Appointment with an ENT

Add another Dr. to the list - an ENT.  The area where his trach once was has not closed.  This makes it it difficult for him to speak - hence why he puts a hankie (or folded pillowcase) over the opening when he talks.  This particular ENT was recomended by Denise, and today they headed to Houston for their first appointment.  The ENT saw some granulation in the area, so before they work on closing this area dad will have a short surgery.  This procedure will be on March 2nd, and then at a later date he'll possibly have a second procedure to close the hole if the steri-strip method does not work.

While they were in the Med-Center, a trip to Jones 6 was in order (the Pavillion and Floor where they resided for so long).  It was great to be back... JUST FOR A VISIT!  Of course everyone thought that dad looked amazing!  I have to agree... he does.  :)

Not a whole lot going on this week, but on the 28th Dad turns 56.  Since he slept through his 55th birthday, we'll have to really celebrate number 56!

KC Family of the Year

This weekend we were awarded K.C. Family of the Year.   The entire evening was quite amazing.  Bonnie, Suzanne, and I had been given some insight that this award was coming.  We came to El Campo to secretly be there when Mom and Dad's names were called.   The honor came as a complete surprise to them, but apparently Dad had another surprise of his own.  Upon receiving the award he motioned for a song to be played (something he'd arranged earlier in the evening).   The music started (That's the Way Love Goes - "their song" from when they were dating) and he asked mom to dance.   Who knew he was such a romantic?  :)  Being able to dance again is something that they talked about in the hospital (dating back as early as the ICU days).  They always said they would dance again, even when Dad was not yet able to even walk.  Saturday night was so sweet.  They danced, and they danced very well.   The K.C. officers and their wives circled around them as if it were the first dance of their wedding.  There weren't many dry eyes in the hall.

Appointment with Duke

The appointment with Dr. Duke went well. It was good to see him --he is as feisty as ever!! He looked at the fistula area and felt it was looking better and going in the right direction. It is not ready yet for the surgery that will allow Louie to eat. We were however, encouraged by words like "when it happens" and not "if". Dr. Duke gave signs to look for so we may better assess when he will be closer to surgery. Meanwhile we ask you to continue to pray for Louie's return to complete health. I read recently that God has three answers for prayer:


1) Yes

2) Not yet

3) I have another plan for you

We have been so blessed thus far as God continues to hold Louie in His hands. We will move forward one day at a time. We BELIEVE.

Love to all ,

Ruthie

1 YEAR

Many changes have occurred since January 28, 2009. After 94 surgeries, kidney failure, 268 units of blood, a failing liver, cardiac arrests, infections, maggots, 3 months in ICU, and 9 months in Hermann Hospital we’ve learned a few things that will forever be a part of us.


1. We now know that the goodness and generosity of people knows no race, religion, or economic background.

2. We are confident that in a crisis each of our daughters can individually bring their own strengths to a situation, and collectively we can weather a storm.

3. We are blessed with friends and family who never cease to lessen the load.

4. The power of prayer knows no limits. Prayer can be a thought, a personal conversation, or a memorized request; it doesn’t matter God listens.

5. The human body is amazingly resilient but the human spirit knows no bounds. Louie’s drive to complete therapy, despite setbacks and surgeries, was inspiring.

6. Be it the house you live, the church you attend, your workplace, or your neighborhood; there’s no place like home.

Love to all, Ruthie



It’s been a year and I am grateful for the new people I’ve met, old friends, and people I don’t even know who prayed for me and were so generous. I go back to see Dr. Duke on Friday and I’d like people to continue to ask God for a positive outlook for future surgeries . -Louie

Happy Birthday

Just a small shout out to Ruthie on her birthday. I'd hate to publish her age, but as the lone writer a on this blog (anymore) I guess I can really publish whatever I want.  :) Happy Birthday Mom! We admire your courage and faithfulness through out this past year. May your 54th year be amazing!

The Next Step

We're eagar to hear it!  Dad will go back to see Dr. Duke at the end of this month.  1 year and 1 day after their unfortunate first meeting, we hope to here what trick Duke has up his sleeve next.  This is actually the 3 month follow-up visit since his release, but maybe there will be some discussion of the future surgeries, maybe there will be a timeline, or maybe we will not really learn anything at all.  I guess we'll see!

In other news, dad's TPN has been switched again.  We thought that base case scenario was 12 and 12 (I.V. TPN for 12 hours a day and off for the other 12 hours).  Previously he was at 14 and 10 and that actually proved to be quite nice.  Yesterday he started a new schedule and it was changed to 10 and 14. Who knew that was even a possibility?  The TPN will be able to run during the night and he will not have to  have it between 8:30 a.m and 10:30 p.m. 

With the weather warming up a bit he's been able to get out some.  He's been able to ride around with Greg, go with Tim to Shoppas, and attend to church regularly.  Next on the To-Do list (thanks to this great new 10:30 p.m."curfew"), a K.C. meeting next Tuesday night! 

Will This Cold Weather Ever End?

I hear it's about over, but soon we will just be trading ice for rain. The ridiculous cold, has turned dad into a prisioner of his own home. Physical Therapy (that consists of walking inside the house), has him really itching to get out. He's ready to walk the streets again, and possibly take more "field trips". (so far he's visited Shoppa's and R&M, but I'm sure there are more places he'd like to go)

The TPN schedule of 14 and 10 should continue for a couple more weeks and then he could possibly change to 12 and 12. 12 and 12 sounds great, but we're amazed at how wonderful 14 and 10 is.

I guess that's all for now. Things are going very well!