Tom Vasel
United States
Homestead
Unspecified
Top 100 Games of all Time
Dice Tower Convention, July 2012!!!!
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Now that the geeklist is over (A BIG THANKS to everyone involved), I figured I would update here in a thread.
First of all, I'm overwhelmed by the number of cards coming in from all over the world. It's cool and thoughtful!
If you still want to send Jack a card, he's at:
South Miami Hospital
NICU Department
Attn: Jack Vasel
6200 SW 73rd St.
Miami FL 33143
Anyway, on to the update.
12/7 - Jack is three weeks and one day old. I'm very happy of that, regardless of what else happens.
The doctor told me Sunday that Jack was the sickest they've ever seen a baby be and survive. That's pretty cool, but I'm glad they didn't tell me that when he was sick!
His breathing is improving, he's getting close to completely breathing on his own. They started feeding him from a bottle - but it's very slow going, and he will take a while with it.
He has some sort of plastic surgery scheduled Friday to get rid of a bed sore.
But other than that, he's physically doing much better. Weighs enough to go home, although that still won't happen until January.
The big problem is his brain. I've seen the MRI results, and there are several parts that have been damaged or destroyed, and there's still bleeding in it. I haven't had a meeting with the neurologist yet (today or tomorrow), but it doesn't look good. There's always a chance of him turning out okay, but the chance of him having cerebral palsy is also fairly high.
But it's one day at a time. He is looking much better!
Thanks to everyone who prayed/sent cards/helped in any way. Still a long way to go, but...
12/9
Three weeks and two days!
Very encouraging news today. I talked to the neurologist, and even though he cautioned me that we go day by day - the EEG showed no seizures, and Jack was feeding better yesterday - he even sucked on the doctor's finger. Jack will need therapy no matter what, but this is still more encouraging.
Also, he was able to leave the incubator and go to a regular little baby bed.
A good day all around.
12/11
The doctor was very encouraging today. Basically, the only thing that's really keeping Jack in the NICU right now is his eating - and that's improving. He might breathe on his own completely within the week, and every time Laura feeds him, he does well. A good week of progress.
12/14 - Well, in a few hours Jack will be one month old. It's unbelievable how happy that makes us.
He's off oxygen completely now. YAY!
Still not feeding consistently, though. They don't want to push him too hard, because they don't want him so weak that sickness strikes again. So until his muscles build up and he eats consistently, he ain't coming home. I was hoping for Christmas, to be honest, but that's not going to happen.
But at least we'll have him at Christmastime, so I can't complain.
I'll try to upload some pictures tomorrow!
12/18 update - Well, the good news is that Jack's off the breathing machines completely now! He's also off some kind of machine that I didn't even know he was one, so yay!
He's still feeding kind of iffy, and the doctors aren't pushing him too hard, because they don't want him so weak that he gets sick again. (a good idea, methinks). So he has to stay at the hospital until he can eat properly.
Well, I was hoping he'd be home for Christmas, but hey - he'll be around for Christmas, so what can I say?
He's also looking a bit better each and every day.
Edit: I see I practically posted the same thing twice here. Well, time has blurred together for me a bit - sorry!!!
12/23 - I haven't updated in a while, because it's the same thing. Jack is doing fine, but still isn't eating properly.
You can see pictures here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=350892&id=644474391&l=...
12/28 - Ack. Laura has to be trained to learn how to use a monitor tomorrow. And we had to buy more medicine!
OK, this is all prep. Because the doctors say that HE CAN COME HOME SOON. Maybe by NEW YEARS! Hoo-RAH!!
1/3 - Well, still no baby Jack. He's not eating well enough to come home at this point. Maybe sometime this week?
1/5 - Well, Jack is back on the respirator, back in NICU-3, back in the incubator. He may have gotten sick again. He's having problems breathing. He got a blood transfusion yesterday. Major steps backwards. Doctors aren't sure what the problem is.
1/6 - Well, it's not looking good.
