Thursday, November 29, 2007

MY VISIT WITH MONTELL TODAY AND HE'S BEING TRANSPORTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS TONIGHT

11/29/07 – Today when I arrived at KSB Hospital and saw Montell he was laying on his left side. Montell was quite upset, he was crying and wanted me to do the ABCs. When I begin he was able to spell out “right hand”. I immediately looked to see what he was trying to tell me and to my surprise I saw flex cuffs on him. They had restrained his right arm to the bed and he was upset about this. He had me spell out “why and what for”. I asked Officer Miller to call the Dixon CC and ask for the warden for me. When Warden Chandler came to the phone I asked her why Montell had these flex cuffs on him. He is not supposed to be restrained and she told me that the hospital administrative staff had requested this. Later when I left the hospital I called my attorney and told him about this. I received a call later and was told that Montell had allegedly hit a nurse last week when she was giving him a shot. However, I was there from 1:05 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. and they were on him then. I received a call after he had checked into this matter and was told that the flex cuffs are only to be placed on him when the nurses are giving him a shot or
draw blood. I also noticed that Montell was getting antibodies again
Montell wanted me to turn him to his right side and when I did he want me to put his right hand in between the bed railing. I noticed that when I did this that part of the flex cuff was hitting his wrist. He also wanted his left hand inserted into the same space but that was impossible because his left arm is contracted and wouldn’t reach the hole. A RN came in and inserted some potassium through his feeding tube. I asked her what it was and she told me that his potassium was low. The she gave him a shot to keep his blood from clogging, I held his right hand. After she left Montell wanted me to put his right and left hand on his pillow so he could hold on to it, I did. He just laid there and watched me for awhile and then he drifted off to sleep. He seemed to be doing better today and he was a little verbal but it was slurred. When he woke up he wanted to watch the television and some more football. However, he drifted back off to sleep and I had to wake him up to let him know that I was leaving and that I would see him tomorrow. I kissed him and told him not to worry, we would get things straightened out.
Assistant Warden Transoco called me and told me that Montell was being transported to the University of Illinois Medical Center tonight. He told me call him or Warden Chandler and they would give me his room number in the morning.


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I FOUND MONTELL IN TERRIBLE PAIN TODAY

11/27/08 – Today as I was driving to Dixon the RN called me from KSB Hospital and told me that Montell was in a lot of pain and that they were planning on doing and MRI on him since he was non-verbal. She asked me some questions and then we decided that we would wait for me to arrive at the hospital in order to answer some more questions and sign the necessary papers.
When I arrived in Montell’s room he was moaning and crying, I tried to find out what was hurting him but he didn’t respond to the ABCs. Later they turned him to his left side and he seemed to calm down. He drifted off to sleep. The nurse told me that they couldn’t give him anything for pain because the had received his last shot at 11:15 a.m. and had to wait four hours before he could receive another one. When he woke up he was moaning and crying again and wanted me to move his left foot, I did and he calmed down and drifted off to sleep again. Later on a nurse came in and wanted to give him a shot to keep his blood from clogging but Montell refused it. I tried to tell him that he didn’t want his blood to clog, he wouldn’t let her do it. He started crying so I left him alone about getting the shot. I couldn’t keep Montell focus on doing the ABCs today because of the pain that he was in. My two hours was almost up so I woke him up to let him know that I was leaving. I never leave without letting him know I’m gone.

MONTELL NOT FEELING WELL TODAY

11/26/07 – Today when Leon and I arrived I noticed right away that Montell wasn’t feeling well. I felt his forehead and it was warm however, his right hand was cold. He was just lying in the bed moaning. I asked if something was hurting him and he nodded ‘yes”. He had his mouth opened and it seemed that he was having a hard time breathing. He was having quite a few spasms as well. A nurse came in and drew some blood. Montell is still grinding his teeth. The RN came in and took his vitals. Montell’s heart rate is 125 and it should be 80. I couldn’t keep Montell focus on doing the ABCs. Montell practically slept most of the two hours that we were with him. When it was time to leave him I kissed him and told him that we were see him tomorrow.

OVER THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND WITH MONTELL

11/22/07 – Leon and I arrived at KSB Hospital at 1:30 p.m., when we got to Montell’s room he was lying on his left side in a fetal position. Montell was a little verbal today however, most of his speech was slurred. Montell told us that he would rather in in Stateville than go back to Dixon. He feels that they would take better care of him. A nurse came in to take his temperature but Montell wouldn’t open his mouth, he wanted her to take it from under his arm. His temperature was 97.6 and his pulse was 100. I noticed that Montell was having quite a few spasms and I wondered if they had increased his dosage of Baclofin yet. He wanted Leon to move his left leg because his right leg was lying on top of it. When Leon did this, he let us know that he felt better. Montell then spelled out football to me letting me know that he wanted to watch a game after a little while he drifted off to sleep for about fifteen minutes. When he woke up he wanted to watch a basketball game. He watched it for awhile and then he drifted off to sleep for about ten minutes. I also noticed that his lips were quite chapped and asked for vaseline to put on them. The nurse bought me some. When we were ready to leave, I kissed Montell on the forehead and told him we would be back out there tomorrow.

