Level Set

12/31/2020

This update comes on New Year's Eve, 2020. I think we can all agree that we are ready bid 2020 adieu!

We (Dale's Daughter's - Cathy, Becky and Carrie in Virginia) are creating this Blog to help bridge communications for all of the caring and concerned friends and church community about Dale's progress as he is currently hospitalized with Covid. Carrie is the primary author and is prone to a rather familiar tone. She also apologizes in advance for all grammatical and spelling errors. Something she will gladly have her father edit when he's healthy and well :)

Mom and our Brother, Richard are in Indialantic and they, plus the amazing care team at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne are our primary information sources for Dad's updates.

As we have information to share, or perhaps even if we do not, we will do our best to update at least daily with the latest in his care progress. We also wish to extend our extreme gratitude for the outpouring of concern and caring for our family. Thank you!

What led us here:

On Wednesday 12/23, Dad received a call from a friend, with whom he'd recently spent significant time (albeit, appropriately socially distanced and with masks); this friend was Covid Positive. Mom and Dad went on Christmas Eve for Covid Tests. Dad was positive, though showing no symptoms and Mom was negative.

Beginning Christmas (Friday) through Sunday, Dad began to experience symptoms including fever, body aches and coughs and managed with over the counter medications. His fever was extensive on Sunday into Monday and Hospitalization was recommended. 

In the hospital, they tackled his fever, diagnosed him with Pneumonia and they also put him on a constant high flow Oxygen. 

By Tuesday, the fever was managed, but his oxygen levels remained erratic, largely due to Dad removing his tubes. :( 

Wednesday the 30th was very much a similar story, fever managed, erratic oxygen. When he's compliant, his levels can reach near low-normal ranges. But when non-compliant, they can reach dangerously low levels. On Wednesday, Dad was able to receive the Plasma infusion treatment, though. So we are hopeful to see some good progress in coming days.

Here we are TODAY:

Overnight, into this morning (12/31), he continued to struggle with keeping his oxygen tubing secure and therefore, his oxygen levels were, at times, dangerously low. For that reason, a decision was made to admit him into the ICU - where they believe the care team will be able to better monitor his Oxygen compliance and help him progress. 

Quick detour to update on Mom:

On Monday 12/28, Mom began to show VERY mild symptoms of Covid (very low grade fever of 98/99 - normal for most, but she runs lower most of the time, headache and "burning eyes"). On Tuesday afternoon, she returned to Urgent Care for a second Covid Test and it was positive this time. Because of her history with Asthma, the Urgent Care physician and her Primary Care Physician coordinated and sent her straightaway to Holmes Regional for a delicious Antibody/Antiviral IV cocktail. WOW. On Wednesday she sounded terrific and assured us that her energy levels matched her voice. Now, we just need HER to stay compliant and rest and take care of herself!

So that's the latest we can deliver. Future updates will not likely be so lengthy. If you've made it this far, congratulations! 




Comments

  1. Christy LeeDecember 31, 2020 at 10:32 AM

    Thinking if you all and sending lots of love and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 31, 2020 at 11:48 AM

    Carrie: Thank you for your updates. I've been keeping the Knights updated here in Indialantic. So many people (knights, clergy, friends, etc) are praying for Dale, Sue, your family and the health staff.

    For many down here, Dale is the first person they've known who has been put in the ICU, so we would greatly appreciate your continuing updates.

    Vivat Jesus,

    Stuart Dawley.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie MongerDecember 31, 2020 at 12:01 PM

      Stuart, you are most welcome! I can't tell how much we appreciate the caring community that surrounds Mom and Dad, always, but especially now.

      We feel so helpless, so far away. This is the least we can do to try keep folks informed. Mom has been so incredibly touched by the outreach! Thank you!

      Delete
  3. UnknownDecember 31, 2020 at 11:55 AM

    Thank you very much for doing this!! It's always better to get solid information than 33rd person info. Much as we try, we are not the oral historians in the Bible!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie MongerDecember 31, 2020 at 12:01 PM

      Amen! We'll do our best to keep reliable updates coming. Thank you for your concern and prayers!

      Delete
  4. Bobbie Dent O'RourkeDecember 31, 2020 at 2:13 PM

    prayers continuing. Thank you for the update

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJanuary 1, 2021 at 6:39 AM

    Thanks so much for starting this blog! It provides the information we all need and helps your mom because not so many will be blowing up her phone when she already has so much on her plate. Our thoughts and prayers continue for your dad, prayers continuing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carrie MongerJanuary 1, 2021 at 7:43 AM

    Friends, many of you have received a link that will lead you to this original post. If you click the "back arrow" next to the Dale Saunders Covid Updates title, you'll see additional posts as I make them. Also, here is a link to the blog landing page vs. individual posts:
    https://dalecovidjourney.blogspot.com/



    ReplyDelete

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