Another busy morning! First, let me say that we rested well last night - all of us.
The morning brought another flury of activity. Change of nurses: #4 Alison came on at 7:00 pm to 7:00 am; #5 Erin came on this morning. Everyone is Awesome!
Michael got anxious to get out of bed so everyone got excited and we got him up . . . well not us, but Erin and Michael's #1 nurse, Stuart. See the Pics . . .
He did so good sitting up for about 30 minutes - but when he got back to bed he was wiped out!
Michael also got real food this morning for breakfast! Eggs and Grits . which he enjoyed, so you'll begin to learn of all his meals to come, that's his favorite thing, food!
Shortly after he got comfortable, Dr. Bleiweis came through for morning rounds. We love Dr. Bleiweis! He felt that it's time for Michael to begin to have some of the wires and tubes removed from him! And he wants him up and walking today . . . haven't done that yet, but we'll post when he does!
Dr. Bleiweis is so great, he showed us Michael's X-ray and MRI. He pointed out his new valve and the twisties in his chest. He said that Michael has a BIG heart! But we all knew that already! You can see if you look really close, his new pulmonary valve, AMAZING!
Check out all the new pictures! We're SO proud!
Love,
Linda & Jim = D
ps. CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew, Conner and Nick on your GRADUATION TODAY!!! Wish we could be there with you! XXXXXOOOOOO
"But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves." Malachi 4:2
So much for a nap this afternoon! After they got Michael to sit up, breathe into the machine - we thought we were going to settle in for a nice nap! Uah, Uah, nope! Dr. Bleiweis and his team came by to check on Michael's progress. They were very pleased with how he was doing, with everything! Dr. Bleiweis felt it would be good to remove the chest tubes today. This is something that we didn't expect for at least another day! So that's when Joni, Lisa and Renea stepped into action! Check out the Pics! The 3 tubes in his belly were at least 3 ft. long! Crazy! At first Michael was Very uncomfortable, but now . . . he's sleeping like a baby! May be all the meds they gave him for the tube removing procedure! Nevertheless, they're OUT and he's HAPPY!
What a day this has been! We never would've expected him to progress so quickly, it's all your prayers! Our God is an Awesome God!! "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians. 3:20
Exhausted, Relieved, Overwhelmed, Peaceful! That is a few things we're feeling right about now!
Wow, my last journal I thought we were just going to settle in and rest! NOT! No sooner did I hit send, and Renea & Jen were in here to get Michael to sit up and dangle his feet off his bedside! It was very painful - poor Michael!
Normally they have little pillow's shaped like a heart to hold to your chest, but they're out of stock. So Ms. Betsy, Michael's #2 nurse suggested a Pillow Pet, works perfect! So I ran out and bought one. He wasn't too pleased till they started to move him!
So after 15 minutes of sitting, he was glad to lay back down and rest. No sooner was he comfortable again, Leigh Ann came in to have him blow in a thing (not sure what it's called) but it's to help him build up his lungs again.
Check out the new pictures we just posted!
Sorry It's been a while since the last posting; it's been a busy morning. Jim and I snuck out to shower and check out of the hotel. The Dr.'s were pleased with Michael's condition during their rounds this morning, however, they decided to let him just rest today in stead of getting him up. Michael is grateful for that.
He just finished a few spoons of jello. Not quite the same meal plan as Tuesday or Wednesday, but hey, he's got to start back somewhere! while we were out, the Respitory Theripist had him blow into a tube, which helps to build up his lungs.
I think we're all going to take a nap now! so we'll check in later!
I can't say it enough, it is so awesome for Michael to hear all your love and supportive messages! Please, keep them coming!
Just posted a picture of MJ and Renee, his nurse for the day. We're waiting for Dr. Bleiweis to come for his rounds. We expect that they will be getting Michael to sit up, they brought him clear liquids, jello, apple juice, but he's not up for that yet. Please remember to leave your name when leaving your message so that we are able to tell Michael who sent it to him. Michael really looks forward to us reading your messages. He enjoys hearing from all of you. Thank you again for all your support and prayers for Michael. Linda & Jim
Hard to believe it's June 3rd! Jim and I are S O O O relieved that it is! I'm not sure Michael would agree! He had a long painful night. There were times that he was very awake and charming the nurses, but other times he was not happy to be awake and very uncomfortable. It's been hard to keep the pain under control, which triggers other things they need to addressed. For now - right now he's resting. Jim and I shared a single chair that folds out to a bed. Not the Hilton Garden Inn!! But it was cozy and we were right next to Michael when he needed a sip of gatoraide or ice.
