Dad in the Hospital

[Blake Shadle]

He still can't talk. He still can't walk. And he's still a giant pain in the butt :)

Dad (Captain Jim) is currently at a long-term care facility where he's undergoing physical and occupational therapy. For those of you that haven't heard, my dad had a run in the H1N1 flu virus. The illness caused bilateral pneumonia and led to him to being in a medically induced coma (while his body fought for his life) for almost three weeks. He fought off the flu but major damage had been done to his lungs. He is recovering now with the help of a ventilator.

All of that being said, things are looking up. We're in the process of weaning him off of the ventilator, which means he'll be able to speak soon. His therapists are impressed with how much he's improving each day. The doctors don't see any reason why he shouldn't make a full recovery.

He's making great progress, but still has a long road ahead of him. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

I can't thank you enough for the support you've all been giving.

If you'd like to visit, please PM me and I'll see if Dad is up to having visitors.

Thank you again!!

[gail bisson]

Dear Blake and family,
Your dad has been in my thoughts ever since I found out he was ill. I am so glad to hear he is on the mend and wish him nothing but the best.
I will be in Florida in April and I hope he will be up for a visit.
Thanks for letting us know how he is doing ,
Gail

[Christopher Miller]

Glad to hear he's continuing to recover, Blake. Will continue to keep him in my prayers.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I've been praying a lot for your dad, and will continue to do so. Although it's not fun to see him in this condition, it is also a huge relief to see him awake and alert. Thanks for the update Blake!

[Bill Jobes]

Thanks so much for the detailed update, Blake. It's so good to see your Dad looking strong in the face of such a huge challenge.

All best wishes to the captain for a complete recovery !

[Diane Miller]

Best wishes for that full recovery!! There but for the grace of God go all of us!

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Blake, the image and narrative about James conveys just how grave the situation was/is, however it's great to see Capt J awake, eyes open and continually doing well and progressing nicely. Although it maybe a long road ahead, I think we ALL are looking forward to the day when we see the next image of James when he is strong/well enough, and is on the Hoopie with all the family.

I very much appreciate taking the time to post the update when time is so precious.

[Doug West]

I'm so glad to hear is on the road to recovery. I've been physically sick at times ever since
I heard.

Just one thing, put his cap back on :)

Doug

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for the update, Blake!
Glad he's getting better by the day...ditto Diane - thankful for God's grace on the Cap'n.

[Rachel Hollander]

Blake and family - So happy to hear that James is on the mend and a full recovery is expected. Thanks for the update.

Rachel

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Dear James,
I am so sorry to hear that you have been so poorly. My expeditions with you on the Hooptie provided me with some of my most memorable Florida bird photography moments, and I have met some truly wonderful people, including you. You are kind and thoughtful, funny, strong and capable and I want you to get well soon. I shall be thinking of you and sending you love and positive energy from the UK.

Nicki

Nicki Gwynn-Jones FRPS
www.abirdseyeview.co.uk

[allanrube]

Thanks for the update. It is great to hear progress is happening, although slowly. Best wishes James. You are in my thoughts.

[Randy Stout]

Blake:

Thanks for the much appreciated update! Our prayers and wishes continue to go out to James and your family.

I have really missed him during this ordeal.

Randy

[Marina Scarr]

Thanks so much for the update on your dad, Blake. We were all so worried, and I wouldn't be surprised if many of the positive thoughts and prayers sent your family's way had much to do with his miraculous recovery. We are going to miss him during his recovery. The spoonies are going to miss him. Audubon...maybe not so much. I wish James could be recovering out on the HD b/c he'd heal SO much faster being on the boat, on the water, listening to his tunes, with the wind blowing in his face, doing what he loves the most. It can't come soon enough!!!

[Grady Weed]

James...Love you bro! Glad to see you on the mend. See you sometime soon.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Prayers and positive vibes for a full recovery... Good to know that James is fighting back and doing better. Thanks, Blake.

[Grace Scalzo]

"A full recovery". What sweet words. Thank you for sharing this Blake, please give my love to James and to all of your family.

[Doug Brown]

So glad to see that he's on the mend! Send my regards to your dad, and tell him to keep up the good work! He'll be off the ventilator before you know it!

[Arthur Morris]

Whew.... And sobering indeed. Please give Froggie a hug for me.