The doctors say he's not as bad as he was at the beginning, but it's still a huge step backwards. He's breathing with a ventillator - although on minimum setting, back in the incubator, back on antibiotics.
Doc says he's stable for now, but he's going to be on these antibiotics for another month. So I guess he ain't coming home until February now. At this rate I hope he's home for his first birthday. Also the doctor says that the possibility of brain damage is pretty much a sure thing at this point, as this new bacteria infection invaded the brain.
Sounds like a bunch of bad news. I guess it's the second drop on the roller coaster. We'll just keep trusting and waiting until the end.
We are glad that he didn't come home on Sunday, though, because it's better that this second attack happened while he was being monitored by the hospital.
1/8 - Well yesterday was up and down. In the morning, the doctor confirmed that Jack had E. Coli again, and that he likely has meningitis. He also told us that the bacteria had become resistant to antibiotics, so that Jack's chances of surviving were quite low.
Whew.
But towards the end of the day, Jack was stable and the antibiotics seem to be working. They said maybe he'll be able to breathe on his own (again) by today.
1/11 - Jack has improved so quickly! From near death on Friday to feeding well and no oxygen today. Wonder why? 
Also, he's eight weeks and one day at this point. Hooray!
He had a good night, and is improving.
1/14 - Well, 1/12 was Jack's due date, so I guess he should be two days old now? Instead, he's 60 days old!
Wow, he's improving! Totally off oxygen, moved from NICU-3 to NICU-2 (I hear that's good). He has to be on antibiotics for two more weeks, but HEY! this is a huge improvement from a week ago.
1/21 - Well, Jack's not doing so good again. His temperature is dropping, and he's back on an IV - no more feedings at this point.
The doctors have discovered more bleeding in his brain - so another MRI. I'm starting to get a bit weary here, but hopefully he can pull through this one, also.
Evening update
1/21 update, evening
OK, a lot of stuff happened today.
I knew that yesterday he was having some problems breathing and that his temperature went down, but today the hospital called us and wanted us to come right out.
They had trouble incubating him - it took five different doctors before it finally happened. They also gave an MRI, and the neurologist was concerned enough to call us in.
At this point, it looks like there is more holes in his brain than there is not holes. The brain has taken a huge hit from the virus and perhaps other means. There is a lot of fluid in the brain.
A special team came in and transported Jack to Miami Children's Hospital, which is where I'm at right now. He will be getting a special MRI here, and then a neurosurgeon is going to decide whether the brain can be drained of fluid. If not - well, things are grim.
Either way, even if he survives all of this, he is going to have massive severe brain damage.
We're okay, but a little tired and worn out. Pray for Jack, of course - but also pray for my wife, who is going through the wringer about all this.
We'll know more over the next several days. The doctor says that Jack is a real fighter, but that may not matter at this point.
I'll let you guys know more as we know more.
1/23 - This is a bit difficult for me to write, so bear with me.
At this point, Jack has done okay from the transfer from South Miami Hospital to Miami Children's Hospital. His heart is doing fine, and although his throat is constricted some, the doctor thinks that is only temporary.
But all this pales, really, compared to his brain. Because the E. Coli Meningitis has hit twice, the brain has been thoroughly ravaged. At this point, the doctor has told us that the BEST we can expect is that he will never walk or be able to communicate with anyone. The neuro surgeon wants to operate on his brain, to drain out the fluid, but that would be a temporary thing - saving his life only. The brain damage is permanent.
Jack really fought against them incubating him last time. We are now faced with really difficult decisions - the kind I wouldn't wish on anyone. I don't know what we will decide to do at this point - I'm asking folks for advice, and decisions. I love my son, Jack, and am glad we had him for two months. But there comes a point where I'm not sure that the medical stuff keeping him alive isn't hurting more than helping.
It's been an exhausting day, but we are praying and trying to make a right decision. Please pray for us, for Jack, and for Laura especially.
Thanks for everyone and all their support up to this point.
