Rachael's first full day at Heartland has gone well. Early in the day she was crying which has in a way become the norm for her current state. Later, she was laughing in response to something Nancy and I were laughing at. We were able to let a staff member who is a sold out, God glorifying, life denying, sister in Christ see Rachael's big smile and laugh. We have met quite a few believers here. We have been able to share the burden as ours are shared with a staff member who lost a child. God is at work here. They have church on Sunday with Fellowship of Believers out of Sarasota. We have freely had conversations of a biblical nature with several folks here on staff. Talk about Jesus flows in and out the room throughout the day. The believers have made themselves known to us quickly. Praise you God for putting so many of your kids in our path!
All of Rachael's meds are here and it will be tonight when she gets her first complete set of meds in 24 hours. She had a bit of a rough night but tonight should be much more restful for her. We took the trache cap off as she is simply not yet ready for it. The trache cap covers the air entry and forces her to breathe through her nose and mouth. She can well do that but she is not able to bring up all the mucus yet. So we still need to suction her.
Today, Rachael got to hear many of the messages that have been left on the website. We had a crash course in oxygen handling from MedOx and got to respond to a problem when Rachael's O2 abosortion levels dropped. Together, Nancy and I took care of the situcation as we were here when it occured.
Daniel took Hanna on a bike hike today and they had a picnic at Shamrock Park in Venice. He is a wonderful brother to Hanna and a blessing of a brother in Christ to me. The dude rocks!
The staff here has made us feel secure with their level of care and compassion.
Please continue to pray.
We fervently pray for an on command, voluntary movement. We also pray that her heart rate will normalize.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Rachael Is at Heartland
Rachael was transferred to Heartland at around 3:00 today. It is here that she will begin rehab. She needs to rehab to a point that she can respond to commands consistently. That is the goal. Secondary to that is the training that Nancy and I need to care for Rachael upon her leaving Heartland whenever that occurs.
Transfers are not easy for Rachael or the rest of us. When moving from one facility to another, not only does the person have to go but all the information and medication. Medication is troubling. An order for the meds can not be requested until the patient is at the facility. Then the doctor is contacted, the order written and then the meds acquired. There were some major ones in house but others had to be brought in from CVS and had not yet arrived by 11:00 PM when we left.
We met the folks from Medox here in town. Great and highly informative. They set Rachael up with her air humidification for the trache. She needs that at night.
Nancy was completely exhausted by days end. We maybe said 10 sentences all the way back home.
We have already met some great nurses at Heartland. Dedicated folks. We were informed early on in the afternoon that the first day is the worst for getting settled. We thank them for making this transfer much less stressful than it had the potential to be.
With all the excitement today, Rachael nodded off to sleep at around 10 and that was without any meds all day! She did have a few episodes during the day of high heart rate, repositioning her took care of that.
We are trusting in God's promises. Today we had to practice what we preach regarding trust. After all was done, we were very comfortable leaving her tonight.
We pray that she will respond to rehab. We pray that the Lord will keep her safe and watch over her tonight. We thank God and Praise Him in the Name of His Son for getting us a great nurse, a great oxygen company and finally the road to rehab.
Keep the prayers coming,
Burt and Nancy
PS - To Carol McGough - we sat down with your wonderful meal tonight at 11:30 and it was a delight at the end of a very long day. Thanks Sistah!
Burt and Nancy
Transfers are not easy for Rachael or the rest of us. When moving from one facility to another, not only does the person have to go but all the information and medication. Medication is troubling. An order for the meds can not be requested until the patient is at the facility. Then the doctor is contacted, the order written and then the meds acquired. There were some major ones in house but others had to be brought in from CVS and had not yet arrived by 11:00 PM when we left.
We met the folks from Medox here in town. Great and highly informative. They set Rachael up with her air humidification for the trache. She needs that at night.
Nancy was completely exhausted by days end. We maybe said 10 sentences all the way back home.
We have already met some great nurses at Heartland. Dedicated folks. We were informed early on in the afternoon that the first day is the worst for getting settled. We thank them for making this transfer much less stressful than it had the potential to be.
