Greg Provencher Update - 9/3

[Josh Shields]

Hi folks,

Marla, Dan, and I all talked with Jean today and Marla and Dan helped out with some various tasks that Jean needed. In the process, some additional information about Greg came up.

The good news is that his condition sounds like it has stabilized somewhat. While he's not out of the wood (and still has a long road ahead), he's showing progress in the right direction.

He's still unconscious and being sedated, however recent tests have shown that the swelling and bleeding in his brain have decreased somewhat. He's also been off of the ventilator in the past 24 hours or so, and his temperature is down from what it was before. He's also been responsive to various tests of reflexes and some verbal interaction since his accident. That's the good news.

He's still in ICU at the hospital, and still under close observation and considered a critical care patient. However, it is my understanding that he is now open to visitation from non family members.

Doctors feel that it is very important to have interaction with visitors, particularly people that can sit by his bed during visiting hours and talk to Greg and offer encouraging words and company. While he isn't in a condition to respond, positive reinforcement through these visitations can help the road to recovery.

If you have an opportunity to swing by, please do. I've been told that visiting hours are 8:30 - 2 and 4 - 6 (or something along those lines). You can call 540-981-7000 (Carilion) for additional information.

Old Southwest is working right now to start a fund for Greg to help defray some of the expenses of his hospital costs and lost income (Greg is self-employed). We are planning a spaghetti dinner for sometime in the next week or two. If you are interested in helping setup/tear down/organize, or would like to make a contribution to this fund, please contact me.

Finally, Jean wanted us to pass along her thanks and gratitude for all of the support that she has received over the past week or so. It's been a trying time, and she's doing what she can to stay occupied and positive. She expressed her heartfelt appreciation to all of the folks that have contacted her and offered assistance.

~Josh

email: josh.shields (AT) crosswindlanding.com
703-867-8679

[Kara Smith]

Josh, thank you for the updated information.

Jean and Greg, we are thinking of you and praying for you both. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

Kara, Evan and Madeline

[Marla Robertson]

Howdy folks, Jean did mention she needs help getting Gregs bike from the inpound lot. She would need someone who has a flat bed truck or something that could tow the bike. Any help would be great!

You are welcome to call me at 400 2819

Thanks so much,
Marla

[Josh Shields]

Marla,

Is it possible for Dan to borrow the trailer that we use for the parade float? If so, I can hook it to my truck and go pick up the motorcycle.

~Josh

[Marla Robertson]

Big Daddy and I went to see Greg this afternoon. He looks great! Swelling has gone down & he has color back in his cheeks He is still in a coma but he is showing signs of improvement. Jean has been by his side and is now reading him a book on a subject he has always been interested in, but never had the time to read. I think the subject is on bees. We would encourage folks to keep visting Greg. The doctors say he can hear you and needs stimulation.

Josh, Jean says that the bike has to stay put for now and she will let us know when she can move it. She does however need help getting on her computer. She is still not able to check and update the web-site. any help would be great.

[Jan Keister]

Edna and I also visited last night. FYI there are evening visiting hours until ?7:30? and parking is free. We had a nice visit with Jean and Greg. He looks like he could wake up at any time.

Jan

[Tim Taylor]

Edna called me last night and was kind enough to provide Greg's room number: 973

Visting hours: 10 -2pm and 4 - 8:30pm

[Tim Taylor]

Hi everyone:
Just wanted to update you all on the what I know regarding Greg- Bob and I went by the hospital on Friday evening to visit. Jean was present as well as their best friend Pete. We had to jump through a couple of hoops to get in, but we were finally allowed to enter. Apparently when you call the phone outside to announce that you would like to visit someone, the nurses station asks you for a password. I used the password "Oliver" as we were given and Jean created, but the nurse that answered told us that it was no longer the password and for me to hold the phone. She came back and then stated that we could enter as soon as the 2 folks visiting exited. I inquired with Jean about this and she told me that she herself is who gave the nurses this password to use. Never the less, we got to see Greg. Jean is going to address the password with the nurses on duty.

As the doctors told Jean, anyone who visits should talk to Greg even though he is still not responding. Greg looked really good to me. He is breathing on his own. The swelling in his face has gone down a great deal. He still has a broken collar bone and the doctors will be addressing this soon. His vital signs were looking good. As soon as Bob and I started speaking to Greg his eyes seemed to flutter and his breathing became intense. I am not making this up, but we truly believe that Greg could hear us and I kept telling him that I felt sure he could hear us. We stayed about 15 minutes and updated him on the neighbors and friends who are sending their wishes to him. If you have a few moments, please stop by and visit him. Speak to him and tell him that you are pulling for him.

Jean told us that his daughter has gone back to New York and his sister has also returned to her home. The hosptial did a CAT scan on Greg on Thursday, but Jean had not heard the outcome on Friday, because the nursing staff is not allowed to give her that information. Jean was waiting on a family member to relay the results of the CAT scan to her. Jean continues to hang in there and was in very good spirits. She continues to sit by Greg's side and read to him.

I should have the raffel tickets and prizes by this week and start selling $1 tickets. Please remember to tell anyone that is going to attend this upcoming Saturday's Food with Friends to bring $$$ and take a chance on the raffel. I'll keep you posted-

[Tim Taylor]

Hi everyone:
I spoke with Jean last night. The CAT scan showed more improvement regarding swelling of the brain and some healing; however the doctors are concerned with the brain stem to his spinal cord. They are not certain if the accident caused some tearing. One of the nurses reported to Jean that Greg seemed to be more active with movement etc. Jean mentioned that Greg is swallowing and coughing on his own and she too believes that Greg can hear people. She continues to talk, read and play music for him. Continue to send your positive energy, thoughts and prayers-
Thanks

[Jan Keister]

I visited Greg at the hospital last night. He was definitely more responsive then when I was there last week, especially when Jean touched him. She says he opened his eyes for a little while on Monday night. From my internet research his responses are consistent with recovering head injury coma patients, who typically start to slowly wake up after a couple of weeks. Many of these patients make a full recovery.

I read poetry and sang (badly) to Greg for about an hour, hoping that he would wake up screaming for me to *STOP*, but he was a perfect polite audience, and it was a great chance to revisit some old favorites that I haven't had time to read in a while. Jean tells me me that Elaine has been reading the paper to him. Next week I'll try to find some short stories or articles that he will like.

I encourage you all to visit, experts recommend talking or reading to coma patients to assist in recovery. Don't be shy, and don't let the hospital environment keep you away, everyone there is very friendly.

Jan