11/23/07 -- Leon and I arrived at KSB Hospital at 11:45 a.m. We got a chance to talk with Dr. Kahn and he told us that Montell has an infection in his blood. I asked where was it coming from? Dr. Kahn stated that he didn’t know whether it was coming from his bedsores or not. He’s giving him two types of antibodies to try and fight the infection. Montell is also receiving IV. Montell murmured that it came from the dirty wash cloth that had maggots in it at Dixon CC. Montell had told us this same thing on June 8th when we visited him. The prison denies that he ever had maggots. I then asked him if Dixon took good care of him and he shook his head from side to side indicating “No”. I then asked him if he was being taken good care of at KSB and he shook his head up and down indicating “Yes”.
The nurse came in to take Montell’s vitals. His temperature was 97.1 and his blood pressure was 95 over 62. Montell indicating to Leon that he wanted to be moved to his left side but he has to lie on his right side for two hours and then Leon could move him. Montell watched television and then Leon moved him to his left side. He indicated that he wanted the blinds opened, Leon opened them. He wanted Leon to cover him up. Montell spelled out the word “protein” and let us know that he wanted some. He had saw this on television. Later on a nurse came in and asked Montell if he wanted a flu shot and Montell shook his head from side to side indicating “no”. Montell let us know that they had taken blood four times yesterday and he didn’t want any more needles. He wanted Leon to pull his watch up on his arm, it seems today that I can’t do anything for him except say the “ABCs” he wants his brother to do everything except that. I noticed that they were feeding Montell Ensure. When it was time to leave I kissed Montell and told him we would be back tomorrow.

11/24/07 – Today when Leon and I arrived in Montell’s room he was being cleaned up. Later on he wanted Leon to move his right hand. Montell then watched a football game for a little while then he drifted off to sleep. When he woke up he wanted Leon to move his right hand so that he could hold on to the bed railing, Leon did. I noticed that Montell is still wearing the heart monitor. Montell has started grinding his teeth. There is an order that Montell doesn’t receive anything by mouth. A nurse came in and put a Texas catheter on him. Another nurse came in and took his vitals. His temperature is 98. Montell wasn’t having as many spasms as usual. He was sleeping quite a bit.. When it was time for us to leave I woke Montell up to let him know that we were leaving and would see him tomorrow.

11/25/07 -- Today when Leon, Dametra and I arrived Montell was lying in his bed on his right side. When Dametra told him that she loved him, he smiled. Dametra checked his output and said that it was good, l50 cc and that the coloring was good also. I noticed after awhile that a little tear was coming down the right side of his face. He seems to be happy with his sister and brother. I just sat back and watched them interact with each other. When Montell and I were doing the ABCs he couldn’t seem to stay focus and became frustrated and began to cry. I told him that was alright we could do them later. Then he begin rubbing his bottom lip and Dametra asked from some vaseline and put it on his lip. While doing the ABCs Montell let us know that his index finger was crooked like my father. I noticed that whenever Montell wanted anything done for him only is sister or brother could do it, I was only allowed to do the ABCs with him.
Montell drifted off to sleep for awhile. I think he was excited about being with his siblings. I know that I enjoyed having all my children in one room at the same time. We had to leave Montell so we all kissed him goodbye and I let him know that I would see him tomorrow.

Friday, November 23, 2007

MONTELL TAKEN BACK TO KSB HOSPITAL AND MY DEMORALIZING EPISODE WITH OFFICER HELLEFINGER

11-21-07 – I called Dixon CC at 9:30 a.m. to try and reach Dr. Ngu., the call went into voice-mail so I hung up. I called again at 11:20 a.m. and was able to speak with Dr. Ngu. He told me that he was getting ready to order an ambulance and have Montell transported to KSB Hospital because his feeding tube was clogged, his enzyme levels were high and he had a temperature of 100.4. I asked how much did he weigh now and he told me that Montell only weighs 78 pounds. I told him that I was on my way out to the hospital. About ten or fifteen minutes later Warden Chandler call to let me know, I told her that I had talked with Dr. Ngu and was aware of the situation and was on my way there.
When I arrived at KSB Hospital I went to the front desk phone and dialed “Admitting”. I was told that Montell was in Room 418 so I caught the elevator and went to the fourth floor. When I got to the room Officer D. Ford came to the door. He informed me that a female officer would be coming over to search me. I told him that I didn’t understand why we had to go through this procedure because when Montell was at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago I didn’t have to be searched. He asked me to take my purse back to the car and only bring in my ID and car keys, I did. When I arrived back to the room a female officer was there. Her name was Officer Hellefinger. I told her the same thing that I had told Officer D. Ford and she stated that I was acting like a two-year old about the whole situation. I told her that she needed to be careful of how she spoke to people, she could end up without a job. She told me that if I wanted to see Montell I had to apologize for telling her that, I did. However, to add insult to injury she proceeded to search me in the hallway outside of Montell’s room, where the nursing staff and other visitors was coming and going. This was demoralizing to me. I’m not an inmate and I shouldn’t have been treated like that. All she had to do was go down the hall and into a little waiting room or the bathroom to do this. After searching me instead of going back to the prison facilities like the other officers had done previously, she came into the room. There was two trays of food there, she lifted the cover of one tray and sat down and proceeded to eat the meal. After she finished she told Officer D. Ford that she was going back to the prison.
Montell was lying in a fetal position on his right side and he looked so helpless. He forehead was sweaty and his right hand was warm but he kept trying to let me know that he was cold. I requested more blankets in order to cover him up. Later on a nurse came in and removed them because she said he was dehydrated and having the blanket on him would make it worst. He was having quite a few spasms and was in terrible pain. His feeding tube was out, he had IV and antibodies going into his body. He kept complaining about a headache I would kiss his forehead and rub it for him. When I stopped he would start back moaning and I would do the same thing over and over. I asked Montell if he was feeling better since he had the IV and antibodies going into his body and he nodded “yes”. I asked him if he had eaten today by mouth and he nodded “yes”. I asked if he had been given Baclofin today for his spasms because I had noticed he was having them more regular and he nodded “yes” I also noticed that his bottom lip was chapped. When my two hour visit was up, I kissed Montell and told him to hang on in there and that Leon and I would be out there tomorrow.




