Saturday, February 14, 2009

Get Well Louie

Written by Marilyn Goerig

Get Well Louie!
There's work to be done
For all those farmers
Whose tractors won't run.

Get Well Louie!
The sooner the better
Then Ruthie won't have to
Ruffle housekeeping's feathers.

Get Well Louie!
Tracy, Bonnie, and Suzanne
Are waiting to skydive
Until you can.

Get Well Louie!
The whole town 's behind you
With lots of prayers
And well wishes too.

Get Well Louie!
Heaven is flooded with prayers
You bring out the best
In people everywhere.

Get Well Louie!
There's work to be done.
God isn't finished with you.
There are other races to run.

Valentine

I looked up "Valentines Day" on the computer to get a bit of background on this holiday. I read all of the usual things but was touched by a statement in one article. It began --

Real Love has nothing to do with dress size, quantity of hair on one's head, or the value of one's 401K. Love desires us to be our best selves and to be happy.

My favorite Valentine is back in Shock Trauma ICU doing his best to recover. While I have received many flowers and gifts from him on this holiday in past years, my preference by far is today's strong beating heart. Even with various catheters and tubes, he has never looked more handsome. There is no doubt in my mind that we share real love.

On this day however, I also feel real love from each and every one of you. I am amazed by the outpouring of kindness and support from family, friends, and even strangers. On this Valentines
Day in 2009 you are all my Valentines.


Thank you so much---Ruthie

One Tube Gone

Dad's out of surgery and back in his room. We have not been able to get a surgery report yet, but we're hoping Dr. Duke comes to talk to us soon.

Mom and Bonnie were able to talk to his nurse, and today they were able to remove the chest tube (at least for the time being). They will still do chest x-rays to monitor him, but we're hoping that the chest tube does not have to be re-inserted. The tube has been obviously uncomfortable, so we know dad isn't sad to see it go. Dr. Carlisle compared the chest tube to "having a garden hose sticking out of your side". Dad's clear chest x-ray allowing the garden hose to be removed and heart that has yet call upon the pacemaker for help are both answered prayers.

Tracy

In surgery

Please pray.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Help's Arrived

The pacemaker is in. I'm sure it works great, but thankfully dad had no heart episodes today and it didn't have to be tested. Dad still hasn't been taken back to surgery for the wash out - they might do it during the night or it might be postponed until tomorrow.

Relatively speaking (other than having a temporary pacemaker placed) he had an uneventful day.


-Tracy

Help's on the Way...

Right now they are inserting a temporary pacemaker to help dad's heart, and later he will still go to surgery for a wash out. Please continue to pray.



Tracy

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Please Pray

Uncle Louie's heart is just not doing well today. Earlier it stopped, they were able to restart it. Please pray that they can figure out what is causing this problem and that they can fix it. Please also pray for Ruthie and the girls, this is obviously hard!



Abby

It's almost Valentine's Day pray for a strong heart!

Uncle Louie has already been in and out of surgery today. Thankfully the surgery as a whole was uneventful.

However, Uncle Louie has suffered from a couple of bradycardia episodes (heart slowing down too much) when he has been moved. Blessedly he has been able to recover from these episodes on his own. The doctors have assured Aunt Ruthie that they have a plan of action in case his heart would not return to a normal rhythm on it's own. Dr. Duke has reminded us that when you are as sick as Uncle Louie things like this can happen.

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)

Thank you for your prayers!

Abby

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Dr. Duke's Report

After surgery today Dr. Duke came to talk with Aunt Ruthie and Aunt Rose. He noted that they are still seeing some necrotic (dead) tissue near one of the exit wounds. The other two exit wounds look pretty good. He thought the abdomen was looking "cleaner" (obviously he is still very sick). In fact he mentioned a patient that came in December 31st, who recently completed his daily wash outs; in Dr. Duke's words, "He now looks cleaner than the dinner plates in your cabinet." As always any improvement is a blessing to us. His labs continue to improve which is an answered prayer.

Generally we have felt incredibly blessed to have fabulous nurses. Today, however that has not been the case. If you could please pray for the medical staff, that each of them have purity of mind, thought and deed.

Dr. Duke stated that he will keep going to surgery every day. He personally attends each surgery and is definitely the decision maker on all of Louie's care. We know that God has provided Uncle Louie with the very best surgeons and physicians. We are extremely blessed.

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3 : 25

Abby

Out of Surgery!