With all the excitement today, Rachael nodded off to sleep at around 10 and that was without any meds all day! She did have a few episodes during the day of high heart rate, repositioning her took care of that.
We are trusting in God's promises. Today we had to practice what we preach regarding trust. After all was done, we were very comfortable leaving her tonight.
We pray that she will respond to rehab. We pray that the Lord will keep her safe and watch over her tonight. We thank God and Praise Him in the Name of His Son for getting us a great nurse, a great oxygen company and finally the road to rehab.
Keep the prayers coming,
Burt and Nancy
PS - To Carol McGough - we sat down with your wonderful meal tonight at 11:30 and it was a delight at the end of a very long day. Thanks Sistah!
Burt and Nancy
Rachael Is Cleared To Move
Just a quick note between subject changes in class. Rachael is clear of infection and should be moved to Heartland to start rehab today! Thank you for the prayers, please keep them coming.
Burt and Nancy
Burt and Nancy
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Rachel Hinkle Irrevocable Special Needs Trust
A brother at Calvary Chapel Venice has setup an Irrevocable Special Needs Trust for Rachael's medical needs. His friendship and support during this time of the 'things you don't want to deal with' has been a huge blessing. The funds in the trust are distributed by Nancy and can legally only go for expenses towards Rachael's medical needs. All monies spent from this fund require documentation that shows the funds were used for Rachael's medical needs.
If you would like to help but have not known what you can do, maybe this is a way you can help. Please pray about any gift you place in this fund. The Lord needs to be behind this and not emotions. Rachael's expenses for ongoing care will be very high. She is currently on Medicare but once limits are hit, the expenses will be 20% of the charges. When that runs out there may be Medicaid to help some but not at all adequate to cover the bills. We will personally do what we must to get Rachael the best care.
We know that folks wish to help in some way. We are not ones to burden the flock but if the Lord leads, any amount will help. The ongoing expenses will be huge. We are seeking help where ever we can.
Checks should be made out to:
Rachel Hinkle IRR SPL Need TR
The mailing address is:
Rachel Hinkle IRR SPL Need TR
c/o Edward Jones
810A Pinebrook Road
Venice, Florida 34285
Attn: Mark Hyland
Or
Calvary Chapel of Venice
Benevolence Fund
602 Albee Farm Rd.
Nokomis, Florida 34275
You can wire money to:
Northern Trust Company, Chicago, IL
ABA Routing # 071000152
Account Name - Edward Jones
Credit Acct# 78174
(This notation needs to be made or the funds will not make it to Rachael's account)
Further Credit to Rachel Hinkle IRR SPL Need TR 995-09551-1-3
Nancy and I thank you so much for your prayers. Above even the money, prayer is the most important gift you can give us. Once again, if led in the Spirit to give a gift to this fund Rachael will be blessed. We have been able to purchase a Pulse Oximeter that will alert us if she has a problem with her breathing or heart rate from funds already gifted!
Thank you,
Burt and Nancy
If you would like to help but have not known what you can do, maybe this is a way you can help. Please pray about any gift you place in this fund. The Lord needs to be behind this and not emotions. Rachael's expenses for ongoing care will be very high. She is currently on Medicare but once limits are hit, the expenses will be 20% of the charges. When that runs out there may be Medicaid to help some but not at all adequate to cover the bills. We will personally do what we must to get Rachael the best care.
We know that folks wish to help in some way. We are not ones to burden the flock but if the Lord leads, any amount will help. The ongoing expenses will be huge. We are seeking help where ever we can.
Gifts to this fund can not be considered donations as this is not a 501c or charitable entity. If you chose to give to this fund, you will not be able to claim it as a donation. This is simply a gift you would offer to the trust. Here is the info(Please use the banks spelling of her first name)
Checks should be made out to:
Rachel Hinkle IRR SPL Need TR
The mailing address is:
Rachel Hinkle IRR SPL Need TR
c/o Edward Jones
810A Pinebrook Road
Venice, Florida 34285
Attn: Mark Hyland
Or
Calvary Chapel of Venice
Benevolence Fund
602 Albee Farm Rd.
Nokomis, Florida 34275
You can wire money to:
Northern Trust Company, Chicago, IL
ABA Routing # 071000152
Account Name - Edward Jones
Credit Acct# 78174
(This notation needs to be made or the funds will not make it to Rachael's account)
Further Credit to Rachel Hinkle IRR SPL Need TR 995-09551-1-3
If you have any questions, please call Edward Jones at 941-484-3983 or 888-484-3983 and ask for Mark Hyland or Collette.
