[mjolnir]

I hope there will be many more positive signs.
May God bless you and your entire family!

[mhking]

To update everyone on what is going on... We've gotten some good news. Rick was moved yesterday to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago. First off, Northwestern, specifically, is a well-known and respected stroke trauma center (including their Center for Vascular Disease), and is the home of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, which is one of the top rehab facilities out there as well. Once he got there, they started redoing all the tests that were done at Little Company of Mary, and then some, to try to find the cause of the stroke. We are by no means out of the woods, but things are indeed looking up. Before being moved, he had yanked his feeding tube out of his nose -- twice. Once he got settled in over at Northwestern, he didn't do it any more. Obviously, whatever they did there was more comfortable. In addition, Northwestern is the home of the sports medicine facilities for the Bears and the Bulls. Which means they are accustomed to the notion of a 6'3", 375# man in a hospital bed -- or in other words, they were able to put him in a larger bed, so he'd be more comfortable. My sister was due in there about an hour ago; she'll stay until Tuesday. I'm presently planning on flying in Thursday morning, and staying until Saturday night. The two of us will most likely plan on going back in another month or so for a longer period in order to help our parents out once he gets out of the hospital. Keep those prayers going. They're helping. And thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for the prayers and notes and positive thoughts. Their help has been immeasurable. God is Able.

[mhking]

To update everyone on what is going on... We've gotten some good news. Rick was moved yesterday to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago. First off, Northwestern, specifically, is a well-known and respected stroke trauma center (including their Center for Vascular Disease), and is the home of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, which is one of the top rehab facilities out there as well. Once he got there, they started redoing all the tests that were done at Little Company of Mary, and then some, to try to find the cause of the stroke. We are by no means out of the woods, but things are indeed looking up. Before being moved, he had yanked his feeding tube out of his nose -- twice. Once he got settled in over at Northwestern, he didn't do it any more. Obviously, whatever they did there was more comfortable. In addition, Northwestern is the home of the sports medicine facilities for the Bears and the Bulls. Which means they are accustomed to the notion of a 6'3", 375# man in a hospital bed -- or in other words, they were able to put him in a larger bed, so he'd be more comfortable. My sister was due in there about an hour ago; she'll stay until Tuesday. I'm presently planning on flying in Thursday morning, and staying until Saturday night. The two of us will most likely plan on going back in another month or so for a longer period in order to help our parents out once he gets out of the hospital. Keep those prayers going. They're helping. And thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for the prayers and notes and positive thoughts. Their help has been immeasurable. God is Able.

[mhking]

Now, if I can get the formatting right, here's that update in a more readable form...

To update everyone on what is going on...

We've gotten some good news. Rick was moved yesterday to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago.

First off, Northwestern, specifically, is a well-known and respected stroke trauma center (including their Center for Vascular Disease), and is the home of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, which is one of the top rehab facilities out there as well.

Once he got there, they started redoing all the tests that were done at Little Company of Mary, and then some, to try to find the cause of the stroke.

We are by no means out of the woods, but things are indeed looking up.

Before being moved, he had yanked his feeding tube out of his nose -- twice. Once he got settled in over at Northwestern, he didn't do it any more. Obviously, whatever they did there was more comfortable.

In addition, Northwestern is the home of the sports medicine facilities for the Bears and the Bulls. Which means they are accustomed to the notion of a 6'3", 375# man in a hospital bed -- or in other words, they were able to put him in a larger bed, so he'd be more comfortable.

My sister was due in there about an hour ago; she'll stay until Tuesday. I'm presently planning on flying in Thursday morning, and staying until Saturday night. The two of us will most likely plan on going back in another month or so for a longer period in order to help our parents out once he gets out of the hospital.

Keep those prayers going. They're helping. And thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for the prayers and notes and positive thoughts. Their help has been immeasurable.

God is Able.

[buccaneer81]

Prayers for you, Rick and the rest of your family.

[Hildy]

my prayers are with your brother, you and your family, my friend.

[mass55th]

Michael...I will offer prayers for your brother's quick and complete recovery. God Bless You and Yours.

[T Lady]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your brother and entire family.

...Just know that God can heal him.

[Dane]

My prayers going out for your brother, your family, and for a complete recovery.

[SeaBiscuit]

Very sorry to hear... Dear Lord I pray for Rick, that he is granted Your Grace and Mercy, May Rick's family know Your Comfort and Peace.

[DrDeb]

Prayers up for both you and your brother!

[FYI: My husband suffered an hemorrhagic stroke 6 years ago, from which his doctors thought he would never recover (he was also in his 40s) . . . Today, he is 200% of what he was -- 100% more brilliant! The only residual effect of his stroke: a slight blurring of his peripheral vision . . . God does answer prayer!]

[rocksblues]

Prayers sent.

[Miss Marple]

Praying for your brother, mhking. May all the angels and saints pray for him, and may God, the Great Physician, together with Our Lord Jesus Christ, grant him a complete healing, for the glory of His Name.

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy SPirit, Amen.

[RushCrush]

Prayers up for you and your family. My mother suffered an aneurysm/stroke in July, she is only 57. She has made remarkable recovery since then. She completely recovered the use of her right side.

Always think positive, it goes a really long way. I'm a Chicago FReeper so let me know if you need anything up this way.

RC

[Perdogg]

prayers for you and your family.

[HonestConservative]

I do not know the details of the timing of your story, but

if he was quickly taken to the hospital, his chances of complete recovery are very very good. He would have been treated with agressive clot busters (not just "blood thinners") which will very significantly increase his chance of a complete recovery.

The fact that he is already moving a bit is so so good. Doctors always downplay good signs, but this is very good.

"He has no movement on the right side of his body. He cannot speak. But, my dad says, he has recognition of those around him. He's able to nod and shake his head yes and no. The doctors say that with what they called aggressive rehab and therapy, that he should regain the vast majority of what he's lost."

My dad had the same kind of symptoms with his stroke, but he was older AND delayed going to the hospital by 24 hours. The clot busters were barely in existence then so he may or may not have gotten them.

The doctors told him he would never talk, walk, work etc again and basically told him and my mom to get themselves ready for the change.

Well, all you have to do is tell an Irishman they can't do something and then you better get out of the way.

He walked, he talked, he played golf and he went back to the job he loved.

So I see your brother as doing very well. God love you and him and the rest of your family through this very difficult time. Prayers offered.

[DCMB]

God bless and take heart. You have many people praying for you and all your family.

[PhiKapMom]

Prayers up for your brother and all of your family and friends. Sounds like a strong willed person which is very important in rehab. Please keep us posted! Take care!

[lainie]

Hi. I'm so sorry to hear this news. A member of our family had a cerebral stroke last year (at age 37), so I know how scary it can be. We're thinking of you out here in California; wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery. You and your family sound very strong and close-knit. Take care of yourself.

[Mrs.Liberty]

Prayers up for your brother, Michael...and for you and your family as you all struggle to help your brother through his time of need.