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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

CONVERSATION WITH WARDEN CHANDLER AND LEON AND MY VISIT WITH MONTELL

11/19/07 – I called Warden Chandlers’ office at 12:21 p.m. and asked to speak with her about some issues concerning Montell. I was told that she wasn’t in at the present time so I left my name and telephone number. I called Dr. Ngu at 2:36 p.m. and Lynne answered the phone. I asked to speak with him but Lynne told me that he would be in tomorrow at 8 a.m. I then hung up and dialed the facilities again and asked for Warden Chandler. When I asked the female whom was I speaking with, she informed me an officer and told me to hold on. I held the phone for two minutes and the officer came back on the phone and told me that Warden Chandler would be right with me. After a few minutes Assistant Warden Transoco came on the line and I informed him that I was waiting to talk with Warden Chandler. He hung up and after a few minutes a male officer came on the line and told me it would be a second. Warden Chandler picked up the phone at 2:44 p.m. I asked her why I was only permitted to see Montell for two hours when other inmates are allowed a four- hour visit. She stated “because I’m in her facility and visiting hours are from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. for infirmary visits. She said every other inmate in the infirmary only get two visits a month whereas I get four weekend visits per month and two-week day visits. She stated that she’s was not going to allow me a four-hour visit. I told her that I don’t even get my full two-hour visit when I come. I then told her that I appreciated what she’s doing. I also told her about being asked to leave the room when the medical staff come to help Montell and having to walk down the hall and through the double doors. She said she would be meeting with them about this tomorrow.
11-20-07 – Today Leon and I arrived at the facility at 12:50 p.m. Officer C. Hill escorted us to the infirmary. When we arrived there at 1:15 p.m. Montell was lying on his right side with his mouth wide open. He was breathing real hard. The “call button was on his right side but not placed where he could reach it if he needed to. The pillow had cover on it. I kissed him and stood back to see how he would react to seeing his brother. For the next 45 minutes Montell didn’t do anything but stare at Leon while Leon was holding his hand, talking to him and rubbing his arm. I noticed that Montell was having quite a few spasms in his upper and lower body, I asked him if he had been given some medicine for his spasms and he shook his head “no”. I stepped around to the left side of the bed. I notice that the Wound Vacuum machine was still running, the cylinder was clean and there wasn’t anything in the tubing. I also felt Montell’s forehead, he was real sweaty and his hand and forehead were both warm. I noticed that the Texas catheter was no longer there and saw a urinal hanging from the bed. I then asked Montell if he had to lie in his urine for any long period of time and he shook his head from side to side indicating “no”. The nurse informed Officer Hill at 2:15 p.m. that she needed to reposition Montell so we stepped out the room and walked down the hall and through the double doors. When we returned to the room at 2:20 p.m. Montell was lying on his left side and moaning. The “call button” was placed where he could reach it. I asked Montell if he had eaten anything by mouth and he nodded “yes”. Montell indicated to me hat he wanted to do the ABCs. After going through them twice and he didn’t pick out a letter I asked him if he wanted to continue and he shook his head “no” After a while he wanted to do the ABCs, he wanted his “hat”. Officer Hill went to the nurses’ station to get it for us and he was informed that Montell didn’t have a hat. Montell usually wears his hat and gloves. We had to leave at 2:50 p.m. I told Montell that we would be spending Thanksgiving with him and I kissed him and we left the room and headed back to the main gate.
When we got to the car I immediately dialed the phone and asked for Dr Ngu. When he came to the phone I asked him the following questions: Did they remove the Texas Catheter because Montell had a urinary tract infection? (No answer.) I asked him if Montell was still getting medicine for his spasms and why wasn’t he still getting Copaxone. He stated that he was getting medicine for his spasms and he would have to check on the Copaxone. I asked him if Montell had a temperature because he felt warm to me. He stated that it could be coming from his bedsores. I asked him how much did he weigh and got no answer. Dr. Ngu stated that he hadn’t seen Montell today but would be doing so later on, he then told me to call him tomorrow morning after 9 a.m. I am concerned because Montell is losing his color and i don’t like the fact that he’s breathing real hard and that the spasms seemed to be getting worse.



