Today we took a short break from the hospital and visited the Audubon Center For Birds Of Prey in Maitland, Florida.
Prepare yourself for the following photo. Under normal conditions my forehead covers about a half acre so spotlight it (and my generous ears) with bright sunlight when everything else in the photo is in shade and I look goofy as hell. When I saw the photo (taken with my grandson Ryan’s phone) I decided not to post it but Ryan “double dog dared me” (with his two dogs standing right there) to post it anyway so how could I not take the dare and vanity be damned?
Rehabilitation Supervisor Dianna Flynt (holding a Bald Eagle named Page), Shannon’s husband Rick, grandson Ryan and myself
I was hugely impressed by the facility and their staff. Over the years these folks have treated over 12,000 injured or orphaned raptors (just think about that number) and relased 40% of them back into the wild. Diana generously offered to bring Page out for a photo (what a spectacular bird!) and she was incredibly kind and helpful. This lady is very devoted to raptors (and she also has a big heart for “wounded” humans) . We arrived at the center not long before closing time so I hope to make a return visit before I head back to Utah and if I do I’ll be sure to have my own camera with me!
I’ll also take this opportunity to update my readers on Shannon’s medical situation (see my previous post for background if you’re interested). She continues to make some daily progress but we were disappointed when she wasn’t taken off the ventilator today as planned. Her airway is inflamed so they decided to leave it in for another day in the hopes that medications will reduce the inflamation enough to have it removed tomorrow. Getting her off the respirator as soon as possible is a huge medical priority.
Ron
Addendum: Rick just came home from the hospital. We’re very encouraged by Shannon’s performance tonight on a series of tests designed to test her brain function and cognitive abilities. Staff seems determined to remove that damned ventilator in the morning. Fingers crossed…
Hi Ron and family! So glad Shannon is improving! Hope she is able to breathe on her own today! Still all here and Ga. are sending prayers!
I know you needed a break and glad it was with your favorite type birds! You still looked great to me! Sybill
Thank you everyone.
Due to airway inflammation Shannon was not able to be taken off the ventilator yesterday. Hopefully it’ll happen today (Tuesday).
I believe the inflammation will abate in Shannon’s airways. Great that you took a break and showed us the stupendous Page, Diana, Ron and Ryan and opened to little healing coming in from the wild.
Sounds promising with test results for Shannon last evening – hopefully it continues 🙂
Hoping Shannon is off the ventilator today and continues to make progress!
Glad the test results are looking hopeful. Beautiful Eagle. Glad you had a chance to relax for a bit.
After using a polarized filter your forehead doesn’t look so bad…
But I am concerned about your belly. I think you need a little more of exercise. Too many hours sitting on that van of yours looking after birds and that is the result !!!
I will keep thinking about you and your daughter and wish her a complete recovery.
Thank you for keeping us posted.
You have a beautiful family Ron and a beautiful BALD Eagle standing right in front of you. Page said she has some of the same issues with sun glare that you do lol. I am praying very hard for Shannon that she continues to show slow but steady improvement.
You, Shannon and Shannon’s family are bathed in oceans of caring.
I am thrilled to hear that she continues to make progress.
Double dog daring is something which can’t be ignored – and I am grateful.
I am also grateful for the work done by the work done at the Centre. And for your knowledgeable commentators for educating me again.
You know, in holy icons of the saints, that light is “inner light,” which indicates holiness. DON’T LAUGH!! Look at the icons. 🙂
We all join with you in our high and holy prayers that Shannon will be completely healed and restored, that she will recover and continue her wonderful life as mother, wife, and daughter. Prayers continue. Jane+
Ron–After checking out that photo again, a little more closely, I don’t think that’s really a “glare” on your forehead. I think it’s more likely that you were having a brilliant idea. I only hope it was a good one!!!
Not to worry, the glare on your forehead just serves to highlight your enormous brain. LOL Glad that things are progressing for Shannon and hope that she makes it off the vent soon.
If I ever make it out to Utah and someone takes a picture of you and me, we will blind the photographer if she uses a flash, or if the sun is hitting both of our heads!!! VBG
She’ll be off tomorrow. With all these positive vibes, prayers, concerns, etc., you and she are surrounded with positivity!
Also glad you got a break – thanks for keeping us informed, it is much appreciated by all of us.
Still have you and your family in my thoughts, Ron. Thank you for being so generous with your time to let us know how she is doing.
Good to hear that Shannon is recovering well and will be free from the respirator hopefully to morrow. My best wishes and thank
you for the update.
OK. Give me a topic and I’ll worry about it. You say they’ve treated 12,000 birds, and released 40% ,that leaves 60% unaccounted for…or something like 7,200 birds NOT released. What happened to those birds???
