer instrumentals for her since early this morning. I do not know if that had anything to do with it, but I am thrilled either way! I am quoting the lead physician: "Your wife took a huge step today. We are very optimistic that she could go home earlier than originally anticipated. The next 2 or 3 days will tell the story."

Thanks to all for your prayers and kind wishes. I am sure that she will be overwhelmed when she eventually reads these posts.

All the best to all of you,

Alan

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Wonderful news! Nice to hear, Al. Makes you wonder about your music, doesn't it?

If I may say so from my safe distance, Helen is fortunate to have someone like you by her side. In this whole crisis, you carry yourself like a champion. You deserve that good news...and your music just might have called her back to you.

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Alan,
I pray that you and your wife will receive more positive news in the days to come. God bless you both.


"And, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." Paul McCartney
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Oh my goodness, Alan...this brings tears to my eyes...tears of pure happiness for both of you!!! This does indeed sound like great progress!! More prayers coming your way!!!

Bless you both!!

Love,
Bobbie


They'll tell you success in the music biz is all about who you know...but the truth is...it's about who knows you.

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Amen to all the above. Sounds very encouraging. I hope things continue to improve
Wy

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I'm still praying, Alan. Sounds like she's doing much better....May she continue to heal and feel better every day!

Thinking of you...
Sending some Califonia sunshine smile

Emily

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Oh Alan,

That is just wonderful news! More of those prayers still coming your way. Don't underestimate the power of music, just as it is God's gift to each and every songwriter, it is in turn our gift to the rest of the world and it heals.

God Bless,

Rachel


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That is truly great news Al. Music sooths the soul and heals the mind. I expect it can do lots.

I will be heading to Nashville Wednesday. Closing on the house. I look forward to you and Helen visiting next summer.


Bill
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http://www.dreamqueststudio.com
Skype; bill.robinson12

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Dear Al,

That's so good to hear! I agree, I bet your music had just the right effect on her...keeping her in sort of a meditative calm state, letting her body do the work it needs to do.

Will be praying extra hard for you both over these next few critical days...

Peace,
Beth


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Alan!

so glad to hear Helen was responding positively to the nurses guestions! Be well Maestro!

Our prayers continue

Joyce&Rittman

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i am so sorry for not responding to this thread sooner...my internet connection has not allowed me to...buti wanted to stop in and say that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. i too hope that more positive news rolls your way. stay strong and be well.

nick


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Dear Al,

I'm so happy that Helen, and in turn, you, are doing so much better and turning corners. You are truly a gift to each other.
I know from direct experience what power music has. When our daughter was in a deep coma at the age of 10, the doctors said that she may never come out of it and if she did, she would probably never speak again. Well, we played her favorite music and sang to her in the ICU for weeks on end, then one day she opened her eyes and squeezed my hand and said Mama. I know that prayer is so powerful, but I think God made music to spread his love even further. I know it helped. Nothing will ever convince me otherwise. After that, we had to wait a year before she sang again, but believe me, it was worth the wait, when I heard it. We had 13 more years with her after that. It was a blessing on the wings of a song.

You keep doing what you're doing. I know that it's helping her so very much. She may tell you so when she can.

God bless both of you. I'm thinking of you both and praying that good news just keeps on outweighing the negative. It sounds like it's really looking up now.

Sincerely,

Jan

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Hi Al

I am so glad to hear Helen is doing better. Goes to show how amazing prayer is. I know I will continue to pray for her speedy recovery and also that you will have peace in the middle of this storm. God has a purpose for you Al your music may now just be for fun but he proposes to make it into something that blesses him and your fellow man as well. Keep writing playing and singing even if you don't think your voice is good God gave you a voice he wants you to use it. May God watch over and keep you brother and may you follow after him the rest of your days
Sincere Blessings
Derek

Last edited by Derek Hines; 10/30/07 01:29 PM.

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smile good news that will continue, now that a tough corner's been turned...I'm happy for you Alan...


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Okay...update on Helen...and it is GREAT news!!!!!

They turned off the repirator this morning and Helen did pretty good. So, they pulled the tube and waited and watched. Her breathing, without assistance, is as good as a person who is medically well. It has been 6 hours since the tube was pulled and she continues to breathe quite well. All of her vitals are solid. Even the doctors are surprised at how well she is doing. They had anticipated that she would do okay...but not nearly this good! There is always the chance of a relapse. But, that gets more remote with every hour that passes.

Her primary nurse had an amusing story for me. Warning...if you are a big supporter of President Bush, you may not want to read this! Helen cannot yet speak clearly because of the tube having been in so long. So, they told her they were going to ask her several questions and to nod when she heard the correct answer. She knew her name, my name and where she was (hoapital). When they asked her if she knew who they President of the United States was, she was very emphatic: She mouthed the words "That SOB Bush!" However, she did not use the SOB acronym in her reply! Now, that sounds like the Helen I know! Note: I am NOT making a personal judgement on our President. I am simply relaying to you Helen's exchange with the nurse this morning. As most of you know, I go way out of the way to keep politics out of anything I post, music or otherwise, her at JPF.

I am elated, as you might be able to tell. If she ends up not needing to go to that special respiratory hospital, she might be home in 3 or 4 weeks, rather than 2 or 3 months. If her vitals stay normal and her breathing continues as good as it is right now, she will leave the hospital she is in at this time and go straight to therapy. The therapy will last 2 - 4 weeks, depending on her success with the various tasks she will have to perform for them.

So, all is much better than I had anticipated at this time. I want to thank each and every one of you for your prayers and thoughts of kindness and concern. I am sure they helped.

Will tell you more as I know it. Thanks again, everyone!