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Sunday, November 18, 2007

MY VISIT WITH MONTELL TODAY

11/18/07 – Today I arrived at the main gate at 12:47 p.m. Officer Pearson escorted me to the infirmary we arrived there at 1:20 p.m. Montell was lying on his left side and the “call button” was wrapped around the right side railing. I went around to the left side of the bed to kiss him. I noticed that the Wound Vacuum machine’s cylinder was cleaned and that the tubing coming from his wounds (bedsores) was clear. There was no odor today. Montell tried to reach the railing with his right hand and I helped him. I also noticed that his teeth are turning yellow. There was a folding screen in his room today. I wonder what for? Today the pillow that Montell’ s head was on was covered. I asked him if it’s that way everyday and he nodded “no”. I asked him if he had eaten by mouth today and he nodded “yes”. I noticed that he was having quite a few spasms and when he had them he would began to cry. I asked if they were hurting him and he nodded “yes”. I asked him to hold my hand and let me share some of his pain. I held his hand and placed my hand on his forehand and he felt warm as well as his hand. I asked him if he was feeling well and he nodded “yes”. I asked him if he wanted to do the ABCs and he nodded “no” so I told him to let me know when he wanted to do them with me.

Montell begin staring at the cards in his windowsill, I asked him if he wanted me to read them to him. He nodded “yes” so I began reading them to him. The male guard who sits in the nurses’ station (short, stocky with brown hair) came into the room at 1:40 p.m. and told me that I was not supposed to touch anything in the room. I informed him that I was reading the cards to Montell and he stated that someone had already read him the cards. There was also some pictures of cats that someone had sent him. Montell wanted me to do the ABCs he let me know that he wanted his pillow repositioned under his head. I noticed that his lips were chapped.

At 2 p.m. the nurse told Officer Pearson that she needed to reposition Montell and that I had to leave the room, I did. We walked down the hall and through the double doors. When I arrived back in the room at 2:07 p.m. Montell was lying on his right side. Montell drifted off to sleep for 35 minutes. When he woke up he wanted me to place his pillow so that his head would lay in the middle instead of on the edge where the nurse had placed it. I told him that Leon and I would be see him on Tuesday and that we plan to spend Thanksgiving with him. At 2:47 p.m. someone from the nurses’ staff office informed Officer Pearson that visited was up. I am supposed to have visiting privileges with Montell for two hours. It doesn’t matter if I get there early or not, I never get to spend my full two hours with Montell. I kissed him and told him that I loved him and left. I arrived back at the main gate and signed out at 2:54 p.m. I found out today that the some of the inmates are given four hours visiting privileges.



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Friday, November 16, 2007

DAMETRA AND I VISITED MONTELL TODAY

11/15/07 – This morning I called Lynne and told her that Dametra and I would be coming tomorrow. I also gave her the following dates: 11/18 – I would be coming; 11/20 and 11/22 Leon (were not sure which date he would be here but he told me to put him down for both dates) and I would be coming.
11/16/07 – Today I arrived at the main gate and signed in at 1:05 p.m. along with Dametra. Officer Spong escorted us to the infirmary. When we arrived there at 1:30 p.m. Montell was lying on his left side with a small pillow under his head that had no pillowcase or any other covering over it. I also noticed that the “call button” was dangling from the right side of the bed and there was no way he could reach it if he needed help. As I walked around the left side of the bed to kiss him I noticed that there was a strange odor on that side of the bed. The Wound Vacuum machine was running and Dametra observed that nothing was coming out of it into the plastic tubing however, there was some blood about three feet from Montell in the tubing that was almost dried up as well. I also observed that the blood that was in the cylinder was dry up and exactly like it looked on Tuesday when I visited him. Dametra told me that the odor I smelled was coming from the wounds (bedsores) on Montell’s body. She said that there nothing that could be done about that. She stated that since the plastic tubing didn’t have much in it that that was a good sign. I asked Montell if he had eaten today by mouth and he nodded ‘yes”. I felt his hands and forehead and he felt warm which isn’t normal because his body is usually cold. After a little while Montell let me know that he wanted to move to his right side. I walked over to the right side of the bed and lifted the call button up and pushed it. When the nurse (blue pants and top with brown hair and no name tag on) came she informed me that they had just moved him a little while ago. Dametra and I stepped out the room however, she informed Officer Spong that we had to go down the hall and through the double doors again we did. When we returned to the room I still observed that the call button was still dangling and that there was no way Montell could reach it. Also Dametra noticed that Montell didn’t have the Texas Catheter on. Montell drifted off to sleep for about 35 minutes. When he woke up he let me know through the ABCs that he wanted some food. He also let me know that he wanted to be pulled up in the bed so I rang the “call button” again we had to go down hall and through the double doors. The “call button” was still dangling where he couldn’t reach it if he needed too. Officer Spong asked the male guard in the nurses’ office to be relieved at 3:00 p.m. since Dametra and I were supposed to have a two-hour visit. At 2:20 p.m. the guard (short, stocky, with brown hair and no name tag on) came into the room and stated that he had spoken with Assistant Warden Transoco and he had been told that we had to leave at 3 p.m. since visiting hours are over at that time. At 2:40 p.m. Montell wanted to be moved to his left side so we stepped out the room and down the hall and through the double doors for the third time during our visit. When we back to his room I noticed that this time he had his “call button” where he could reach it. At 2:50 p.m. we had to leave Montell so we both kissed him and I told him that I would see him on Sunday. As we were walking back to the main gate Dametra told me that she noticed that Montell face was smaller now then when she saw him on Wednesday, November 7th at the University of Illinois Medical Center.


