May 1, 2009
Things are about as good as they can get. For Easter my sister Shawn and her husband Alex (The Webmeister, as I like to call him) and their two children (Prescott 6 and Aubree almost 2 and my God Daughter) came to visit us over Easter. It was good to see them and Aubree warmed right up to me. Melanie coordinated a big Easter dinner and we all watched the Masters Golf Tournament together. See some picture here.
I do a lot of thinking lately of my life and accomplishments. One of the questions I heard most in my 16 years as a faculty member at Chemeketa Community: “Why are you doing what you’re doing instead of taking one of the lucrative job offers you get weekly”? A very good friend sent this and it explains it all, and mirrors my mission statement. “The more you give, the more than twice you will receive in return.”
A Teacher's Story
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.
He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Doctor at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
I’d also like to say thank you to my mother and all the mothers out there, one of the hardest jobs on earth is raising children. They say there are wonderful books out there to help raise your child, phooey. My mom was a teacher, she took me to school everyday because the buses didn’t go far enough to my house early so she could get to her school and get ready for the day, I’d go shoot hoops in the gym before school started. And who got me into hoops? Buy my book due out in May Fighting to Give. The Jimmy Culveyhouse story. Ah that’s too easy - my mom, BUT that’s not the whole story. For that answer you will have to buy the book.
My mom was a teacher by trade and a taxi driver after school hours. A taxi driver for one person, ME. Football practice, Basketball practice, Tennis practice, Golf practice, work, day after day, hours by hours, you could always count on mom to be there and to have a nice hot meal when we got home. And men talk about the tough day they had? And then she would grade papers and wait for my father to come home. I’d say that’s a pretty good days work and why I think it’s the toughest job in the world. Happy Mothers Day Mom, I appreciate it and love you!
Love Jim.
www.jimculveyhouse.com
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
April 12, 2009 Update
April, what a great month in Salem , OR .
Where do you start? As a whole the rains are pretty much gone. It was 70 degrees yesterday and it’s averaging around 60 and 40-45 at night. The daffodils and tulips are starting to bloom; the crocus already is in full bloom. People are getting their yards ready. Ours is ready to go, too many people jump the gun, we always have one more blast and they do it every year and have to go out and buy more. I always use Mothers Day as my gauge but with it getting warmer every year earlier May 1 is a good time. We have 45 rose bushes in our yard so a little pruning is in order, but not quite yet. We surround those with wave purple petunias that are spectacular. One flat and our 3 dirt hill areas in the front and along the back fence and that’s it. Petunias that you don’t have to snip either, priceless. OK $2.49 apiece but I fill the front and back with 1 flat! Unfortunately Melanie will have to do it this year with the girls (my nieces that live with us.) I can’t do it from a wheelchair.
Its baseball time again. I used to love it but now I can’t tell who’s who on what team this year so I wait until the playoffs or have a game as “background” “music” while I’m working on the fundraising. I, Melanie and one of my nieces were taped for the Jerry Lewis telethon like last year. I’m the first person the Northwest has ever had on twice, just this time I couldn’t talk, but I can write fast. Basketball is nearing the end, oops, I mean of the regular season. Same thing when are the playoffs over June or July? Just stick the Lakers and Celtics in there let them play a 13 game playoff and call it a season.
Ever since I was a small boy we called this week golf week. In Indiana , golf season always starts the week after the Masters and what a tournament to watch. I’ve been lucky enough to go 3 times and the No.1 thing if you haven’t been there is how hilly it is. TV does not show it at all. For you golfers the 18th hole from the end of the trees on the right and the sand trap on the left it is almost straight uphill to the green, See the green? You can’t see the flag. Heck you can’t see anything including the clubhouse.
April is also my wonderful sister’s birthday, we’re 19 years apart with nobody in between or older or younger. It was tough to relate for a long time, but now we have been inseparable along with her wonderful husband, Alex. What a great a guy! Then My wonderful niece and nephew, Prescott and Aubree. Aubree is my god daughter and she could be in movies, but I feel Alex and Shawn will need track shoes to keep up with her. I’LL GET MY FIRST CHANCE AS THEY ARE COMING FOR 5 DAYS FOR Easter, I can’t wait.
Next month is ALS Awareness Month and I’ll send out a special newsletter for that, everything is not quite in place yet. Health wise, except for not being able to talk or walk (I’m confined to a wheelchair), things haven’t been too bad. Of course with 5 treatments of drugs, clearing the hole in my throat and suctioning my lungs 5 or more times a day I should be decent.
Well that’s about it, please keep passing my name around so they can read the website too. I love all of you and God bless you, remember Easter is not all Easter bunnies and chocolates. Don’t forget the real meaning. Happy Easter and Passover!
