Stryker Brigade News

Speaking of announcements, the medic who did such a fine job on our five wounded was promoted to Specialist effective October 1, 2004. Congratulations from Scott, his family and friends. We had a promotion here, too. One of the medics (who is also a Dolphins fan) made Sergeant last Thurday. Good month for medics, it seems.

Scott's good mood lasted until sometime after lunch. He said he was cold so we piled on a blanket and a quilt (more on quilts later). We did some PT stuff with Scott as a warm up before getting him into a wheel chair for a ride. We got him up and put a robe on over his pajamas and a helmet on his head until we got him in the chair. Shoes and socks took a little work, but got on okay. I pushed him slowly out into the main hall which has an overlook into a court yard three storeys below. We originally intended to try to take him down to see PFC Majors, but we cut the trip short as he was still feeling cold and requested to go back to the room. He looked pretty frail in the chair, which was somewhat disheartening to us all. We got him back in the room and into the shower, hoping this would warm him up. He was still complaining about being cold after he got out so we put the blanket and quilt back on him. I suggested we put a knitted cap on his head to see if he liked it and to warm his head. It occurred to me that he might be losing more body heat out of his head due to the skull opening so a cap might help. Evenually, he warmed back up and started taking things off again.

Scott ate some of his dinner and then started to look like he wasn't feeling well. We suspected all sorts of things, but his vital signs were stable all day and he's been on antibiotics. He complained more and more of how his head hurt (inside and out) and eventually the on-call physician came in to discuss his case with us. They were trying to move Scott from the morphine pump (PCA) to other pain management. He doesn't need the pump probably, but if he has a bad day simultaneously with a change, that spells a rough day for Scott. Once Scott was brought up to a level of medication that made him comfortable again, he began to doze off so we left for the evening.

Note on quilts: There are a number of quilting groups from Ohio to Virginia (that I know of) who have made quilts for wounded service members and contributed them to the Army not knowing to whom they might be given. Scott was given one made by a group in Ashland, Ohio, when he arrived, but this was misplaced when he was moved to Bethesda. He got another one when he came to Ward 75 and this is the one we put on him today. If you'd like to do me a little favor, would you please drop a kind note to the Quilters Guild of Southern Maryland, c/o Pat Baker, 7295 Stoneleigh Court, Hughesville, MD 20637. The person who made this particular quilt was Marguerite Grabher of Virginia. I've always been a fan of those stories where people who make contributions to unknown persons get huge thanks from all over. I've got the Mayor of Ashland, Ohio searching out his area and the person responsible for the first quilt Scott was given. I may need you to write a second note some day soon.

By the way, the PIC line isn't being put in after all because he's doing better. This reduces his chance of an infection and is a good sign.

I'm going to be returning to California, work and other responsibilities on Wednesday (10/13/04) evening. The updates will continue as they started, with my getting information from others and then passing it along to you. I'll also be able to make telephone calls to Scott and I'll pass those conversations along, too. Julie and Tiffany will remain here for now. We're working on making sure things continue to run as smoothly as can be expected under the circumstances. I'll have a hard time leaving Scott, but I know he's with two people who care about him as much as I do. I may have to return should problems or other situations arise, but I can't stay here just to be with him. Fortunately, the ladies can. (It also gives me the chance to say "Don't make me come back there!" should a problem arise.)

ST