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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

GETTING VISITATION AND VISITING MONTELL TODAY

11/12/07 – Warden Chandler told me last Thursday that she needed 24-hour notice of my visits with Montell. I called Dixon Correctional Facility at 8:30 a.m. and dialed “7” nad then "5" for Clinical Services but their voice-mail came on and I hung up. I then called back to the facility and this time I dialed “5” for the Warden’s office, however, they also had voice-mail on so I left a message that I would be coming tomorrow 11/13/07. When I didn’t hear from the Warden’s office by 2:45 p.m. I called Dixon again and asked for whoever was in charge. Officer Taylor from the armory answered the phone but some how we got disconnected, so I called back again and this time Counselor Levy answered the phone and told me that there was nobody there to give me clearance for visiting Montell tomorrow. I hung up, called back again, this time I got Ms. Murphy told me that she did not have the authority to authorize my visit. However, she stated that she would take my name and number and e-mail the Warden as well as call her in the morning regarding my visit tomorrow.
11/13/07 – I called Dixon at 8:15 a.m. and asked to speak to the Warden. Diane answered the phone and told me that Warden Chandler was not in today however, I could come out to see Montell. I told her that I needed to bring some paperwork out for Montell to sign. She stated that she would have to have Mr. Callahan get back to me regarding me bringing out something for Montell to sign and that he was in a meeting. I told her that I was getting ready to leave for Dixon and to have him call me on my cell phone and I gave her my number.

I arrived at Dixon at 12:45 p.m. and was told by Officer C. Dunn that I had to leave the documents at the front desk. I told her “no” I needed to call my attorney who had told me that I had clearance to bring in the paperwork. She told me that I was always creating some sort of problem, then she stated that she had to call the assistant warden. I told her that their legal department had cleared the matter with my attorney. She made a telephone call. When she came back she told me that she needed to see the documents. Then she told me that I could take them in and I told her that my attorney said that someone from their staff would witness and notarized the document for me. She said she would call and let them know that. We went into the room for her to search me. While we were there I told her that I have never came out there and tried to break any of their rules, I believe in following rules, not breaking them. However, before they start jumping to conclusions they should find out what they are talking about before they confront a person in the matter that they do

Officer Newstrand came and escorted me over to the infirmary we got at around 1:25 p.m. and Montell was lying in a fetal position on his left side watching TV. I asked him how he felt and and through the ABCs spelled out “Ok” however his right hand and forehead felt warm to me. He kept looking at the Wound vacuum machine and frowning. I asked if the noise was bothering him and he nodded “yes”. I told him that if he got some earplugs he wouldn’t be able to hear the radio or TV. I also noticed that the “call button" was dangling on the right side of his bed where he couldn’t reach it if he needed to, so I moved it to his left side and pinned it with the clip to the pillow where he would be able to reach it. I asked if he had eaten anything by mouth today and he nodded his head up and down. He kept looking at a plastic cup in the window sill so I started saying the ABCs. He let me know that he wanted some water. I tried to get him to sipp through the straw but he got strangled so I put the cup back in the window sill.

Ms. Mary Woodard came in for us to try and get Montell to sign the paperwork. It took quite a while and he seemed to get frustrated. He wanted me to hold his hand so he would press harder on the paper with the pen but I was told that I couldn’t. Ms. Woodard went out to find out what could be done.

Meanwhile Montell told me that his right foot was hurting so I rang for the nurse to come in to help him. When she came in she immediately told me that I had to leave the room and go down the hall and through the double doors. She had blonde hair with a handkerchief tied around her head (and of course no name tag on) and she was dressed in a floral pink top with white sleeves, and black pants. As I was writing down a description of her Officer Newstrand informed me that I couldn’t take notes. I told him that this was the way that I communicated with my son. When I went back into the room I asked Montell her name and he told me through the ABCs that it was Nina.

