Great News about the Timster

Hey all, Mark here. Sorry I haven't been keeping the posts up-to-date.
Here's the latest two posts from Ken:

2/26

Hey Everybody,

Tim was moved out of the hospital Thursday night, the 24th of February. He has been moved to:
New Orange Hills
5017 E. Chapman
Orange, CA
714-997-7090

He is getting settled in there very well. He is improving every day as far as his speech and movement is concerned. We're especially hopeful that now he will be able to devote more time to rehabilitation. They have a good rehabilitation team and facility there at New Orange Hills.

Tim appreciates all of your comments and listens closely every time we read them and responds to your remarks with smiles and grins.

Please keep posting your personal comments to him to this blog and we'll be sure that he gets them! We appreciate all your support for Timothy! I'll do my best to keep putting regular updates on the blog for you also. And those of you who can, please try to come visit him. He is in room 115 of the facility.

Thank you!

Ken Lindberg

2/27

Hi Everybody,

More good news about Tim! Yesterday when I was visiting him, he unconsciously was scratching his left arm with his right arm and fingers. When he realized it, he said "I haven't been able to do that before."

Then, today, just as I walked in, he was standing up! He had 2 of the therapists there helping him, but he was standing. He didn't walk anywhere yet, he has been in bed for 4 weeks and is kind of weak. He sat down and then stood up again.

Thank you all for your prayers! Please pray for encouragement for him. As one of the comments noted on the blog, it can be a scary thing. Because even though you know what your body is supposed to do, it doesn't do it. I can see he is going through that now. Pray that God's word will rise up in him and bring him the strength, comfort and encouragement he needs.

Ken

Phone Number Following...

From Ken:

Hi Everybody,

Tim seemed much better tonight. More rested and alert. Almost like normal! He is improving on moving his right arm and leg and I could understand more of what he was saying tonight. A lot of the reason I couldn't understand everything he said was because he wasn't talking loud enough.

They still haven't found a place to move him to. All the places they've called either don't have any empty beds or cannot handle someone of Tims size. They almost sent him to San Diego! Hopefully they'll find a place tomorrow.

He has a phone in his room now - 714-279-5270. I don't know if you'd be able to get him to answer the phone though. The phone is behind his bed and probably impossible for him to reach. He didn't seem worried about that.

Talk to you later,

Ken

Moving news...

From Ken:

Hi Everybody,

I just talked with Ann at the hospital. They are still planning on transferring Tim to a Rehab facility in the next day or two. His vitals are evidently doing fine.

She confirmed that he is having small problems with speech but is getting therapy for that. Problems being mainly missing words out of sentences and things like that.

They could not find a facility close to me. The closest they may have found is further away than the hospital he is in now. That facility is in City of Industry. The main problem is that the facilities close to me don't feel they can safely handle his weight.

We'll let you know exactly where he'll be asap.
mark

Continued Prayer

The latest from Ken:

When I visited Tim today, there was a therapist having him do exercises. He can move his left arm and leg fine. He can move his right leg some, but still needed help. He was able to squeeze his right hand and lift it a little, but still needed help in the exercise.

Even though he can talk, we have trouble communicating. I'm not sure how much of it is because of my hearing and how much is because of his talking. He wanted me to move a stand close to his bed, but it took me a long time to figure out what he was saying. Instead of just saying "move the stand" he kept using the word "position" and "lift". I couldn't figure it out. Eventually by pointing, I figured it out.

He wanted me to fill a cup with water. It took a while to figure that out. Mainly by pointing. While I know my hearing could use some improvement. I know he didn't just say "please fill that cup with water for me." I think he is having problems putting sentences and words together. And yet, sometimes he speaks clearly.

Then, I finally got up the nerve to ask if I could borrow the Bowflex while he was in the hospital. He looked at me for a while. Finally I said "that's ok, no problem". But then he said "Ken has it." He wasn't joking (that I could tell). Then I said "No, it's at your house." and didn't say anything more about it. Neither did he.

It immediately reminded me of something dad said to me. We were sitting together at your [mine and Suzanne's] college graduation. At one point, he looked at me with an embarrassed look on his face and said, "are you my brother or son?" He wasn't joking. He was embarrassed.

I can see that Tim has a ways to go, ut I think he can make it if he'll work at it.

Then, after I got home, the floor supervisor, Ann, called. She said that the doctor said that Tim may be ready as early as Tuesday to move to Rehabilitation. Out of the hospital and into a place where they can begin restoration of his faculties.

That is good news!

Talk to you later,

Ken

I Peter 5:7

News From Ken:

Hi Everybody,

When I visited Tim today, he seemed tired. I tried to get there in time to talk with the doctor, but I found that they come earlier on Saturday.

He is moving his right arm more now. And he is definitely able to talk. But his throat is still sore.

