Richard E Kelly

When Bob and Diane left Darrell’s room yesterday afternoon, Darrell was doing well. Plans were for him to have an endoscopy in the evening to see if the doctors could determine what was causing Darrell’s internal bleeding. I will visit Darrell today and report what I hope was delaying the natural healing process.
The doctors did tell us that after they resolve Darrell’s internal bleeding, he will spend three weeks rehabilitating in a special half-way house. Diane tells me that it is a very charming facility. He will be spoiled silly and may not want to leave. Meals are served in a Victorian appointed dining room with table cloths and fine china dishware.
Bob continues to struggle without Darrell but is doing surprisingly well. However, without the daily help that Diane Davies, Mary Ann Cram, and my wife, Helen Kelly, provide him, life would be very difficult. We are now checking into the possibilites of Bob getting professional help. It also might work out to have Bob stay in another section of the half-way house that Darrell will be staying when he is ready to leave the hospital.

It was with some trepidation that I decided to visit Darrell at 9:00 AM this morning. I had learned that he was moved back into Intensive Care last night after having been given a one-hour Echo Cardiogram, and for some reason, I was expecting the worst.
I went to what I thought was Room 485 and as I peeked in I heard, “Hey, Dick. It’s nice to see you.” Turning left to the adjoining room, there seated up in bed was a smiling, perky Darrell Gene Miller. His coloring was great and except for three intravenous tubes bringing nourishment to his body, he looked as good as I have seen him in the last three months.
His mind was sharp as he related his medical history over the last twenty-four hours. In fact, the level of detail was so good, that I easily could have imagined that it was a doctor who was reporting this news. The problem is that Darrell is still bleeding internally, but his doctors are not certain why. Their immediate goal is to find the source and fix it.
Marlene and Don and Diane and Bob will visit Darrell later today, and they will let me know what progress was made, if any, in helping Darrell get back to normal. Tune in later today and I will give you an update.

Day Ten – April 16, 2008
Last night and today were not good for Darrell. While his jaundice is disappearing, he slept poorly and was agitated most of the day. During morning and afternoon visits by Bob, Helen, Diane, and Marlene, Darrell only wanted to sleep. When the nurses came to help him get up for today’s walk, he was light headed and put back in his bed immediately.
We are not certain just what is causing Darrell such discomfort, but the doctors and nurses are doing everything that they can to diagnose and fix the problem. It would also not hurt for those of you who believe in the power of prayer to petition for help.
I would also remind you that all future updates about Darrell will be found on this Blog. You can access it by going to http://www.richardekelly.com
Grateful for your prayers and best wishes,
Dick Kelly