Mary is truly a Christmas miracle. Being able to spend Christmas with Mary is the greatest Christmas gift I could ever have. Mary and I want to thank all the family, friends and Diamond Innovations employees who gave so generously to the Mary Warren Quick Recovery Fund that was set up by Jeff & Helen Phelps, & Toy Russo. Let me assure you the money will be used wisely. I feel like Jimmy Stewart in a Wonderful Life.

December 24, 2009 10:00 PM Mary had physical therapy, and  occupational therapy today.  She is able to move her toes, she is having trouble with drop foot. She was in a great deal of pain when moving her feet, but has made some good progress. We are going to work with her twice a day for the next 4 days while the therapist are away. The Cardiologist talked with us today her heart is still functioning at 25% he is in hopes that it will continue to improve. Mary is on an ACE inhibitor and lasix for her heart. The endocrinologist talked with us today. She explained that the thyroid medication she was taking was damaging her bone marrow, and was hard on the kidneys and liver. Since right now her thyroid is in check they are going to monitor her TCH level and not going to give her anything unless absolutely needed. Eventually Mary will need to have a Thyroidectomy or Radioactive Iodine Treatment (RAI). As it turns out Mary had a number of classic thyroid symptoms that everyone had missed. Mary now has developed a sugar problem and they are controlling it with 3 shots a day of byetta. Mary's swelling is finally starting to go down and she is still not taking any pain medication. Happy Christmas eve to everyone.

December 23, 2009 10:00 pm Mary is in good spirits. She is continuing her occupation therapy, physical therapy, what a long tedious and frustrating process for Mary. They had to remove the trach tube that allows her to talk due to Mary have some breathing difficulties. She is having a test on her liver on Thursday. All her numbers are looking better and she looks great. Helen brushed her hair which made her feel better. Thanks everyone for your love, support, and prayers. 

December 22, 2009 10:00 pm Mary is adjusting to the Select Specialty Hospital and is working hard to overcome her physical problems.  Mary had therapy today and she did very well. Her arms are moving better her right wrist was very swollen and they had to loosen her patient identification badge due to the activity. She has about 50 extra pounds of water weight which is hard for her to take because of her exercising and loosing over 30 lbs in 2.5 years. The more active she becomes the more she will loose this water weight. The pulmonary Doctor saw her today and placed a different trach tube in that will allow her to talk. The Doctor told her it would take a little while before she could talk. She had tried a few times with out success. I was thinking that her first words would be something special. Her assigned MD came in and talked to her, he told her she would be here for approximately 25 to 40 days. So after the Doctor told her that her first word was CRAP which Jeff, Helen and I could make out clearly.  Her next words were to Helen "itch my arm" in a very weak raspy voice.

December 21, 2009 11:45 pm Mary was transported by  ambulance to the Select Specialty Hospital she is in the SCU Unit. This hospital is suppose to be one of the best rehab hospitals in the state. Mary continues to be able to move her arms. The swelling is starting to go down in her legs and she can wiggle her toes.  She still can not push the nurse call button which concerns me. She is very weak and has lost all of her muscle tone which is normal for a person who has been down as long as Mary has been. I hope she will be able to talk soon because a few times I could not read her lips. She is in good spirits and she wants to come home but realizes she has to get better before she can make the move home. I even saw a smile on her face a few times and saw her laugh a few times when Jeff Phelps had made a couple of jokes. She is on her way to recovery but she is still in critical but stable condition. Mary has come a long way but she has long way to go. Thanks everyone for your love, support, and prayers. 

December 20, 2009 9:00 PM Mary's numbers continue to go down. She looks great and she is doing well moving her arms and is not quite as swollen. She is very alert and very sharp; I can't wait till she can talk. We  did have a little scare, her heart had to be monitored due to a very irregular heart beat, but when I left everything was fine. Mary had visitors from the OSU football team and got an autographed football. They were impressed with the old hags from Ohio state pictures of the clapper sisters spelling OHIO and I recited there cheer which made the players laugh.  That seemed to make her day. We are hoping she will be moved to the rehab hospital on Monday. 

 December 19, 2009 3:30 PM. Helen has been great  working with Mary rubbing her arms and legs. Mary is moving her right arm amazingly well. She actually raised her arm and scratched her face. She still does not have the ability to press the nurse call button. Over all she is moving her arms pretty well, her legs are still very swollen and hard for her to move. She looks good and all her numbers are coming down including that bun number. I fell asleep holding Mary's hand and actually think I was snoring. She looked at me and said go home. She still can not talk due to the trech tube. We heard a rumor Monday she is moving to Select Specialty Hospital for rehab. 