But he seems to be having memory problems. When I first came in today, there was a Speech Therapist talking to him. She was asking him simple questions. He seemed to be having problems answering them.

At first I thought he was just messing around. But as I watched, it seemed that he was genuinely having to think a little before answering the questions. "Do you peel a banana before eating it?" I thought he was going to give a snappy answer because he was taking so long. But I don't think he did (give a snappy answer). I didn't hear that answer very well.

He still seems a little frustrated. I asked if he could handle a book if I brought it in. He said no.

I don't know how much of this you want to put on the blog.

Thank you,

Ken

More the next day:

I've been printing out the blog comments and taking them to him.

They moved him yesterday to room 711. That is out of the Critical Care unit, but on the same floor.

His doctor called yesterday. She said that Tim is doing better than they expected. So even though I came away from visiting him kinda disappointed, the doctors aren't! She didn't have any problem with the way he is now, she was optimistic with the way he is recovering from the stroke.

I guess most people with a stroke like Tim's would be doing much worse at almost 2 weeks after the stroke.

Praise the Lord!

Ken

I Peter 5:7

Run fer the hills

News from Ken, re: Timmy.

Hi Everybody,

Tim is doing much better. He is more like his old self than he has been in the last 1.5 weeks. He is talking now! Even I can hear him. Though his throat is still sore and he doesn't want to talk much. He is still weak, but he can sit up by himself now. Something he said he couldn't do yesterday.He seems encouraged by your comments, so keep them coming!

He is still in Critical Care, but the nurse seems to think he may be out by the weekend sometime. Out of Critical Care, that is.

Talk to you later,

Ken

Whispering

Man, it gets hard coming up with cool, catchy titles...

Today, Timmy whispered. Hey, I should write a children's book!

Anyway, here's the latest in Kenny's own words:

Good Evening!

Tim seemed to be doing good tonight. He seemed a little tired, but he said he wasn't. The nurse said he had been whispering today but his throat is still raw. She said maybe tomorrow they'd make a decision regarding moving him out of Critical Care.

I read the comments from the blog to him. I think it encouraged him. He responded with smiles, nods and shakes as I read them to him.

Talk to you later,

Ken

Small Notes and Asides:
My friend, Deann, a genuine nurse, said that nurses love to eat. You can send pizza in Timmy's name to Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center at 441 N Lakeview Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807

My other friend (yes, I have two), Jeff, a genuine doctor, said that Timmy's hemorrhage, at seven centimeters, was HUGE! Jeff said that it is a miracle from God that Tim is still alive, let alone doing any of the amazing stuff he's been doing.

Large Note:
Jeon Juhee, the Korean lady who has been staying with us through all of the excitement with Timmy, accepted Christ as her Savior tonight. She has been staying with us since 1/30 and it has been obvious to me that the Holy Spirit has been working on her heart and mind from the time she stepped in the door. She will be leaving Friday and returns to Korea around the end of the month.

I told her I would buy her a Bible. I wanted to get a good one, but wasn't positive I had enough money.

Ok, stay with me here.

Carla called me from Target. I told her the great news and she told some friends who just happened to be at Target.

Still with me?

After they walked off, one of them came back to Carla and said, 'I heard God tell me very clearly to give this to you.' She then handed Carla $50.

Fifty bucks!!!! And Carla even has a 50% off coupon!!!

One of my prayers, after hearing war stories of incredible miracles from my friends at AIM, has been that I would get to see God's powerful miracles happening. Whaddya think? Does that count?

Put me in the game, Coach!

Please keep posting comments to Tim. I'm really afraid that, with the drama gone, he'll fall off the radar.

The best example I can think of is you.

Remember when (insert terrible, horrible event that happened to you here) and everyone said, 'If you need anything, give me a call.'

You knew they meant it. You could have called at three in the morn and they would have helped you. But you were too busy dealing with the terrible, horrible event.

Then, three months later, when everyone had forgotten or moved on, you were laying awake at three in the morning, feeling like you should have gotten over it and wishing someone remembered.

Timmy is going to need encouragement for a long time. I'm thankful that he has great friends at Foothill Independent and Lighthouse Baptist.

Ken said that HE was encouraged today as he read the notes and comments to Tim. Keep up the good work.

mark

The latest from Ken

Tim is doing better. He now has the tube out of his throat. The last night he had been disconnected from the ventilator but still had the tube down his throat. Now it is out. The nurse said that today they might make a decision about moving him out of Critical Care. They'll do a blood test and check the CO2 level.

Even though he had the tube out of his throat, he still couldn't talk. The nurse said he could whisper. But because of the tube in his throat, his throat would be pretty raw right now. She seemed to think his speech would return ok.

I asked him if he could sit up by himself. He shook his head. I asked if that was because he was weak or because of pain or inability. He nodded his head when I asked if it was because he was weak. I guess the stroke was a major trauma to his system - that could make anybody weak.

