Chalkie's Wife recovering well 12/7/09

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:21 pm

My wife is in an induced coma here in florida with pneumonia in her entire body, she is on a ventilator and has tubes trying to drain the fluid from her lungs, the doctors just told me that they nearly lost her last night, they say her chances are 50/50, if all my friends here at cmg could keep her in their thoughts and anybody that is a person of faith could keep her in their prayers i would really appreciate it...chalkie

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:30 pm

I am in a state of deep gasp.

I am so sorry, Chalkie, and I hope she will recover!

I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers!

Let us know how things develop.

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:42 pm

OMG I don't know what to say, except of course that I hope she will be all right.

living_stradivarius · Post by **living_stradivarius** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:57 pm

I'm so sorry to hear that Chalkie. I hope she fights it through.

IcedNote · Post by **IcedNote** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:01 pm

Stay strong, for her and for yourself!

I battled pneumonia 2 years ago in Florida, and the doctors pulled me through. The same will be said for your wife!

-G

stenka razin · Post by **stenka razin** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:02 pm

chalkie, as a person who has been on the brink of death on at least two different occasions, my heart goes out to you, my friend. I will pray for your wife and hopefully she will pull through. My sincerest wishes are extended to you in this time of great suffereing. I was in an induced coma on two separate occasions and no one thought I would survive. So do not give up hope.

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:08 pm

Chalkie, we're all with you in your period of stress, and our fondest wish is for you to see your wife's recovery. You have been a source of strength for others; may that strenght stand you in good stead now!

With regards and warm wishes,

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:18 pm

I'll put out the prayer flags for you both. Miracles do happen. Please post updates here as you have the time. You know we're all with you in spirit.

Bösendorfer · Post by **Bösendorfer** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:47 pm

I'm really sorry to hear that, Chalkie. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

Florian

ch1525 · Post by **ch1525** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:13 pm

Chalkie, I am so sorry to hear that news. I pray that your next update will be encouraging. Your wife and you shall be in my thoughts and prayers.

Fergus · Post by **Fergus** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:34 pm

Chalkie, everyone who has come in contact with you hopes and wishes nothing but the best outcome for your wife and yourself. My wife pulled through pneumonia many years ago so at this point in time all that one can offer is the hope that the outcome will be swift and positive. I am thinking of you both my friend. It is a very difficult situation but be strong for both of you as your strength will help her too.

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:37 pm

Dear Chalkie, I am very sorry to learn that your wife is so sick. I hope that your wife pulls through, we will say a prayer for both of you.
Seán

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:09 pm

Update, last night her blood pressure was 60/40 instead of 120/80 right now it was at 100 when I left the hospital, although that is induced by the drugs they are giving her, last night her hand was very cold but it's warm now, she has two tubes draining fluid from her left lung which was 85% full of fluid but draining is going well, unfortunately, she was taken to the hospital emergency room on thursday but they told her to take ibuprofin and go home, when she got up on friday she collapsed and they took her back there and admitted her in the afternoon, (because of bad weather on friday it meant that on saturday i had to fly from new york to milwaukee and from there to florida, we have a beautiful apartment here, it overlooks a golf course and we watch people play golf badly, i am going to stay here thru easter and my computer and phone are all i need to run the business from here) sorry, i digressed, i talked to her from miwaukee and she was doing ok, then a lung specialist arrived and immediately went to work and put her to sleep, she was told what would happen and agreed, by the time i got here she was in the induced coma and she will stay like that for at least one to two weeks, unfortunately she has had the epstein barr virus for 25 years, she is not a strong person and has to rest every day, it's also the reason she lives here because the sun is good for her disease, which is incurable unfortunately, of course compared to my friend kevin, the wounded warrior starr is doing pretty good, having read his mothers blog for a year i was not too freaked out when i saw her wired up to all the machines last night, i was able to keep my spirits up until today, when I broke down at the hospital, now we just have to wait and hope, there is nothing else we can do...

thanks to all my friends here for your kind words and thoughts, it means a lot to me...

Post by **Lance** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:15 pm

Chalkie, I was so glad you called me but was sad to learn how things were going. Please feel free to call me at any time. Naturally, you have our deep thoughts and prayers for Starr's complete recovery. Please keep us in the loop so we can follower her recovery.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:29 pm

Imperfect Pitch · Post by **Imperfect Pitch** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:48 pm

I am very sorry to hear this terrible news. Please accept my heartfelt best wishes.

david johnson · Post by **david johnson** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:57 pm

May she get well quickly. Indeed, I will pray.

dj

Donald Isler · Post by **Donald Isler** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:09 pm

Very sorry to hear things have been so rough, Chalkie. I hope that she will make a good recovery, and that you will both have the strength to get through this.