Ms. Woodard came back in and hand me a black marker, I placed it in Montell’s right hand and he was able to make a mark on the paper that I had bought out there for him to sign. Montell wanted me to turn his radio on, I did. I noticed that Montell was having quite a few spasms and whenever they occurred he would start frowning as if he wanted to cry I placed my hand on his right leg and told him to let mommy take the pain away from him. Montell closed his eyes and rested for awhile. He woke up and wanted his right hand covered up I did but he put it back out through a hole that was in the blanket, He then wanted me to help him reach the left railing with his right hand, it seems as if he was trying to take the pressure off of his left hip. I helped him put his hand on the railing but he was only able to hold on for a little while. At 2:50 p.m. Officer Newstrand told me that my visit was up, I kissed Montell and told him that I would see him on Friday. I also told him to close his eyes and he could always see me and I left.


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Sunday, November 11, 2007

MY VISIT WITH MONTELL TODAY AND ENCOUNTER WITH RUDE NURSE

11/11/07 – Today I arrived at Dixon Correction Center at 12:45 p.m. when I entered the Main Gate Office I was told by Officer C. Dunn that she had no clearance for me to visit Montell she stated that she was not going to deny me though. She then called someone and when she came back to the desk I told her that I had told Warden Chandler that I would be coming Sunday when I talked to her on Thursday morning. She then called the infirmary and told them I was there. Officer C. Simpson escorted me to the infirmary.

When I arrived there, a nurse was in his room so I stood outside the door until she finished doing whatever she was doing. As I entered his room I noticed that there was a “Kangaroo feeding machine” in his room, I also heard a loud sounding machine. Montell was lying on his right side so I went over and kissed him. He wanted to do the ABCs. He was able o spell out the “sound” referring to the machine. There was also a TV in his room but it wasn’t hooked up and he wanted it to be. I told him I didn’t see a extension cord nor a socket to plug it in so I couldn’t it on. He then motioned for me to turn on the radio, I did. I asked him if he felt well today and he nodded his head from side to side indicating “no”. As I sat down beside his bed I noticed that his call button was wrapped around the bed railing below his waist and if he needed help, he would not be able to reach the button so I moved it so he could use it. I then stepped over to see what the machine was that was hooked up to him and making that noise. A nurse (with no nametag on) dressed in navy blue pants and shirt with brown hair came in and hollered at me not to touch it. I told her that I was looking at it and not touching it. She left the room. The machine that Montell is hooked up to is a “Blue Sky Versatile Wound Vacuum System” for his bedsores I noticed that the container seemed to have some blood in it. I asked Montell if he was eating by mouth as well and he nodded up and down.

Montell pointed to his left side indicating that he wanted to be turned. I pushed the call button and the nurse came back in and I left the room and stood outside the door. When I returned to the room Montell had me saying the ABCs and he then drifted off to sleep for about 40 minutes, when he woke up he indicating that his right knee was hurting so I got up to move his knee out of the position it was in. The nurse came in again hollering at me to get out the room because she didn’t want me touching his wounds. As if she thought I was stupid enough to do anything to hurt Montell. She then ordered me to step out the room and go down the hall through the double doors. Then I told her that Warden Chandler had told me that all this going down the hall and through the double doors wasn’t necessary and I sat down in the chair. She went back into the nurses’ station without helping Montell. So I decided after a few seconds to go down the hall and through the double doors. I asked Officer Simpson to escort me in order for her to go into Montell’s room and help him. When I returned I told her that I would be reporting all this Warden Chandler in the morning. I feel that Warden Chandler needs to informed her medical staff that she has asked me to step out the room when the medical staff are helping Montell because as she told me, “all this other stuff isn’t necessary". I have enough to deal with besides being approached by rude and unprofessional medical staff personnel. I don’t holler at them and I don’t want them hollering at me.


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Thursday, November 8, 2007

MY VISIT WITH MONTELL TODAH

11/8/07 – This morning at 8:01 a.m. I called Warden Chandler’s office and Lori answered the phone I told her that I would be coming down there to see Montell at 1 p.m. today. She told me that I needed a clearance, I told her that Warden Chandler had told me I could come two days during the week and one day on the weekend. She told me she had to check and asked me to hold the line. When she came back on the line she told me that the Warden was on her way in and ask me to hold. When Warden Chandler got on the phone she told me that I just couldn’t call and give her a two-hour notice. I told her that I was making a courtesy call to let her know that I would be in today. I also reminded her of the visitation schedule that she had previously given me. She then stated that I knew that I was coming yesterday because I had called Springfield about the possible move of Montell and had told them that I didn’t want him to go back there to die, which I had. She then stated that she needed to be notified of my visits 24 hours before I came. I also let her know that I would be there this coming Sunday also.

I told her that this had been a rumor for two days however, I’m not known to act on rumors. The hospital staff told me that Montell was being discharged sometime that day when I tried to get them to notify the American Red Cross in order for Leon to be able to come home and be with Montell. This is when I called Springfield to find out if someone could intercede with Montell being transported back to Dixon. The doctor told me that Montell was too weak for any more surgeries at this time and would be returning back to Dixon. I was told that Dixon had been calling about returning him since Monday. He did have the surgery until Tuesday afternoon and I understand they were planning on returning him then.