December 18, 2009 6:00 PM Mary is resting she is still very weak and swollen. She now has the peg tube (feeding tube) placed in her abdomen. It is nice to see  her face with out the feeding tube in her nose. She continues her therapy and she told me she frustrated the therapist today (although she did not use those words). She is impatient with her progress but she is doing okay. All her numbers are almost normal with the exception of her bun number which is coming down gradually. I think she will be going to a rehab hospital in the next two weeks. She is still in serious but stable condition. I can't wait till she can talk. Thanks everyone for your love, support, and prayers.

  December 17, 2009 2:30 PM Mary is going to have to have a peg tube put in her abdomen (feeding tube). She is very alert, she still has some fluid on her lungs. Her therapy is going slow but she is making some improvement. She has set up three times since the 15th with the aid of a device called the mighty max kind of like a hammock that goes under her. Her poor legs are very swollen and it causes her pain when she moves them. Her bun number continues to go down (yeah). She is still making good progress it's just slow. I am sorry I did not post anything last night. Our roadrunner was down last night, and I was preparing documents for the SS.  Thanks everyone for your love, support, and prayers.    

December 15, 2009 9:00 PM  Mary tried to say something to me and I did not understand until I was on the way home. She was trying to say "call me when you get home". What can I say she was concerned about my safety. She had therapy today and was set up on the side of her bed. I know it bothered her how swollen her poor body looks. Helen explained to her that this was only temporary. Helen was with her during the day and think this helps her a lot. Mary's bun number finally started going down (a big sigh of relief) She had a CT scan and it revealed some water on her lungs. She is going to go back on the ventilator tonight only to keep her lungs more inflated. The doctors are probably going to give her something for her depression. Her mind is good her body is progressing slowly and it ticks her off. Her echo cardiogram showed her heart function was improving. I wish you could see her facial expressions they are animated and you can see her strong spirit. All things considered she had a very good day. Thanks everyone for your love, support, and prayers.

December 14, 2009 9:00 PM Mary wants to go home that is an understatement. She lets me know and her looks tells me that I am not a very good husband because I do not help her out the door. Mary has no concept of how sick she was, and unfortunately her body is not keeping up with her mind. Helen worked with Mary and rubbed her hands arms and legs. I had the pleasure of spooning her ice chips tonight which she had 3/4 of a  glass of ice and she had a juice. Considering she has the trech tube in her throat it is no easy feat. She had a echo cardiogram, this evening and they had to use an esophageal suction  to remove a pocket of infection,  which they told me went well. Her motor skills are coming along very very slowly but once they get her in a Cadillac chair I am in hopes they will improve. She has gone over 24 hour with out the aid of a ventilator which is great. Her bun numbers are still a problem, we will just have to wait and see. To tell you how Mary is progressing mentally. I was explaining to her our expenses and I had a meeting with social security on Thursday. I told her that I was going to see if I could get social security Medicare disability for her. She looked up at me rolled her eyes and clearly said DUH You Think.

December 14, 2009 05:30 AM Mary continues to be in good spirits of course she wants to go home. She was not able to move her arms as well today. She will require a lot of therapy and as long as her body cooperates she will be fine. Her bun number is still a big concern but she did not go on the ventilator last night which is a very good thing. Progress is still in baby steps. She is being checked for the cdiff bacteria over the next 48 hours so  we have to wear a gown and gloves. They will be working on a long term strategy for her therapy and recovery this week. She was trying to communicate with me and got frustrated because I did not understand. I did understand one of the words she used which I can not repeat.   

December 13, 2009 12:30 AM When I left the hospital I waved at Mary from the door. She raised her left arm and tried to wave, what a fighter. Mary continues to work on her motor skills which is a very slow and hard process. They have removed her main lines and she is  not taking any pain medication and hasn't for 3 days    (I would be demanding a morphine drip). When I talked to the doctors they were amazed at her progress so far and are already talking about moving her to a Select Specialty Hospital for Long-Term Care in the next few weeks. She was getting very frustrated when trying to work her arms. I could see her frustration and said wow your doing great, she looked at me and mouthed the words Bull S... One of the nurses she had worked with previously had her last night. She told Mary she was glad to see her doing so well and not to be so hard on her self. She told Mary that when she was admitted to the hospital she was one of the sickest people on the 30 room floor. A chill went through my spine considering I have observed this floor does not have the best mortality rate. She does not want me to leave and mouthed to me "I want to go home now" Her bun numbers continue to  rise and is a concern, all her other numbers are almost normal. I am looking forward to when I can talk to her. She wants me to come in before I go to work today which I will. She is still not out of the woods but making good progress. I know everyone wants to see her but please respect her dignity. She does not want people to see her this way. So please only immediate family. We will all celebrate together when she is home. 

