AUGUSTO AND KARLA THANK ALL OF YOU

Thanks

I can't begin to tell you how much your prayers, karma, positive vibes and support have meant to us. Your kindness and concern really made a difference to Karla and our two kids, as they were the ones who had to deal with the emotional roller coaster as my condition varied.  This has been a remarkable experience and your love and support served to recharge Karla and the kids, as I was...lets say...on a mental vacation (more about this later)!  

That was then...This is now 

The kids are fine. They weathered this experience with courage and you had a lot to do with that.  Karla has recovered almost completely and is back to work full time. I should be fully recovered by this summer.  Karla and I have returned to our workout routine of 3 times a week and so we are back to a somewhat normal schedule. I still have about 2-3 months remaining of therapy on my left elbow and I expect (hope) to regain a good portion of my previous range of motion on the elbow. 

Lessons learned

I've been told that my heart stopped three (3) times in the ambulance, which I interpret to be that I died as many. Therefore, I could be considered in some quarters to be an expert on death, at least more qualified than those who have died and returned to life only once or twice. With that as background material, I thought that I would give you report of my experiences and observations in having glimpsed the Far Side of the World!

Observation #1 - I saw no light. I recognize that some of my fellow brethren have reported seeing a light and having a calming sensation, but I neither saw nor felt anything. Now... I am still trying to interpret what that means, because I shudder to think that where I eventually go...will be dark.

Observation #2 - If by chance you have the option to 1) Go quickly or 2) Go Slowly, my recommendation is to Go Quickly. I have no memory of that tragic morning and only have a fleeting "Audio" memory (no visual memory attached) of my brother and father telling me that "I was in an accident, Karla and the kids were fine, stay strong and you are doing fine" several days after the accident. My reaction to their sobering message was as a detached observer.

Observation #3 - If on the other hand you are relegated to Go Slowly, then my recommendation is to demand "Top Shelf Drugs" because that’s what I had and I can tell you they worked!

Observation #4 - My final observation is most relevant to our daily lives and has to do with the "Don't sweat the small stuff" mentality typically associated with a higher level of being. While in the hospital, I had a lot of time to think how my life would change, and I can tell you that I experienced a higher level of being but it only lasted about 3 weeks. Kids have a knack for bringing one back to reality.

Thanks again and may we all have a healthy and prosperous 2012!

Augusto            

Augusto & Karla's Thank You party at the ICU

Well, Jose R. flew from Washington DC to help Karla and Augusto organize the "Thank You" party they threw at the ICU of the Brackenridge Trauma Center of the University of Texas in Austin. They fed a Spanish Paella to about forty people, staff and doctors of the ICU who saved Augusto's life along with the prayers of many of you. The local TV station was there and reported the event.

I also want to "paste" here the Facebook Post that my granddaughter Elena wrote this morning on Facebook. I am so proud of her, notice her humorous literary spark when she says... "Apparently few people than their doctors."  Good job Elena!

Click down on the link to get to the TV video of the lunch event.
Augusto & Karla's Thank you party

Elena's Post:

Well today instead of going to school, I went to Brackenridge Hospital along with my family to thank the doctors who saved my fathers life. Some news crew documented this rare event(apparently people don't thank their doctors often) and shared a heartwarming survival story to the people (mostly retirees) who watch the news at 6 to get the scoop(WATCH THE VIDEO). I THANK ALL OF YOU who supported my family and I through this hard time... there are so many challenges that my family had to overcome as well as recognizing the blessing of family (I know it sounds cheesy). Even a signed card or asking if I was ok or doing something for my family has meant so much and I thank God that I have good friends and family that I have. So go and hug your family because you might never get to say goodbye....

