On May 12 Stan woke me up stating that he was either having a stroke or a heart attack. He has symptoms of both but typical of Stan refused to allow me to call an ambulance. He wanted me to take him to my hospital in Breaux Bridge but I nixed that and went to our "mother" hospital, Lafayette General. He was immediately taken into triage and his initial EKG was performed and was negative. They took him back to a room and he was seen by Dr. Shipley and the nursing staff. He presented with vague symptoms and right arm tingling and pain. At home he had vomited twice and had an episode of diarrhea. As it stood initially he could have had a stoke, heart attack or a GI bug. As we waited for tests his heart began to slow into a consistent bradycardia and his blood pressure was dropping. At one point he had a brief seizure lasting long enough for me to yell for help and it ceased. His head CT was negative and while it was apparent he was ill it was such a vague combination of symptoms that it was hard to pin down the cause. He got sick again. Then the pain started in his lower back and left hip area. The pain he was having was marked in intensity and something that I have never seen him experience. The presentation was also something that I have seen frequently in the ED as has his LGMC nurse Dani and the doctor suspected as well. Stan had a dissecting aneurysm. He went back to CT and our worse suspicions were confirmed. He had an aortic aneurysm but it was extensive from his aortic arch down his left iliac artery, from his aortic arch it bifurcated into both carotid arteries in his neck into his right innominate artery into his right brachial artery. He had to be transferred to St. Lukes hospital in Houston immediately. Stan understood the gravity of the situation and wanted to go he also made himself a "no code" in case the worse happened and he arrested. I cannot say enough words to express my gratitude to the staff of Lafayette General Emergency Department. Dani stayed with me as did Matt. Dr. Shipley was amazing to Stan and to Rebekah and me. She kept us informed and I could feel her empathy. Her knowledge was a comfort and I so appreciated her simple explanations and her direct eye contact. Yes I am a nurse but I was a family member of a critical patient and I was not processing some of what was being said. I was so very touched by every nurse that came in contact with us. They provided support and encouragement. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone.
We had to go by ground ambulance because the weather was such that we could not fly. Prior to leaving he got to face time with Winston, Aries and Patton who told Papastan to get well, My thanks to the AASI crew as well who monitored him (and me) all the way to Houston. Rebekah was an hour behind. Stan was on several drips and was in control of his pain. He spoke to his friend Reno on the way and also spoke to Joshua. He told me that he was tired. The ride took about 3 and 1/2 hours. We were taken directly to the Intensive care unit and I was escorted out while they got him ready. Moments later they called me to the surgical hallway. I was panicked Rebekah was not there yet and she needed to see him one more time. They told me they could not wait. I called her and she spoke to him via phone. He said that he was ready if it was "his time", They took him away. I was cared for by his nurse January and she took me to breakfast explaining all the rules of the unit. She listened to me ramble and gave me the first of what was to amount to about a case of kleenix. I never seemed to have any with me. Rebekah and I waited nearly 14 hours for word. He was brought back to the ICU and Dr. Preventza came out to speak with us. She was very detailed and explained the extensive injury he survived. I was numb and she spoke mostly to Rebekah. I do remember that she said this was step one of 10. She explained what we should expect. We went back to see him and he was being cared for by two nurses. They explained what was going on and we touched him. They explained that they would be decreasing the sedative drip at 4am and that he would likely wake up a few hours later. That next morning we went to see him and he had not awakened. His basic reflexes were absent. The only time I regretted being a nurse was that morning I understood what the lack of those basic reflexes meant. The nurse however was encouraging in that she said that Dr. Preventza's patients were different. She explained that she would not be concerned for at least 24 hours of a non reflexive state. We visited him off and on all day. That night Rick Green flew in from Tulsa. Rick is the partner of my dear friend Bryan Wesson who is a D.NP. We didn't realize we needed Rick until we saw him. He took our minds off of everything and redirected us as only he can do. Rick heard things that I didn't, asked questions and got answers that I didn't know I needed. Rick I cannot thank you enough for the love and assistance your presence provided. That same night Dr. Michael Felton, his wife Maria and daughter Arianna, made a whirlwind trip to Houston to see "uncle Stan". Maria had assumed care of our 4 dogs while we were gone and again a gift that could never be repaid. Thank you sweet Maria. That Tuesday morning they informed us that he had gone into atrial fibrillation (RVR) that did not respond to cardioversion. His rate was controlled by another drip. They did a CT and an EEG to determine the reason Stan was not waking up. That afternoon we spoke with the Neurologist who gently informed us of his likely outcome. Rebekah and I made the difficult decision to remove the ventilator the next day. Our friend Kay McGuire came to be with us that morning. His nurse Brad informed us of each detailed step and for that I am so grateful. Stan once asked me why I sang Amazing Grace to all the babies( I cannot sing) I told him it was because it calmed them down and they went to sleep. So I found the song on line and played it while his heart slowed and stopped while we were there with him. Kay thank you so much for standing with us at that time.
To Brad Calhoun, Marvin Martinez, Jeannette Gemarino,Jacquelyn Allen, John Park, Audrey Garcia, and January Sintuphant. You are all gifted and have chosen the perfect profession. Your knowledge and compassion are such a balm for grieving family members. I don't know who said this to me but it needs to be said. While I was at his bedside talking to him I made the comment "why did we stay" she came up behind me and said "you are together for this moment, God knew what was ahead and that you were needed" Thank you. Brad you put up with us and with Rick. He had a great time razzing you and it made the day just a little brighter.
My final comments are directly related to his surgeon Dr. Preventza. She called me to express her sorrow at the situation. She sounded broken and I want her to know as I told her then that she is an incredible woman with such a gift. He survived his surgery, she repaired a terribly damaged arterial system. She possesses the tremendous ability to fix really broken people God surely works through her . Her team is unparalleled. Dr. Ceasar(forgive the spelling) was so very very kind to us. He was honest and direct which was a comfort.
I came home to my sister Patti Franklin who flew in from Illinois and gave us love and advice and to my friend Ruth Sutherland who came to put my house in order and keep me focused. Jill Forbes came to listen and to advise as well. My thanks to my CEO Karen Wyble who handled a problem for me. It made me smile when I heard her say UM HUM when I told her my problem. I knew it would be handled. My thanks to all the staff at St. Martin Hospital for covering me. I am so very grateful. I have forgotten so many people who have gifted Rebekah, Joshua, and me with help and love to those people thank you.
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens...... Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Rest in peace Stan and God's speed.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
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