RHD.
Jeremy Fichman and his fiance Karen.
(no subject)
Does anybody have any pictures of Jer for posting?
Jeremy Fichman BT Memorial
It will be held at Mason Park, in Chatsworth, CA at 7:30pm on Saturday, June 11th.
Dinner and Tequilla shots afterwards, if folks are up for it, at Los Toros on Devonshire (about 3 blocks away).
Mason Park
Los Toros
See you there.
Dinner and Tequilla shots afterwards, if folks are up for it, at Los Toros on Devonshire (about 3 blocks away).
Mason Park
Los Toros
See you there.
:(
Yesterday, June 1st, 2005, Jeremy Fichman passed away at the age of 30.
I'll miss you, jer.
I'll miss you, jer.
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Good news continues
"Spoke with Fred (Jer’s dad)
They got a good report from the neurologist today. It looks like it definitely won’t be as bad as they initially thought.
The doctors are hopeful he’ll get movement back, even on the left side which is what was damaged by the stroke.
Today he had a tracheotomy and a feeding tube put in to help him breathe and eat. He was having trouble with the tubes down his throat from the ventilator, so the tracheotomy will help with that. Fred pointed out that although it doesn’t sound like it, those two procedures represent progress! His trouble breathing and getting nutrition was slowing down his recovery.
Overall, they think he’s going to be better than they initially thought. Today he’s very unconscious because of the surgeries. According to Fred he looks a lot better than yesterday. He does have pneumonia which they’re treating with antibiotics and he will definitely have a lot of rehab, but his responsiveness even under heavy sedation gives us all hope.
dan"
They got a good report from the neurologist today. It looks like it definitely won’t be as bad as they initially thought.
The doctors are hopeful he’ll get movement back, even on the left side which is what was damaged by the stroke.
Today he had a tracheotomy and a feeding tube put in to help him breathe and eat. He was having trouble with the tubes down his throat from the ventilator, so the tracheotomy will help with that. Fred pointed out that although it doesn’t sound like it, those two procedures represent progress! His trouble breathing and getting nutrition was slowing down his recovery.
Overall, they think he’s going to be better than they initially thought. Today he’s very unconscious because of the surgeries. According to Fred he looks a lot better than yesterday. He does have pneumonia which they’re treating with antibiotics and he will definitely have a lot of rehab, but his responsiveness even under heavy sedation gives us all hope.
dan"
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More great news from Dan!
"Just talked with Kevin
Jer opened his eyes for a little bit today. He focused a little bit and moved his head in the direction of his dad who was talking to him. He also said in the morning when he woke up this morning he yawned and stretched a bit.
Now for the really awesome part. They doctors asked him “Are you comfortable” and he shook his head no and then they asked if he was in pain and he nodded his head yes. While its not good that he’s in pain and uncomfortable, the fact that he understood their questions and responded is unbelievably awesome news! Kevin said there was no delay in his responses even though he is still heavily sedated. He’s also able to squeeze people’s hands when folks are saying ‘if you can hear me squeeze my hand”He’s still certainly not out of the woods and they know there will be damage, but the fact that he’s got enough conginitive function to answer yes and no gives us even more hope that he’s going to come through this.
They’re now focusing on finding good rehab facilities for him. I’ll keep everyone informed. Also, I’ve been told that Jer’s work is giving out his dad’s phone #. His dad has asked that no one call him and that people contact me for updates. I’m in touch with his dad or brother at least once a day and I can certainly relay messages to them if necessary. The family is very happy to know that so many people care about jer and are pulling for him. If there’s anyone else that should be added to the list here, just have them email me.
Dan"
Jer opened his eyes for a little bit today. He focused a little bit and moved his head in the direction of his dad who was talking to him. He also said in the morning when he woke up this morning he yawned and stretched a bit.
Now for the really awesome part. They doctors asked him “Are you comfortable” and he shook his head no and then they asked if he was in pain and he nodded his head yes. While its not good that he’s in pain and uncomfortable, the fact that he understood their questions and responded is unbelievably awesome news! Kevin said there was no delay in his responses even though he is still heavily sedated. He’s also able to squeeze people’s hands when folks are saying ‘if you can hear me squeeze my hand”He’s still certainly not out of the woods and they know there will be damage, but the fact that he’s got enough conginitive function to answer yes and no gives us even more hope that he’s going to come through this.