Augusto & Karla's Last update

Hello all stations. This is a Happy report

Karla is almost totally recovered and is back to work.  Augusto came home and has been recovering so well that he, Karla, and Jose Ramon (Augusto's brother) came up with the idea of making a huge Paella dish and taking it to the ICU of the Brackenridge Trauma center where the doctors and staff there performed so well during his time there.
They scheduled the event for today and, as you read, you can see the paella being cooked by Augusto & Karla (Augusto has lost quite a bit of weight!) and the local TV cameraman, who will be covering the event. In a while, they will take the Paella to the hospital and have lunch with doctors, nurses, technicians etc. as a wonderful THANK YOU.

Post-Thanksgiving News from Karla

Augusto's Post Thanksgiving Update- by Karla

Augusto had some important developments in physical therapy - walking 100 feet on Friday with the modified walker, and demonstrating his skills to the kids on Sunday. It was so great to see him up!

We are all anxious for Augusto to come home and are practicing patience waiting for him to be ready. He'll need to be mostly independent (physically moving and transferring himself in and out of bed and wheelchair) in order to come home. He is making great progress towards that!

Thanks for your love and kindness, KARLA

November 25, 2011-- Thanksgiving report by Karla

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Just spent a great day with Augusto (and extended Taylor family) at St. Davids rehab. We shared our homemade Thanksgiving dinner with him and it was so wonderful to be eating together! 

Elena, our daughter, made some terrific chocolate flan that we shared with all the nursing staff, making Augusto the most popular guy on the floor, as if he weren't already!

We brought in a 2 and a half foot Christmas tree donated by a terrific friend and decorated with ornaments that have our family photos on it. Also brought a photo album of family outings from the last year. 

Augusto and I are just so especially THANKFUL this year for our lives, and our families and friends that have helped us through this tough time. 

OK, now the really good stuff: Augusto's left elbow is progressing well enough that he can use his left arm "as tolerated," which means as long as it doesn't hurt too much. This is a great development as it means he can use both his right and left arms to move his body, instead of just his right arm. 

So, now in physical therapy yesterday, the therapist provided a modified walker, that has an arm rest for the left arm, so that Augusto could stand up and walk 5 steps!!! He is able to put some pressure on his right leg and most of the pressure on his arms at this time. 

The doctors said he has to be non-weight bearing for 3 months in order for his pelvic bone and fractures to heal. He's already put in 5 plus weeks so he is making progress. The therapists respect his doctors orders and also help push the patients to self-sufficiency. So, he's not ready to walk at length, but it is truly a big boost for Augusto to take some real steps to his ultimate recovery!!

In signing off tonight, I can't begin to tell everyone how important each of you have been to our rejuvenation and restoration. We are so lucky in so many ways. Many thanks and love to all!

Karla

MONDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 14, 2011

Augusto continue to improve in his recovery. He is at the St. David's Hospital in Austin in the rehab wing.  When he was transferred, he was still been fed through a tube since he was having trouble with swallowing (normal for his 3 weeks with breathing tube).  Today he "passed the swallowing test" Big Hurray for him. However the tube is still needed because he has to start swallowing liquids, Jello, etc. but not solids yet.  He is doing a lot of physical therapy, occupational, and others and gets tired so we call and talk to him for a very short time.  Karla is a tower of strength and has a great support group which has been invaluable. She is walking without the walker and the face is healing well.
She asks me to pass on to all of you the - how important this support has been.
We continue our way south aboard ALFIN sailing away from the cold weather and this is why I have been remiss lately in updating this page.  Thanks for your patience

November 7, 2011 Reported by Karla and summarized by Anita

This is Augusto's update, Karla just called.

-  NO canula oxygen,  now he is totally breathing by himself

-  Pneumonia, a little better.

-  Food: He is still being fed by a tube, Karla is going to ask the doctor to try a swallowing test later.

-  Respiratory system: Breathing is stable

- Awareness: Today was fine, though insisting to get a wheelchair to go home.  Last night at midnight

  the nurses noticed him confused in a awareness test, they say it could be because the length of time in ICU.

- He is in ICU, but in practical terms he is in Intermediate Care for the type of care he requires.  The room

  in the floor Augusto needs is still busy.

I'll keep you informed.