Patient: Steve Diagnosis: Quadriplegic

Steve was in an auto accident on sunday evening,April 4th and is still in critical condition. He was a passenger in a car that went off the road into a ditch and rolled over several times. He had to be cut out by the jaws of life and was transported by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center. His neck is broken and he is paralyzed from his chest down. He will never be able to walk again or even move around as we do. He severed his spinal cord in the accident which is unrepairable and permanent. Steve is currently on a breathing machine that is keeping him alive because both of his lungs were damaged and he is unable to breath on his own. The Doctors and Medical Staff at Orlando Regional Medical Center are not sure yet if Steve's mind was also damaged in the accident. Only time will tell and good Lord willing,he will be able to think and talk to us again. We would appreciate all of your prayers. He is always in my thoughts and prayers.Steve's mother,Jane.

Hello family & friends, Steve has been slowly improving for the last couple days,his temperature is finally going down to normal,thank God. The Staff runs me out of his room sometimes so Steve can get all the rest he can.Hey,I can't help myself,I am his mother. He has been opening his eyes more and more for me.I know he knows what is going on and it has to be really hard for him.If you can only imagine yourself in his place. I am trying to gather all of the info I can on his Quadriplegia,so if anyone has any ideas,I would be glad to hear them. Will keep everyone up to date as much as possible. Keep your prayers coming,Steve needs all of us for Love & Support! It is going to take all of us to do this for him. Email me as often as you like. castlesales@usa.com

Steve is making some progress today in some ways.These Drs. and Nurses are wonderful here at ORMC. His heart-rate is low and the doctors tried to lower his oxygen level a little but Steves' system would not tolerate it at this point.It is currently set on 40% today. He has been more alert the past couple of days and I am positive that he knows what is going on with his condition. It makes me feel great to be able to look into his eyes and talk to him and at the same time it breaks my heart to know that he is only able to lay there and wonder why this had to happen to him. God only knows what he must be thinking,which is all he can do right now. They are not yet able to do the Trek on him,he is not strong enough. He is still on the paraletic medication to keep his body and mind paralyzed so that he does not realize his condition for awhile each day. Please keep praying for him and never underestimate the power of prayer.It can work miracles. Please be safe everyone.I will let you know of any changes as soon as possible. My love and thoughts are with you.Take care.

Steve has had a rough day today.The Nurses Staff turned him on his right side to give his back a rest,but his system and bad lungs would not tolerate it. His respirator is back up to 65% because of the stress on his body. Steves' temperature is still going up and down again,more cultures and bloodwork being done to find the cause. I stood in his room a few hours today and kept cold compresses on him until his fever came down. I also massaged his hands for awhile with lotion and helped put splints on both hands to keep his swelled knuckles and fingers from getting stiff. Drs. say he has gained about 40 pounds since he has been in the hospital.Wow! Blood pressure is a little low today,but other stats are looking good. He is just not ready to be moved around,his lungs need to heal more. They did discontinue the paraletic for now,but have increased his nerve medication so he has been more alert the last couple of days. Steve knows I am there with him and would do anything I can to help with his recovery. Love to all,get back with you soon.

Good evening family & friends, Steve is making slow progress in some ways. He is on a Kinetic Treatment Table,which is a special bed for Quadriplegics.It rotates from one side to the other to take pressure off of his back and the rest of his body.(45 degree angle.)They will leave him on it at least a couple more days. Steves' blood pressure is still low.The swelling in his body looks worse to me.The Drs. say it is caused by the ventilator and should go down as the level goes down on his machine. He has tried to talk to me several times but I can not make out what he is trying to say,I am very sure it is not good. He is still alert at times and I look into those beautiful brown eyes and I instantly start crying,it is almost more than I can take.God give me the strength to get through this because Steve needs "ALL" of our support that we can give him now. They did a special test on him today to see what is causing the infection in his lungs.The results will be in tomorrow afternoon.I will keep you informed. Meanwhile,keep praying that he gets better soon. I will get back with you later. Family & Friends Contact Info: Castle Family c/o Hubbard House 29 W. Miller St. Orlando,Florida 32806 Email: castlesales@usa.com