Things are looking better every day! I talked with Janet, the social worker, yesterday. She will see what options we have as far as Skilled Nursing Facilities to move Tim to once they take him out of CC. They should have someplace closer to me to put him.

Miracles

Hi all,

I really don't know how else to describe it. A week ago, we didn't know if Tim was going to last through the weekend. Now, he's had the breathing tube removed and is even moving some of the fingers of his right hand - the one that's supposed to be paralyzed!

I am getting this second hand (ok, that was a pun) from a friend of Tim's who called me a few minutes ago. He said that the nurses were very optimistic for Tim. Also, he tried to talk earlier, but it was too painful. Tim apparently knows what year it is, but isn't really sure where he is - he knew he was in a hospital, but not which one.

This seems like the perfect time for some favorite verses...
Lam 3:22, 23 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Please continue to leave comments and notes to Tim. Ken is printing them and taking them to him at night.

mark

Great News

This is from big bro Ken:

Hi Everybody,

When I walked in to visit Tim tonight I got a surprise. He was not
hooked up to the ventilator! Hallelujah!

He does have a tube going down his throat, though. The nurse said
that they would let him breathe on his own overnight. Then, tomorrow
morning they will do a blood test and check the CO2 level. If that is
ok, they will take the tube out of his throat.

He seemed attentive tonight and not as tired has he appeared the last
few nights. His blood pressure was 129/(something equally low)!! Very
low compared to the 150+/ the last few nights.

When I mentioned that I would try to remember to printout Marks' blog
and read them to him, he perked up. So get everybody to post some
comments!

Things are looking good!

Love,

Ken

He Talks

So, he talked today, after a fashion.

I had told him I was leaving at 2:00. When the time rolled around, he looked at me and was trying to say something. I tried to read his lips and had a lot of trouble getting it. We tried to get him to write on a paper but he couldn't hold his left hand steady enough. Finally, we figured out that he was telling me the I needed to go. It may not seem like a big deal to some, but it was huge to us.

We talked with a pulmonologist today. He said that sometime in the next few days Timmy might need a trachewhatever. It will actually make him more comfortable as there would be no tubes in his mouth.

The doctor said that the only thing that we need now is for Tim's body to heal itself. Pray that he will have the strength and the will to do this.

mark

More Ups and Downs

Hello again,

I'd have to say that Timmy had a pretty good day today. He was put back on the ventilator because he wasn't pushing out the CO2 properly, but later in the day seemed to be breathing fine. The doctor said that Tim wasn't competent to make any complex decisions - I can see how he would say that - but Tim sure seemed competent. He was answering questions yes and no and seemed to understand what was going on. Whether or not he does understand remains to be seen.

I was being pretty optimistic and the doctor cautioned me, stating he was 'cautiously optimistic.' I'm really trying not to get my hopes up too high, but it's hard when I see him respond as he has.

I got a call from a friend of mine today who said that another friend called and asked, 'how's Lazarus doing?' (Did you get that?)

Rosemary Douglas has been a tremendous help, as have all the wonderful staff at Foothill Independent Bank. They are a compassionate, hardworking bunch and I thank God that my brother has such friends.

What's next? The doctor (a really nice guy named Dr. Sivjee) said that Timmy will be staying in the CCU until he is able to breath without a ventilator. Then, he will move to another floor or another facility. It appears, however, that this may be a ways off. He would then go to some kind of rehab center. And then...who knows.

The one person that can help things now is Timmy. He has to have the will to live and his body must work to repair the damage that has been done. With this in mind, please continue to check this site and leave comments for his encouragement. I did print the comments from yesterday and read them to him. He reacted to most of them by smiling or nodding. I'm sure it would be easy for one to become very lonely and despondent in that room. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

I am going back to Texas tomorrow, but will be keeping this blog up-to-date with writings about Tim and whatever else.

mark

More from the all Timmy channel

Wow. What a rollercoaster.

Today, Tim did even better than he did yesterday. He opened his eyes, looked around, and responded to questions and statements. He had kind of a half-grin in some cases and, at one point, appeared to try to say something.

I asked him if he wanted a pen to write with and he shook his head no. I asked him if he remembered what happened - no again. I asked if he wanted to know what happened. No.

He followed the nurse and Suzanne around the room with his eyes.

When we spoke with the Doctor this morning, he said that things are looking much better. He did caution that Timmy is 'critically stable.' So, going back to the forest analogy, he's not out of the woods yet. I asked the nurse if she thought he was able to answer some more detailed questions and she said no. He still can't lift up the proper number of fingers when asked or do anything more complicated than move, nod, or blink on request.

He had another CAT scan today and there is, apparently, no real change. I say apparently because the doctors didn't talk to us or the nurse about it.

Also, he is still on the breathing machine, but is breathing entirely on his own. The machine is just there as precaution and to provide some oxygen.