They’re now focusing on finding good rehab facilities for him. I’ll keep everyone informed. Also, I’ve been told that Jer’s work is giving out his dad’s phone #. His dad has asked that no one call him and that people contact me for updates. I’m in touch with his dad or brother at least once a day and I can certainly relay messages to them if necessary. The family is very happy to know that so many people care about jer and are pulling for him. If there’s anyone else that should be added to the list here, just have them email me.
Dan"
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From: "Dan Goodkin"
Just got back from Vegas.
Jer looked peaceful. He’s been under sedation since last Monday as his brain has been swelling due to the damage suffered by the stroke. You could mistake him for just being asleep if it weren’t for the ventilator and IVs. Seeing him did give me some hope. He occasionally moves his arms and feet although not in response to any outside stimuli. People try holding his hand and asking him to squeeze it but he hasn’t done so yet. Its unclear whether that’s due to the morphine or other sedatives or simply because he cannot. Apparently, when the sedation starts to wear off, he reaches for all the various tubes that are attached to him and tries to pull them out. That suggests that there is at least some brain functioning. From what I was told, the entire right side of his brain is a blur on the CT scan, indicating severe damage/no activity. At some point that started to spread to the left side as well. According to Kevin, the last two days there has been no change, which is a good thing since that means the damage is not spreading. However, his brain is still swelling and as you can imagine, with no place for it to expand to it may cause further damage. The plan as I understand it is to continue sedating him until the swelling stops. At that point they will take him out of sedation and see what function, if any, he has.
The doctors have prepared the family for the worst and their opinion is that he will either not make it or will have extremely minimal functioning. The words “persistent vegetative state”, which have become part of pop culture vocabulary, have been used to describe the likely result if he should make it through. However, no one has given up on him and everyone is holding to some hope that he will have some awareness and capability to live some sort of productive life. Throughout the time I was there, Karen, Kevin and Dialo his friend from law school, were constantly at his side, reading to him, stroking his head, talking to him. If sheer willpower and love can get Jer through this then he couldn’t have better people surrounding him.
The family has asked that I not distribute any phone numbers. I let them know that there are a lot of folks whose lives have been touched by Jeremy and that I had received a lot of emails and IM’s asking for more information. Fred very much appreciates everyone’s well wishes and support. For those of you who know Kevin, or knew him back in the day, he’s really become a great guy. He is absolutely devastated as of course are his parents and Jer’s fiancé Karen.
As far as going to visit, Jer’s father Fred doesn’t want anyone to come that he doesn’t know. His feeling is that Jer wouldn’t want people to see him like this. That said, if you know Kevin or Karen you can always run it by them and see if its ok. There honestly isn’t a lot to do or say there. I spent the time telling Jer stories with Kevin, Dialo and his parents. Being there was more for me and for them since its really not clear if Jer has any awareness at all. Apparently Jer is really into giraffes and there are tons of them around the room. If you wanted to send something, I’d suggest something giraffe related. He’s currently holding one in his hand whether he likes it or not. I told Karen that if I had known about the giraffe thing I would have been making fun of him for years!
http://www.southernhillshospital.c… - he’s in ICU room 18.
I’ll continue to send out emails whenever anything changes.
Dan Goodkin
[NOTE from dan: If you'd like to be added to the email update list send your address to lowdrive(at)pipline dot com]
[NOTE from irena: Fuckin' Giraffes, man - He'll never live this down.]
Jer looked peaceful. He’s been under sedation since last Monday as his brain has been swelling due to the damage suffered by the stroke. You could mistake him for just being asleep if it weren’t for the ventilator and IVs. Seeing him did give me some hope. He occasionally moves his arms and feet although not in response to any outside stimuli. People try holding his hand and asking him to squeeze it but he hasn’t done so yet. Its unclear whether that’s due to the morphine or other sedatives or simply because he cannot. Apparently, when the sedation starts to wear off, he reaches for all the various tubes that are attached to him and tries to pull them out. That suggests that there is at least some brain functioning. From what I was told, the entire right side of his brain is a blur on the CT scan, indicating severe damage/no activity. At some point that started to spread to the left side as well. According to Kevin, the last two days there has been no change, which is a good thing since that means the damage is not spreading. However, his brain is still swelling and as you can imagine, with no place for it to expand to it may cause further damage. The plan as I understand it is to continue sedating him until the swelling stops. At that point they will take him out of sedation and see what function, if any, he has.
