Sunday, September 7, 2008

Things Like This don't Happen To Me . . .

. . . . Until they do.


Last Friday, August 29th, my brother was in a motorcycle accident. He sustained massive head trauma. He has been in the N.T.I.C.U. at Herman Memorial Hospital in Houston since that time.

Yesterday, his doctor told us that if he hasn't come out of the coma by Thursday, the family needs to be prepared to either accept along term care solution - i.e. feeding tube and tracheal ventilator, or to disconnect all life support.

I can't imagine anyone ever expects to be put into this position.

How does one decide what to do? Neither choice is appealing.

He has two daughters, 17 and 15.

Anyway, that's where I've been. The kindness shown throughout the blogosphere has been overwhelming.

Thank You all.

33 comments:

kkryno said...

Dear BSR,
I don't know what to say, except I can't imagine the anguish you and yours are going through. We all have our own painfull expirences in life, but your brother's situation is one I haven't had. I am so very sorry for you all. Please know that we(your blog-friends as well as others)are here when you need us. So are our thoughts and prayers. This kind of tragedy is so unfair.

Love, Vikki

Robin said...

I can't add much to what Vikki said.

I hope you don't have to make the unfortunate choice, but I know it sounds likely now. Whatever choice you have to make, we are all with you and love you.

My best wishes to his girls, to your kids, and to you. Please take care of yourselves.

TBM said...

Oh my gosh, I am so very sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Bitty said...

I wish I had some adequate words, but I don't.

We love you and are here for you, to listen when you need to talk.

(((BSR and family)))

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking of you and your family.

Anne said...

BSR, my heart breaks for you and your family. I don't know what to say, other than that I am so, so sorry. I'm pulling for your brother and thinking of you.

Steve said...

Brave Sir Robin
sending good thoughts your way for you and your family.

GourmetGoddess said...

I am so very sorry. Please know that I am sending good thoughts your way, and that I hope for the best for everyone involved....

Comrade Kevin said...

I am holding you all in the light.

splord said...

Positive thoughts for your brother and your entire family, my phriend.

And peace for you all.

Melissa McEwan said...

We're thinking about you at Shakes Manor. If there's anything we can do, aside from sending positive, healing thoughts in your direction, please let me know.

(((hug)))

Jennifer said...

/Hugs/ - again. And still.

I hope you all find peace, no matter what the outcome.

As others have said, if there's any way we can help...

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for what you are enduring. Your entire family must be overcome with the enormity of such a happening. We will be thinking of you often, out here on the Labyrinth.

Fran / Blue Gal said...

wishing you very well.

Anonymous said...

Very sorry to hear about your brother. I have been in a similar situation and it must be hello for your family and friends. I will keep you in my thoughts and we'll hope for a turnaround and a recovery soon.

Deborah Newell said...

(((hugs)))

Brave Sir, please know you're in my thoughts, and the thoughts of my boys, too.

I don't know of anything I can say, other than, I care, and we all care, and we hurt when one of our own is hurting...

You are a strong, good man and you'll find a way through this somehow.

Much love,
D.
XXX

Batocchio said...

Good grief. I'm very, very sorry to hear that. Best wishes to your entire family.

Suzy said...

I am holding you and your family in the light.

driftglass said...

You and yours are in my prayers.

BAC said...

I'm so sorry for what you are going though. Life is just so random sometimes. You are in my thoughts.


BAC

Anonymous said...

I'm so incredibly sorry to hear about this. Wishing you and your family well.

L said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
L said...

Robin, so sorry for your brother and your family. Hang in there. I know things seem awful right now, but you have an extended family out here on the net thinking about you.

Anonymous said...

We had to make that decision for my father, and so I understand the situation (as it applied to my family); my best wishes go to you and yours.

Without being too morbid about it, this was the event that made me and my siblings get our wishes in order, and all the paperwork signed so that no one else has to go through this process again in our family. We all have our last wishes, durable powers of attorney, and everything else set up.

Peace be with you.

best regards,

Tengrain

Suzette said...

BSR, Know that you and your family are enveloped in kind thoughts and prayers hoping for the best outcome.

Anonymous said...

So very sorry. Whatever you decide is the best decision that can be made.

Freida Bee said...

BSR- I am very sorry. Much love to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

BSR, I know your heart is heavy and I know you're hurting something bad. Just know that there are many people out there feeling your pain.

Our thoughts and prayers for your poor, sweet brother. And our shoulders for you.

Your brother is not alone. You are not alone.

Loretta Nall said...

Nothing prepares you for a time like this. My brother was on life support a few years back and we were faced with the same heart wrenching dilemma. The Dr. said he wasn't responding and was near death and that we should disconnect life support. But when I looked at my brother he looked red and healthy and no where near death.

I decided to see what would happen if I brought in some of his favorite mucic and played it for him. So I taped an old tape player to the head of his bed and loaded it with Willie Nelson. As soon as it started playing my brother started trying to move around and open his eyes. He squeezed my hand. I had the nurses turn the tape when I couldn't be there and two days later he was sitting up in bed raising hell to go home.

I know that may sound crazy but I swear it's true. Try it. Your brothers injuries sound much more severe that my brothers were. My brother had a massive heart attack. But he did respond to his favorite music at a time when the doctor was encouraging us to unplug the machine. Had it not been for Willie then we might have taken the doctor's advice.

You and your family will be in my thoughts.

SaoirseDaily2 said...

I am so sorry to hear this news. I will keep your brother and your entire family in my prayers.

AlanMP said...

My deepest sympathies. Sooner or later, life is gonna get you one way or the other (I only know one exception, and I won't jinx him by saying who it is)...and all we can do is be strong and be there for each other.

Lucy said...

Came over from Bee's, and for what it's worth wanted to extend sympathy and sorrow, and will keep you in my thoughts.

celticfeminist said...

Oh, honey. Words fail - and I'm just now catching up to this.

Oh, honey. I'm glad he's doing better and please know my heart goes out to you and your family. All of you are being held warmly in my thoughts and I wish the best for everyone.

*much, much love and hugs*