[Phil Ertel]

Made my day to hear James was during better. I will continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely, Phil

[Larry Handal]

Tell your Dad his old Albertson's Pharmacy gang say hello and hope for his quick recovery!

[Steve Uffman]

Our prayers are for a full and speedy recovery...God bless all the family

[rajojomanik]

Our Prayers and thoughts for James and his family.

[arash_hazeghi]

This is such great news! Hope for full and speedy recovery. Please tell him I said hello and wish the best!

[Norm Dulak]

Dear Blake.

Having had a virtually identical experience four years ago, I offer your father a wish and advice. My wish is that he will safely traverse this period, to a point where breathing support will no longer be needed and he will be on the road to recovery. My advice is that he should do all that he can to rehabilitate himself, and to restore as much pulmonary function as possible. Beyond a course of formal cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation, he should commit himself to a lifetime of strengthening himself and working his lungs. It will not be easy, but the reward will be maximum independence and the ability to continue to do what he loves.

[Blake Shadle]

Thanks so much to everyone who has been keeping Dad in their thoughts and prayers!!

Dad is officially off of the ventilator! His trach has been capped and he's now back to speaking normally. He's been off the ventilator since Friday afternoon. I wanted to wait to post an update until I knew it was a sure thing. They've removed the machine from his room. No going back! :)

Dad still has very limited mobility, but he's getting stronger every day.

He appreciates all of you very much!

Blake

[Randy Stout]

Blake:

What a milestone to get off the vent!! Always one of the most difficult transitions.

We look forward to further updates when possible, and hopefully he will be able to start rehabbing soon!

All our love and support.

Randy

[Doug Brown]

Awesome news Blake!

[Rachel Hollander]

Great News!

[Norm Dulak]

That's terrific news!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Awesome news...this is making me quite happy!!

[Grace Scalzo]

Fantastic news, Blake. Thanks for the update. Give him a gentle hug from me.

[adrian dancy]

Excellent news here Blake. My Dad was was similarly afflicted in 2009 and so I can only empathise with you and feel for him. Let's hope the road to full recovery is now a short one.
All the best to your father.

Adrian.

[Hazel Grant]

Wonderful news that he's recovering. Praying for full recovery.

[Marina Scarr]

What amazing news, Blake! From here, there's only one way to go!!!

[Sandy Witvoet]

Wonderful! Thanks for the update, Blake!

[Bill Jobes]

Wonderful to hear, Blake ! Here's sending all good vibes for a swift and total recovery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Thanks so much Blake for keeping us up to date. And a huge thanks sent upstairs to the big man. Obviously prayers sent have been heard and granted . Looking forward to a full recovery and another great trip out on the water banging our heads to AC DC and "Aerosmith". Jim it looks like your "back in the saddle again"

[Jory Griesman]

Great news, Blake. It's too bad it took this illness to see Captain James without a hat!

Please send him my best.

Jory

[Sidharth Kodikal]

So great to hear, Blake! Wish Capt. James a full and speedy recovery. All the very best.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Great news indeed. Wishing James a quick recovery. Thanks for the updates.

[Don Thompson]

Wish you the best and continue to recover.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dear Blake and Family,

At the time we received news that Capt. James was ill we were on our way to the Kalahari and had no means of receiving further updates-we kept him in our minds and hearts and we were hoping for good news on our return. Thank you for wonderful news and for this image, he looks alert and strong and we have no doubt that he will make a full recovery! Please give him a big hug and warmest wishes from us Gabriela and Andre!

[mikeojohnson]

This is both a sad and uplifting story at the same time. I have fond memories with Capt. James and am glad to run across this post to see that he is on the road to recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and family.
Mike

[Norm Dulak]

Blake, please provide an update on your father's condition and progress. We all remain very concerned and hope that he is doing well.

[Missy Mandel]

Blake, I just joined the forum and stumbled on this post. I know how hard it can be on the caregivers and wanted to reach out to you and let you know that everyone who loves your Dad has played a part in his miraculous recovery. I can only image how hard the journey has been for all of you. Wishing you all continued good health and brighter days ahead.

[Richard Stern]

I spent years looking after ICU and ventilated patients, although I no longer do that type of work. So I know very well what you and James have been going through. It can be a long road to full recovery, but coming off the ventilator is indeed a major step in that road. Please give him my best wishes, and I hope for a great outcome for all of you.

Richard