Steve was not responding to me today.He is still on the strong sedatives and medication to keep him unaware of the cicumstances right now. His body and his eyes are very swelled,almost to the point of being swelled shut.That worries me. They did find the cause of the infection in the lungs,it is some kind of bacteria,sorry I cannot pronounce it.Steve is still on several antibiotics for that too. Ventilator still on 40%,not going down yet. It is a wait and see situation. He also is still on the special bed for Quadriplegics and his blood pressure is low again. Sorry I could not give you any good news today but I promised to keep all of you informed. Two of his Nurses,Stacie and Debbie fould him a CD player to use while he is in Intensive Care Unit and I brought him in some of his favorite music to listen to.Creed,M&M,etc. The Doctors want to do an exploritory procedure on him to see what is causing his problem with his intestines also.I hope that is not serious. Well family and friends,I will let you know of any changes,good or bad.Hope to hear from you soon. I would like to stay here as long as I can with Steve so if you other three sons of mine can help in any way,please let me know. Thank you so much my favorite Technical Sarge for your support and you can call anytime or send messages to me from this site. My thoughts are with all of you,Mom

Steve is doing a touch better today.His stats are looking better too. They are moving him to another special bed again today and it looks a little more comfortable than the other one,yet still rotating him from side to side. Steve is on it so his body and skin doesn't start to break down,which usally happens when a patient does not move around in his bed for lengths of time. I hope this is good news,the Doctors are going to try to do the trek tomorrow.I did tell him that today,I will not keep anything from him. As hard as it is,I will ty to stay positive in front of him as much as possible.He doesn't need anything or anyone to be negative at this very hard time in his life. It is hard enough for me to see Steve in this condition,I can only imagine what he is actually going through now,it has to be overwhelming in his mind. Still on heavy sedatives and pain killers. All three chest tubes are finally gone,Thank you God! The swelling looks a little better too and he is responding more. I am sure he is very anxious to get the vent orlator out of his mouth and throat. I know he will have a few choice words when he gets it out! He might not be able to speak right away but he will be moving his mouth.Those poor Drs. and Nurses.Uh Oh! Have not heard any more on the exploritory surgery yet.His stomach is somewhat better than it was. So,family and friends,lets pray that he does well on the trek tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes,O.K. Don't get hyper if you don't hear from me until late tomorrow,because I will be with Steve most of the day. Love you all,Mom

Hello Family & Friends, Steve was unable to have the trek done on Tuesday,but it is possible in a couple more days. Great news! I just left his hospital room and he was more alert and responding to yes and no questions,thank GOD for that. So alert he was watching ESPN. He is still unable to move from his neck down,absolutely nothing. Some of the swelling in his face and eyes have gone down. I know he understands me when I talk to him because of the expressions on his face. So miracles 'DO" happen,lets pray for a few more. I will get back to you if there are any changes. Love & Kisses, Steve & Mom Email: castlesales@usa.com Mailing Address: Same As Above

Hey there! Steve had another bad night,so no trek yet,maybe tomorrow. He was running a fever again,and the Staff is still working on his stomach problem. They did another CT-Scan this morning on his abdomen,no results yet.I will propbably find out at my 8 o'clock visit tonight. Steve was very alert today for awhile but out of it when I saw him at 4 P.M.,so I let him sleep. He is still trying very hard to talk to me,but I cannot understand him and that breaks my heart every time. So hopefully soon he will able to communicate with me.I am looking forward to it. O.K. family and friends,time to go for a break before I go back to the hospital to check on Steve. Get back to you when there are any changes. Hugs to all from Steve and Mom.

Good afternoon family & friends, Steve finally had his trek put on and is doing very well today. He has had a good couple days since then. He was also able to move both arms with a little help from me and the nurse,only from his shoulder strength,but that is still great news. He is still unable to move his hands and fingers,but any movement is a miracle considering his injuries. More good news,maybe in a day or two the physical theripists will be getting him up to sit in a chair."Wonderful" isn't it? So,family & friends this is great. Keep those prayers coming. Lots of love from Steve & Mom. castlesales@usa.com