Patty, either they didn’t survive their injuries (or medical conditions) or they survived but couldn’t be released into the wild so they were (are) used as “education birds”. At least that’s my assumption.
‘Release rate’ is a difficult statistic and different rehab facilities may have different ways of calculating it. (I’ve seen some facilities that claim they release “90% of those that survive their initial injuries,” whatever that means!) 40% sounds honest and is very reasonable, when you consider the state many birds are in when they come in, and the limits of medical abilities to return them to full function – which is critical for survival in the wild. Many die no matter what you can do, some are euthanized because you can’t return them to full function and life in captivity is not possible for them all – in fact, except for a very tiny percentage (maybe 1-2%, by our stats), most wild birds do not have have the temperament for a quality life under human care, or their physical impairment makes it impossible for them to have a quality life in captivity (e.g., blind, amputation, nerve damage). Release rate also varies depending on how many healthy orphans you get in – a high orphan year usually equals a higher release rate. When your case load is weighted towards traumatic injuries, diseases (e.g., West Nile Virus), poisoning (e.g., lead poisoning or pesticide poisoning), or starvation, release rate goes down, for obvious reasons. At my raptor rehabilitation facility (and our release rates vary between 60% in a high orphan year to 45% in a year heavy with trauma and starvation), we try to educate around the fact that rather than fixating on release rate, being able to provide quality, individualized care for each bird is what counts. And we probably euthanize about the same percentage or a bit higher than those that die. Maitland has a good reputation and Diana is very experienced.
Thank you…you always come through…much appreciated!!!
Thx for that info – I know birds don’t always do well in captivity and good to know the different factors involved.
Prayers for you all and Shannon. Glad you stepped out for some time with the birds. All my best.
First we take a few, halting baby steps…it isn’t until sometime later that we run marathons……
Ron,
Sounds like more good stuff, that is a great place; can see it isn’t easy to keep you away from those birds! Glad you got away from the hospital for a bit. Mighty good looking grandson you’ve got there! Very good report on your daughters brain function recovery; if you have pulmonary trouble and I am sure you won’t …. you could ask for Dr. Aldarondo to consult. Good pulmonary guy who is in Winter Park. Sounds like you have a great team already; with the improvement you are reporting. Thanks for the update. I have been thinking/praying for you all.
Take Care,
Linda
Glad you were able to get away from the hospital and take care of yourself. I was focused on the eagle and didn’t see the glare until you mentioned it😄. I hope your next post tells us the tube is out and Shannon’s recovery is progressing. It’s never as fast as we want and not every day is what we want, but she will recover. Thanks for the update.
Ron like some of your bird pics you are always criticizing I would not notice your head or ears without you helping me see. Very glad along with you and yours for Shannon’s continued recovery.
My prayers are with your daughter that she will continue to improve.
Good to hear you all took a break today to a wonderful place! 🙂 Hopefully the ventilator will come out tomorrow – getting rid of that is important, BUT! Will still be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Little glare there alright. 🙂 Oh well!
I can’t even begin to tell you how disappointed I was with your photo…handsome (make that GORGEOUS!!!!)grandson, good looking son-in-law(right?), attractivewoman, BEAUTIFUL bird and then there’s you…not even bothering to wear that Magpie on your head, you can’t just let yourself go like this Ron!!! Hope eveything clears up for vent removal tomorrow…
P. 🙂
PS. What are you worried sbout… At least you don’t look like a tadpole….I do!!!
Yes, vanity be dammed… Ha.
The important issue now is Shannon’s health.
The progress steps may seem slow.. slower than anyone would like,
but as long as she is making progress that is good… we are all with
you, and Shannon, and pulling hard for her complete recovery.. ;-)))
I share your fervent hope that Shannon can come off the vent tomorrow, and look forward to news of her continued recovery.
And I love the family photo — sunspot & all! — and also share your enthusiasm for the Audubon center. I visited a couple of years ago at Christmastime and was absolutely wowed by the facility, handlers and, of course, the raptors, including fabulous Page. Hard to believe something so natural & beautiful can exist in (what is essentially) the middle of Orlando!
All the best to you & your family.
Re: Shannon……. High hopes that she comes off that ventilator tomorrow- or shortly after. Wishing her a speedy recovery.
Re: Glare Control- At least you weren’t wearing glasses; 😎
Really glad you got to take a break – and that you had the courage to post the photo. I hope the medications work on Shannon’s inflamed airways and that she can get off the ventilator. I’ll continue to pray for all of you.
Sending Shannon and all of you healing vibes Ron !
I will pray that she is able to be removed tomorrow on!
You’re just not used to phone shots. Nor so bad I wish you were seeing these guys under happier circumstances!
Charlotte