December 12, 2009 6:00 AM Mary is breathing on her own and is only put on the ventilator at night. She still can’t talk do to the tracheostomy; but If you could see the expression on her face when I say something stupid to her, you know she is back mentally. For example when  I start singing to her she shakes her head and you know she saying shut up. The therapists are working with her, but this is going to be a long hard process. I told Mary I think once she can flex her muscles in a body builders pose that they probably would let her go home. So a couple of times I looked over and she was trying to lift her weak arms up and flex her muscles. Her white blood cells count has increased slightly and her bun number continues to rise which causes me concern. I am just hoping her kidneys start functioning more efficiently.

   Sorry I did not post anything last night. I fell a sleep on the computer and when I woke up I had pages of a(s). I know some people are concerned about my health. Let me tell you I am great. When I see Mary’s her face light up when she sees me. I feel like a million dollars.   

December 11, 2009 5:30 AM Mary was very tired after getting her bath this morning and was sleeping comfortably. She continues to improve, unfortunately  her recovery is going to take time. We just have to keep her from getting discouraged.

December 10, 2009 9:30 PM Mary continues to do well. Her body is not at the same pace has her mental status which is very frustrating for her. The big thing for her is not to get discouraged. Her bun number is rising but they are trying to kick start her kidneys so she will not have to have the hemodylaysis. She continues her therapy which is a slow process. She does not understand exactly what happened to her and she wanted me to explain to her. I explained to her that she was very sick, she had a thyroid storm which weakened her heart and she required a BiVAD/PVAD pump to relieve her heart temporarily. It also caused problems with her kidneys and liver. So she had to be patient with her recovery. She didn't want me to leave. So I promised her I would see her in the morning and come back after work. Thanks everyone for your love, support, and prayers.

December 9, 2009 8:00 PM Mary is something else! I am sitting beside her holding her hand. She releases my hand and starts raising her very weak arms. I ask her "are you trying to get out of bed" she shakes her head yes and gives me a Mary look like what do you think. One of the therapist happened to be walking by the room when Mary was raising her arms, the therapist talked to Mary's Doctor and they started her physical therapy ahead of schedule. She is mentally ready to leave, unfortunately she is going to require extensively therapy. The big thing for Mary is not to get discouraged. Her numbers are all going down and she still requires hemodialsysis. She is one solid bruise with some major holes in her abdomen. As long as her body cooperates she is on her way to recovery. I am cautiously optimistic, she is one strong lady. Once again thanks for all your love, support and prayers. Since I start back to work on Thursday I will only be posting at nights. 

December 9, 2009 9:15 AM WOW Mary is very responsive, and she really doesn't want me to leave her side. She still is not able to talk due to the tracheostomy.  They have removed the continuous dialysis machine and she will have hemodialysis 3 to 4 days a week which should remove a lot more water from her system. She has a long way to go and I will not go over all the things she has to over come but just know she is improving under the best care and her mental status seems to be as good as it ever was ?? Thanks for all your Love, support and prayers.

December 8, 2009 4:50 PM Mary is out of surgery. The surgeon told me everything went well. The two large drainage tubes have been removed, and another smaller drainage tube has been added. The tracheostomy was done and we'll have to see how she tolerates it. Her numbers continue to improve.  Before she went in I asked her if she wanted me to be in her room after surgery she shook her head pretty vigorously. So you bet I'll be there.

December 8, 2009 1:15 PM Before Mary went back to surgery I asked her if she wanted me to sing for her she shook her head Emphatically NO! She is having a tracheostomy so they can remove the trach tube and also make it easier to regulate her oxygen. They are going to remove the drainage tubes from her abdomen and insert another one. The procedure will take approximately an hour and an hour and half to get ready with all the tubes and IVs she has in her. She is very responsive today and does not want me to leave her side which makes me feel like the luckiest man alive. She has a long way to go, but what a difference a day makes.