God bless.
Jim
Where do you start? As a whole the rains are pretty much gone. It was 70 degrees yesterday and it’s averaging around 60 and 40-45 at night. The daffodils and tulips are starting to bloom; the crocus already is in full bloom. People are getting their yards ready. Ours is ready to go, too many people jump the gun, we always have one more blast and they do it every year and have to go out and buy more. I always use Mothers Day as my gauge but with it getting warmer every year earlier May 1 is a good time. We have 45 rose bushes in our yard so a little pruning is in order, but not quite yet. We surround those with wave purple petunias that are spectacular. One flat and our 3 dirt hill areas in the front and along the back fence and that’s it. Petunias that you don’t have to snip either, priceless. OK $2.49 apiece but I fill the front and back with 1 flat! Unfortunately Melanie will have to do it this year with the girls (my nieces that live with us.) I can’t do it from a wheelchair.
Its baseball time again. I used to love it but now I can’t tell who’s who on what team this year so I wait until the playoffs or have a game as “background” “music” while I’m working on the fundraising. I, Melanie and one of my nieces were taped for the Jerry Lewis telethon like last year. I’m the first person the Northwest has ever had on twice, just this time I couldn’t talk, but I can write fast. Basketball is nearing the end, oops, I mean of the regular season. Same thing when are the playoffs over June or July? Just stick the Lakers and Celtics in there let them play a 13 game playoff and call it a season.
Ever since I was a small boy we called this week golf week. In Indiana , golf season always starts the week after the Masters and what a tournament to watch. I’ve been lucky enough to go 3 times and the No.1 thing if you haven’t been there is how hilly it is. TV does not show it at all. For you golfers the 18th hole from the end of the trees on the right and the sand trap on the left it is almost straight uphill to the green, See the green? You can’t see the flag. Heck you can’t see anything including the clubhouse.
April is also my wonderful sister’s birthday, we’re 19 years apart with nobody in between or older or younger. It was tough to relate for a long time, but now we have been inseparable along with her wonderful husband, Alex. What a great a guy! Then My wonderful niece and nephew, Prescott and Aubree. Aubree is my god daughter and she could be in movies, but I feel Alex and Shawn will need track shoes to keep up with her. I’LL GET MY FIRST CHANCE AS THEY ARE COMING FOR 5 DAYS FOR Easter, I can’t wait.
Next month is ALS Awareness Month and I’ll send out a special newsletter for that, everything is not quite in place yet. Health wise, except for not being able to talk or walk (I’m confined to a wheelchair), things haven’t been too bad. Of course with 5 treatments of drugs, clearing the hole in my throat and suctioning my lungs 5 or more times a day I should be decent.
Well that’s about it, please keep passing my name around so they can read the website too. I love all of you and God bless you, remember Easter is not all Easter bunnies and chocolates. Don’t forget the real meaning. Happy Easter and Passover!
God bless.
Jim
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
March 2009
As my little nephew would say, Hello Every-Body!
Sorry the update is a little late I went on vacation again to Salem Hospital. Down for the count but back up and down goes Frazier (our nickname for pneumonia!)! I know ½ the hospital now, and all the wonderful people I met. My main Doctor that I call Doctor Midnight because he works such long days and he says I see my best patients that don’t need me as much later at night, later isn’t Midnight to 4AM but that shows his dedication and care he gives to his patients. This was from a guy who saved my life about 16 hours earlier. Yeah, no big deal. Honestly we’ve become pretty close and I think we’ll have a relationship until the final days come. I respect him immensely and think he is smart as a whip, but you got to keep up as he talks pretty fast. I don’t think it has anything to do with the Quad Starbucks he has 2 to usually 3 times a day, but Melanie knows Starbucks well, I don’t and I've been once and asked for a regular cup of Joe, Java, regular old black octane. They looked at me like an alien. You’d have thought I was from outer space and I haven’t been to one since. She says no wonder he’s wired!
