08/19/04 - Terry Brown

David Comes Out The Winner Today!

It truly amazes me that it takes a Senator, a Congressman and a news reporter to make things happen on David's behalf! I have been innudated with phone calls since I got home from the hospital at about 4:30 from WBAL-TV all the way down to the Insurance Company.

I have never seen so many people in a "family" meeting and trust me, everyone was taking notes this time! His doctors started off the meeting with an update on David's current medical condition then from there we moved to all of my concerns about transferring him out again to Rehab too soon. I think that they finally understood what I was talking about.

Everyone from the doctors, to the Case managers, to the Insurance Company needs to be more accountable where David is concerned. He is still a very sick man and is very fragile medically. I told them that the next time that they sent him to Rehab if they had to spell it out step by step what David's daily care consists of, then they need to do that! Nothing needs to fall through the cracks or get lost in translation!

They agreed to keep David at Shock Trauma for another two weeks before considering to move him back to Levindale again. I also told them that there should be more continuity in his care once he gets to Rehab. Basically, that someone from his medical team needs to follow-up with Levindale at least once or twice a week, even if it's only by telephone. They agreed to most of my concessions and said that they were easy things to fix.

Barry Simms and I both agreed to hold off on airing a story just yet. I want to give them a chance to make good at their word!

Once again, I find myself looking at my watch and remembering that I didn't have lunch today and now, it's time for dinner! All I can say to everyone on this board is when it's time for the rubber to meet the road, so to speak, you guys always come through for me!

It's hard to express what I'm feeling right now, as I am so overwhelmed by the last couple of days. BTW...Barry didn't give exact numbers but they received literally thousands of e-mails!!! He asked me how many friends did David and I have and I just smiled :o)

We removed the DNR and DNI today, at David's request. He's really determined to fight this thing to the bitter end...he said to tell everyone on the board that he misses all of you terribly! Those were his exact words. Continue to have faith and know that good things will continue to happen for David!

Terry

"Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day."