So far, we're on our third nurse: 1. Stuart (male - very cool and excellent!) 2. Ms. Betsy (very attentive and explained everything to us and to Michael) 3. Renee - just coming on and when Michael wakes up, he will be happy, she's a cutie!
We're waiting for Dr. Bleiweis to come in to see him in a little while. The respatory theripist LeeAnn just came in to check his breathing and oxygen. Today is going to be a long, hard day for him.
We'll continue to update you. Michael wanted me to write in the journal last night at 3:00 am, he's really enjoying this process so please keep the messages coming!
We're with michael in the room, the nurses are taking great care of him. He's taking ice chips, and is becoming more awake. We've been reading all the sweet notes you're sending and it's making him feel so loved!.
So glad this day is almost over! Tomorrow will be a better day!
Another amazing update - Michael now has a new pulmonary valve! They just took him off the heart/lung machine and his heart is beating normally!! He has about another hour in surgery, then the recovery begins! We have an amazing God who is faithful and loving!
All your Love and prayers and support is so appreciated!
New picture - Michael and his surgeon - Mark Bleiweis
Journal posted on June 2, 2011
We heard from Michaels nurse in the O.R. - he's doing great! We're waiting for next update. Jim and I are so comforted by all your messages and prayers! We're in a special family waiting room on the 10th floor - where they will be bringing Michael after surgery. Michael is going to enjoy hearing all your sweet words when he's recovering!
This is Linda "mom" signing in to give you updates. They took him in at 1:00 pm and we just received a call that they have just begun the surgery. They reported he is doing great. We expect the surgery to take 5 to 7 hours. We will send updates as we receive them.
Say a prayer for the surgeon and all the wonderful people caring for our special son!
alright alright the day has dawned! just woke up, thanks to the appointment bein pushed back from 6:15-11:30, and had a shower. they gave me this nasty, harsh surgical soap to scrub my body thoroughly with so i did. Dinner last night was just a great time, I had a few of my closest friends and family to loosen me up and have fun with and the sushi was out of this world goooood!!! But now i gotta go because its time to head to the hospital. keep in tune because my mom is going to put up pictures and continue to right these journals. Again i want to thank all of you for your thoughts and concerns and prayers! God is with me so no body worry!
goodbye for now
Hey everybody! So I woke up about 7, Dad and Mowere up at 6 because apparantly they forgot some things at home, had a waffle with some bacon and oj for breakfast then we left the hotel and got to the hospital at about 8. Signed myself into the pediatric wing and the nurse took me to do the usual height, weight, heart rate and blood pressure. After that she took me to some other nice ladies that had to draw blood for some tests and somehow our conversation lead to drunk and distracted driving. Anyway they set me up with the EKG after that and I talked to a PA named Pete, he was a pretty cool guy. We talked with him for a while then I had an echo done. Pete came back to my room with a toy car from McDonalds and a gatorade as a offering of good luck for tomorrow! he sent me to radiology for an x-ray of my chest then we were able to leave for lunch.. bout time! I had a burger at chilies and got back to the hospital by 1. We this time we were in the main hospital and we met with the surgical pre-op nurse named Pat, a very kind woman who loves her work. she gave me the rundown for the operation answered anymore questions we had and and then we were free to go. My instructions tonight are to scrub my chest with a special soap and nothing to eat or drink beyond midnight, thats it! so im gonna have some sushi with my family and a couple friends tonight for my "last supper" for a couple weeks. So thats it for now, I'm scheduled 10 to start the whole prep and procedure. thanks again sooo much for all of the kind words, im enjoying reading everyones comments. Dick (BAM).. IMA GIT ER DUNN!!! Love all of you!
we're hanging out at the hotel for tonight, just trying to relax before all of the pre-op tests briefing and other good stuff. had some fantastic ribs at Texas Roadhouse, may be my last meal not sure yet,, that would really be a bummer I'm always hungry! I wanna thank all of you, my friends and family, for your kindness and empathy. all of the posts really help so keep tuning in.. I'll post more tomorrow!
Goodnight :)