I arrived at Dixon’s facility at 1 p.m. When I arrived at the Infirmary at 1:20 p.m. I saw Montell lying in the bed on his right side listening to the radio. I noticed that he didn’t have any IV or antibiotics going into his body. Montell’s medical reports states that this should be a long-term procedure. The officer assigned to that floor came in and turned his radio off. Montell let me know that he wanted to hear some more music so I turned it by on. I asked him if he had eaten anything today and he nodded “yes”. I constantly tell him he has to eat to get muscles for me since he tells me I’m his strength.

While sitting besides his bed I noticed that he was having spasms in his upper and lower body. Usually they’re in his legs. Montell wanted to be turnover so I stepped out the room so the nurse and inmate could turn and clean him. After they finished I went back into the room and Montell drifted off to sleep for about fifteen minutes. He then woke up and looked for me. I held his right hand which was unusually warm and assured him that I would never leave him without letting him know. Montell wanted me to say the ABCs and had me repeat them three times and I noticed that he had drifted off to sleep again. He woke up again and told me he wanted a television. I had to leave him at 2:50 p.m. but I told him that I would be back on Sunday and that if he closed his eyes he could see me at all times. I kissed him and walked back to the main gate with the officer.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

MONTELL RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL AND TAKEN BACK TO PRISON

11/7/07– Today when I arrived at the hospital Dametra was with him. The rumor I heard yesterday became a reality today. Yes, Montell was going to be taken back to Dixon Correctional Center sometime today. I talked with Dr. Amissi Patel and she stated that Montell was too weak to have any more surgeries and that they were releasing him. I told her that with the feeding tube in him they were just setting him up to die. He wouldn’t have been in this condition in the first place if they had taken care of him. I spent most of the day trying to contact people to have them stop this move back to Dixon. Montell just laid in my arms and held my hand. He wanted to do the ABCs and we did. I stayed until the ambulance people came to get him and helped dress him for the trip back to Dixon. I left before they did because I couldn’t take seeing them take him back there and I didn’t want him to see the tears streaming down my face. Lord please help us.

MONTELL HAS SURGERY TODAY

11/6/07 – Today I arrived in Montell’s room at 12:00 p.m. and found out that he had left for surgery at 11:45 a.m. and he didn’t return until 2:45 p.m. Dr. Amissi Patel came into Montell’s room and talked with me. She questioned me about putting the feeding tube in Montell. She ask me “what kind of quality of life would he have”. This statement shocked me because I’ve always thought doctors took an oath to save lives and that God is the only person who should decide whether a person lives or dies not man. I told her that I had Montell’s power of attorney and that he’s incapable of making sound decisions when it comes to his medical needs. I told her that Dr. Kohn had verified this and that there was a copy of his notes from his examination on October 20th. I told her that she could go and check Montell’s records which I had bought Dr. Kohn’s evaluation of him today and gave to Dr. Batchu. She stated that she was going to check them.
There’s a rumor going around that Montell will be sent back to Dixon Correctional Center tomorrow, I understand that they wanted to take his this evening but decided to wait until tomorrow because he had surgery today. I don’t understand this because Montell is still getting IV and antibiotics. Annie from pharmacy came in re: medication. Montell is taking medicine for the spasms he get a terrible headache. They started giving him Tyenol and he stopped crying after that. His blood pressure was 108/67, pulse 62 and temperature 97.8. When I left the hospital they hadn’t began to feed Montell because they were waiting to hear sound in his stomach, however, I called back and 9:15 p.m. and the nurse told me they had started feeding him. When I left him he was spelling out that he wanted some food.

CONFUSION ABOUT MY VISITING PRIVILEGES WITH MONTELL

11/5/07 – Today when I arrived at the hospital at 12:15 p.m. and I saw Lt. Tony Davis in the lobby and he informed me that I only could visit Montell for two hours. I told him that this was wrong because I had been there Saturday and Sunday and had stayed all day. I went outside the hospital and called Venita Wright’s office about this. Her secretary Dawn answered the phone and she told me that she could answer any questions that I had. I told that this was a personal matter and I needed to talk with Ms. Wright. I explained to her that I needed to be in the room with Montell in order to interact with the doctors and nurses because most of the time he is non-verbal and he really don’t trust people because of what he’s been through. I told her I was supposed to be there, I had his “durable power of attorney for all medical matters. We must have stayed on the phone for over fifteen minutes and she was still insisting that she was the person I needed to talk with. I told her “No” that Ms. Wright was the person I needed to talk too, she then announced that she was finishing this call and then hung the phone up on me.
I went back into the hospital and went to the front desk, the lady behind the desk told me that I could go up. She flipped through a book and there was a letter in there allowing me to visit Montell. I asked for copy and she told me that I needed to talk with her supervisor. So we went to his office and he said it was ok for me to have a copy. Imagine my surprise when I read that I could be there from 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. signed by Ms. Venita Wright. However, the hospital’s visiting hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
I finally made it to Montell’s room about 2:45 p.m., Officer Morgan told me that I could visit Montell and leave and come back in an hour. I told him that I had a copy of Ms. Wright’s letter and no where did it state that procedure in her letter. Dr. Batchu came in and I asked him for a letter stating that they needed me to be there in order to for them to interact with Montell. Dr. Amy Nguyen came in and spoke with me. She told me that she would be inserting the “G-Tube” in Montell. This has to be done because Montell’s food intake is next to none. Today I couldn’t get him to practically anything. I have to do something.