 December 8, 2009 If there was any doubt about Mary's mental status it was answered today. I asked her if this was her password xxxxxxxxx , (no I am not going to tell you her password), she distinctly shook her head that was her password. Her color is looking better, she is still very weak, swollen and very poked. Her numbers continue to improve. They are going to do an mri of her head today just to make sure there is no infection in her skull. She is still on the continuous dialysis and they are removing more fluids then they

are giving her (which is good).  They still are not going to remove the drainage tubes from her abdomen. They are going to perform a tracheostomy so they can remove the trach tube and also make it easier to regulate her oxygen.

December 7, 2009 6:05 PM Mary’s numbers keep improving. She is responsive to verbal commands from the nurse. Of course I had to ask her questions which she responded by either yes or no responses (weakly shaking her head). She is still on the continuous

dialysis and they are removing more fluids then they

are giving her (which is good).  They decided not to remove the drainage tubes from her abdomen and let her numbers improve. They are talking about a tracheotomy so they can remove the trach tube and this will hopefully help in her responsiveness. Thanks for everyone's love, support and prayers.   

December 6, 2009 5:30 PM Mary’s resting comfortably today. She is responsive to verbal commands from the nurse. They cleaned her up, and changed her position in bed which took a lot out of her. Her levels are all coming down slightly including her white blood count which is still elevated but coming down slowly. Her catscan did not reveal any pockets of infection. She needed another blood transfusion today. She was a couple quarts low (I know bad sense of humor). She is still on continuous dialysis, and she is going to require more blood platelets when they become available. They decided not to remove the drainage tubes from her abdomen today. I think in part because of the shortage of blood platelets. I talked to her as usual and let her know everyone is asking about her and sends their love and prayers. Every time I have gone in she has been resting so peacefully I just couldn’t wake her up.

December 5, 2009 6:30 PM I have to say I feel like a grade school kid. I told Mary I loved her and told her everyone loved her and was thinking of her. Then I asked her to squeeze my hand if she loved me and she squeezed it ever so softly. I found myself with such a lump in my throat that it was hard to talk. I apologize for all this mushy stuff, I just needed to know she was there for me like I am for her. We have a long long way to go but this has been a great day for me. Hopefully we will find out what is causing her white blood cell count to be elevated. Once again Thanks

for everyone's thoughts and prayers. I ask that everyone please do not send flowers, gifts etc. her room is not equipped to handle it. We will all

celebrate when she is home... 

December 5, 2009 5:45 PM I asked Mary if she could squeeze my hand and she faintly squeezed it. (I almost broke down). She is so weak and very sedated. She has had her catscan and is back on dialysis. I am trying to let her rest but am anxious to get back to her.

December 5, 2009 12:30 PM Mary is resting and very sedated. It's hard for me to let her rest because I want to talk to her so bad. Let me assure you all that I am letting her rest. I just can't believe I could be so emotional about her moving her toes or thumbs. Hopefully this is the start of a lot of good news.

December 5, 2009 7:30 AM Yea! Yea! Mary responded by moving her toes and thumbs and squeezing the nurses hand, the nurse told me it was weak but definite. Of course when I was in the room she didn't do it. All her numbers are coming down with the exception of her white blood cell count which is elevated. She is going to have a catscan today. This will hopefully determine were her infection is coming from. She is very weak and sedated and far from out of the woods but making positive signs of improvement. I always start her day telling her I love her, and how much everyone loves her, thinking of her and praying for her.

December 4, 2009 5:30 PM Mary is very sedated. She seems to be resting as comfortably as she has since this whole ordeal started. Her levels continue to improve. Her main line tube has been replaced. There is an increase in her white cell count and they hope to find the source of the infection. Unfortunately she is not responsive but she is very sedated. Once again Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. 

December 4, 2009 2:45 PM There is not much change and honestly I do not expect any change for a while. They have increased her sedation, and her kidney bun numbers are improving. They are going to replace her main line tube and check for infection. I am still hoping for response to voice commands but it will probably be another day. Once again I personally want to thank everyone for there thoughts and prayers.  

December 4, 2009 7:30 AM Mary's numbers continue to improve. She has an increase in white blood cells which means the possibility of infection. She still is not responsive to voice commands but they still feel this is related to her kidney and liver not being under control. They have backed off the sedation while the Doctors make there rounds. All we can do is stay the course.

