Over the week, many of us have picked up some new Pavlovian responses. While bedside in the ICU, there are beeps and alarms coming from all of the various machines (including Peter’s bed, which is more complex than my vehicle). There is a certain beep sequence that comes from one of the monitoring computers when his blood pressure, oxygen, or heart rate get too high or low. That beep causes whiplash to whoever is bedside. The beeps are pretty common as his different vent or drug levels are adjusted, but they’re always unnerving.
The other sound that rattles me is the unexpected ring of a phone. I think that no news is good news at this point. Slow and steady progress doesn’t merit a phone call. When Auntie G and I communicate by phone, we now start our conversations with “everything is OK” before the greeting.
Ty and Erika are expecting some more beeps today as Peter progresses. The doctors are turning off the paralytic drug and will try to keep it off. They are doing this to begin transitioning the breathing effort from the ventilator to Peter. In lieu of the paralytic, they will increase the sedative to keep his movement to a minimum. So a more able Peter is likely to be agitated and that can increase blood pressure or cause other vital numbers to head out of bounds.
It must be a good sign that they’re able to take these steps, even if it causes some stress to the witnesses.
Baby steps Peter…You’ll get there!
Amy, Robert and Emerson Gordon
Okay Uncle Matt – we may have to impose a new rule on your emails. You need to start them out with “Everything is OKAY”. Just kidding, thanks for the updates. We are still shouting AMEN from here. Those bangs, rattles and beeps can really get to a person, can’t they? Amazing how much a person learns in a short time waiting and watching on those machines. Then you find yourself holding your breath waiting for the next beep uncontiously. This time is going to pass, I’ll pray for speed in the process. Sounds like Peter is pulling his normal – blow us all out of the water recovery.
Peace and Love to all of you in New York toughing this out.
ps
Thanks again Uncle Matt for the update,
Our hearts and prayers remain with you all in New York…….
Peter………you are the miracle man!!!!
Love to you all,
Uncle Ed and Aunt roz
Ah, yes… I do know what you mean when you speak of the new Pavlovian responses! For me it was whiplash city for much of Thursday & Friday… everytime that phone rang, my head jolted and my heart raced a mile a minute until I confirmed that the caller was only calling to bear good news. I feel somewhat the same everytime I find that there is a new update on this (wonderful!!) website! I try to determine by the title what the mood of the update will be! My heart races and my palms sweat as I carefully read each update. Will it make me smile?? Will it make me cry?? Fortunately, by God’s good grace, they have all managed to make me smile these last few days! 🙂
I have a sneaking suspicion that Peter Eigner will have minimal problems taking over the workload! It really is a good sign that the doctors believe in his ability to handle more of the “work”! This is just one more tidbit of proof that Peter truly is a magnificent, strong, courageous little guy. It has not even been a full week since this horrific turn of events – and yet they are already attempting to remove the paralytic drug…. things are certainly progressing at a great rate!!
We are so proud of you, sweet Peter. We hope and pray that the paralytic drug will, in fact, remain a thing of the past… and we hope and pray that the amount of “beeps” don’t cause mom & dad too much stress!
Thinking of you with smiles on my face and love in my heart~
See you one day soon again~
Love and Prayers!
Jen. Ryan. Emily. Lily. and Parker
Peter, Ty & Erika,
We’re so glad to hear that things are progressing. What an amazing boy you are Peter! I watched my sister Sara race in a triathlon last weekend, and she said she gave every ounce of energy she had to you. I think you must have felt it! Hang in there and keep plugging away to that finish line.
P.S. Uncle Matt, I have to agree with Lara from the last post’s messages. Thanks to your wonderful way with words, not to mention genuine concern for Peter, I now have either OCD or a serious addiction. I was out of town last weekend, and suffered from petereigner.com withdrawals. Anyone interested in starting a support group??? 🙂
Always thinking of you,
Amy, Rich, Jake, Callie & Kira
Great News from NY today. Hope it all continues on the upward stride. Peter you are a real fighter and warrior. Keep up the good work.
Ty and Erika and family, we think of all of you so often and cant even imagine the stress you must be going through. Know that we are praying for y ou also. Keep you Faith and soon it will all be a memory hopefully.
Prayers and Love,
Uncle Chuck and Aunt Rose
Oh how wonderful it is to hear such good news! From what Peter has accomplished so far in this last year I can’t help but believe he will conquer this also. I’m sure he will have alot to say once he gets off the ventilator. Oh the power of pray is wonderful. We will continue to pray and Team Eigners keep fighting you are doing an awesome job.
Bless you all,
Nancy, Bryan, Jake and Abby Bushey
Hi Eigners. We are so happy to read the updates and learn of Peter’s progress. Matt, you have a beautiful way with words. I know that Peter’s condition is still delicate and the prayers will continue loud and strong.
Peter, as my sister Amy mentioned in a previous post, I raced in a triathlon last weekend. It was my last tri of the season and I had intentions of putting it all out there for you and your family. It was a challenging race for me, but as I thought of you, I was reminded that not every race is an effortless sprint to the finish. Sometimes, it’s just about putting one foot in front of the other, one mile at a time (and in your case, one simple breath at a time). You taught me that regardless of how I got there, the finish line would be no less sweet.
I know you see your finish line, Peter. And I know you have the strength to reach it. Just pace yourself sweet boy… you’ll get there.
Much love,
Sara
Hi Matt – I mentioned this website: http://www.loneliestroad.org in an email to Erika – but I’m not sure if she’s checking her email these days. Right now everyone’s focus is on Peter getting better, but I wanted to share the info with your family. Thanks so much for your updates. Our family has spent a LOT of time at MSKC – there are wonderful caregivers there!
Those beeps are the sound of Pete silently kicking this new “foe’s” butt. Keep strong buddy and you and I can have another boxing match soon .