After three vacations to the hospital and a tracheotomy by one of the leading surgeons in the world, Dr. Nicole VanderHayden. So far we’ve gotten rid of the real culprit which was so much moisture in my lungs, OK Doc no sugar coating - pneumonia. Now IF you’ve read my website in its entirety you will see the #1 killer of people with ALS is pneumonia and I couldn’t shake it for about 2 months, not good. It took a lot of time to get those two little monsters but we think they’re gone which is a miracle. Usually when people get pneumonia and have ALS they are put to rest and all their friends and families talk about what a great guy or gal the person was. It’s a good ting I’m not a cat, I've used up my 9 lives so no more pneumonia, no more playing golf in our Salem cold, windy and rainy conditions 6 months a year and having a blast. (OOPS that won’t be a problem anyway I can’t walk, so golf is over for me)
Thursday is Melanie and I’s 26th anniversary. The girls are gone with their dad, ah a romantic evening with great food. Iced cold gulf shrimp cocktail, a nice BBQ portion of a beautiful New York steak, a 20 oz. lobster baked to perfection, small potions of twice baked potatoes with cheese brimming over and sour cream dollop on top, some grilled asparagus, the find of our area last year, and a nice bottle of Veuve Cliquot. Sounds pretty darn good doesn’t it? It sure does to me. I haven't been able to eat any solid food in over 2 years, and I’m pretty much over being around the food but that smell is a killer. Thank goodness I can have liquids so I can enjoy a little of the Veuve Clicquot with the woman I married 26 years ago.
That’s ALS for you; THE PROBLEM IS EVERYBODY ELSE AROUND YOU; friends, family and spouse, it’s a killer. Think about it and it could come anytime to anybody. So when you think about it, and your online go to the website www.jimculveyhouse.com and give a little, or call them at the Regional office. These aren’t tough things to do, and I can tell you we need to find a cure for this disease. $5, $10 won’t change your lifestyle but with your 100% dollars going to research it certainly will help.
Enjoy your dinners Thursday night! I’m still around!
Jim
www.jimculveyhouse.com read it there’s a contest!
Sorry the update is a little late I went on vacation again to Salem Hospital. Down for the count but back up and down goes Frazier (our nickname for pneumonia!)! I know ½ the hospital now, and all the wonderful people I met. My main Doctor that I call Doctor Midnight because he works such long days and he says I see my best patients that don’t need me as much later at night, later isn’t Midnight to 4AM but that shows his dedication and care he gives to his patients. This was from a guy who saved my life about 16 hours earlier. Yeah, no big deal. Honestly we’ve become pretty close and I think we’ll have a relationship until the final days come. I respect him immensely and think he is smart as a whip, but you got to keep up as he talks pretty fast. I don’t think it has anything to do with the Quad Starbucks he has 2 to usually 3 times a day, but Melanie knows Starbucks well, I don’t and I've been once and asked for a regular cup of Joe, Java, regular old black octane. They looked at me like an alien. You’d have thought I was from outer space and I haven’t been to one since. She says no wonder he’s wired!
After three vacations to the hospital and a tracheotomy by one of the leading surgeons in the world, Dr. Nicole VanderHayden. So far we’ve gotten rid of the real culprit which was so much moisture in my lungs, OK Doc no sugar coating - pneumonia. Now IF you’ve read my website in its entirety you will see the #1 killer of people with ALS is pneumonia and I couldn’t shake it for about 2 months, not good. It took a lot of time to get those two little monsters but we think they’re gone which is a miracle. Usually when people get pneumonia and have ALS they are put to rest and all their friends and families talk about what a great guy or gal the person was. It’s a good ting I’m not a cat, I've used up my 9 lives so no more pneumonia, no more playing golf in our Salem cold, windy and rainy conditions 6 months a year and having a blast. (OOPS that won’t be a problem anyway I can’t walk, so golf is over for me)
Thursday is Melanie and I’s 26th anniversary. The girls are gone with their dad, ah a romantic evening with great food. Iced cold gulf shrimp cocktail, a nice BBQ portion of a beautiful New York steak, a 20 oz. lobster baked to perfection, small potions of twice baked potatoes with cheese brimming over and sour cream dollop on top, some grilled asparagus, the find of our area last year, and a nice bottle of Veuve Cliquot. Sounds pretty darn good doesn’t it? It sure does to me. I haven't been able to eat any solid food in over 2 years, and I’m pretty much over being around the food but that smell is a killer. Thank goodness I can have liquids so I can enjoy a little of the Veuve Clicquot with the woman I married 26 years ago.
That’s ALS for you; THE PROBLEM IS EVERYBODY ELSE AROUND YOU; friends, family and spouse, it’s a killer. Think about it and it could come anytime to anybody. So when you think about it, and your online go to the website www.jimculveyhouse.com and give a little, or call them at the Regional office. These aren’t tough things to do, and I can tell you we need to find a cure for this disease. $5, $10 won’t change your lifestyle but with your 100% dollars going to research it certainly will help.
Enjoy your dinners Thursday night! I’m still around!
Jim
www.jimculveyhouse.com read it there’s a contest!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
January 7, 2009
Medical update from “Nurse” Melanie
January 7, 2009
We hope everyone had great holidays and a very Happy New Year. Jim and I had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by lots of family and friends.
