Rays been moved to rehab

Good news!! On Thanksgiving day Ray was moved out of the hospital to a rehabilitatioin center closer to his home. He has already begun speech therapy and walking. We hope he will be home by christmas. Thanks for all your prayers. They have really helped.

Nov 24, 2010

Ray is still in the hospital at the Robert Woods Johnson Institute. He is in between a regular room and intensive care. Things are improving but it is slow. Due to the tubs being put down his throat his muscles lost the ability to close an important flap to control how food goes down. Ray was put on a feeding tub and started therapy. Yesturday a procedure was done to put in a temporary feeding tub so he can recover and get more intesive therapy. The procedure went well and we are hoping that he will be moved to a rehab center by the end of the week.

Thanks for all the love a support you are giving him.

Thursday Nov 18th

Ray has been moved to a transition room between the ICU and a regular room. It is a little more monitored than a regular hospital room. Today he is going to get a procedure done to remove some fluid from the bottom of his lung. The doctor said we should see a big improvement after this. He is still on a feeding tube because they are being very cautious about making sure things are working right. So, today they are going to put a wire down to make sure he is swallowing correctly. Also Ray will be taking his first steps since this all began. Things are improving but they are moving slowly. Thanks again for all the prayers and love and support.

Day 11

Ray has had a GREAT DAY!!! He was moved out of ICU and into a regular room. Ray remains on the feeding tube but they are giving him puddings and jellos to eat as well. He has been moved off the oxygen mask and onto his regular nose oxygen that he takes at home. He will be starting rehab tomorrow. Things are heading in the right directions. I will update this blog now when things have changed!! Thanks to everyone for all your prayers, love and support!!

Day 10

Ray got a good night sleep last night and was sitting up and giving us a small wave when my mom and I walked in. He was able to talk with more clearity today. The speach therapist came in and tried to feed him some apple sauce but she was not convinced he was swallowing correctly. She decided to let the throat heal one more day and try again. That means Ray is still on a feeding tube. She explained that that was due to him being put on ventaliztion twice in 5 days and it makes the throat swell. Ray sat up in a chair for a short time this afternoon. He is getting stronger but still has more healing to come. I will update again tomorrow.

Day 9

Ray continues to improve but slowly. He is still in ICU and probably will remain there through the weekend. He enjoyed watching his football games today and even showed interest in his stocks. They got him up in a chair for about 3 hours. He is still on a feeding tube which has helped get his strength up. We will update again tomorrow. Good Night.

Saturday Nov 13

Ray was on the sealed mask overnight and then it was removed and a smaller mask put in place. The Dr.s say that he will probably stay on the smaller mask and then moved back onto the nose oxygen. The goal is to get him back on his regular oxygen full time.

When we arrived this morning Ray was up and very alert. His color is good and is waving at the nurses. We will update more as the day goes on.

Surgery update and day 8

Ray Smith had surgery on Friday Nov 6, 2010 for a perforated colon repair after a colonoscopy procedure done earlier in the week. His recovery has been compromised by the emphysema. Ray has been in ICU since the surgery and is gradually improving.

Day 8: He sitting up and taking water swabs. He started the day on a high dose of oxygen with a sealed mask. He was a little confused and tired. By the end of the day, Ray was on a smaller oxygen mask and was much more alert and talking. His color is good. He is being feed by a feeding tube for now so the healing can take place in the stomach area. Ray is getting outstanding care and his prognosis is good. The lungs just take a little more time to heal the body.

We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers everyone has sent out. Please continue with the prayers they have gone a long way for him so far. We will be communicating through this blog for daily updates. If you feel you need to talk to one of the family members please call Janet Leet at 847-494-9088.
Smith Family

Post Surgery Report and update

Ray Smith had surgery on Friday Nov 6, 2010 for a perforated colon repair after a colonoscopy procedure done earlier in the week. His recovery has been compromised by the emphysema. Ray has been in ICU since the surgery and is gradually improving.
Day 8: He sitting up and taking water swabs. He started the day on a high dose of oxygen with a sealed mask. He was a little confused and tired. By the end of the day, Ray was on a smaller oxygen mask and was much more alert and talking. His color is good. He is being feed by a feeding tube for now so the healing can take place in the stomach area. Ray is getting outstanding care and his prognosis is good. The lunges just take a little more time to heal the body.
We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers everyone ha
s sent out. Please continue with the prayers they have gone a long way for him so far. We will be communicating through this blog for daily updates. If you feel you need to talk to one of the family members please call Janet Leet at 847-494-90898.
Smith Family