Tag Archives: challenges

Update on Anthony and Reed

Anthony and me after he was released from the hospital the first time.

Anthony and me after he was released from his first visit to the hospital this month.

Hello and Happy 2016!

The year has started off with both Anthony and me spending way too much time around doctors! I had a scheduled surgery to repair my labrum, the part that connects your bicep to the rotator cuff, on January 7th. It’s been almost three weeks and I am doing ok. I’m still in some pain, especially when I do my exercises but honestly it’s been way better than I thought. The biggest challenge, besides simply not being able to use my dominant arm, is sleeping. I have to sleep sitting up. I rented a recliner from Rent-A-Center (nightmare experience by the way) which has proved to be worth the pain of dealing with them.

Anthony has had much more critical issues. He has been hospitalized twice in the past two weeks. He suffered a stroke in his left parietal lobe. He was released about five days later and was doing ok until earlier this week when his speech worsened and he demonstrated a few other signs that the stroke was potentially progressing. I called 911 for him and he returned to the hospital where he has since been released. He is doing ok, but needs speech and physical therapy to help aid in his recovery. All of this was going on during Snowzilla to make matters more complicated.

Anyway, I continue to be in touch with Anthony daily and always pass along all the warm words of encouragement I receive from you. This has been a particularly hard month for him financially as well as he hasn’t been able to work most of the month due to hospital visits and recovery. If you would like to help him with this month’s rent, you can make a donation here.

 

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Anthony Released from the Hospital

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Anthony at George Washington Hospital (photo: Reed Sandridge)

I got up early and headed over to George Washington Hospital. I made my way to room 311. I poked my head in to see Anthony reclined in a standard hospital bed, his head cocked back at an angle watching a TV hanging from the ceiling.

He was happy to see me.

He told me that they were adjusting his medications and trying to stabilize his blood pressure. “They say they are gonna release me today but that all depends on getting my blood pressure way down.”

Our conversation was intermittent. His concerns and thoughts were clearly visible on his bearded face.

“I’m just waiting on Continue reading

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Anthony Hospitalized

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute a normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80. (photo courtesy: foxnews.com)

I got a call from Anthony this afternoon from George Washington Hospital. After going to one of the free clinics in DC, he discovered that his blood pressure had soared to 218/164 – alarmingly high especially given that he is on more than a half dozen blood pressure medications. The doctor sent Anthony straight to the emergency room and he was admitted.

They are running a series of tests and adjusting his medications in attempts to get his blood pressure down as he is at a heightened risk of stroke or heart attack.

I’m going to go visit him in the morning and see how he is doing. Please keep Anthony in your thoughts.

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