Alan

Last edited by Al David; 10/30/07 08:26 PM.
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Al,
That's the kind of news we've been praying for Al...we'll keep sending 'em up, and hold down the fort, you do what you gotta do...MJ

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Cha-CHING! Al's music is what did it...that and the prayers. Just beautiful.

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Al

Were I there I'd be givin' you a big, big Guy hug. That is great news my friend. I had talked with Sylvia last night about this very thing and we were hoping she would come off the vent without a problem.
Weaning the person from the respirator can sometimes be difficult. It sounds like she will do OK.

Hooya for you and Helen.


Bill
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Skype; bill.robinson12

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." --Thomas Jefferson didn't say it

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Oh WOW, Alan!!! THIS IS TERRIFIC NEWS!!! Bless you both!! I am ecstatic for you! :grin grin Prayer does change things!! That DOES sound like the Helen we know and love! LOL Thanks for brightening the day.

Love,
Bobbie


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Home for Christmas maybe? That would be a big present!


"Good science comes in peer reviewed journals. Conspiracy theories come in YouTube videos. "
Kevin @ bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh (and Kevin @50/90 2019)
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Wonderful Al....Absolutely wonderful....!!!...You made our day
with this news...

Hugs to both you and Helen...
Kaley smile

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So happy to know Helen is better. That's Great news.

Vanessa

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Hey Al!

This is such wonderful news! Music combined with love is the best medicine!

Charlann

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Hey Al & Helen,

I'll echo Bill's sentiments...big (gentle) hugs all around!! Getting her off the vent can be tricky, but she seems to have responded well...I'm so happy for you. The game's not over yet, but at least you can see the end-zone (had to throw in a little sports lingo in lieu of your appearance on the sports song challenge!! :()

Staying positive has likely played a great part in her recovery so far -- sounds like she is quite a pistol. grin

Keep us posted as you can, and know that we're all rooting for you!!

Peace,
Beth


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Onwards and upwards Alan and Helen.
Good things still happen
Wy

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Alan and Helen,
May God's blessings continue and may Helen return home even healthier than before.



"And, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." Paul McCartney
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smile smile smile


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big hugs to all. :-)



markus

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Yayyyyyy!!! That is great news. I saw on the shout box I was missing some updates, and have been flittering here and there. (Should've just bookmarked this thread! doh) I'm so happy to hear she's off the tube. That is EXCELLENT!!

I had to laugh at her answers to questions--sounds like she is herself mentally, and that's what matters!!

Keep up the great progress--a lot of daily patience is still required--but it's wonderful and such a relief to hear she's on the upswing, and that recovery will be much shorter. Hallelujah.
~~~whew~~~
Still praying, of course. smile
Linda

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Now THAT'S great news!!!!!! smile
I believe in the power of prayers...
May she continue to fell better each day!

Emily

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Thanks for the update Alan.... Gosh It must be so hard. Plus you got a whole family here to report as well as at home smile

The breathing and lung improvement is huge! that is good to hear.
You's are locked into my prayers and i'm so glad you added the photo it gives me my image in my head when I pray..

"If I was half as strong as Helen I would be twice as strong as most"


Thanks!
Peace Mike
Sub

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Alan, when I said (up there above) that you eat an elephant one bite at a time, I had no idea she'd tear such a huge chunk out of it...both because she's seems much better, and because she took a huge chunk out of that republican symbol smile


If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop

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Very exciting and promising signs, Alan. I've sooo very happy to hear the great news. When the sense of humor returns, recovery is within reach!

It's wonderful to read positive stuff!

Love and friendship,
Cindy


The Artist formerly known as TINK ;\)

I write so I can breathe...

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I just saw this post today (Nov. 1st) and read many of them from the beginning-- what an ordeal! I THANK GOD for His mercy, healing and grace in your lives, as I'm sure YOU do, too!! Praying that she's home for Christmas-- and that you'll be extra-thankful this Thanksgiving for the gift of life! (Certainly!) May His peace be with you, and may you KNOW how much God truly and tenderly loves each of you! Becky Wright (in Oklahoma)


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url=http://www.beckywrightsongs.com]http://www.beckywrightsongs.com[/url]
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Alan,

This is wonderful news and the answer to a great many prayers. We'll keep them going up. (Prayers Go Up, Blessings Come Down.)

John,

That line "eating an elephant one bite at a time" is new to me. It is the anwer to the question: "How to you eat an elephant?" I'm guessing. There's got to be a hook there for somebody to write.

Good news all around. I am happy for you.

Keep living, or you can't write.

Skip

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Hi Alan,

Congratulations. That news makes me want to stand up and cheer. You do have another family here and we're all behind you.


Have a goodun,

John W. Selleck BMI Songwriter
A day without learning is a day lost forever.

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Again, everyone...thank you so much for all your kinds words, thoughts, wishes and prayers. I really appreciate them.

This update is a real mixed bag! Strictly medically speaking, Helen is doing wonderfully well. She is far ahead of the progress they had anticipated at this time. Her pneumonia is fully abated and she is breathing as any healthy person should, with no artificial assistance. All of her vitals are strong and well within normal range. She is still very weak from having been totally sedated for 2 weeks. That is not out of the ordinary. So, in that regard, it is thumbs up all the way.

But emotionally, we have some serious problems at the moment. Hopefully they aren't permanent. But, her medical team has told me that she should be beyond all of that by now...that all the affects of the sedation should have long passed. She is halucenating terribly bad, being combative and willfully uncooperative to the point that the ICU Unit isn't sure how they need to approach her situation. I won't go into any detail as I think that is not necessary and would be disrespectful to Helen. Hopefully all of this will pass very soon. If not, then a reevaluation of her treatment is in order.

That's all I really care to say about it at this time. As I said, this update is a mixed bag. But please know that everything you guys and ladies are doing in support of me and Helen is truly appreciated and makes a difference.

Thanks again!

Alan

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