In MICU at UMMC Baltimore

Hi everyone. Sorry it has taken so long to get this going again. I think everyone wants to know the immediate news, so I'll start and then go backward.

VERY suddenly, Dad became very weak, confused, and unable to walk yesterday. He was sleeping all the time and would only stir for a moment when Mom woke him. Mom had to call the neighbor to help lift Dad, which led to a call to me and my arrival back "home" to WV. When I got  there, members of our Honeywood family was all astir, twirling around to do as much as they could to help. Genetics doesn't always determine whose included in your family. We all know that. Dad was sleeping and did not awake at all for me. The felines were agitated, jumping up on Dad and chirping at me. They had quite a bit to say. Animals are extraordinary in their sense of knowing when someone is just "not right," and they were spot on. Dad was definitely "not right." It was quite evident that medical care was an immediate need.

911 was called. After the EMTs got Dad on the stretcher, Rummy (aka, the feline that owns Dad) plopped himself right up on Dad's stomach and had no intentions on moving. It was not surprising to me, but then again, it was.

I rode with Dad to Meritus in Hagerstown. Turns out one of EMTs was a student of mine just a "few" (a-hem) years ago. Meritus ER staff was really great. The RN, Bryan, was truly top notch. Once he got a 104 temp on Dad, he flew into supernova speed. ER doc got on the phone with University and the plan was to get dad transferred to Baltimore when a bed opened up. In the meantime, they would keep Dad comfortable and get him hydrated.

After the first bag of saline, Dad's vitals started to improve and he could answer questions much better. All were impressed with how much better Dad had become after some fluids. Once the tummy CT results showed that the liver abscess was BACK, that's when events became more serious. Docs at University wanted Dad under their care asap, and we were told that although Dad had brightened since arriving to Meritus, the reality is he is still very sick, and the situation could change quickly. At that point, they prepared Dad for a med flight to University, which was also.....supernova fast!

Mom and I are gowned and gloved and with Dad now in MICU. Texting & typing while gloved is a challenge, so I apologize for any errors. He had an uneventful night, which is fantastic. He is not running a fever at this time, and has needed no meds to keep a normal temp. That is also fantastic. He's getting broad spectrum antibiotics to start killing the bugs. The plan will be to drain that abscess again....the same procedure he had in December. He'll be in much pain after that.

Dad said the chopper ride was nice, and is a bit chatty on and off in between sleeping. He is aware that he's in ICU and gave me a glare for it. I think that has played with his head a smidge.

My parents, myself, and my siblings are greatly appreciative of the help and support from all of you. All of this is exhausting and stressful....yes....no doubt about that. However, it would be a thousand times more so without all of you who are reading this. You are reading this b/c you care about us. We feel it and we love you all so much for it. My prayer warriors are ON. I know that. I've already been witness to His glory and have felt His love over the last 24 hours.

I'll be in touch. Much, much love to all......Jen