The doctors have prepared the family for the worst and their opinion is that he will either not make it or will have extremely minimal functioning. The words “persistent vegetative state”, which have become part of pop culture vocabulary, have been used to describe the likely result if he should make it through. However, no one has given up on him and everyone is holding to some hope that he will have some awareness and capability to live some sort of productive life. Throughout the time I was there, Karen, Kevin and Dialo his friend from law school, were constantly at his side, reading to him, stroking his head, talking to him. If sheer willpower and love can get Jer through this then he couldn’t have better people surrounding him.
The family has asked that I not distribute any phone numbers. I let them know that there are a lot of folks whose lives have been touched by Jeremy and that I had received a lot of emails and IM’s asking for more information. Fred very much appreciates everyone’s well wishes and support. For those of you who know Kevin, or knew him back in the day, he’s really become a great guy. He is absolutely devastated as of course are his parents and Jer’s fiancé Karen.
As far as going to visit, Jer’s father Fred doesn’t want anyone to come that he doesn’t know. His feeling is that Jer wouldn’t want people to see him like this. That said, if you know Kevin or Karen you can always run it by them and see if its ok. There honestly isn’t a lot to do or say there. I spent the time telling Jer stories with Kevin, Dialo and his parents. Being there was more for me and for them since its really not clear if Jer has any awareness at all. Apparently Jer is really into giraffes and there are tons of them around the room. If you wanted to send something, I’d suggest something giraffe related. He’s currently holding one in his hand whether he likes it or not. I told Karen that if I had known about the giraffe thing I would have been making fun of him for years!
http://www.southernhillshospital.c… - he’s in ICU room 18.
I’ll continue to send out emails whenever anything changes.
Dan Goodkin
[NOTE from dan: If you'd like to be added to the email update list send your address to lowdrive(at)pipline dot com]
[NOTE from irena: Fuckin' Giraffes, man - He'll never live this down.]
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I'm all nostelgic.
I noticed noone has posted in here for a long arse time. Kind of bares a resemblance to BT now *pout*
I really miss BT and a lot of the people on it. It was those people who gave me the opportunity to travel over to America. Probably the highlight of my sad existence. But i'd really love to get in contact with a bunch of people again :)
I think we should arrange a BT night.. could be interesting.
i'm "gnarkillgirl" and "chewychewtoy" on AIM, so if anyone remembers me, say hi!
ps: I was Chewy :)
I really miss BT and a lot of the people on it. It was those people who gave me the opportunity to travel over to America. Probably the highlight of my sad existence. But i'd really love to get in contact with a bunch of people again :)
I think we should arrange a BT night.. could be interesting.
i'm "gnarkillgirl" and "chewychewtoy" on AIM, so if anyone remembers me, say hi!
ps: I was Chewy :)
sometimes i'm struck with a morbid curiosity.
One week to raise $500
Hey baudtowners!
So for the ones that I have on AIM, I know I've harassed you all enough. But here goes again...
HELP ME SAVE THE BOOBIES!
I'm particpating in the Susan G Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk next week! I'm walking 60 miles in 3 days across Southern California. I'm doing this because breast cancer hits so many of us - sisters, mothers, wives, or even ourselves.
I have to raise a total of $2000 just to participate!! I'm currently at $1345. I really need any help that you can give! Please pass this on to anyone you might know that could help! Every little bit helps!
Thanks!
Julie :)
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorR…
So for the ones that I have on AIM, I know I've harassed you all enough. But here goes again...
HELP ME SAVE THE BOOBIES!
I'm particpating in the Susan G Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk next week! I'm walking 60 miles in 3 days across Southern California. I'm doing this because breast cancer hits so many of us - sisters, mothers, wives, or even ourselves.
I have to raise a total of $2000 just to participate!! I'm currently at $1345. I really need any help that you can give! Please pass this on to anyone you might know that could help! Every little bit helps!
Thanks!
Julie :)
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorR…
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