Update February 10, 2005

I decided to add an update to my "Horror/Miracle" story of my oldest son Rob. Today, Thursday, February 10, 2005, Rob is doing amazingly well, all things considered.

Once he walked out of "Edwin Shaw Hospital" he stayed with me until he was able to be on his own which was a very short amount of time. One of my goals was to be able to play golf with him and this happened, too. Over time, he's eventually transfered college credits to Malone College locally, where he received his Bachelor's degree a couple years ago. He got married to a wonderful young lady, Gayle and has a very nice family. Gayle has a 11 year old highly intelligent son, Christian, whom she raised by herself and became an instant member of this new family. They also have a 2 year old active young man, Caleb who's really cool.

Rob works for a company that handle home refinancial services and really loves what he does.

Looking back through the trials, etc., I realize that God has other plans for Rob and the plans are happening with time. I hope that all who have experienced the "Horror" and "Miracle" and all in between as I have the courage to face the situation and "pray to God" to give your loved one another chance to LIVE.

Sincerly to all,
Bob Shardy, Sr.

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Original Post

It was approximately 9:30 PM when I left home to drive up to the hospital. When I got there, I went immediately to the Emergency Room to see my son. I was horrified. He had every conceivable tube known to man "stuck" in him. One of the ER attending physicians stopped me an pulled me aside to talk. He had informed me that Rob was given his "last rights" earlier and that there was a good possibility he might "DIE." When I heard this and seeing Rob, my heart "sunk" and I became an emotional "mess." The doctor informed me that considering Rob's age and physical condition, he had a 50% chance of recovery physically. If you include his current mental condition, he had at most a 5% chance of any recovery. The EEG and CAT SCAN diagnosis didn't show any brain activity. My response to this was "Oh MY GOD, please help him ANY WAY YOU CAN."

I inquired as to the circumstances surrounding this with much frustration and lack of information. Apparently, one of Rob's close friends had tried to talk to him for a couple of days with no luck. He then decided to go to see Rob, and once there realized that there was something wrong. The police were called and the EMS unit was dispatched. They found him laying on the floor in his apartment passed out. They couldn't determine how long he was in this condition or what really may have happened. The doctor informed me that the hospital did a complete toxicology workup. The results revealed no traces of alcohol in the blood and a trace of a drug that may have been prescribed to him for headaches. I never did receive additional information on this or verification. The ICU attending physician at Lakewood informed me that he had an "anoxic brain injury." That is, his coma was due to a complete lack of oxygen to the brain.

My concern was not to focus on the cause, but to start praying for Rob and I knew I would be praying for a "miracle" especially due to the circumstances. I had decided at that time that I owe my son more time, no matter how negative the prognosis would be. Rob was in a coma from Tuesday, February 2, 1999 to Tuesday, March 2, 1999 and during the many hours I was with him in the hospital, I observed eye movement and other motion tendencies. I had informed the medical personnel involved that I felt that Rob was "tracking" with his eyes, from as early as the third day in the hospital. Rob also started to go through "wake" and "sleep" cycles without any cognitive reaction.

Some negative experiences evolved due to the lack of communication between the doctors and Rob's mother and I. I finally had an impromptu discussion with Rob's attending neurologist at Lakewood Hospital seven (7)-days, yes one week after Rob's ER and immediate Intensive Care Unit admittance. The doctor gave me Rob's negative prognosis with an added touch of arrogance. Needless to say, I wouldn't have this 'doctor' take care of my fish, let alone my son. I was very angry and frustrated and ask some close friends for advice. They suggested contacting one of the top rated research facilities in the area, requesting HELP for Rob which I did. I called the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Neurology Department and begged for help. They were unbelievably helpful with information and what steps needed to be performed which we proceeded to do.

Rob's mother and I agreed to have him transferred to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation research hospital for what was identified as a "third party consult." The transferred was requested on the seventh day of Rob's coma and finally happened that Friday afternoon, February 12, 1999. The Intensive Care Unit accepted Rob and one of the attending staff neurologist. I had some concerns regarding possible problems that may occur with the transfer such as a traumatic reaction from the transfer. The first 10 minutes that Rob's mother and I were in the Clinic, we found out more information on Rob's condition then we did the 10 days he was at Lakewood.

At the time of Rob's transfer, he was off the ventilator, was being fed through a tube in his nose, and was receiving dialysis every other day. The very next day, Rob almost DIED. His vital signs became very unstable and they had to ventilate him rather than perform a tracheotomy due to the lack of oxygen and breathing problems. Thank GOD, he survived. The Clinic performance in Robs case was amazing. They recommended and performed placing a "Greenfield" filter in the "cava vena" to stop the potential of a large blood clot moving from the legs to his heart or lungs. The clot formation was due to his lack of movement while in the coma. During Rob's stay at the clinic, the prognosis was unbelievably negative with a recommendation at 3 weeks into his "vegetative state" of "unplugging" Rob and "let nature takes it's course." I informed the specialists more times than I can remember that I owe my son significantly MORE time than this, and to forget it. It was recommended that Rob be moved out of Intensive Care to a more positive, less infectious environment, which was the department for incurable conditions. A very depressing but appropriate move. He would remain in this area due to his "vegetative state" condition which I was informed not "really a coma" condition.

THE "MIRACLE"
Well, on Tuesday evening, March 2, 1999, exactly one month from his initial emergency admission, a miracle happened, Rob spoke. It was unbelievable...for a person that medical science was "writing off"...he was alert, aware, and was responding. As time progressed together with his improvement at the clinic, a scheduled move to "Edwin Shaw Hospital" located in Lakemore, Ohio was in the works. Edwin Shaw Hospital is a very prominent rehabilitation facility which helped Rob with the "continuation of the MIRACLE." On Wednesday, March 17, 1999 Rob was transferred from the Cleveland Clinic to Edwin Shaw. Again, Rob experienced traumatic reactions to the move and was taken to Akron General Emergency on Thursday morning. I was called and met him at the hospital. He was dehydrated and hyperventilating. I proceeded to give him lots of water and proceeded to calm him down. According to the attending personnel, Rob was having anxiety attacks. Fortunately, he stabilized and was taken back to Edwin Shaw where he would stay until April 28, 1999 where he walked out on his own. I can't say enough about the specialized staff and resources at Edwin Shaw.

Well, the current status is that my son Rob is going to school at Stark State College working towards an education in Physical Therapy and is doing very well. GOD gave Rob another chance and I've actually experienced a "MIRACLE" according to some of the most experienced, professional, medical personnel in the field.

For those of you who have or possibly are experiencing the "HORRIFYING" situation which I've encountered, PLEASE don't give up "HOPE." I don't consider myself a 'religious' person, but I prayed to GOD to PLEASE take me and give Rob another chance. Whatever you do, make a point to educate yourselves in ALL areas involving the apparent condition including any diagnosis/prognosis. Do NOT be afraid to QUESTION and CHALLENGE medical science. In fact, you owe it to your loved one, and you would want it done if you were in the same condition. As I was told by a very prominent physician, we know just about everything involving the human anatomy and how 'things' work, EXCEPT for the MOST IMPORTANT PART, the organ that CONTROLS EVERYTHING, the "BRAIN." REMEMBER THIS...

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