Very early Sunday, December 28th Jim was having difficulty breathing, a temperature of 100.4° F, and very thick secretions. We tried all the usual treatments but he was lethargic and I knew something was not right. I called our good friends the Juhren’s at 5:30a.m. and asked if they would help me get him to the hospital.
The one good thing about being on a ventilator is when you enter the emergency room you are taken to a doctor ASAP. They did the usual tests, ask the usual questions and determined he had an infection somewhere. The emergency room doctor was top notch and started Jim immediately on the “big gun” antibiotics.
Jim was admitted to the hospital and we were moved to the 4th floor, PCU. Our “home away from home.” Fortunately, Evelyn was our nurse (she was one of the nurses who cared for Jim in October) and Amy “Donald Trump” was the Charge Nurse. They greeted us with warm affection and although glad to see us they were sorry it had to be in the hospital.
Dr. “Midnight” Silver, our hero, determined Jim had pneumonia and needed to stay for 4-5 days to get IV antibiotics. On Monday afternoon (I had just left to go home after 28 or so hours) and Jim had a mucous plug and went into respiratory distress. They moved him to ICU so he could be monitored more closely. He stayed in ICU until Wednesday night (they moved us at 10:00pm). We were happy because he couldn’t go home if he was in ICU.
We wanted to be released on New Year’s Eve Day but ole’ Doc Midnight said no. We had a great New Year’s Eve with lots of friends and Champagne!! Jim was released, reluctantly, by Dr. Silver and we came home New Year’s Day. Jim is doing well at home. We have been fighting bronchitis/pneumonia since Jim left the hospital in October. I think he needed one more heavy duty round of medications to get ride of it and he did.
The doctors tried to get Jim off the ventilator during the day and he did great in the hospital lying in bed, doing nothing. However, being home and being active does not allow him to breath on his own. But that’s ok, that is why we have a ventilator!
Jim has a follow-up appointment tomorrow; this should tell us a lot about his health and what we can do to avoid these hospital stays. Please continue praying for us, we feel them and God hears them.
Melanie
January 7, 2009
We hope everyone had great holidays and a very Happy New Year. Jim and I had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by lots of family and friends.
Very early Sunday, December 28th Jim was having difficulty breathing, a temperature of 100.4° F, and very thick secretions. We tried all the usual treatments but he was lethargic and I knew something was not right. I called our good friends the Juhren’s at 5:30a.m. and asked if they would help me get him to the hospital.
The one good thing about being on a ventilator is when you enter the emergency room you are taken to a doctor ASAP. They did the usual tests, ask the usual questions and determined he had an infection somewhere. The emergency room doctor was top notch and started Jim immediately on the “big gun” antibiotics.
Jim was admitted to the hospital and we were moved to the 4th floor, PCU. Our “home away from home.” Fortunately, Evelyn was our nurse (she was one of the nurses who cared for Jim in October) and Amy “Donald Trump” was the Charge Nurse. They greeted us with warm affection and although glad to see us they were sorry it had to be in the hospital.
Dr. “Midnight” Silver, our hero, determined Jim had pneumonia and needed to stay for 4-5 days to get IV antibiotics. On Monday afternoon (I had just left to go home after 28 or so hours) and Jim had a mucous plug and went into respiratory distress. They moved him to ICU so he could be monitored more closely. He stayed in ICU until Wednesday night (they moved us at 10:00pm). We were happy because he couldn’t go home if he was in ICU.
We wanted to be released on New Year’s Eve Day but ole’ Doc Midnight said no. We had a great New Year’s Eve with lots of friends and Champagne!! Jim was released, reluctantly, by Dr. Silver and we came home New Year’s Day. Jim is doing well at home. We have been fighting bronchitis/pneumonia since Jim left the hospital in October. I think he needed one more heavy duty round of medications to get ride of it and he did.
The doctors tried to get Jim off the ventilator during the day and he did great in the hospital lying in bed, doing nothing. However, being home and being active does not allow him to breath on his own. But that’s ok, that is why we have a ventilator!
Jim has a follow-up appointment tomorrow; this should tell us a lot about his health and what we can do to avoid these hospital stays. Please continue praying for us, we feel them and God hears them.
Melanie
Sunday, January 11, 2009
November 17, 2008
Melanie has updated on the month I kind of missed, October 2008. When I say missed people could see me, my eyes were open, but 5 minutes later I could not tell you were there or what was said. It’s a pretty scary feeling and to go through it for 18 days you do wonder if that’s just the way it’s going to be because if it was some decisions needed to be made. But constant patience from loving life Melanie, Reassurance from one of our best friends Robin Juhren and the passionate spirituality of my sister-in-law Dee who were all my “sitters’ I finally “came back!”. Trust, faith, and prayer – good things to pass some time away.
