Hobot on SA

[Steele]

Some of you may know of Hobot's photo thread in the general anarchy section of SA. I used to look at it almost daily, it was a curated collection of interesting and historically significant images and the best thing on SA by a wide margin. Sadly it recently disappeared with a forum update.
Boomer has posted that Hobot has Covid 19 and reading between the lines it seems he is not doing well. Both are locals here in the PNW. I do not know either but some of you may, I know Kim and Boomer have met. I thought I would post this as an FYI in case any of you have a personal connection.

[Slick470]

thanks for posting over here Steele. A number of us Chessie folks got to meet Boomer a few years ago. He's a good guy. Both Boomer and Hobot were/are a members here in the early days, but neither have logged in for a long time.

I've traded a few PM's and FB messages with Hobot over the years and he's one of those guys I'd love to buy a beer. I hope he recovers and gets back at it soon.

[Jamie]

Now’s the time to be super careful. It really sucks to be the last person to die in a war.

Not that we’re at the end; we can just begin to see the semblance of an end.

[kimbottles]

I just spent about a hour on the video phone with Boomer. Mark (Hobot) has had a rough time with the Covid, but thankfully he seems to be improving a little now. He is not out of the woods yet, but he is getting good care and his numbers are improving. Boomer is monitoring the situation and supporting Mark’s gal friend who has medical training and is communicating with the medical team. Cross your fingers, Mark is a nice guy (and until his hips gave out on him a very good foredeck hand.) I will report back when I know more. Kim

[Slick470]

Thanks for the update Kim. Glad to hear he is doing a bit better.

[H B]

+1, thanks, Kim.

Boomer randomly FB video messaged me a few weeks ago..I don't even remember what we talked about...it must have been pre-Hobot, because that wasn't mentioned. I met Boomer when we was on this side, but have not met Hobot yet. Let's hope he continues to improve.

[kimbottles]

Boomer report from yesterday:

“Hobot was still heavily sedated this morning, but they started weaning him off that later in the day. He'll still be sedated for a few days yet, to help with his recovery. Though still sedated, they're training him for voice commands, to see how he's recovering from being sedated and to facilitate his care.”

There is discussion of a “Go Fund Me” site for him. Will report if and when it goes live.

Kim

[kimbottles]

For those of you who are not following this on SA here is Boomer's recent update:

"Hobot was kept on a drug that put a protective layer over the ulcer yesterday and last night. The bleeding has been stemmed. He was taken off the respirator this morning. However his blood pressure keeps going up and down, and his doctor said this is because of Hobot's worry and stress for Hope, his daughters and any and everything else. The doctor asked Hope to come in and see him, to hold his hand and help relieve this stress. Hope will be gowned and masked like the nurses to do this. They will allow his daughters masked and gowned in succeeding days to visit him as well. Hobot is now putting whole sentences together when speaking with Hope. The doctors are confident that Hobot will continue to improve, and these temporary setbacks are just part of the march progressing out of this virus."

[LarryHoward]

For those of you who are not following this on SA here is Boomer's recent update:

"Hobot was kept on a drug that put a protective layer over the ulcer yesterday and last night. The bleeding has been stemmed. He was taken off the respirator this morning. However his blood pressure keeps going up and down, and his doctor said this is because of Hobot's worry and stress for Hope, his daughters and any and everything else. The doctor asked Hope to come in and see him, to hold his hand and help relieve this stress. Hope will be gowned and masked like the nurses to do this. They will allow his daughters masked and gowned in succeeding days to visit him as well. Hobot is now putting whole sentences together when speaking with Hope. The doctors are confident that Hobot will continue to improve, and these temporary setbacks are just part of the march progressing out of this virus."

I've been watching closely and he's in a scary place. Really aggressive treatment and a few setbacks but a real chance to come through this.

Tough place to be. On one hand, intubation and a vent is almost a hail mary pass as I understand it and a step that is hard to address on a DNR/Advance Directive. Given my medical issues, a step that I would forgo if it meant denying someone with a potentially better outcome a chance to benefit. That said, I'm no expert and ended up telling Lynne that if I was in ICU with COVID, it would come down to her taking in the doc's recommendation and assessment of likely outcomes and making a hard decision.

[Jamie]

I've read the survival rates of intubated patients has increased over the past year. Might be worthy of further investigation.