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Lance
United States
Moorhead
Minnesota
The coolest best thing I have ever done in my life is being a father
Caleb, the best 6 month old little brother ever
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Prayers and well wishes Tom - your optimism and positive attitude are a lesson to us all.
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Doug Bias
United States
Fairborn
Ohio
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Thanks for updating. Many prayers for you and yours.
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Kevin Salch
United States
Bristol
Connecticut
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Continued prayers.
All children are a blessing from the LORD!
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Larry Welborn
United States
Anderson
South Carolina
Way to go, Bubba.
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Thanks for the update.
Keeping fighting, Jack.
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James Bentley
United States
Cleburne
Texas
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Continued prayers....
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Jonny Lawless
United States
Bountiful
Utah
Love my Lil'bug!
My name is Glenn! Long have I carried Cyrus's hopes and dreams, and now I bear the Masamune as well! Henceforth, I claim them as my own! I shall slay the Fiendlord Magus and restore our honor!
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As a new father of a one-month old, I'm really pulling for you all in my thoughts and prayers.
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Exit 191
United States
Buckeye
Arizona
The five noble animals - camel, horse, ram, goat (played by moose), cow
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Keep fighting little buddy.
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Thomas Cackler
United States
West Des Moines
Iowa
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Praying for you guys.
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June King
United States
Unspecified
Bring me her heart in this box.
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Still praying for your fam. He's a little fighter.
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Joe Kundlak
Slovakia
Bratislava
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Keep it up Jack!
Thoughts and prayers stay where they should.
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Rob Ruiz
United States
Austin
Texas
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Good news Tom - thank you for the update. Continued prayers for strength for little Jack and your family.
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Anthony DuLac
United States
Minnesota
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I will pray for healing for his little brain. So sorry about that aspect of all this. Hang in there, Tom. Glad he's doing well otherwise..God is good.
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Cate
United States
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
No good deed goes unpunished.
Ring the bells that still can ring, Forget your perfect offering, There's a crack in everything, That's how the light gets in. - Leonard Cohen
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UndeadViking wrote: Prayers and well wishes Tom - your optimism and positive attitude are a lesson to us all.
I agree with Lance. I am sending thoughts, prayers and positive energy. You and your family are amazing. Bless you all.
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Matt Buckingham
United States
Berne
Indiana
Have a great day!!
A bad day at gaming is better than a good day at work.
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Jack is in our prayers!
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Joseph McDonough
United States
Pelham
New York
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My Lutheran Church in the Bronx continues to pray for Jack and your family. I am confident that he will pull through this. Jack will be the board game player who quietly continues with the game just playing the game slow and steady then comes out of nowhere for the win and we will say '" Wow! You persevered in this game. I thought you had little chance of winning but you beat us all.Well played Jack!"
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Tony Allen
United States
Grand Prairie
Texas
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Praying for him.
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Ronald Chavez
United States
Hacienda Heights
California
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Go Jack Go.
You can do it. Have a Merry Christmas.
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Morgan Dontanville
United States
Brooklyn
New York
Plate of Shrimp.
Here we are folks, the dream we all dream of.
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Good vibes.
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David McMurray
United States
High Point
North Carolina
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I am so glad to hear that he is doing better. I am praying for your family and I hope that he continues to heal faster than you could ever think.
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Michael Basil
United States
Clayton
California
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still praying!
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Nathalie Griffiths
Canada
Calgary
Alberta
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Still praying and happy to hear an update!
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Scott Nunemaker
United States
Springfield
Virginia
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Cate108 wrote: UndeadViking wrote: Prayers and well wishes Tom - your optimism and positive attitude are a lesson to us all. I agree with Lance. I am sending thoughts, prayers and positive energy. You and your family are amazing. Bless you all.
Yes, your strength and your ability to deal positively with what has been put in front of you is really inspiring!
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Sending prayers from Japan. Hang in there.
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Sarge in charge!
Germany
Bremen
Ash nazg durbatulûk
Speak "thriend" and enter!
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Sending my best wishes out to you...
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Top 100 Games of all Time
