Grizz update....

[Donziweasel]

3 days since the surgery. He was intubated yesterday, and the removed it today. Had some minor complications and had to reinstall due to mucos and clots. Nothing I think that is too serious. Seems he is pretty resistant to sedation, and they can't hit him too hard with it as he needs to keep his blood pressure up to promote healing. Once the swelling goes down, things should go much smoother.

This was a planned surgery, not an emergency one. Randy has had a pretty rough year as many of you know. Seems the worst part is behind him. Should be back to his gruff, onery self in no time. :)

I'll update as I hear more. I have a call into Barbara and hopefully she will get back to me when she has a chance. I know she is busy.

[HOWARD O]

Cold beer for Big Grizz!!! :beer:

Get well soon!

[Jraysray]

Thanks for the update.

[Donziweasel]

No sweat Jay and Howard. Randy is one of the good ones and I am proud to call him a good freind. I will post more when I get an update.

Like I said, this was a planned surgery and the end of the road for his therapy and recovery. So far, he has been cancer free!!!! The chemo played some havoc on his lower jaw, so, this is to fix it and once done, hopefully, we will have a new and improved Grizz!!!!

Here is the big guy in Chattanooga-

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w190/johnnyalltrans/IMGP0069.jpg

[The Hedgehog]

I dusted a few Baja's in his honor last weekend. He is one of the good guys. Being intubated SUCKS even under a nice dose of dilaudid. I wish him a speedy recovery.

Thanks for the update Weasel.

[Ed Donnelly]

Candles lit and prayers said . Cool Cap too....................Ed

[Donzi Vol]

Thanks Weasel. Glad to hear he's doing well. Will keep the thoughts and prayers coming...

[LKSD]

Hope he makes a speedy recovery...Good to hear he is doing fine. He is in our thoughts and prayers..

[Kirbyvv]

Randy is the greatest. He took me under his wing when I was a newbe Donzi owner, handed me two props and said let's get testing. I wish him a speedy recovery. I'm still waiting for my ride in his 80 mph "bow rider".

[blackboat]

Wishing a speedy recovery !

[McGary911]

Grizz, hope you have a speedy recovery.

[Donziweasel]

Day 4, tracheotomy last night to make it easier for him to breathe and make him more comfortable. He is still heavily sedated. He should be coming off the respirator tommorrow or Friday and hopefully will be going home Monday. Taking a little longer to heal than originally planned.

He is still out of it pretty good, when he first woke up from surgery, he thought he was dying. Took a while to convince him he wasn't.

He has been a pretty bad patient, orney as hell. He even flipped off Barbara yesterday. Thats our Grizz!!!!

I am sure the hospital staff is pretty psyched he hasn't been able to talk, because knowing Grizz, he would have cussed them all out!

[catch 22]

Randy, Gina & I wish you a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.

[Donziweasel]

Yesterday Randy slept for most of the day. He is heavily sedated. Today, they are going to start weaning him of the sedation and hopefully he will begin breathing on his own through the trachotemy.

[yeller]

Best wishes to the big guy! Hoping for a quick recovery.

[Sweet Cheekz]

Ditto

Parnell

[Donziweasel]

Intubator out!!! Breathing on his own now. Swelling is going down. All is good..... :)

[axelkloehn]

Thanks god, all the best to you

[HOWARD O]

Great news! :yes:

[Donziweasel]

Unfortunatly, it seems a step back. Randy was put back on the respirator last night. He may have a touch of pnuemonia. Swelling continues to go down.

Hang in there buddy!!!!

[HOWARD O]

Any new news on Randy, DW???

[Donziweasel]

Yep, got some today. Randy has been breathing on his own since yesterday morning. He even got up today and sat in a chair for an hour.

He also flipped Barbara the bird again the other day. :)

Seems to be improving, but it is going to take a while. Of course Randy thinks he should heal in an hour or two............still being a fussy stubborn patient. :)

[HOWARD O]

That's great news to hear that he was up and sitting in a chair. That's really encouraging. :yes:

Thanks DW!!!

[CHACHI]

Hand excersies are very important to help in recovery process.

Ken

[HOWARD O]

Hand excersies are very important to help in recovery process.

Ken


Yeah, those hand exerc...............