My nephew, Chad, and brother-in-law, Bill, took the pizza comment seriously and ordered pizza and salad for the nurses. Chad works for a restaurant delivery service and was able to arrange delivery of a fantastic meal. It was great to see the nurses' faces light up when we told them. The cool thing was that I got to take the credit for it...

The four of us, Mark, Carla (Mark's wife), Ken, and Suzanne are still viewing all of these events through the lens of our mother's death. She died of a massive brain hemorrhage at the age of 52. It is very hard for us to be optimistic, but Timmy is making it much easier by his continued improvement.

Thank you all again for your thoughts and prayers. I will print up the comments made and will take them to Timmy and read them out loud.

mark

Good News

Hello all,

Last night, at about 10:30, Timmy woke up.

He struggled very hard to open his eyes and responded to my questions by squeezing my hand. After about twenty minutes, he opened his eyes almost all the way. He was generally responsive, but was obviously struggling to keep his eyes open.

I talked with his new doctors and they said that these were all very good signs, but still expressed caution. He is not, apparently, out of the woods yet. While he is getting more oxygen, they still do not think he could breathe without the ventilator. The doctor said that the hemorrhage was one of the larger ones she had seen - seven centimeters or 2.76 in.

We were all very excited to see Timmy waking up. This, however, had much to do with the fact that the doctors at the hospital he was coming from had sedated him. Whether or not he had actually been in a coma - I don't know. If anyone reading this knows how one determines a coma for a sedated patient, I would appreciate your insight. There is still tremendous damage done to his brain and he still requires constant supervision.

I am torn between the excitment of seeing him wake up and communicate (he smiled a little half smile when I told him about my girls saying hi and when I mentioned that I couldn't get onto his wireless network because it was password protected) and the realization that he could still not survive. He still has pneumonia, his body is still extremely unhealthy, and he still has a massive hemorrhage in his brain.

Tomorrow, he will be seen by a pulmonolgist (lungs) who is also a doctor of internal medicine. They will also do another CAT scan.

I asked one of the doctors if his being awake meant that he would be able to breathe on his own and she said not necessarily. I was suprised to learn that one's respiratory autonomic functions are not always tied to one being awake. I'm not sure if I'm explaining that correctly...

Thank you all for you love, concern, and prayer. Please continue to pray for healing for Tim and that God would be glorified, whatever the outcome.

mark

ps We were serious about the pizza. Instead of spending $40 on flowers, send $20 worth of pizza. Wouldn't you love that?

About Tim From Carla

Tim is in room #705 on the critical care unit of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Anaheim.

Mark had a great idea for those people who like to send flowers. Don't - instead, send pizza to the nurses station in Tim's name.

We all agree Tim would LOVE this idea! He doesn't care about flowers and he isn't allowed to have any in his room and he can't appreciate them right now.... But the nurses would love it and would probably be inclined to take special care of him.

Just an idea!

Update on Tim

Hi all,

Here's the latest: He is being moved from Pomona Valley Medical Center to Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center in Anaheim.

He is apparently not breathing on his own. The nurse we just spoke with said that the machine was breathing for him. There is still no change and his prognosis remains poor.

Hopefully, the doctors at Kaiser will be able to do an MRI. Pomona was not able to because of his size. I will write more as time allows.

mark

Tim Lindberg

Hi Everyone,

Many people from Tim's church have stopped by the hospital to pray and sing with him. I keep missing them so I'll post information about him and his condition here.

Here's the story, as told to me by Rosemary and Sam, two of Tim's good friends from work:

On Monday, 1/31/05, Timmy came back from lunch complaining of shortness of breath. He left the office to go home or to the hospital, but was unable to get his keys in the ignition. He set off his car alarm and someone from the office came out to help him and called 911.

Tim was unable to talk when he got to the hospital, but was able to respond to Rosemary's questions by squeezing her hand and shaking his head. As far as I know, this is the last time he has responded to questions.

He is currently in Pomona Valley Medical Center, room 292.

He had a massive brain hemorrhage in his left basal ganglia. He is in a coma and has pneumonia. According to the neurologist that has seen Timmy and the CAT scans, if he survives, he will be permanently impaired. He also said that Tim's prognosis was poor, but was unclear as to what, exactly, that means.

I think that the doctors really don't know what to do, yet, and am hoping that I will be able to get more information today.

Timmy has responded with some movement when Ken (the other brother) or I have said something. I say some movement, because it hasn't happened very often and all he does is shift his body.

Please pray for the following:

• Pray that Timmy will be healed
• Pray that God will give Tim his peace that transcends understanding
• Pray for Ken, Suzanne (sister), and me, Mark

I am going to put a book at the foot of Timmy's bed that people can sign and leave a message. If you stop by, please sign it.

I'll post more info whenever I can.

mark