Always thinking of you,
Your Friend
Dean Smith
p.s. Matt thanks for the updates we are all starved for info and you do a great job of supplying what we need. Every little advance is one step closer to the ultimate goal for Pete. I check this site every hour to see any new posts, as I know many people do also.
Ty and Erica,
As many have said we are all in awe of how you are handling this. Your family has given all of us strength to carry on in our daily lives. You are very special people.
Matt, you’re doing a marvelous, eloquent job conveying not only your deep love for Peter, but at paring down the information and sharing it so that we can understand…and be some small part of Peter’s life. To all of Peter’s beloveds: thank you for sharing this dear boy with us. And Peter, rest and heal, every last bit and piece of you.
Uncle Matt – thank you for the great update: it was good to chuckle out loud over one of your entries!!! You know, we too have just despised the phone calls during the middle of the night (Ron’s job!!!). The first night of the ‘on edge’ waiting, our phone rang at 3:13 AM. I had told Jen to call us at any hour, so that call was horrific!!! I must say, we are not as one edge.
We are so glad to hear things seem to be moving forward. We think of you all constantly. Our thoughts and prayers continue to flow. Miss seeing the kids once more at Jen’s!! Anxiously await their return!
XXX & OOO Papa & Monga
Dear Erika, Ty and Peter:
Know that our love and prayers are with you constantly. Peter you amaze us with every update…what a strong and brave boy you are.
I have spoken of you to so many in our immediate and extended family and wanted to share a few of the responses with you. Though Marcus and I wish we could offer you more tangible help Ty and Erika, we have witnessed the power of faith and prayer and appreciate the strength and peace that it can give. My mother has been dedicating her daily rosary for the complete healing of Peter (ever since Dino and Carrie called us 2 wks ago). Sister Helene(part of our extended family) and the Sisters of Christian Charity at Our Lady of Sorrows in NJ are also praying for Peter’s healing and for your family. She has just celebrated her 70th anniversary in the convent and even though she will be turning 90 this year she continues to teach. She also expects regular updates of Pete’s progress. You also had an aunt of ours offering prayers for you at St. Patrick’s Cathedral this past week and now Jack’s 1st grade class is also praying for you everyday…the list (in our family alone) goes on and on. It is a special, special person that touches people so profoundly. We cannot wait to hang out at the hockey camp with all of you nxt summer. I bet Marcus will bring some extra special fireworks especially for Pete!
God Bless You,
Marcella
Dear Uncle Matt,
I am not sure we have ever enjoyed the privilege of meeting you. I first met the Eigner family when the Enebak’s held the fundraiser at the Legend’s. That was a wonderful moment in my life; meeting Peter, Erika, Ty and other family members, making my small contribution to such a wonderful cause. Peter and I stared at one another up close for what seemed to be minutes. I was caught up in his eyes and his consciousness. He moved me. He is gifted. Matt, if we met and I do not recall, please forgive me; I was recovering myself and I do not remember much from back then. But I remember
I would like to take this moment to tell you that you have become a hero to me. I read your postings with anticipation and awe. I am amazed at your composition skills, your composure, sensitivity, love, compassion, steadfastness and constitution. You are like the war correspondent. I understand your heart and the feelings you have as you pound out your message. Somehow you are able to rise above the fray, but I know your guts are on the floor.
Matt to me; you are a hero; you are Peter’s uncle; you are family to Ty and Erika; you are inspiration; you are an emissary for us all. You appear to emulate the Samurai and their guiding seven principles; 1) Honesty and Justice, 2) Polite Courtesy, 3) Heroic Courage, 4) Honor, 5) Compassion, 6) Complete Sincerity and 7) Duty and Loyalty.
You, Peter, Erika and Ty are great examples for all of us.
I look forward to meeting you; this would be an honor.
I still wish I could take this bullet for you all.
Thank you
We are so glad to hear that things are progressing in the right direction! We will pray that each day will bring more sunshine and healing. Peter and your family have been continuously in our thoughts and prayers!
The Scherpings
Ty and Fred, Hope you two are well, I know Pete man is because he has more fight in him then anyone I know. Found this today when my wife made me clean up my office. A Creed For Those Who Have Suffered.
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches,that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for- but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed.
I love you guys Uncle Tito
I love you Pete, Buzz
Lord above what good news. I imagine it doesn’t look the best, as Matt said, but it sounds great. I keep thinking of Pete goofiing around in the living room. Skinny as could be but smilin’, flappin’ his arms and throwing his legs up high (all this while he was naked!). He’s got so much life in him–like his mama! And he’s showing it again. The effect isn’t the same, but his steps are huge–as Sara pointed out, one breath at a time–and I’m smiling as if he was jumping around naked as a jay-bird again.
Thanks Matt for such consistent and coherent updates. You’re immesurable talents are the foundation of Peter’s fight.
And Erika and Ty–I’m here if you need anything. X Jackie
You have all been in our thoughts often. We are glad to hear things are beginning to progress. You’re all in our prayers.
Amy and Eric Rud
Pete – We are so proud of you. You are doing such a great job. Excercise thoses fingers, cause we have some Super Tux to play when I’m back there next week.
I would like to echo Grandma Barb’s comments and say thank you to everyone for your prayers, support and posts. After spending a day in the hospital with Pete and all of those stressful beeps it is so wonderful to read all of the positive and encouraging words that are posted on the site. It caused me to have a little less sleep, but it certainly made my heart feel full.
Great Job Peter,
Keep up those little movements and before you know it they’ll be bigger and you’ll be awake and feeling so much better!! You’re mom and dad must be soooooooo proud of you!!!! You just keep fighting and we’ll keep praying!
Rest well,
Love from the Olson’s
Lisa Ty Paige Drew & Hallsey