The Continuing Saga of Our Rock Star, Skip Wilcox

Here is the latest update concerning Skip. This message is from Jamie so is accurate. She wants to make sure that everyone understands Skip at this time cannot have visitors. He may be our very own "Rock Star" but this much loved man needs to be able to recover and get back to Bayview,


October 26, 2012

Skip is no longer in CCICU and has moved to the Rehab Unit at the hospital. All tubes are out and he is eating soft foods. He has lost a lot of weight, but is trying to put it back on. His therapy is intense and makes him very tired as he does it three times per day to include riding a bike. His heart is doing GREAT! After being in bed since the last week of September and not being able to eat for 5 weeks, I am sure you all can understand how important his therapy is at this time. It is all about putting on weight and getting his physical strength back. His mind is as sharp as ever and so is his sense of humor.

Per his doctor's orders, he still cannot have visitors even though he is out of Critical Care. Family is only allowed to see him after 5:30 in the evening at this time. It may be possible that he will be able to start having visitors on Saturday, November 3rd; however the family will keep us posted and I am told that nursing staff will monitor how many can visit and when. There will also be a sign on the door stating "Do not disturb if sleeping." Visits will be very short to begin with and only allowed on Saturday and Sundays so his therapy is not compromised. The cards and letters are very important to him, so please keep them coming as well as your thoughts and prayers. The addresses is still the same as below but indicate "REHAB UNIT so he will get them in a timely manner.

Donald "Skip" Wilcox
C/O Kootenai Medical Center - Rehab Unit
2003 Kootenai Health Way
Coeur D'Alene, ID 83814

October 203,02012

Alex and I had the opportunity to speak with Skip on the phone Sunday morning. He sounded good considering how sore his throat has been. He has a voice kind of like Rod Stewart right now. After all he has been through, he is a Rock Star in my honest opinion. He wanted me to let everyone know that he "hopes to be back in the neighborhood very soon" and wanted to "thank everyone for all the cards and letters." Keep them coming as it really helps the healing process and he is decorating the walls in his room with them. He also wanted to "thank everyone for taking care of his house and boat." He appreciates all that has been done on his behalf. According to one of his daughters, he is walking around the nurses station on the CCICU. The family has still requested no visitors at this time, but will keep me informed as to when that will be possible.

Keep up the thoughts and prayers along with the cards and letters. I will inform everyone when he is off the CCICU so any mail can get to him quickly.

Jamie Berube

Norma Jean

Skip Wilcox

The continued progress for Skip's recovery ....

"Skip is off the ventilator. He needed to be sedated again to take fluid off his lungs and he is sleeping. He was able to say a couple of words and his throat is very sore. Please say some prayers that he will stay off the vent and continue his journey to recovery as the next 24 hours will be very important for him to stay off the ventilator. He is still in the Critical Care ICU and will be there for approximately 10 days. Still no visitors but keep the cards coming."

Information provided from a friend of mine.

Norma Jean

Update on Skip's Condition.

"Hello All:

Just got a call with a slight update on Skip's condition. Skip was taken to surgery this week and a pacemaker was put in to regulate his heart. He is still not awake and has an infection. He will be taken off all medications except for the antibiotics fighting the infection in his body. Kidneys are "par" according to the family, so I am hoping that means "okay and functioning at par" considering all Skip has been through. By taking him off all pain medications the hope is he will start to wake up. According to one of my nurses here at work, it can take up to 3 or 4 days for someone to wake up from a medical induced coma and for the medications to run through the body. Please keep up thoughts and prayers and of course cards. He will enjoy seeing all the support when he wakes up. I am once again reminding everyone that the family will let folks know when Skip is stable enough to have visitors. Below is the mailing address for the hospital:"

Donald "Skip" Wilcox
C/O Kootenai Medical Center
2003 Kootenai Health Way
Coeur D'Alene, ID 83814

Bayview Community Council Food Drive

On October 6th 2012 members of the Council will be knocking on your door...

Bayview Ccommunity Council

FOOD DRIVE

Saturday, October 6th -

10:00a.m. - 2:00pm

Council Members will be coming

door to door for collections.

If you are not at home that morning, you

may leave them on your porch with a

note. They will be picked up &

delivered to the Athol Food Bank.

Monetary donations are always

accepted & appreciated as well.

Any questions, please call

Sally/3-3590 or Marlys/3-3295.

Thank you for your continued support!

 

"Pay It Forward" dinner

Dean, Josh, and I joined many folks at The American Legion for last Saturday dinner.
I enjoyed as did Dean seeing many friends that I have not seen in awhile. We enjoyed the companioship of the evening.

I recieved an update from Donaa Lopez on the what was collected. I am happy to report we recieved cash donations of $457.00, many cash donations from local businesses and approxiametly 350 pounds of food items. All donations have been taken to the ABC Food Bank, to Charlottes delight!

What a splendid response!

Norma Jean

Skip Wilcox

To All, Skip is currently in Kootenai Medical Center recovering from his surgery.
I am posting verbatium from an email I recieved on Skip's recovery;

"Received an update last night and Skip is still holding his own. He will stay in the medically induced coma for another few days. He is off of most medical machines except for the ventilator and that is to help keep the chance of an occurrence for pneumonia down to a minimum. Family reported that they are able to see him a few minutes at a time and when they talk to him, he will squeeze their hand. All good signs. According to my report last night the doctor and the family are pleased with the baby steps.

Please remember that the family has requested no visitors at this time and they will let folks know when it would be appropriate for Skip to see people. Again, If people want to send cards, please send as follows. If someone is in the area of the hospital and want to drop a card, they need to take it to the information desk on the first floor and not go to the unit where Skip is recovering.

Donald "Skip" Wilcox
C/O Kootenai Medical Center
2003 Kootenai Health Way
Coeur D'Alene, ID 83814"

Also verbatium is a posting I received via email from a friend,

"Skip had 2 valves replaced, double bypass and 2 aneurisms repaired."

Get well cards to Skip have been available at the Merchantile check-out counter.

My prayers are with Skip. I have grown accustomed to seeing him out and about. In other words we all miss him.

Regarding Hobart Jenkins and Claire Cosgrove, their decision to move to an assisted living apartment was a private decision. I wish both of them well.

Norma Jean