UPDATE 8/25/2020

We've learned this month that Frank's heart is getting a little stronger but he's now in stage 5 (complete) kidney failure. He'll be starting peritoneal dialysis at home in a few weeks but the equipment is large and supplies take up a lot of room. They can't manage it in their RV. It's been up for sale but until it sells they can't move elsewhere. They've found a 55+ mobile home community with homes available as soon as the RV sells and Daphne is ready and waiting to go down and help them move. Frank is in constant back pain and has constant head aches. He's been to an orthopedic specialist and a neurologist but neither can determine the source of his pain. His blood pressure is constantly low despite medications and that makes it hard to be up and around much. Right now he's just waiting to start dialysis and receiving iron transfusions hoping that eventually both will help him feel better.

The medical bills are really starting to pile up along with repair work that's had to be done on their car and general maintenance expenses on the motor home. We've appreciated the donations we've received thus far. Every penny has been so helpful! Thank you to those who have been so kind and compassionate.


UPDATE 7/15/2020

Frank is having good days and not so good days. Trying to sort out medications and find a combination that will keep his blood pressure up in a normal range. Some days he's able to go for long walks, do some work around the motor home, even go out for an ice cream and drive to the ocean with Jean. Other days he experiences back pain, fatigue and head aches and doesn't do much. He's also experienced many episodes of his legs just giving out and he collapses, sometimes blacking out momentarily. Scary for both he and mom!  His cardiologist would like him to get out of the motor home and into a normal house with room to walk around and no steep stairs to climb.  They've got the RV listed and are just waiting for a buyer. A couple of interested folks haven't been able to get financing because of COVID-19 and banks suspending loans. All in all the progress with Frank's health and gaining strength as the doctors expect has been very slow but he's working hard at it.

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ORIGINAL POST:

On January 1, 2020 Frank had a STROKE and spent several days in the hospital. He was hospitalized again two weeks later for related symptoms and INTERNAL BLEEDING. On February 11 he went for a scheduled CT scan and was immediately taken to the emergency room then flown to a cardio trauma 1 center because of an AORTIC ANEURYSM and blockages in his carotid arteries. After 14 days in ICU with unsuccessful treatment and deteriorating health he was transported to another hospital 2 hours away.  At that hospital (UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida) a phenomenal specialist preformed the surgery he needed on March 3, REPLACING ASCENDING AORTA, AORTIC ARCH and "replumbing" his CAROTID and SUBCLAVIAN ARTERIES. He remained hospitalized for 2 weeks recovering. This brought total number of  days hospitalized January 1 - March 15 to nearly 50! 


On March 8 his wife, Jean, went to the emergency room with high blood pressure, nausea, fatigue and other symptoms. She was there 12 hours and had extensive heart tests and x-rays. She was treated for severe stress/anxiety related to Frank's illness and surgery as well as sinusitis, receiving IV fluids and antibiotics. She has since been doing much better.

Their daughter, Daphne, was with them for 6 weeks, helping Frank get the best care possible and getting Jean to the hospital every day as well as providing love and moral support.


On March 26  (the day after Daphne returned home to NH amidst government orders for reduced travel, self-quarantine, etc. due to the Coronavirus) Frank went to the local ER unable to breathe and with severe weakness and pain. He was diagnosed with CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE and after a failed attempt to treat him he was transferred back to Shands Hospital in Gainesville where he is currently. On April 6 Frank had a HEART ATTACK at the hospital. They were able to get him in and put a stent in an artery in the heart. He has since struggled to regain strength. AFib, low blood pressure and congestive heart failure all continue to be present. He was sent to an acute medical rehab for a week then finally went home. Daphne returned to Florida despite the COVID-19 restrictions to get him home and settled and help out for a few days. He was only home a week before being back in the hospital with Congestive Heart Failure and AFib. On May 11 a CARDIO-VERSION was preformed to shock dad's heart back into sinus rhythm. It was successful but he's had horrible back pain ever since and the orthopedic surgeon believes he has a COMPRESSED VERTEBRAE FRACTURE. A result of the cardio-version. Still waiting for an MRI to confirm. This will mean a brace for 3 months or possibly surgery.  Total number of days in the hospital have now exceeded 70.

Frank tries his best to be optimistic and not give up. He's a fighter. But he's tired and some days are more difficult than others. 

In addition, they are in Florida in their motor home, living in Florida summer heat which they've never experienced before but dad isn't strong enough to make a move. A week ago a pop up thunderstorm destroyed the support arms on their electric awning that provides some shade and relief from the heat. The cost to replace the arms is more than they can possibly spare so they're forced to stay holed up inside day in and day out.

Every hospital visit, ambulance transport, doctor's appointment and test cost so much money, even with Medicare.  And now home repairs on top of it all. The bills are mountainous. Frank won't be able to return to his part time job and their fixed retirement income doesn't increase just because the bills do! If you are able to give even a few dollars to help with their medical bills and living expenses like that awning on the motor home it would be greatly appreciated. Your loving generosity means so much to this family! Thank you! ❤️