December 3, 2009 11:30 PM No change. Mary required more sedation this evening and seems to be resting more comfortably.  I was going in more frequently in hopes of getting some kind of voice response. I talked to the Doctor today they are waiting like all of us for her kidney function bun number to come back down. They believe that once this number comes down she will become responsive, once she is responsive and conscious they will remove her from the ventilator.

December 3, 2009 8:15 AM

Mary is stable but serious her numbers are starting to look better. She is on dialysis and we are hoping as the treatment goes on she will start responding to voice commands. Waiting is very difficult for all of us. I always talk to her and let her know how much everyone is thinking of her.  

Status December 2, 2009 7:30 PM. Mary is stable but serious condition she had some bleeding from some small ulcers in her stomach. That was probably a

result of her breathing tube and her laying on her back. She is heavily sedated and we are hoping she will be communicating as her levels improve.

Status December 2, 2009 3:30 PM Mary has had the PVAD removed her heart is now sustaining her

 (Thank God). She is being closed up right now. Short term is dialysis to regain kidney function, regain liver function. and clearing the infection in her lungs. Long term they will address her heart problems. The irony is her heart function will be the same as before this whole ordeal started.   

Mary's status December 2, 2009 12:15 PM Mary is going into surgery between 1:00 & 2:00 the surgery will take about 1 1/2 hours and 1 1/2 hours to close her up. They plan to remove the PVAD start her on dialysis  and take another biopsy of her heart. 

Mary's status December 2, 2009 10:15 AM

Not much has changed in Mary's condition she now has a lung infection which is being treated by antibiotics. They are planning to take her to the ER and see if her heart can function on it's own and possibly removing the PVAD. Which is good thing this means her heart does not seem to be diseased. She is still non responsive which they attribute to her kidneys not getting any better. I know Mary would be amazed of everyone's love and support.  

Mary's status December 1, 2009 7:45 PM There is a glimmer of hope I saw her blink normally twice. I no it's not much but it is a big change since her eyes have been open most of the time.

Mary's status December 1, 2009 4:45 PM  Unfortunately there has been no updates they are taking  xrays of her liver. Mary is still not responsive to voice commands, and this is one of the hardest things for me to take since we have never missed a day talking to each other in 26 years. The Doctor explained to me  that until her kidney and liver levels are more in check she may be non responsive. He also told me there is no indication of any brain damage, which makes me  cautiously optimistic. She is probably going to go on dialysis today. They are going to perform a biopsy of her heart to determine if she may need a heart transplant. She is improving but not at the pace that I want.

Mary's status November 30, 2009 7:30 PM. Mary was given a TEE test to determine if her heart was strong enough so the PVAD device could be removed or at least minimized, unfortunately they do not think her heart is strong enough to sustain her at this time.  Mary is still not responsive to voice commands, like she would listen to me anyway, but she is heavily sedated. All her levels are improving and her Kidney and Liver functions are not normal but improving. She is very tuff and has the best care possible.

 Mary's status November 29, 2009 3:45 PM Mary is not responsive to voice commands, which has me concerned, but the Doctors told me that her levels are better and they do not seem to be as concerned as I am. She is heavily sedated and her Kidney and Liver functions are not normal but improving.  She is very tuff and has the best care possible. We are hoping this is just a small set back. Thank you all for your support.

Mary's status November 28, 2009 2:15 PM

Stable but serious her color is good she still can not talk due to the breathing tubes. Mary is very restless which is causing her to be heavily sedated. Today she is not responsive when we talk to her due to the sedation. We are only visiting every 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hour so we will not cause her any unneeded stress. Her Lung functions seems to be almost normal she is having some difficulties with her kidney's and liver but this is not unusual for someone in her condition and is being treated. The Doctor has told us it is going to be a long process and progress will be in baby steps. Mary is under the best care that we could ask for.

Mary's status November 27, 2009 3:00 PM Mary is stable but serious her color is good. She still can not talk due to the breathing tubes.  She is responding some what to voice commands.  Mary is under the best care and Mary is a very strong person.

On November 23, 2009 Mary suffered major heart failure in the emergency room of Grady Memorial Hospital in Delaware. She was administered CPR and oxygen in seconds and was resuscitated. She was life flighted to Riverside Hospital were she was given a Intra-aortic balloon pump, and an external BIVAD/PVAD device to pump blood for her to avoid heart failure. She was then life flighted to Ross Heart Hospital which is were we are today. They believe this was caused by a thyroid storm. 

Remember "Enjoy life you won't get out alive"