UPDATE ON MONTELL IN HOSPITAL

11/4/07 – Today when I arrived at the hospital to see Montell there was some confusion as to whether or not I would be permitted to see Montell because there was no paperwork stating that I was allowed to see him.
When I arrived at Montell’s room he was lying in the bed and noticed that he had IV and antibiotics inserts into his left arm. I saw Dr. Batchu and he asked me a lot of medical questions about Montell. He told me that Dixon hadn’t sent any medical records. The only one he could find was from Dr. Skias who looked at Montell for the IDOC at the U of I and they were vague. I told him that Montell had been at KSB Hospital in Dixon and that I had those records and would have my Attorney get a copy for them. I as told him that I have a copy of Dr Kohn’s notes and would give him those myself. Montell’s breakfast tray was still in his room and I looked under the tray’s cover. Montell had only eaten maybe a fork full of his pureed French toast but nobody had bother to put the syrup over that. For lunch I fed him a little of his pureed carrots, about 3 ounces of his thickened grape juice, three-fourth of his applesauce and about 2 ounces vanilla dairy thicken. Today I also noticed that Montell had 12 scars on his right arm from the handcuffs being on him at KSB Hospital.
The Wound Care Therapist came in an examined Montell’s bedsores. She redressed his wounds and told me that the plastic surgeon would decide whether or not he needed surgery.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

MONTELL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS HOSPITAL

11/2/07 – Warden Chandler called me at 7:53 p.m. and told me that Montell would be coming to the University of Illinois some time in the morning.
11/3/07 – Warden Chandler called me this morning at 9:45 a.m. and said that Montell had left for the University of Illinois. She also told me that I was the only one in the family who would be permit to visit him. Montell is in Room 724E, 1740 W. Taylor Street, Chicago,IL 60612. Please send him cards.

When I arrived at the hospital and saw him I knew that he wasn’t feeling well. His body was quite warm and he kept asking for water I tried to get him to drink through a straw but he was unable too. He wanted me to pour it in his mouth, I tried pouring a little into his mouth but he got strangled. Montell was not handcuffed to the bed this time. I tried to get him to eat his lunch but he only ate the pureed banana. For dinner I could only get him to eat the thickened apple juice, a few teaspoons of mashed potatoes and gravy and about three ounces of the thickened Ensure Plus. I noticed that his bed told exactly what he weighted. He only weighs 86.5 pounds. When they took his temperature,it was 100.8 and his pressure was 88 over 60.
KSB Hospital had built up his body and he did have an appetite, after almost eight days at Dixon he seems to be back where he started from.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

MONTELL WASN'T FEELING WELL TODAY.

11/01/07 –- Today I visited Montell. Officer Schott escorted me to the Infirmary. When we got to Montell’s room he was lying in a fetal position on his right side. I asked him if he felt well and he shook his head “no’. He then reached for my hand so that he could hold it. I noticed that he was extremely warm which is quite unusual because normally his body is cold. I asked what his temperature was but no one bother to tell me while I was there. I pulled one of his blankets down but he wanted it back up around his neck and also wanted me to hold his hand under the blankets as well. I also noticed and timed that he was having spasms quite often. He had 47 spasms within a ten minutes timeframe in his left leg. His left leg was lying on top of his right leg and there was a pillow separating them. The spasms constantly came in his left leg while I was there. Whenever Montell wanted to do the ABCs he kept spelling out that his tongue hurt. I asked him if they were giving him medicine for his tongue and he nodded “yes”. He wanted to be repositioned twice (pushed up in the bed), the first time I was permitted to stay in the room however, the second time the guard came in and told me that I had to step out the room. For the life of me I can’t figure out why this is necessary, I’m not crazy enough to try and do something to someone who’s helping my child. The porter forgot to put the large pillow under his head so I did.
Warden Chandler came into his room and spoke to him and left me some paper and pens in his tray table as promised. I asked him if he had been told how much he weighed and started counting from a 100 when I got 105 he nodded that was what he weighed. I told him that I had heard that he would be coming to the University of Illinois again sometime next week and asked him if he would be enjoying the ride and he nodded “yes”. I asked him if he was eating all his food and he nodded “yes”. When it was almost time for me to leave him I told him that I wouldn’t be there tomorrow but he could always closed his eyes and see me and he nodded “yes”. I also told him that even though I’m not allowed to be there every day with him that I could be there in the spirit and nobody could take that away from us. I then kissed him and Officer C. Masters escorted me back to the main gate.