Nancy and I thank you so much for your prayers. Above even the money, prayer is the most important gift you can give us. Once again, if led in the Spirit to give a gift to this fund Rachael will be blessed. We have been able to purchase a Pulse Oximeter that will alert us if she has a problem with her breathing or heart rate from funds already gifted!
Thank you,
Burt and Nancy
Getting Ready To Move
Rachael's temp is under control. Her heart rate is still a concern but if she hits 120, she is medicated to bring it down. On Friday, another white blood count will be done to see if she has indications of an infection. Today she rested comfortably. Nancy took some time out to rest this afternoon. We are hoping that Rachael will be cleared to move this weekend. We are in no rush as our Lord is in charge and once again, in this delay, He has shown Himself to do the what is best for Rachael. Had she acquired this infection at a rehab facility, she well might have been hospitalized. Her trache is 'capped' meaning that she is breathing only through her mouth and nose now. The trache has to remain in as she still needs assistance with mucus if it builds up in her lungs. She is also on room air, no oxygen from the tanks. These are little stitches that will make her rehab easier.
We have acquired a Pulse Oximiter. It was supplied through funds from a trust setup for Rachael to pay for medical costs and equipment. I am supplying information on it in the next update if you would like to help.
We love the words you guys are offering us. I have read some to Nancy and they DO make a difference. I know it is much to ask to keep praying but please do so. It makes a huge difference.
Prayers are for Rachael to keep stable with her heart rate and no more infections.
God Bless,
Burt and Nancy
We have acquired a Pulse Oximiter. It was supplied through funds from a trust setup for Rachael to pay for medical costs and equipment. I am supplying information on it in the next update if you would like to help.
We love the words you guys are offering us. I have read some to Nancy and they DO make a difference. I know it is much to ask to keep praying but please do so. It makes a huge difference.
Prayers are for Rachael to keep stable with her heart rate and no more infections.
God Bless,
Burt and Nancy
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
New Infection
Just a quick note to let you know that Rachael had a culture come back positive for infection. Another culture is being run to see if the previous one was false positive as her white blood count is normal and she did not have a fever last night.
The Kessler Institute in NJ spoke with us today. Due to medicare funding, they would only be able to have Rachael for about a month. They said that at her current level of cognition it would be a waste of her time. Echoing what we have found by Health South Rehab, she needs to be able to consistently follow commands to benefit from their rehab. So it looks like for the current time God wants Rachael at Heartland. We visited there today and we were very upbeat about the facility. We even met a few believers on the staff. They have church on Sundays by the gang from Fellowship of Believers in Sarasota. That to me is a great ministry. We look forward to be able to get her there in the next 2 days.
Prayer - Please pray that she has no other road blocks from moving on to get her into Heartland and start her rehab.
Needs - If anyone has a 'finger tip' Pulse Oximeter that has the ability to set the thresholds and if met, sound an audible alarm. We need one. 941-545-0713
God Bless,
Burt and Nancy
The Kessler Institute in NJ spoke with us today. Due to medicare funding, they would only be able to have Rachael for about a month. They said that at her current level of cognition it would be a waste of her time. Echoing what we have found by Health South Rehab, she needs to be able to consistently follow commands to benefit from their rehab. So it looks like for the current time God wants Rachael at Heartland. We visited there today and we were very upbeat about the facility. We even met a few believers on the staff. They have church on Sundays by the gang from Fellowship of Believers in Sarasota. That to me is a great ministry. We look forward to be able to get her there in the next 2 days.
Prayer - Please pray that she has no other road blocks from moving on to get her into Heartland and start her rehab.
Needs - If anyone has a 'finger tip' Pulse Oximeter that has the ability to set the thresholds and if met, sound an audible alarm. We need one. 941-545-0713
God Bless,
Burt and Nancy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)