Ah, nevermind, probably not the proper venue! :cool:

[Donziweasel]

White blood cell count is going down, which is good. He is having some atrial fibrilation (mild heart racing). Been getting up everyday and sitting in a chair longer and longer at a time........

[Donzi Vol]

Good stuff. Thanks for keeping us posted, Weasel. Please pass on my best to Randy and Barb.

[mphatc]

Glad to hear recovery is going well! Give Big Grizzly the best wishes!
Thinking of him!

Mario L.

[Donziweasel]

Grizz is doing ok. This was supposed to be a much quicker and easier surgery than it has turned out to be. Barbara is staying with Scott and Hiedi Baxter. When not working, she is at the hospital. I know Scott and Hiedi are taking good care of her.

From what I have been told, Randy has good and bad days, but the good ones seem to be becoming more common. Still has the respirator on and off throughout the day. He sits in a chair and even plays nerf basketball some. Some days he is his normal self, some days he is not quite all there.

Overall, he is improving. I know it has been hard on him and Barbara, especailly taking as long as it has for the recovery. Say a prayer for both of them tonight, they need it.

It has been said that our community is more about the people than the boats. I agree 1000%. Scott and Hiedi's generosity and kindness never cease to amaze me. Seeing our community come together when one of our own are in trouble has always made me proud to be part of it. I have seen this many times in the last 5 years whether it was my mom's heart attack, Dr. Dans surgery, Wes, Grizz and others. This is what our community is about, the people.........

[HOWARD O]

He's heading in the right direction, that's positive. :yes:

Kudos to Poodle, he's a heck of a guy. Thanks for the continued updates, DW. I've never met Randy in person, someday I will, but he's been such a help to so many people here, including myself. He's got a lot of people thinking of him.

[Planetwarmer]

DEFINATELY sounds like he is headed in the right direction. Good luck, Griz, youll be back out on the water in no time.

[Donziweasel]

Randy is not doing too well. I will elaborate later. Please pray for Grizz.........

[HOWARD O]

Prayers up......hang in there, Grizz. :crossfing:

[Donziweasel]

I will give the short version. Fully restrained due to thrashing around and pulling tubes out. Lungs have fluid, bladder inundated with blood. Not coherent. Back on the ventilator due to high CO2. Still in ICU 3 weeks after surgery. Heart still having AFIB. I am worried about him.

If anyone wants me to foward anything to Barbara for them, just send it to me via PM. She asked her email not be disclosed.

[Tom Smith]

Our prayers and best wishes go out to you & Barb. Tom & Elaine

[Trueser]

We need to cover him in prayer..

I'm doing my part!

[Ghost]

Randy and Barb, we're praying for you. Mike & Lisa

[Dr. David Fleming]

And get well soon

[catch 22]

Barb & Randy our thoughts and prayers are with you both. :angel::angel:

Jim & Gina

[Donzi Vol]

+1 here

[LKSD]

Our thoughts and prayers are will you as well ..

[Barry Eller]

Randy and Barbara have our prayers...:angel:

[mphatc]

Prayers and thoughts and well wishes Randy and Barbara!
We're all thinking of you!

Mario L.

[The Hedgehog]

Take care Randy and Barb. We are pulling for you.

[Ranman]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Randy and the entire Carabelli family.

- Randy and Jennifer Oak

[Sweet Cheekz]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Randy and the entire Carabelli family.



Ditto Wendy, Zach and Parnell

[VetteLT193]

Hang in there Randy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bamboo Loui]

all of our prayers everyday- you can do it Randy!!

Doug&Margaret

[LKSD]

Get Well soon.. :)

[Donziweasel]

I have not had an update today, but I want to thank everyone who has emailed me and called about Randy. Alot of you obviously care very much for Grizz. I did speak to Scott Baxter today and he said not much has changed. Randy has been out of chemo for only 6 months before this surgery. It was necessary to save his jaw and could not wait until he was more recovered and stronger. He simply was not very strong before this surgery and it has created alot of problems. Speaking with Scott, I feel Randy will make it, but it is going to be very hard on him.

I will foward all your thoughts and concerns to Barbara.

Even when Randy gets out of the ICU, he will have months of hard rehabilitation ahead of him. He will need our support to help him through the difficult road ahead as he loves this community as much as we love him. Although he is in Miami, when he gets back to Georgia, if anyone would like to send the Caribelli's a card, PM me and I will forward thier mailing address.

