Posted by eugenes wife donna

Good news.... Eugene came home today. He is tired and not sleeping well still.
Seems to have nightmares when he goes to sleep. Not surprising after all his
body has been through. He had four stents put in his main artery that was 99
percent blocked. After the heart attack his kidneys and liver started to shut
down so he just missed going on dialysis and because his liver was not working
he had all kinds of bleeding internally with blood transfusions needed. This is
day 11 and his heart is steady with apparently no permanent damage to the tissue
which they say is very uncommon for a cardiac arrest. His brain is clear and his
personality in tack and that was the worry after we got the other things
working. Casey and I were taken in a family room and told there was little hope
of his making it the first day and he made it through the first night. Then we
were told he probably would be brain dead. He proved that wrong on the second
night by being able to squeeze my hand and wiggle his toes. On the third day we
realized he did not recognize Casey or I. Boy was that scary. But by the fourth
day he was moved from ICU to another critical care ward where he was restrained
for 4 days due to ICU delirium. That is truly scary and if you google it you
will understand why if you do not already know about it. Then he started to
‘clear’ that as they say and everyday he came back a little more. His speech was
bad for the first few days. We could not understand it and he was like someone
drunk and on speed talking very fast about scary stuff. Very upsetting to see a
loved one like that. They said he had the fight or flight reflex so not to touch
him. He perceived it as a threat.
He was so glad to get home today but is
terribly tired. He wanted some cod to eat so that is what I made him. I do not
think he has slept properly since Jan. 1 and he is still anemic. We thought he
would sleep well when he got home but he is having trouble with nightmares. It
will get better every day. When I asked the Dr. about me going back to work she
said there is little to worry about now... the worry was before when he was all
blocked up. But it will be hard not to worry for a while yet. We are pretty
traumatized. All the angels who touched us along the way. Wow. I found Eugene
half off the bed and got him on the floor and did chest compressions with the
911 woman until the Firemen came.. then the Paramedics.. then all the wonderful
and talented people at the hospital. As Eugene got better he commented that the
nurses were all so gorgeous to help a guy recover. They were truly amazing.
Anyway... you can rest easy... he is on the mend. We thank you for your prayers.
When the Dr. took us aside and told us Eugene would live with maybe only memory
problems (we see none) he said this is the part of the job he loves... miracles.

3 members like this

Comment by Ev McTaggart on January 12, 2013 at 9:15pm: Oooooooh, I am so happy to hear this. Thank you so very much for posting.

Comment by Claire m Israelson on January 13, 2013 at 6:10am: I didn't know that Eugene had been so sick. What a traumatic experience for all of you. Wishing you all the best.

Comment by Susanne Skene on January 13, 2013 at 10:55am: Thank you for posting this news about Eugene. I also wasn't aware that he had suffered a near fatal heart attack. Eugene is really appreciated, loved and respected here at The Art Colony so please send him our regards and be assured that we'll keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

Comment by Jeffrey A. Knight on January 13, 2013 at 12:16pm: Eugene, my friend, get well. I look forward to your beautiful art work. Take care. God bless you and your family.

Comment by Thaneeya McArdle on January 13, 2013 at 1:28pm: Eugene, you're in our thoughts and I wish you a full recovery. So happy to hear you pulled through. Hope you get lots of rest and relaxation for now. They do say that making art can be a healing process, so I envision more art-making in your future!

Donna, thank you for posting this update. I didn't know what had happened until you posted. Sending warm wishes to you and your family. Take care!

Comment by Cat Demkiw on January 15, 2013 at 2:08pm: To a speedy recovery warm wishes for you and your family. Sending happy thoughts your way so you get well soon.

Comment by Wanda Sue Bailey on January 19, 2013 at 2:40am: Robert you Have to get well and get some more inspiration flowing my way!! Get well soon!

Comment by Christina Mcclintock on January 20, 2013 at 10:20pm: Oh Donna, I wasn't aware of Eugene being ill. He is my. Inspiration in hete. I'm soon to be the "featured artist " in here and during my interview I expressed how my "perfect" art day would be and all I could think of is spending the whole day with him soaking up everything he could teach me!!! Eugene is sssooo talented. Please take care of yourself!!!! And tell Eugene I'm sending positive thoughts his way.
Thoughts and prayers to ALL of your family
Christina

Comment by Meg Mackenzie on January 23, 2013 at 3:54am: Speedy recovery, Eugene. You have been in my thoughts.

Comment by Sourav Bose on February 4, 2013 at 2:33pm: I am so sorry Eugene about your ordeals. It's good to hear that u r now slowly getting better. Life is full of ups and downs but u know what, with a loving family like u have, u will pull thru. Let art be the vent for your emotions and it will take u to dimensions seldom experienced.

Get well soon pal. Thanx by the way for liking my painting. It means a huge lot to me!

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