Ricordanza · Post by **Ricordanza** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:32 am

My thoughts and prayers are with both of you.

Teresa B · Post by **Teresa B** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:38 am

I am so terribly sorry to hear of your wife's illness, Chalkie. My son was also in an induced coma (or heavy sedation, as he was already in a stage of coma after an accident) about 4 years ago. He recovered completely, and is in college now. You have my sincerest wish that your wife have the same outcome.

Teresa

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:26 am

What awful news to find in the morning. All my thoughts and best wishes are with you, Chalkie, for your wife's speedy and full recovery.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:52 am

Dominus vobiscum!

Pace e bene,
~Karl

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:54 am

All our best wishes are with you and your wife - may she recover fully and quickly...

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:27 am

Goodness me... this is indeed dreadfully sad news..

Chalkie, you and your wife are in my thoughts at this traumatic time, and I sincerely hope she pulls through. Its at times like this, when a small, friendly website such as this really comes into its own, and can be a great strength... when you realise just how many good hearted people are there for you...

I'm not a religious man, but my sincere best wishes are with you both...

Jared

slofstra · Post by **slofstra** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:48 am

You're in our thoughts again today, chalkie. I can't add much to what's been said. Please update us as often as you can.

THEHORN · Post by **THEHORN** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:13 am

This is indeed a sad situation. I certainly hope she will recover soon. We are all with you in your time of difficulty.

maestrob · Post by **maestrob** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:53 am

Chalkie:

Our very best wishes and prayers go to you and your wife in your time of stress and need.

She will recover, given God's help.

Harold Tucker · Post by **Harold Tucker** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:08 am

Ditto to all of the above.

hangos · Post by **hangos** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:32 am

Chalkie
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time- stay strong!
Best wishes
Martin

absinthe · Post by **absinthe** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:06 pm

Certainly in my thoughts, Chalkie.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:33 pm

Update...

The good news is that they took her off the ventilator this morning for 30 minutes she breathed on her own, I visited her twice today and the second time she was semi-conscious, I told her that yesterday they washed her hair and she opened her eyes, she is very beautiful and always is worried about her hair....

The bad news is that it is heartbreaking for me to see her like this, with these tubes in her mouth, neck, hands and chest, it is very uncomfortable and not even my knowledge from kevin's mom prepared me for the reality of life support systems, she has eight machines helping her and this is the first time I have ever been in a Hospital, it is brand new and the doctors and nurses are all fantastic people, we can visit anytime we like...I think I was in such a state of shock the first day that I thought I could handle it but I get very distraught when I see her, but i'm surrounded by friends both Virtual (you guys) and Physical (our neighbors)...I hope nobody minds me writing the truth as it's helpful for me to type all this...

But this is not going to be a quick recovery, she will be in the hospital for at least three weeks and then will need another two months of rest after that...

I do not have words to describe my gratitude for everybody's comments and thoughts, I truly would not be able to handle this without cmg, I sent a link to my friends and everyone wrote or called saying that they had never seen such incredible support and positive thinking...so that's it for now, i'll try and post a bit as it's a good distraction for me, running the studio via e-mail is relatively easy but it's difficult to keep focused, many of our friends and neighbors are coming and going from our apartment, it's difficult to be a recluse under these circumstances but I have always been known as "the mythical husband' because i'm never here...it's ironic that because of easter I can stay here till sunday which will be the longest time I have ever spent here but Starr is not able to share it with me...one friend offered to go to new york and sleep there so my cat Tigger has someone around, it's amazing what people will do for you in times of need, I was grateful for the offer but Les has a cat of her own and I asked what her cat would do without her...cat lovers...haha

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:39 pm

Hi Chalkie, that is indeed good news, it's great that Starr is getting stronger. Do please continue to keep us informed and take care.

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:02 pm

Chalkie, I think I can imagine how distressing it must be for you to see Starr in this condition, but you know that pogress is a gradual thing, and the good news is that you see improvement.

From all the Islers, regards and warm wishes for progress and better days!

DavidRoss · Post by **DavidRoss** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:38 pm

That's great news, Chalkie, that she seems to be progressing well. And what a blessing that you can be there for her now and that the hospital staff will let you visit whenever you want. Thanks for keeping us posted. Our hopes and prayers are with you both.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:32 pm

Chalkie,

The news is good, very, very encouraging.

I still hear from friends and my ex-wife how shocking it was for them to see me hooked up to life support for several weeks, much of that time in a coma. I suppose it's good I couldn't grasp that at the time because I would have felt the need to entertain them.