I thought I’d end this part of the year with the beginning of this year.
New Year’s Day; January 1, 2008
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!
As my precious 5 year old nephew, Prescott, would say, “Happy New Year Everybody!” Most of us get to the end of a year and think “I’m glad that year’s over!” Every day, every month and every year our lives are filled with good things, bad things and ugly things. How we deal with each one of these is the secret to a full and blessed life.
January 13, 2008
My 54th birthday
February
Went to Vegas for 10 days; meeting with 2 groups MDA and ALSTDI as we are seeing if it’s feasible to have a charity golf tournament in my name in Las Vegas.
March
Shawn, my sister, Alex, my brother-in-law, Prescott, my 5 year old nephew and Aubree, my 10 month old goddaughter came and visited for Easter. March Madness was as good as ever. DR. Silver became my new pulmonologist so I don’t have to always drive to Portland. I like him, he’s smart, he has a wealth of information and he spends quality time with you. On March 26th Melanie and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary; I had something designed that has been in mind for over 10 years.
April
As always the second week of April kicks off golf with the Masters. Congratulations Trevor Immelman, your life has change. Dana Londin, our Club’s head pro had planned a special event to kick off May, which is ALS Awareness Month. H had 10 of the top local PGA pros compete in a 9 hole shootout and the pros procured “pledges” from their members. We raised $23,601.00, an unbelievable amount and that’s when I thought of the Spotlight Person of the month because Dana did as good as job as anybody could possibly do on this event.
May
Sometimes you really get surprised in life and this is one of those times. May is ALS Awareness Month. National MDA picks 31 people (one per day) as “their day” for fighting through the disease and helping in some way to help spread the Awareness of ALS. I had just been honored to be named MDA-ALS Research Spokesperson for the State of Oregon for my fundraising efforts that were starting to get some media coverage. I was honored and proud to have May 13, 2008 proclaimed Jim Culveyhouse Day forever.
June
It took a lot of years but while we were in New York for the US Tennis Open I saw the neatest fountain. I grabbed a couple of napkins and copied it in small scale on the napkin. I found a great guy here in Salem through a mutual friend who was willing to take it on. He did a great job and it is an exact small replica of the one in New York City.
July
I thought I wrote one of my best updates that month. All these are on the website www.jimculveyhouse.com’ It was called Body, Heart and Soul. My body was deteriorating, my heart was broken as I couldn’t play golf anymore, but the one thing ALS could never take from me was my soul. Our best man and my old running buddy JT, Jim Terry, from Atlanta stopped for a day in between some business in Seattle and a late flight. It was great to see him and we had a nice talk.
August
Met with everyone we needed to; Sarah will go to South Salem High School and Pari to Sprague High School. Melanie had her 54th birthday on the 18th. Please go to Past Updates at the bottom of Jim’s updates page and read the tribute I wrote for Melanie, people have no idea how good she’s been for me for the past 25+ years and here she is again being ask to sacrifice everything for a dying husband, This lady is something, I lucked out big time in world of romance.
September
Did the US really win the Ryder Cup? And by that much? I still must be dreaming. My beloved Dodgers made a pretty good run and if they wouldn’t have gotten Manny in the best trade for one team I’ve ever heard of since Babe Ruth. I received a brace to strengthen my right leg, that matches my left leg.
October
On the 3rd I received the most memorable thing, next to my darling wife; I’ve ever received that is on the front page. A day’s tribute with an award that will be presented every year to someone who portrays what I tried to the game of golf and that’s the spirit of the game. (Please refer to the front page.
October 6th I was rushed to the hospital (see Melanie’s update) and returned home on October 23rd.
Lots of ups and downs, but I honestly feel like the luckiest man on the earth.
The more you give you get twice more in return.
I thought I’d end this part of the year with the beginning of this year.
New Year’s Day; January 1, 2008
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!
As my precious 5 year old nephew, Prescott, would say, “Happy New Year Everybody!” Most of us get to the end of a year and think “I’m glad that year’s over!” Every day, every month and every year our lives are filled with good things, bad things and ugly things. How we deal with each one of these is the secret to a full and blessed life.
January 13, 2008
My 54th birthday
February
Went to Vegas for 10 days; meeting with 2 groups MDA and ALSTDI as we are seeing if it’s feasible to have a charity golf tournament in my name in Las Vegas.
March
Shawn, my sister, Alex, my brother-in-law, Prescott, my 5 year old nephew and Aubree, my 10 month old goddaughter came and visited for Easter. March Madness was as good as ever. DR. Silver became my new pulmonologist so I don’t have to always drive to Portland. I like him, he’s smart, he has a wealth of information and he spends quality time with you. On March 26th Melanie and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary; I had something designed that has been in mind for over 10 years.