[McGary911]

Thanks for the update DW. Really hoping this turns out as good as it possibly could.

[Bamboo Loui]

thanks allot- this has been on my mind all day. If there is anything I can do =please-please ask.

[Just Say N20]

Lots and lots of prayers coming your way from Jane and me.

[farmer tx]

We are thinking of him and Barbara during this time!!

Mark & Polly

[Kirbyvv]

Barb and Griz, you are in our thoughts and prayers,
Kirby & Martha

[yeller]

Get well Griz. :yes:

[Budmann]

Thoughts and prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bud n denese

[JustMercMe]

Hang in there Grizz! We're thinkin' of ya!

Jonathan, Jimmy, & Candice :wink:

[Greg Guimond]

Pull through Grizz ...........:crossfing:

[Donziweasel]

Things seem to be improving in the last few days. Randy is a awake and alert. The general thought is he has finally turned the corner and heading in the right direction. I will post more when I get an update from Barbara.

If anyone would like to send a card or anything else to Randy Caribelli while he is in Maimi, send it to this address-

Blanchard Machinery
17110 South Dixie Highway
Miami, Fl 33157

Scott B. will make sure he gets it. :)

[margo]

Prayers are with you,keep the faith...

[White Nuckles]

Happy Birthday Randy :) God speed. Bob, Cindy & theTwins

[HOWARD O]

Woohoo! That's great new, DW! Can't keep a Big Grizz down!

[Tom Smith]

That sure is good news. Prayers will continue though. Tom

[zelatore]

Very glad to hear Randy has turned the corner! There may be a way to go yet, but we're all looking forward to having the Griz back!

[seano]

Get well soon Grizz.

[GBond]

Good news...keep your chin up!

[Leverage]

Here's to a Speedy come back Randy!!!

Been awhile and I look forward to visiting in Miami again sometime!

Donnie

[txtaz]

OK buddy. I finally made it to rehab. I'm waiting for you. We can sit around the dining room talking props for the Advantage.
Do me a favor and slow down. I expected to be able too get up and be normal and just keep on cruising. I made myself sick trying. It's going to take me 5 months to rehab, I have to just accept it and take it day by day.
Also, quit pulling out the IV's. When they get pissed, they put one in between the knuckles and MAN that hurts even stoned.
Get better buddy.

[Donziweasel]

Haven't heard much from Barbara lately, but I have spoken to some who have been to see Grizz in the last few days. He seems to be alert and recognizes his freinds again. He is under alot of sedation and it seems to put him back a few steps, but overall he is improving. He is still on the respirator and in ICU. Best guess is at least another 3 weeks until he heads home to Georgia.

Personally, I am very happy he is finally heading in the right direction this week, even if it will be a slow process. I heard he has lots of cards from you guys in his room. Thank you everyone for sending your prayers and good vibes to Randy, they seem to have helped!!!! :)

[DonziJon]

Thanks DW for the update. Grizz has a real friend. John

[HOWARD O]

:woot::woot::woot:

[Donziweasel]

Got an update from Barbara last night. Like I said, Randy is making progress, but it is slow. He has been off the ventilator for up to 2 hours a day, but is still needs it other than those brief periods.

He keeps getting sedated, which seems to put him back everytime they do it. Barbara is not happy about this and has had some words with some of the doctors. She has even requested that one not be involved anymore. The general feeling among her and his freinds is that he seems to improve very quickly when not sedated, but slips once he is. She is not happy at all with how much they have been sedating him. After being off the ventilator for 2 hours Thursday, he was sedated and could only stay off it for 15 minutes on Friday.

Randy is kinda stuck in Miami because insurance will not pay to have him transported home. He would need specail medical arrangements to get back to Georgia, so he will have to stay until he can travel on his own. Barbara says this may be weeks or months.

I know Barbara is very tired, but have not heard her mention it till yesterday. I think she is behind in everything, worn ragged and it is finally all catching up to her. This relatively easy surgery has turned into a nightmare. If you are praying for Randy, and I hope you are, then say one for her as well. I really think she could use it. If you are sending a card to Randy, send her one as well. She could use some positive vibes right now. She is an amazingly strong woman in my eyes, but everyone can get worn down by what she has been through.