The important thing, the only thing, is the effectiveness of the therapy. You're seeing modern interventional medicine at, I'm sure, its best. When your wife is past this you'll remember this time but with gratitude that the doctors had a way to deal with her sudden illness. And she will remain beautiful for you!!!

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:54 pm

Thanks, Ralph, I have total confidence in the Doctors, Nurses and Machines that are keeping her alive, one of our neighbors here is a Nurse so she has been explaining things to me, I am watching America and Technology operate at it's very finest and for that I am eternally grateful, and, of course for my wonderful friends here at CMG...

Agnes Selby · Post by **Agnes Selby** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:14 pm

Chalkie, my prayers are for your wife and my
thoughts are with you at this difficult time in your life.

I hope you will have some good news of her recovery
very soon.

Agnes.

gfweis · Post by **gfweis** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:18 pm

Chalkie, you and your wife are in my thoughts and you have my great hope for her steady, even if, as you say, gradual, recovery. When I first saw my wife after her second cancer surgery, with tubes in her, it was quite disturbing, but I guess now I think of those tubes, machines, etc. as actual life-savers, and I can see them in a different light.

Greg

Wallingford · Post by **Wallingford** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:38 pm

As busy as I am praying for many family members nowadays, Chalkie, I can always make room for a few more.

Muniini K. Mulera · Post by **Muniini K. Mulera** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:21 pm

Hello Chalkie:

I just returned from a weekend in Montreal a few hours ago, and logged on to CMG onl to find the news of your wife's illness. My thoughts are with you and your wife, and we are praying for her.

Best wishes.

Muniini

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:29 pm

I found this photo on Starr's Computer, not bad for a 55 year old...

Post by **Lance** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:32 pm

Wow - not bad AT ALL! In fact, EXCELLENT! What pretty eyes!

Chalkperson wrote:I found this photo on Starr's Computer, not bad for a 55 year old...

Madame · Post by **Madame** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:43 am

Chalkperson wrote:I found this photo on Starr's Computer, not bad for a 55 year old...

She IS beautiful! As beautiful as when you young'uns were hanging out with the Rockers!

violinland · Post by **violinland** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 1:26 am

I have just read your post from Sunday. I, for one have been in your position and appreciate the feeling of just watching and knowing that there is nothing you can do personally. Your part is to have the strength and belief so that your dear wife will know that you are there. I shall follow her progress through your posts. Believe me, when I say that my thoughts are with you both and I, as does everyone here, look forward as you do to the day when she is well again.

From the photograph you have posted we can see that your wife is a very beautiful woman you must be so proud of her.

Teresa B · Post by **Teresa B** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:14 am

Hi Chalkie,

It's great to hear the news of your beautiful wife's improvement. As for the horror of all those tubes and lines, I felt it too when my son was in ICU. In fact, the day they began to remove rather than add invasive tubes, I remember my feeling of elation.

Sounds like although recovery will not be as fast as you would wish, she is coming along in the right direction. So good to hear.

Teresa

johnQpublic · Post by **johnQpublic** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:27 am

I've been saying prayers for you and your wife. Stay strong.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:01 am

Lovely photo of, I'm sure, a very fine woman. We're all hoping for more good news today and for this ordeal to be over for both of you. All your CMG friends think of you and your wife with both concern and affection. Hang in there - she'll come through this.

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:09 am

Chalkperson wrote:Update...

The good news is that they took her off the ventilator this morning for 30 minutes she breathed on her own, I visited her twice today and the second time she was semi-conscious, I told her that yesterday they washed her hair and she opened her eyes, she is very beautiful and always is worried about her hair....

Chalkie - Thank you for the update, and the news of improvement. as you realize, it will be a long haul, but it seems to be heading in the right direction.

The bad news is that it is heartbreaking for me to see her like this, with these tubes in her mouth, neck, hands and chest, it is very uncomfortable and not even my knowledge from kevin's mom prepared me for the reality of life support systems, she has eight machines helping her and this is the first time I have ever been in a Hospital,

your reaction is perfectly normal and to be expected. seeing one's loved one on life support machines is truly upsetting, and jarring, to say the least. but as gruesome as it seems, it is enabling your beloved to gain strength and to recover..sometimes we just have to place our trust in the medical profession. best wishes to both of you...

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:14 am

I just noticed this. I'm so sorry you and her are going through this. My thoughts and best wishes will remain with you.

Donaldopato · Post by **Donaldopato** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:09 am

Been following this Chalkie, hope to hear a positive update soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Don in KC

Who is online