April
As always the second week of April kicks off golf with the Masters. Congratulations Trevor Immelman, your life has change. Dana Londin, our Club’s head pro had planned a special event to kick off May, which is ALS Awareness Month. H had 10 of the top local PGA pros compete in a 9 hole shootout and the pros procured “pledges” from their members. We raised $23,601.00, an unbelievable amount and that’s when I thought of the Spotlight Person of the month because Dana did as good as job as anybody could possibly do on this event.
May
Sometimes you really get surprised in life and this is one of those times. May is ALS Awareness Month. National MDA picks 31 people (one per day) as “their day” for fighting through the disease and helping in some way to help spread the Awareness of ALS. I had just been honored to be named MDA-ALS Research Spokesperson for the State of Oregon for my fundraising efforts that were starting to get some media coverage. I was honored and proud to have May 13, 2008 proclaimed Jim Culveyhouse Day forever.
June
It took a lot of years but while we were in New York for the US Tennis Open I saw the neatest fountain. I grabbed a couple of napkins and copied it in small scale on the napkin. I found a great guy here in Salem through a mutual friend who was willing to take it on. He did a great job and it is an exact small replica of the one in New York City.
July
I thought I wrote one of my best updates that month. All these are on the website www.jimculveyhouse.com’ It was called Body, Heart and Soul. My body was deteriorating, my heart was broken as I couldn’t play golf anymore, but the one thing ALS could never take from me was my soul. Our best man and my old running buddy JT, Jim Terry, from Atlanta stopped for a day in between some business in Seattle and a late flight. It was great to see him and we had a nice talk.
August
Met with everyone we needed to; Sarah will go to South Salem High School and Pari to Sprague High School. Melanie had her 54th birthday on the 18th. Please go to Past Updates at the bottom of Jim’s updates page and read the tribute I wrote for Melanie, people have no idea how good she’s been for me for the past 25+ years and here she is again being ask to sacrifice everything for a dying husband, This lady is something, I lucked out big time in world of romance.
September
Did the US really win the Ryder Cup? And by that much? I still must be dreaming. My beloved Dodgers made a pretty good run and if they wouldn’t have gotten Manny in the best trade for one team I’ve ever heard of since Babe Ruth. I received a brace to strengthen my right leg, that matches my left leg.
October
On the 3rd I received the most memorable thing, next to my darling wife; I’ve ever received that is on the front page. A day’s tribute with an award that will be presented every year to someone who portrays what I tried to the game of golf and that’s the spirit of the game. (Please refer to the front page.
October 6th I was rushed to the hospital (see Melanie’s update) and returned home on October 23rd.
Lots of ups and downs, but I honestly feel like the luckiest man on the earth.
The more you give you get twice more in return.
October 28, 2008
Medical update from Melanie Culveyhouse (Jim’s wife)
On Monday, October 6th Jim was admitted to the Salem Hospital for, what we thought was a mild case of pneumonia. We were instructed by his pulmonologist, Dr. John Silver, to go to the emergency room and have them evaluate Jim. By the time we got him to the emergency room Jim was in respiratory distress; I knew we were safe because we were in the hospital, but I was really scared. Emergency staff put him on his BiPap/AVAPS machine which assisted his breathing and allowed the doctor to get his heart rate down and his oxygen levels up.
Many tests were done and lots of antibiotics were given those first two days. Dr. Silver told us Tuesday night “it was time for a trach to be placed.” Because Jim’s lungs are compromised by ALS placing a tube in his trachea opens his airway and allows him to breath on his own or on a ventilator.
A tracheotomy was done on Thursday, October 9th by Dr. Nicole Vander Hayden, a trauma surgeon at Salem Hospital . She was wonderful!! From surgery, Jim was placed on a ventilator and sent to ICU. In ICU the goal was to get Jim off the ventilator during the day and only use at night while sleeping. The first two days that worked great - then the bottom fell out!
Jim started to decline and decline fast. He was unresponsive and his vitals were the pits. I have to admit I thought we were losing him on Monday, October13th. As we later found out Jim not only had a very severe case of pneumonia, he was battling sepsis (Sepsis has been dubbed the medical "perfect storm" because it is a medical crisis that can attack patients who are fighting off even seemingly nonfatal illnesses or injuries. Severe sepsis killed Muppets creator Jim Henson, who had been hospitalized for pneumonia, and recently took the life of actor Christopher Reeve, who was being treated for pressure sores of the skin. With this insidious illness, the body attacks itself. Bacteria inside the body may grow out of control or invade the body from the outside through wounds or IV lines. Sepsis is not an infection; it is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome to an infection, which poses dire risk of organ damage and death.) and kidney failure (due to the sepsis).
