Dale Saunders Covid Updates

Well, the thing is, if Mom asks you to do something, you do it, right? So, here we go. Mom saw a post I left on Facebook on ("Throwback") Thursday 12/31/20 and asked me to add it to this blog. I had been thinking about what I wanted most that night and it was a hug from Dad. He has a gift for hugs. If you've never had one, I hope that one day you get the pleasure. He just has a sixth sense to be able to empathize in the appropriate way with whatever a person is dealing with in the moment and deliver that message, wordless, via hug. It was heartwarming to read messages from friends and family that are familiar with these famous hugs.  One included a former Softball Teammate, whom Dad coached for years. It occurred to me that there are HUNDREDS of such girls out there - former team members of a Dale Saunders' Little League Softball Team.  And if they knew  he's currently in the fight of his life, legions of them would cheer: COACH SAUNDERS!: Be Aggressive Be Be Aggr...

Dad remains in ICU as of this morning, 1/2/21 and the care team has set expectations that he is simply not progressing in his treatment and that the likely next steps include palliative care for his comfort.  Richard is working to help facilitate last rites. And we hope to be able to a FaceTime coordinated so we can see Dad today. On a brighter note, Cathy arrived in Florida, safely, last night and the nurse on Dad's charge insisted she come up to the floor and be able to stand outside his room and see him. They were able to talk on the phone and he knew she was there. When the nurse told him his Daughter Cathy was there to see him, Cathy saw him take a visible chest filled breath - one of relief and love.  At this hospital, once a patient is on palliative care, they are allowed a family member to spend time with them in their room. Cathy will be able to be with Dad. There are no words for my gratitude for this blessing. Mom remains well. Her vitals are strong and she is takin...

Plateau noun 1.  an area of relatively level high ground. 2. a state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress. Mom and Dad enjoyed this view of a gorgeous plateau while on a trip to the Grand Canyon in recent years. They've really made the most of their travels, inciting envy in those of us left behind :) A plateau is also where we find dad, clinically speaking. The good news is: since moving to the ICU two days ago, his condition and vitals have not worsened in a meaningful way. However, they've not improved in a meaningful way, either. Dad, as they say, has plateaued.  I wish to preface this next statement by saying I have a profound admiration and appreciation for Dad's care team. I simply cannot fathom what it must be like to be a front line health care worker, especially in a Covid ICU. That said, the level and quality of communication we are getting about his progress, or lack there of, is concerning. I would have expected we could have figure...

Isn't this a handsome picture of Dad? I've always loved it. It was taken the evening of Mom's 75th birthday celebration with just the "Saunders Six" - Mom, Dad and us four kids. Quite a rare event! New Years Day I'll start with some information about Dad's ICU care. A frequently asked question is: Is he on a ventilator? Well, technically, yes. Bear in mind, I am not a clinician so my explanation here is purely that of a lay person.  There are two forms of ventilation: invasive and non invasive. So often in the news relating to Covid, we hear about the invasive forms of ventilation that require intubation. Dad IS receiving ventilation, but it is through a non invasive means via a Bi-Pap machine (a more rigorous cousin to a C-Pap machine which a lot of folks are familiar with).  Dad continues to receive Oxygen and his stay in ICU is proving helpful with his O2 compliance. They're just able to keep a more watchful eye on him and be sure he keeps the flow ...

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 ...