Thanks for all of your prayers. Uncle Louie is out of surgery. When I know more I will update!
Abby

Going to Surgery

Please Pray. Thank you so much!!

Abby

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Roller Coaster

Today has been an extreme roller coaster ride for the Buzeks. Uncle Louie's surgery did not go as planned today. While his trach was being placed his heart stopped beating for roughly 20 seconds. The doctors were able to perform CPR and start his heart again. Because his heart stopped they decided not to do the washout during the surgery and postponed it until tomorrow.

Obviously we are all very shaken up about the surgery incident, especially Ruthie and the Girls, and are requesting an abundance of prayers for tomorrows surgery. I think because his heart has been so strong during the previous 10 surgeries we have forgotten how much stress surgery places on a person. Please keep him and the family in your prayers.

On a much brighter note tonight Uncle Louie was able to recognize Aunt Ruthie when she went to visit him. He was even able to mouth her name and those of his other visitors. This is the first time since the day after the accident that Aunt Ruthie has been able to talk with him and have him communicate back with her.

Today it was again obvious that Louie is being protected by all of your prayers. He could have been taken from us today but instead he was able to communicate with Ruthie. Thank you all for your prayers and please continue to offer them they are much needed!

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself interedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 25:28

Abby

Day #14, Surgery #11

Dad will go back to surgery today. We are praying that the trach will be done soon, because the tube down dad's throat is really agitating him. The trach would decrease the risk of infection and hopefully make him a little more comfortable.

According to today's labs his liver seems to be doing slightly better and his platelets are up. (which is good - at times they've been very, very low) His white blood cell count was up a bit today, but they are treating that with antibiotics. We continue to pray that dad may be rid of infection so the rest of his body may start to heal.


Tracy

Monday, February 9, 2009

The Road Ahead...

Uncle Louie went to surgery earlier this morning and is already done. After the surgery one of the physicians came out to speak with Aunt Ruthie. He stated that Uncle Louie is still VERY sick. However, he thought that his abdomen is looking better. The doctor also stated that they were able to drain several hundred cc's of fluid from his chest cavity. The doctors were not overly concerned about the drainage and illustrated that this should help Uncle Louie to breathe easier. The doctors continue to talk about a trach being placed but at this point we will believe it when we see it.

The doctor also told Aunt Ruthie to expect the daily washouts to continue for the next two or three weeks. When the doctors determine that Uncle Louie is doing better and the risk for infection goes down the washouts will occur every other day instead of daily.

We know that the road ahead of Uncle Louie is still a long one, however we continue to believe that with your prayers and God's grace he will be healed. Please continue to pray that Uncle Louie has the strength to fight off any infection and to continue to get well.

Ephesians 3:20---God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.

Abby

Short Surgery Report From Yesterday

We waited quite some time yesterday to hear how surgery went. No one ever came out to talk to us (maybe because these wash outs have become so routine), but luckily I ran into Dr. Duke outside dad's room and was able to get a quick report. He said that the chest tube will still be done - most likely today. In his words:

"I don't do my chest tubes like the rest of these monkeys."

He bypassed explaining his method, probably because he knew I wouldn't understand. In short, some instrument he needed wasn't sterile so he postponed the tube. Duke said he would take him back to surgery today and probably do the tube then. I asked about his bowel and he said it looked better than he expected.Of course he still emphasizes how sick dad is, but "better than expected" is not bad news, so that sits well with me.

I also asked about his kidneys and liver it appears that they are still the same. Dr. Duke also said that they did remove more dead tissue yesterday. He emphasized that we must PRAY that he is able to beat these infections.

Tracy

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Out of Surgery

Dad is back from surgery and resting. We got to see him a few minutes ago and briefly talk to his nurse. She said today's procedure turned out to be only a wash. Dr. Duke opted not to do the chest tube, but the trach is still in the plan. (and may just be done at the bedside rather than in the OR) We are hoping one of the surgeons who was in on today's procedure will come talk to us soon. By "soon" I mean "sometime today".

This week's blood drives were a huge success! Dad has always been a blood donor, but probably never would have believed that one day there would be multiple drives to benefit him. Over 200 units of blood have been donated in his name. AMAZING! Thank you all so much.

Here are a few blood drive pictures.







Tracy

#9

Yesterday's surgery was postponed until today. Uncle Louie is currently in his ninth surgery. Plans include washout, chest tube for some fluid accumulation on the lung, and possible tracheosotomy. On this day of the Lord, please keep him in your prayers.

Brian