By Tuesday night, October 14th Jim was showing signs of improvement but he was very disoriented and delusional from the disease and medications. On Wednesday, I had not slept at the hospital and I arrived that morning at 7:30. The respirator therapist came in at 8:00a for Jim’s normal treatments. He turned to walk out of the room; I was standing at the bedside holding Jim’s hand. Before the Respiratory (our hero Mike Phillips) therapist got to the door Jim starting struggling to breath and is oxygen saturation levels fell like a rock. Mike acted with great care and precision in getting the appropriate help for Jim. Mike called for Dr. Silver. When Dr. Silver arrived he assessed the situation and cleared the room of unnecessary people and started to work on Jim. A mucous plug had lodged in Jim’s airway (Dr. Silver said to tell Jim it was the size of a golf ball) and it needed to be cleared. It took LOTS of medication to calm Jim down, so he rested most of that day. When I was explaining what happened to my family, it was like a scene out of the television show ER. It was like a perfectly choreographed dance, everyone knew what to do and when.
After Wednesday, Jim steadily improved. We were told a date of Oct. 23rd was the target date for release. In order for Jim to be released from the hospital, all caregivers had to learn to take care of his “new” medical needs. We attended classes and passed our 24 hour test (we had to care for Jim for 24 hours.) Last Thursday Jim was sent home in an ambulance accompanied by two very pretty blond, female paramedics!!
We’ve been home five days and Jim continues to regain his strength. The ventilator is going well and we are creating a new “normal” around our house.
As many of you know, Jim and I have a very strong faith in Our Lord, Jesus Christ. He was with us at every turn. The care and the people He placed in our path were nothing short of a miracle. We felt every prayer and witnessed God’s power and mercy first hand.
Jim and I want to thank you for the many prayers and calls of concern. We especially want to thank my sisters Dee and Melinda and our friends Robin and Peter who spent numerous hours by our side in the hospital and with our family helping to keep things going.
Much love to all,
Melanie
On Monday, October 6th Jim was admitted to the Salem Hospital for, what we thought was a mild case of pneumonia. We were instructed by his pulmonologist, Dr. John Silver, to go to the emergency room and have them evaluate Jim. By the time we got him to the emergency room Jim was in respiratory distress; I knew we were safe because we were in the hospital, but I was really scared. Emergency staff put him on his BiPap/AVAPS machine which assisted his breathing and allowed the doctor to get his heart rate down and his oxygen levels up.
Many tests were done and lots of antibiotics were given those first two days. Dr. Silver told us Tuesday night “it was time for a trach to be placed.” Because Jim’s lungs are compromised by ALS placing a tube in his trachea opens his airway and allows him to breath on his own or on a ventilator.
A tracheotomy was done on Thursday, October 9th by Dr. Nicole Vander Hayden, a trauma surgeon at Salem Hospital . She was wonderful!! From surgery, Jim was placed on a ventilator and sent to ICU. In ICU the goal was to get Jim off the ventilator during the day and only use at night while sleeping. The first two days that worked great - then the bottom fell out!
Jim started to decline and decline fast. He was unresponsive and his vitals were the pits. I have to admit I thought we were losing him on Monday, October13th. As we later found out Jim not only had a very severe case of pneumonia, he was battling sepsis (Sepsis has been dubbed the medical "perfect storm" because it is a medical crisis that can attack patients who are fighting off even seemingly nonfatal illnesses or injuries. Severe sepsis killed Muppets creator Jim Henson, who had been hospitalized for pneumonia, and recently took the life of actor Christopher Reeve, who was being treated for pressure sores of the skin. With this insidious illness, the body attacks itself. Bacteria inside the body may grow out of control or invade the body from the outside through wounds or IV lines. Sepsis is not an infection; it is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome to an infection, which poses dire risk of organ damage and death.) and kidney failure (due to the sepsis).
By Tuesday night, October 14th Jim was showing signs of improvement but he was very disoriented and delusional from the disease and medications. On Wednesday, I had not slept at the hospital and I arrived that morning at 7:30. The respirator therapist came in at 8:00a for Jim’s normal treatments. He turned to walk out of the room; I was standing at the bedside holding Jim’s hand. Before the Respiratory (our hero Mike Phillips) therapist got to the door Jim starting struggling to breath and is oxygen saturation levels fell like a rock. Mike acted with great care and precision in getting the appropriate help for Jim. Mike called for Dr. Silver. When Dr. Silver arrived he assessed the situation and cleared the room of unnecessary people and started to work on Jim. A mucous plug had lodged in Jim’s airway (Dr. Silver said to tell Jim it was the size of a golf ball) and it needed to be cleared. It took LOTS of medication to calm Jim down, so he rested most of that day. When I was explaining what happened to my family, it was like a scene out of the television show ER. It was like a perfectly choreographed dance, everyone knew what to do and when.
