Some ups and downs this weekend

Friday night I spoke with Scott and Wendy in rehab, they were having a fun night. Eating Arby's and laughing together. Scott had taken his first shower and had been outside in a wheelchair for the first time in 3 months. Dressed in his Steelers t-shirt & athletic shorts. They had super great day!

By Monday, things were slightly on a down slide. Remember that bed sore that was an issue a while back? Well, it is still being dealt with. It seemed as if it was slowly getting better although it was quite infected (E. Coli) and had for sometime caused Scott to be in isolation. With the move to rehab I thought they had gotten over that hurdle. Not so! The infection may have gotten into his bone and this will make for many complications. I won't get into all of that until Wendy knows for sure.

There is an IMMEDIATE PRAYER NEED regarding these matters. Scott hasn't felt so great yesterday or today and Wendy is on her way back to the hospital tonight to make sure he is okay and comfortable for the night. Scott is having some stomach pain and labored breathing. He's come so far from the ventilator that of course this is a concern. Please just stop everything and PRAY! I will update you as soon as there is some change or confirmation on the situation.

Tricia

Scott has moved to a Rehab facility!

Scott was moved yesterday from the hospital into the rehab building at Kaiser. This is a very exciting move. This is a new beginning with a lot of work ahead. But, we all know Scott can do it!

Wendy feels that the staff is good here. She feels very comfortable with them. They keep him very busy. They are working with him daily until 1:30 pm. Scott was sitting up for 9 mins. today.

Scott is back on solid food. No more puree'!!!

Visitors are still very welcome between the hours of 4:00 - 8:00 pm and on weekends.

Scott's New Trach!

Scott received a new trach yesterday. This is a talking trach, so Scott is able to speak all the time now. This is music to everyone's ears. Wendy is so happy to have conversations and hear his voice. Scott has a phone in his room he can use. If you'd like to talk to him just let Wendy know and she will make sure he calls you. Visitor's are still very welcome. Scott is BORED!! He has his very own version of Grey's Anatomy going on there. He has learned all the in's and out's of the hospital staff... I think he needs some company; don't you?

Scott's feeding tube has been removed. He is eating so well. Scott's still on a "soft" diet but that isn't stopping him. There isn't anything you can't throw in a blender.

Also, Wendy prints off the guest book notes and reads them to Scott regularly. He loves to hear them, so if you want to send a hello that way he will definitely get it soon!

Things are really looking up! The Prayers are being answered...keep them going!

I Just Talked to Scott on the Phone!

My cell phone rang just now. Wendy was on the phone. She said, "I have someone who wants to talk to you." Then Scott got on the phone and said, "Hey Paul." I was blown away. I told him he sounded great. He asked if I was at work. I said I was and that there were several guys that happened to be right near me; I named them off. He said, "Tell them to get back to work." After the laughter died down we spoke a very little more and then he needed to rest. How awesome is that??

Paul

Scott's Diet Changes

Hi everyone! Scott's diet has changed a little bit. They have put him on only soft and pureed food for now. Please still feel free to bring him something if you'd like. He enjoys milkshakes, peach Juice-it-Ups, pudding or applesauce--things like that. Having the chance to "break bread" with his friends will encourage him to eat more than he might by himself. Thank you so much!

Scott is eating food and sitting up some!

EATING!! Over the past few days Scott has been able to eat "real" food. He can't eat too much yet and his taste buds aren't working too well right now due to the trachea blocking the airway to his mouth. There for, nothing tastes good to him. Not even the In & Out burger Candy brought him (go figure!). He is enjoying pudding with whipped cream and part of a Juice it up that Wendy brought in. Until Scott is able to eat up to 75% of the meals he is given he will have to stay on the feeding tube. Unfortunately, the feeding tube helps keep him full so he isn't hungry enough to eat what he needs to. It's a vicious cycle that he has to balance out. But, he's on the right track and Scott likes food so he will make it work. I know Scott has been dreaming about PIZZA and I hope he can enjoy a slice soon! For those of you who get to visit Scott, if you want to bring him a treat to eat it's okay as long as the nurses know what and how much he gets.

SITTING UP!! Scott has also been sitting up over the past few days. He has the assistance of a brace while he builds his strength up. He is able to stay up for 4 to 6 mins. so far. After spending the past 12 weeks lying flat it is difficult to sit up for too long. His blood pressure drops after a few minutes (this is a normal reaction for anyone in this situation) but like everything else, it is PROGRESS! Please continue to pray for the Ortiz Family. Thank you!

