Friends of Tony Update
This page was last updated on August 7
Since the last Tony Update on June 20, we've been hoping for a more positive report on Tony's condition. We're sorry to say that things haven't improved all that much over the past six weeks. There have been a few setbacks, mostly from the intense pain that Tony's had to endure from a large and very deep burn on his right side that requires regular wound care. Tony's wounds —while still quite serious— have not gotten any worse but they haven't got much better either. Often, it has been too difficult for Tony to get out of bed because of the intense pain involved when he is moved. As a result, Tony had to miss a number of very important doctor's appointments. The extreme discomfort has also made it very difficult for him to fully enjoy his visitors (it even hurts when he's talking on the phone). When he's feeling up to it though, Tony has been in good spirits and smiling. Check out Tony's recent picture with some friends who came to visit last month.
Looking back, it's hard to believe that Tony has been home from the hospital for about two-and-a-half months now. There were several email inquiries last month asking what prompted the insurance company to cancel Tony's home nursing service so early into his home recovery. In brief, their reasoning was that since Tony's feeding tube had become dislodged and it was no longer in service (this happened about two weeks after leaving the hospital), he wouldn't need a full time nurse. This situation had left the family —already bearing the cost of one fulltime caregiver— with an additional medical expense of a second caregiver to help Tony. The family is grateful to have found two competent and caring individuals to assist Tony while he continues his home recovery.
- Ryan Felipe: provides Tony with daytime care throughout the week.
- Omar Fernan Oliveros: provides Tony with evening and weekend care.
- Lynne Mason
- Ellen (Smith) Donofrio
- Barbara Turnblom
Moving Forward
As we move forward into August, we'd like to say that there are a few bright spots on the horizon. First, there are changes to Tony's medication to help ease his pain, and another new prescription to help him manage his anxiety. Also, as mentioned in the previous Tony Update, a new insurance case manager was assigned to Tony in June. So far, things seem to be working out for the better. There appears to be an improved level of communication and greater dedication to helping Tony. Thanks again to the advocacy of the TRD Human Resources team, they helped to make the case manager transition a seamless experience.Acknowledgements to Some Other Friends of Tony
Thank you everyone for your time, kindness, generous gifts, and support for Tony Albanese.
Dean Hurley, one of Tony's co-workers from TRD and a friend for over seven years, had a prayer quilt commissioned for Tony through his church. According to Dean, several parishioners at Christ Presbyterian Church of Huntington Beach had begun to work on the quilt soon after Tony's accident. A label on the quilt explains the prayer concept further. "This quilt was made for you, Tony, with love, hope, and prayers. Each knot represents a prayer that was said for you."
To get a better view of Tony's prayer quilt, and to see more of the details involved in its construction, click on the thumbnail picture on the right.
Tony had a setback the day of Linda Hayden's memorial, and he wasn't able to attend her private service at Chino Airport. Linda was a very close friend to Tony and Mary Alice. Linda and her husband, Bob, regularly visited Tony in the hospital, and last year Linda organized two very successful events on
Tony's behalf. Other members of Tony's family were there to pay their respects. Attending Linda's memorial were Mary Alice, Tony's mother, Mary Albanese, and his brother, Steve Albanese. Tony's father stayed home and took care of him that day.
To see some of the pictures from Linda's memorial, click on the thumbnail picture on the right.
The Albanese family greatly appreciates the work of Anne Hutton with the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Anne has been following Tony's story from the beginning, and through her efforts, the Red Cross recently contributed a $500 check that will go towards Tony's mounting medical bills. This certainly helps to lesson the financial burden for Tony and his family.
A couple more names have been added to the friends page and to the Friends-of-Tony Update email list. They are:
- Keri Odum
- Glenda Bridges
How You Can Help?
- Go visit Tony. Even a short visit is much appreciated. You can send email to the family if you have any questions or need more information.
- Volunteer to be one of Tony's meals-on-wheels team. Help him get the nutrition he needs to heal properly. Check out the favorite foods link.
- Consider a much-needed donation to Tony's recovery fund.
- Consider donating blood to UCI in Tony's name.
What Still Needs to be Done?
- A large and very painful burn wound on his right side is healing slowly, and requires regular wound care. There have been some recent discussions as to why this terribly painful burn wasn't grafted a long time ago when Tony was undergoing other skin grafts on his legs while at UCI.
- A chronic bedsore that is quite severe on his tailbone. Once Tony is strong enough to undergo "flap" surgery, a portion of the tailbone bedsore will be "cut out", and then "flapped" over with a patch of healthy skin.
- Another challenge that Tony faces is improving the function of his right arm. Tony's right hand was badly burned in the crash and he lost four fingers. There was extensive nerve damage to his right elbow, which has immobilized the joint, not to mention that it's a constant source of pain. Tony will require very specialized orthopedic surgery to restore mobility and strength in the arm without incurring further nerve damage.
- June 20, 2005 Friends Of Tony Update
- June 4, 2005 Friends Of Tony Update
- May 20, 2005 Friends Of Tony Update
Thank you,
Steve Albanese
FriendsOfTony.com
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