re Raymond L. Sears
Larry South
Ray Sears, the Financial Secretary of Annapolis Council, is in the hospital and underwent surgery which cost him his second leg.
Please keep him and his family in your prayers for his recovery. I will pass on subsequent messages as I get them.
See below emails.
Thank you,
Larry
GK
-------- Original Message --------
| Subject: | [BensonAssembly381] FW: re Raymond L. Sears |
|---|---|
| Date: | Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:48:19 -0400 |
| From: | Bob Welenc <bob_w...@cablespeed.com> |
| To: | Benson Yahoo Group <BensonAs...@yahoogroups.com> |
Sir Knights,
Our Brother Ray Sears has been in the hospital this past
week due to diabetic complications. He has lost his other
leg, and is going to be transferred to a rehab facility in
the next few days. I am sure that Ray and his family can use
a lot of prayers. Below are a couple of emails from his son,
Ray, Jr.
Bob
Originally dated 28 October 2011
hey guys, Dad just got back from surgery.....had a little
more 'complications' regarding the infection than they
thought; thus they had to take a bit more of the leg than
planned. Good news was that his organs/body held up fine and
he responded well. Unfortunately this one, since they went
higher up than expected, is very painful. They are
monitoring vitals and blood pressure closely. Dr Martin said
that the recovery and ability to learn mobility and
'transfer' would be a long and tough one. (bathroom, moving
chairs, cars, etc). He wants dad out of the hospital asap
due to infections around and a "lot of very sick people here
right now".
We are making plans for a rehab facility today. They think
he will be released on Monday or Tuesday and transfered to
the facility we pick. Time there is determined by him and
his progress. Then we have to work on adapting the house for
conduciveness to mobility, safety, and being able to eat in
a kitchen or table...all to promote a schedule and routine.
Dr martin says smoking MUST stop immediately, no weening off
or casual....zero. Plus constant monitiring of blood sugar,
proper diet, and exercise of stubs and core. He has to
strengthen his arms, since they are now his legs.
I UNplugged his phone for now, so don't panic. He is
sleeping and still not out of anestesia; thus we need him to
sleep and keep his mind off of this leg pain.
For now, thx to all the visitors; however he'll be out of it
for a while....maybe visitors starting tomorrow
morning....today is kinda rough and still all hooked up and
recovering.
i will be inetrviewing or hiring a home health nurse for a
few hours each morning to assist him and Rob when dad gets
back to the house late next week or 2.
Thx for all the concern and support and as usual, realize I
am on a work computer and dont have everyone's email address
here, so feel free to share or forward the update with those
not listed.
Thx for thoughts and prayers, Ray
Originally dated 23 October 2011
Hey guys,
Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers over the last 48
hours. Additionally thanks for being great friends to my dad
and always looking out for his health. As you know the last
48 hours have been a true trial and scare. It really looks
like we are ‘out of the weeds’ in regards to the infectious
blood throughout the organs…ultrasounds have not shown any
permanent damage. After a blood transfusion and additional 3
units of blood throughout the 2 days, it looks like that is
a bit under control. They are monitoring blood pressure,
sugar levels, and the infected area real closely.
Unfortunately, they did have to remove the foot, ankle, and
a few inches higher this morning. Though they were really
worried how the heart and organs would respond to the
surgery, they had to go forward ( we had a rough tough with
that ‘gamble’). BUT, surgery went well and he handled it
great. As he was very depressed, unresponsive, and seemed
like he ‘gave up’; we battled and reminded him of friends
and family and how we preaches about ‘respecting life’. Well
the surgery was only an hour and he snapped right back. He
looked great, had color, was talking, ate ALOT, and was a
joy to be with.
There is still ONE more surgery needed probably this Friday.
Due to the vascular and other related reasons they didn’t
remove as much as they wanted to and will finish Friday.
This IS now standard procedure for diabetics…… they want
healing, antibiotics, etc etc to ‘clean up’ some of the
areas below the knee so they can save the knee…..which they
think is a, and I quote, 90% chance of saving.
Dr Martin said that he was “2-3 weeks from expiring in an
ugly way” ….so thanks to all of you that showed concern,
noticed the little (or big) things that were wrong, and made
us aware of these things. They all made a difference when
Rob and I insisted on 911 (actually, just called despite his
wishes).
Turns out that Dad hasn’t been to a doctor, in any sort,
since February. He has cancelled all appointments as they
came up, made excuses, and reported fabricated results and
details to friends and family…..yes….amazing. Guess I
learned my lesson. As Dr Martin said…..”he needs a co-pilot
now on all trips to the doctor’s office”
When he returns from home in about 2 weeks, I hope to have
the house cleaned & straightened up a bit, looking into
modifying his car for driving, getting an additional
prosthesis, and most of all find a way to hire a aid or
nurse at home in the morning for double duty…..Rob and He
need someone from about 6-9am every morning (or maybe even
5-8am)…SO, if anyone knows a home nurse or someone, pls
holler.
Well, dad is in Room 423 at the hospital and can take
visitors and IS up to having them. If you can’t make it, his
# is 443-924-2423.
Thx for all the thoughts and prayers,
Ray
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Bob Welenc, PGK, PFN, Colors Corps Commander & Faithful Comptroller
Visit our Assembly Website: http://www.mdkofc.org/benson/