[BeauV]

I've read the survival rates of intubated patients has increased over the past year. Might be worthy of further investigation.

I can't lay my hands on it, but I read about the various reasons that intubated patients have problems that are seriously complex. There are factors like:
- Cardio strength, any stenosis
- Kidney strength
- Prior lung damage (aka smoker)
- Diabedes
etc.....

List list, and it's partial, means that a person's chances of recovery are some sort of combinatorial of all of them. Extremely hard to come up with a single number that is the probability.

[kimbottles]

Unfortunately Mark does have some pre-existing conditions.

[H B]

Unrelated to Hobot, but Laura's Dad passed away in March (age 78) because he contracted COVID from his roommate in a rehab center. He smoked for 50 years, had COPD & was on oxygen, and also in and out of the hospital for the last 3 years because of his COPD. He got hooked up with the wrong roommate, but I am not sure his life was going to improve much. He signed a DNR order so he was never intubated.

Let's hope Hobot pulls thru...totally different circumstances.

[Jamie]

I've read the survival rates of intubated patients has increased over the past year. Might be worthy of further investigation.

I can't lay my hands on it, but I read about the various reasons that intubated patients have problems that are seriously complex. There are factors like:
- Cardio strength, any stenosis
- Kidney strength
- Prior lung damage (aka smoker)
- Diabedes
etc.....

List list, and it's partial, means that a person's chances of recovery are some sort of combinatorial of all of them. Extremely hard to come up with a single number that is the probability.

Yes, I’ve read that too. But I think overall the survival rate started very low - like 20-30% survival - to something much higher as they learned how to handle the renal and blood pressure issues better.

Take with a grain, or two, of any study that has a lot of China data.

[kimbottles]

Not good news, here is Boomer’s post on GA:

“A turn for the worse now. Hobot was sedated again, then intubated again last night and put on a respirator again. All hands plus a vascular surgeon are now working desperately to save Hobot. The drugs stemming the flow aren't working now. They cauterized the ulcers, but that didn't stem the bleeding. They just asked Hope for an OK to do a clamping procedure. They'll go in through groin, to reach the artery supplying the blood to the blood veins providing blood to the ulcers and clamp those veins off to stem the bleeding internally. They've been putting unit after unit of blood into him, and Hobot has taken another eight pints of blood. Need help - send more prayers”

DAMN!!

[Slick470]

Come on Mark... you can get through this.

[BeauV]

This is so sad. We're so close to putting the majority of this disease behind us. I'm really rooting for Hobot.

[LarryHoward]

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mark-vr ... are-flow-1

[kimbottles]

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mark-vraney?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Thanks Captain, I was going to do that today.

Boomer kicked it off with $500 and I matched him with another $500.
We both will add more if needed, Mark is a special guy and we don't want him stressed over money while he recovers.
SA members are responding well and the fund is growing.

Boomer post from yesterday evening:

"Mark continues to improve throughout the day. Since there have been so many setbacks, we're keeping our fingers crossed, but will wait for a few days of continued progress, before we get our hopes to high. With clear lungs that are now staying clear, the pneumonia has probably been beaten. I knock on wood, least we have another setback. Hope was in tears when donations started to roll in today. Thanks to everyone who has donated - very, very much appreciated. Thank you all again!"

[BeauV]

Kim, we just tossed in $500. More is there if needed. Please keep us informed.

B

[kimbottles]

Kim, we just tossed in $500. More is there if needed. Please keep us informed.

B

Thanks Beau!!

[kimbottles]

GREAT NEWS from BOOMER!!:

“It appears as if Hobot is on the road to recovery. He's propped in his hospital bed up and alert, cutting it up with his nurses. He's also being combative with one of his doctors a tall blonde Doctor who Hope says looks like a Barbie Doll, walks around on air, and has total disregard for everyone beneath her including Hope, and ignoring her questions.

The one doctor who is down to earth, whom was Hobot's primary care doctor, whom Hobot gets along with. Whom with the nurses was responsible for saving Hobots life, along with the vascular surgeon who clamped off the veins leading to the bleeding ulcers, is forthwith with every question by Hope. He has concern for Hobot and everyone - the nurses, the other doctors, Hope. Whom is a young Russian immigrant with a broken accent, who studied here at the U of W.