Hey There! Steve is doing great.It has been a whole month now since his accident. He has been up sitting in a recliner for two days now.Usually,3 to 4 hours each time.Isn't that wonderful! Monday was his first day out of bed for a month.And today he sat up for a few hours too. It has made him really tired but it is still progress. His theripist and I worked with his arms today and he was helping to move both arms a little himself.I give him a "Thumbs Up!" Steve is still not moving anywhere else because the nerves below the #C5 and C6 vertebre that were severed are controlling his hands and legs,which is the # C8 vertebre. His oxygen level is up and down from 40% to 30%,right now at 35%,but should improve daily as his lungs improve. The Doctors said his neck-brace has to be on about 4 to 8 weeks,he really wants that off in a hurry. All the chest tubes are gone and the IV in his arm,so all that's left is the two in his nose for feeding and one on his chest for medications and of course his trek in his neck. I cannot wait until he is able to talk,but I do know when he does The Hubbard House will hear him two blocks away,but that is to be expected in his case. Not to worry too much "Brothers"and "Friends,"the nurses will be close by with sedation if Steve gets too loud. I told him last night if he did not have the trek on I would tell him a few jokes I have heard lately,but I was afraid he would blow it off his neck,which he did a few times already,when he was trying to cough. I will keep everyone informed of his progress as much as possible. Hugs & kisses to all the little people in my life,and the big ones too. Steve and Mom

Good Morning Everyone, Steve was transported to Orlando Regional Lucerne Hospital friday afternoon to the ICU unit for rehabilitation. He is in Room #9 and is not in a good frame of mind at this point. He is going thru the "Giving Up Stage,but will go thru that alot,along with depression,not wanting to live in his condition and also ,heaven forbid,thoughts of suicide. All this is normal in his condition.We have to see him thru it all.I intend to do just that.He needs unconditional love and support from all of us. Please send him letters or cards to cheer him up and help his days go a little better. His address: Orlando Regional Lucerne Hospital Steve Castle ICU #9 818 Main Lane Orlando,Fl.32806 Please do not call alot,that takes time and attention away from Steves' care.Also there is a code to get information on him so not just anyone can call the ICU to get info on him.His brothers can contact me for the code word. His vent is still on 35%.The doctors were unable to get him off of it so far.Let's hope it is soon so he can communicate with us,he wants that desperately. I am unsure of how long he will be there in rehab,it could be months. I am also not sure how long I can continue to stay where I am,running low on resources. Sons and friends,please keep in contact with me,we need your support very much. Much love,Mom & Steve

Hi family & friends, Steve seems to be doing a little better since moving to Lucerne,he is ready for his rehab.Me too! I have met so many wonderful people here.The doctors and the nurses are just great with him. Steve had a Bronchoscopy this morning to get the fluid off of his lungs,in order to get him off the ventilator sooner.It brought up a moderate amount of fluids. He is currently on 40% oxygen level and 5% peep.It fluctuates from 30 % to 40% depending on how he feels and his blood pressure. I think he is looking so much better than he was a few days ago. I met his (PT) or Physical Theripist,the one that will be doing his rehab and he was quite pleased with Steves' progress so far. He can move both arms,very little by himself but more with help. I am staying with him as much as possible.Last night it was almost midnight. The new visiting hours are anytime except 6-8am and 6-8pm which is during shift change.So I can see him as much as I want. Steve was giving the nurses a hard time this morning for turning him on his right side.He was telling them to "Get My Mom In Here".Like I was going to stop them from doing their job."Not." The only tubes he has left are,the feeding tube,which might not be too much longer and of course the bladder cathater.Great,huh? When Steve is able to talk to me directly we will know more of where he wants to go after his rehabilitation.I promised I would not do anything drastic until he could speak to me.I would want the same courtesy. Hey,anyone who does not know,my room# has changed,it is now #9 so the phone # has also changed from 19 to 09,got it,good!You know the rest. Please keep in touch with me,I would love to hear from all of you. P.S. I would like to thank my big brother Bill and his wife Linda for all the help and support they have given me since I arrived here in Orlando. You too D.J.You guys are great! And another thank you to my cousin Chris,from Ky.That was very nice of you.Tell the family I miss them and are thinking of them too. Ken,# 1 son of mine,call me or email as often as you can,I miss you. Herb,you have given me alot of love and support too,I thank you. Tony,I miss you,please take care and keep in touch.I know you know how to operate a computer.It is called eMail.Love Ya,Bye! Steve says hello to all(well,I can read his lips.)I am sure he misses all of you. Lots of Love & kisses! Steve & Mom

Hi Everyone, Steve is slowly making progress. They moved him to Respitory ICU so they can wean him from the ventilator. So sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you.I have been very sick for the last several days myself. Not much more to tell.I will go see Steve and if there are any changes I will update you.