After Wednesday, Jim steadily improved. We were told a date of Oct. 23rd was the target date for release. In order for Jim to be released from the hospital, all caregivers had to learn to take care of his “new” medical needs. We attended classes and passed our 24 hour test (we had to care for Jim for 24 hours.) Last Thursday Jim was sent home in an ambulance accompanied by two very pretty blond, female paramedics!!
We’ve been home five days and Jim continues to regain his strength. The ventilator is going well and we are creating a new “normal” around our house.
As many of you know, Jim and I have a very strong faith in Our Lord, Jesus Christ. He was with us at every turn. The care and the people He placed in our path were nothing short of a miracle. We felt every prayer and witnessed God’s power and mercy first hand.
Jim and I want to thank you for the many prayers and calls of concern. We especially want to thank my sisters Dee and Melinda and our friends Robin and Peter who spent numerous hours by our side in the hospital and with our family helping to keep things going.
Much love to all,
Melanie
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
September 18th 2008
Jim’s Medical Update
From Melanie
Since my last update, Jim was treated for pneumonia. He is very susceptible now due to his compromised swallowing. He aspirates more and this causes infections in his lungs.
Jim’s right leg is failing so he is being fitted for a brace on Thursday, September 18th. It takes a tremendous amount of energy for him to walk because he has to drag his almost useless left leg and now that the right leg is failing, he is falling more and that is not a good thing. The brace will keep him walking.
Even better is Jim’s custom built, Notre Dame blue, elevating, circle turning, stop on a dime, go 6mph wheelchair is being delivered Friday, September 26th. We are very excited because this will give Jim so much freedom plus conserve what little energy he has. He will be able to go outside, get the mail, visit with neighbors, and maybe even prune his beautiful roses again!
Jim uses a BiPap-AVAPS machine to help him breathe especially when he is lying down. Because the pressure settings are so high, which makes the pressure very strong; Jim has developed a pressure wound on the bridge of his nose. This is very dangerous as any infection would compromise his health so we are going to the hospital once a week for treatment.
I have been searching for months for a new “mask”; one that could withstand the air pressure but not have to be worn so tightly that a sore developed. We tried a new full-face mask last night, it’s not perfect but there are no pressure points and it can handle the air pressure. This seems like a lot of work but the only alternative is for Jim to have a tracheotomy and be placed on a ventilator. This procedure is inevitable but we want to put that off as long as possible and as long as it doesn’t compromise Jim’s health.
I know the above sounds like a lot and, in some respects, it is but Jim is doing well and so am I. My goal is to keep him comfortable and active and so far, he is. Sometimes too active!! but always upbeat and positive.
Love to all………..until my next update,
Melanie
From Melanie
Since my last update, Jim was treated for pneumonia. He is very susceptible now due to his compromised swallowing. He aspirates more and this causes infections in his lungs.
Jim’s right leg is failing so he is being fitted for a brace on Thursday, September 18th. It takes a tremendous amount of energy for him to walk because he has to drag his almost useless left leg and now that the right leg is failing, he is falling more and that is not a good thing. The brace will keep him walking.
Even better is Jim’s custom built, Notre Dame blue, elevating, circle turning, stop on a dime, go 6mph wheelchair is being delivered Friday, September 26th. We are very excited because this will give Jim so much freedom plus conserve what little energy he has. He will be able to go outside, get the mail, visit with neighbors, and maybe even prune his beautiful roses again!
Jim uses a BiPap-AVAPS machine to help him breathe especially when he is lying down. Because the pressure settings are so high, which makes the pressure very strong; Jim has developed a pressure wound on the bridge of his nose. This is very dangerous as any infection would compromise his health so we are going to the hospital once a week for treatment.
I have been searching for months for a new “mask”; one that could withstand the air pressure but not have to be worn so tightly that a sore developed. We tried a new full-face mask last night, it’s not perfect but there are no pressure points and it can handle the air pressure. This seems like a lot of work but the only alternative is for Jim to have a tracheotomy and be placed on a ventilator. This procedure is inevitable but we want to put that off as long as possible and as long as it doesn’t compromise Jim’s health.
I know the above sounds like a lot and, in some respects, it is but Jim is doing well and so am I. My goal is to keep him comfortable and active and so far, he is. Sometimes too active!! but always upbeat and positive.
Love to all………..until my next update,
Melanie
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