Hope hasn't told Hobot about the GFM donations, and will probably break the news to him today.

It's quite nice to see the GFM donations exceed $10, 000 this morning. I thank all you sailors for coming through in a time of need. Words can not express my and Hope's gratitude”

[Jamie]

Phew...Good news on both fronts.

[BeauV]

Great to hear!!!

[Rob McAlpine]

Kim, we just tossed in $500. More is there if needed. Please keep us informed.

B

We did the same, feel the same.

[kimbottles]

Don’t know if everyone is following this over in the dark space, but just in case not, here is Boomer’s Hobot report:

“Fortunately since beating the pneumonia and weened off the sedatives he hasn't had a problem breathing and doesn't need oxygen. However he can only speak low and quietly due to being intubated twice. The one thing he seems to be suffering from is - his short term memory isn't up to par yet. He also appears to be suffer from a malaise which is apparently common in about 30% of the COVID survivors, and manifests itself with a bit of brain fogginess. He's also been a bit cranky as he weened off the sedatives, but once again the Doc said this was common for being sedated that long. Hope told him about the GFM yesterday, but Hope said, "he didn't understand why the GFM was set up, and was surprised so many have donated." Other then that, he gets to try and eat solid foods today.

Once again, I can't thank everyone enough for their generosity for their donations. and yes the donations are much needed, no matter what or how Mark's brain fog is effecting him. Thanks again sailors, the donations are very much appreciated.

So if I don't answer right away, it's because I'll be driving. Off to my prosthetic guy to get the final fitting for my new compression shuttle lock sailing socket, because this suction socket is a PITA sailing, losing suction on every tack or piece of rough water. It will be a pleasure to go back to the compression shuttle lock socket. Also with the toe/ heel action triggering the bending or stiffening of the knee, I can also see why sailors used peg legs back in the day.”

[JoeP]

I donated a little after the GFM was posted. I'm happy to hear that Mark is on the mend. It always feels good to make a difference in someone's life.

[kimbottles]

I am hoping for his full recovery, he has a ways to go to get there.

[kimbottles]

Latest from Boomer and it is sounding much better!!

“A quick update for everyone, after talking with Hope this morning.

Mark is eating solid food as of yesterday. He has to really chew a lot before swallowing, because his throat is still sore from being intubated. He's getting along well with Hope and the medical staff.

His hand restraints were removed, but only if he promised not to pull out tubes, which is why he had restraints. His feeding tube was removed this morning, because he got two meals down yesterday.

He will be moved out of ICU and up to the next floor soon - perhaps today or tomorrow. No word on how long till he's released - hopefully this week - I know I'd be wanting to get out of there, or plotting my escape.

We heard originally that he was going to another facility for physical and occupational therapy, but that changed. He will get to go home, and got to a close by physical & occupational therapist 2-3 days a week.

Hope said this morning, he talked with his daughters on the phone yesterday, and he may call this here afternoon.

Hope also talked with his orthopedic surgeon yesterday for an approx date for his double hip replacement - probably not till July at the earliest, and only if fully recovered”

[kimbottles]

latest from Boomer:

"Just talked with Mark for the first time. He's still in the ICU and won't get a regular room for a day or two. He's talking in a very quiet deep whisper due to being intubated. He wanted me to say thank you for him, he wanted to say more then thank you, actually. He can't wait to get back. He says he owes all of you. He has a whole folder he wants to get started with.

His fingers are still swelled and he lost much of his motor skills, which is why he's going through three weeks of physical therapy. Looks like he will be doing the best live physical therapy in the area in downtown Seattle. I know Mark hates being downtown, but knows it's the best place to go. He also lost his core strength.

Tonight is the first time he put his legs over the side of the bed, and swung them - which he felt was a major accomplishment - so that shows how far he has to go.

He's also still recovering from being in a induced coma. Having been there myself, it is a bit different then a dream, it feels real - but reading about it in hindsight, one of the effects is hallucinogenic. In Marks "dream" he was in Hawaii, and the things he saw, he feels are real. I know what he's talking about, in my "dream", I was in Japan, and it indeed seemed real, it still does at times - but I know it isn't - and that's where Mark needs to get to - accepting and knowing that endless dream wasn't real."