Hi, I just left Steves' room.He is doing so much better.He has had a great couple of days. Two days ago,he went 30 minutes without the ventilator. Today Steve was off the vent a whopping 3 hours,two hours this morning and another hour at 5PM.I think that is wonderful! So family and friends he is making progress daily. I told him today if he continues as he has been I will be pushing him around in his wheelchair in notime. I can almost see him in a motorized chair,look-out nurses,here he comes again. Steve also has nothing else in his mouth,his face is clear.They took the feeding tube out and reinserted it into his stomach.That should only be temporary. So,thought I would update things for you.L@@kin' G@@d! Get back with you later,Love Steve & Mom.

Hello Everyone! Sorry I have not been in contact for awhile.Steve has been in and out of hospitals for sometime now. He is currently in Hunters Creek Nursing Facility on the edge of Orlando.I did not want to leave him here in Florida but had to until his disability went thru.He could not leave the state at that time.I was planning to take him back to Ohio.I will not be leaving now,Steve is unable to travel that far right now so I have moved here to be with him. I am in Tarpon Springs,Florida right now looking for a good place to move him to where he will be close to me at all times until he is well enough to bring home. He has had a very difficult time with his lungs healing up.Right now he has a very bad bedsore on his tailbone.His Dr. says he will never be able to ever lay on his back again even after he has surgery on it.I am not sure if he will even be able to use a wheelchair,I sure hope and pray that he can someday. Steve has been in a tremendous amount of pain because they have to turn him every two hours from side to side,his shoulders are very sore and sensitive because of the turning. So,family and friends,please send a card or write to him when you can,I am sure he would love to hear from you. His address at this time is: Steven Castle c/o Hunters Creek Nursing & Rehab Room# 130A 14155 Town Loop Blvd. Orlando,Florida 32837 Thank You for checking on his condition,will update you soon. Steves mother,Jane

Hello Everyone, Steve is doing so much better,he is moving his arms and his thumb and right finger,isn't that great!! With help,he is getting out of bed everyday and sitting in a chair.Soon he will be racing down the hallways and getting a speeding ticket.Great News,huh? A very "Special" thanks to all the staff at Orlando Regional Medical Center and surrounding Facilities,including all the wonderful people at The Hubbard House,thanks Peggy and God Bless! Also a special hello and thanks to all Steves friends in Springfield and Jackson,Ohio and Oklahoma,he really hopes to see you soon.Please send cards or letters of support to: Belleair East Healthcare Center Steve Castle-Room 212 1150 Ponce De Leon Blvd. Clearwater,Florida 33756 My Love To All,Jane castlesales@usa.com

Steve w/daughter Crystal 2000   Steve is doing great right now.He is getting out on the weekends and visiting family.Several months ago he went to the races and stayed in a motel with one of his brothers and a friend.He had a great time. It is very hard for him to move a wheelchair by himself,but he has done it! That is such a miracle. All he needs is a power chair,which he can get if he gets out of the nursing facility. Steve is thinking about living with family now if he can get the medical and physical therapy help he will need at home. We want to thank all of our family members in Florida that have visited him and gave him support. Uncle Bill,Aunt Linda,Will and Judy,Mary Jo and Winfield. All of you have been wonderful in helping him with his recovery and I love all of you very much for what you have done for him. I hope Steve can keep up the good work,he is working so very hard at it.He deserves to be happy and have a great life. He is my HERO! From: A very proud mother! castlesales@usa.com

Hello Everyone, So very sorry it has been so long since you have heard from me. I do have some great news! Steve is coming back to Jackson Ohio,finally..It might not be right away.He said it could be around March(the 8th would be nice) or April when (our)weather breaks.His is still in the 70's and 80's.Florida of course.. Let's make it a "Wonderful Homecoming" for him. What da ya say? How about forwarding this page to all of his High School buddies and all other friends too. Send me their emails addresses (if you have them)and I will add as many as I can to this list,or you can email them and let them know. Anyone and everyone you can possibly think of. I will keep you informed of his arrival date. I can't give you his soon to be location yet,that will come later.We can't have a hundred people there at one time,or can we? Oh,and by the way Steve has use of three of his fingers on his right hand and is flying around the facilaty in his new 1000 pound power chair,thanks to three companies who went together to get it for him. I have had a great Christmas,God has blessed me in so many ways,so if you see someone without a smile,just look at them and give them one of yours. Have a Wonderful New Year! The Castle Family

Steve 2000   Hi Everyone, It's almost that time.it is going to be great to have him back home. In April,I am going myself,along with one of my other sons to get Steve and bring him Home. Thank you. Have A Great Easter!