Beginning August 21, 2009

Im now going to back track and bring this blog from the August 21 to now using emails sent out to the family.

HI Everyone,

I have just come from the hospital.Mike is awake and alert and talking to me normally. He is in a regular room, not icu. His condition is very complicated. I will try to simplify it. He has severely damaged his liver by daily alcohol intake, for many years, with a few breaks for sobriety.  He has been methodically drinking large amounts of alcohol since he moved out of our house a year and a half ago. His liver is very enlarged and functioning minimally. However, the liver does have the capacity to regenerate. If he chooses, he can recover from this, if not completely, perhaps to some extent. He knows he cant survive without a liver.  He says he is ready to go into treatment for his alcoholism. The hospital staff are working with him to get him into a program. All we can do now is wait and see.

His condition has improved dramatically from when he was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday night. When the ER staff saw him walk through the door as yellow as a pumpkin, they grabbed him and started immediate care. It is amazing what modern medicine can do. The jaundice has subsided dramatically. Now if Mike will decide to get well, he most likely can to some extent. If not.. well...

I have been at the hospital all day so that I could have key conversations with the doctors and with Dan. It was important that I be there to discuss his condition with the doctors and then interpret what I heard to him and the family. I am weary and not up for any phone calls.(Erin excepted) Feel free to email me and I will read your emails when I am up to it.

Needless to say, Frank and I are very disappointed to miss the gathering. We have been looking forward to it for some time. I hope this doesnt put a damper on the festivities.

We play the cards that are dealt us. Thats all we can do.

Love,

Sal