Tricia

Bowling Fundraiser a Huge Success

I would like to thank all those who participated in the bowling fundraiser Saturday night. Thanks most of all to Carl Del Duca for organizing it. Thanks also to all those who contributed to Scott & Wendy, even if they didn't bowl. It was great to see Wendy and the boys, Candy, Jerry, Stacey, Danny and several other family members there. Click on the fundraiser link to the right for some pictures from the event. --Paul

Scott Talking! More Time Off Respirator

What a nice day!

I heard Scott say today with his own voice "Thank you for coming". That was the biggest blessing. He told Wendy yesterday"I love you". What an amazing sound! I can't believe with the limited chatting time Scott had, he chose to talk to me.

Today marked Scott's 3rd day without a respirator. After a lung x-ray today they decided to put him back on the respirator for a bit. We are very positive that this will change for the better soon.

I was also lucky enough to see Scott go through his occupational therapy today. He is so much stronger than I thought possible. He was showing off like crazy!

I hope you enjoy the photo of Scott and Wendy. He truly is in his own heaven when with Wendy!

Scott With His Sons!

Hi everyone!

Scott wanted to share this photo of him and his boys. He so enjoys their visits and they love to see their daddy!

Scott's breathing is improving. He is going for several hours at a time unassisted and will hopefully be off the respirator completely soon! He's is very proud of these accomplishments!

Scott's fevers are also becoming fewer and farther between.

There are some new obstacles that Scott is dealing with such as bedsores. Unfortunately, those will be a long-term nuisance. Scott has a new very high tech (Which you know Scott loves high tech anything!) bed that moves his body to help alleviate the bedsore issue.

I am headed to CA today to see Wendy and Scott! I am excited to have a full report to post tomorrow evening!

God Bless!

Tricia

Scott Continues to Improve. New Fundraiser this Weekend

I didn't get a chance to go see Scott this week, but I did see him on Easter. He looked even better to me. The swelling in his right arm and hand was completely gone. His new room is a bit larger than the one he had in ICU. He was in even better spirits.

Throughout the week I heard that several friends and co-workers visited Scott and that those visits were very positive. There are still struggles with getting Scott off the ventilator. Please continue to pray that he can be removed from this soon.

As a reminder, continue to check out the link on the right for upcoming fundraisers that you may want to support. I just posted a new one this morning. Thanks everyone!

Paul

Scott has New Scenery

Scott has been taken out of the Intensive Care Unit and put into the Intermediate Care Unit. This is a nice step forward on Scott's road to recovery. Scott is still battling that baffling fever. The doctor's are just stumped on what is causing it. They have him off of most of his antibiotics so that the infection will show itself and they can locate the problem.

Scott is in room 2118! Visitors are welcome. The sight of familiar loving faces really help lift Scott's spirits! It's a proven fact that the support of family and friends influences the patients recovery. Keep Praying!

God Bless!
--Tricia

PS BY PAUL--Don't forget tomorrow's yard sale fundraiser in Corona (see link to the right)

Scott's Neck Brace is Off

Hello All,

I had a chance to see Scott again yesterday on Easter. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to add more info on my last visit with him Tuesday. Ironically my own father is currently hospitalized in the same building as Scott, four floors above. I was there yesterday to visit my dad and saw Scott too.

Last week after my visit on Tuesday, I called Wendy to let her know about my visit. She had arrived there shortly after I left. She told me that Scott's neck brace was removed soon after I left. She was so excited to be able to finally kiss him on the lips! She said that day was the first day in a long time that she felt truly optimistic.

When I saw him that morning, he was much more communicative than the week before. The swelling in his right hand had reduced significantly and he moved that arm around more. The dexterity in the fingers of his left hand is increasing as well. He was able to nod 'yes' as well as shake his head for 'no'. Scott directed my attention to the news to make sure I knew about the E.Coli scare in Lake Forest! I wasn't even paying attention; but he was.

A Word About Fundraisers
I created a new site specifically for fundraisers currently scheduled. The link is at the top and right of this page. I will update the site regularly and will keep the most current events at the top and delete them when they are done. Please visit this section regularly to see if there are events that you can support. Thank you very much.

Paul