Dr. Duke came by after surgery today to share both good and not so good news. Uncle Louie had another heart incident after surgery. His heart continues to be a worry so please continue to pray for his heart. He also had to work on debriding the back exit wound. It continues to be a source of infection. Luckily the micro surgeons arrived so they will also be working on debriding that area. Lets hope they are very successful and are quite fat when removed on Sunday.
The good news was that the belly continues to look "real clean". We feel blessed that his belly is improving.
As most of you know, Uncle Louie has several issues going on (infection in the exit wound, heart rate dropping, blood pressure issues, cleanliness of the belly) and he is obviously still VERY SICK, but the belly being cleaner is one step in the right direction. Hopefully each day/week/month we can slowly draw a line through each of his issues until he is finally well and back home in El Campo.
It's still a long road, but luckily Aunt Ruthie has cleared her schedule and is willing to take the long way home. Please keep praying for Uncle Louie to have a strong heart while his body and doctors fight the infection. Hopefully one day we will here Dr. Duke say that back exit wound is "real clean". Also please keep Ruthie and the Girls in your prayers.
Abby
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. Psalm 145 : 15-16
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Like talking to a bunch of interns
Uncle Louie had a pretty good report today. All of his labs have improved!
Dr. Duke came and spoke with us after surgery. He reported that the belly was looking “better than he has ever seen it.” He was happy to report that he didn’t have to take too much more skin off of the back exit wound. He also told us that he thinks like a surgeon “always looking for what is going wrong and not looking for the good”. We aren’t officially sure what that means but since he didn’t tell us anything bad today we are hoping that means he was giving us a good report.
The “micro surgeons” were delayed so he did not get a new batch today but the batch that was shown the door was apparently quite plump. So they are still doing their job.
Please keep the prayers coming, I just know that all of your prayers are helping us to reach each of these goals.
Dr. Duke came and spoke with us after surgery. He reported that the belly was looking “better than he has ever seen it.” He was happy to report that he didn’t have to take too much more skin off of the back exit wound. He also told us that he thinks like a surgeon “always looking for what is going wrong and not looking for the good”. We aren’t officially sure what that means but since he didn’t tell us anything bad today we are hoping that means he was giving us a good report.
The “micro surgeons” were delayed so he did not get a new batch today but the batch that was shown the door was apparently quite plump. So they are still doing their job.
Please keep the prayers coming, I just know that all of your prayers are helping us to reach each of these goals.
The day of rest is over - now back to work.
Dr. Duke might have gotten a little rest yesterday - from dad at least, but we pray that maggots were hard at work. It was their day to stuff themselves, and there was plenty to feast on. Today this group of microsurgeons will get washed out, and dad should get a new team. While in the OR they will also remove more tissue from dad's back - this is something they started on Monday and today they're going back to get some more. Pray that the maggots made lots of progress, Dr. Duke can remove the infected tissue, and dad's heart will remain strong during throughout.
Tracy
Tracy
Monday, March 2, 2009
Post surgery report
One of Uncle Louie's exit wounds has suffered from quite a bit of infection. Dr. Duke was hopeful the "micro surgeons" would be able to take care of all of the infected area but he decided that although they are helpful they just aren't quick enough. So today Dr. Duke helped the micro surgeons along a bit and removed a good portion of his skin near that exit wound.
On Wednesday Dr. Duke will send in the next set of micro surgeons and he will position Uncle Louie so that he can adequately assess the entire area of the back where the infection is located. Dr. Duke did say that the belly is looking relatively clean, which is such an answer to our prayers. Please say lots of prayers that Dr. Duke is able to take all of the infected area and that Louie's heart is able to stay strong during the surgery.
Abby
On Wednesday Dr. Duke will send in the next set of micro surgeons and he will position Uncle Louie so that he can adequately assess the entire area of the back where the infection is located. Dr. Duke did say that the belly is looking relatively clean, which is such an answer to our prayers. Please say lots of prayers that Dr. Duke is able to take all of the infected area and that Louie's heart is able to stay strong during the surgery.
Abby
Report from Dr. Duke and a little info on Ruthie
Dr. Duke gave mom and Rose a quick run down of today’s plans for surgery. They plan to take him this morning, but we’ve quickly learned that that very easily could mean this afternoon, this evening, or during the night. Today dad will get a new team of microsurgeons, and Dr. Duke also plans to remove some more tissue surgically. He took some yesterday, but there is still more that needs to be removed. Today we pray for God to guide Dr. Duke and keep dad stable during surgery. Tomorrow we’ll pray for the maggots to really pig out.
So many have asked, “How is Ruthie doing?” She’s hanging in there. She’s made the right corner of the waiting room her “home”, despite housekeeping’s attempts to evict her belongings. We’ve even joked about laying down a rug, adding a few throw pillows, and possibly replacing the generic wall-hanging with a family picture. As nice as that would be, we quickly remember how we are trying to befriend housekeeping. Right now the well-being of mom’s “accommodations” are held in the palm of their hands. She’s not been home since the accident, so she’s living out of a duffle bag that was packed for her. She’s spent every night in the ICU waiting room using two chairs and an ottoman to make a “bed”. While it’s not the greatest bed, it really isn’t quite as bad as it sounds. Luckily mom has always been one who could sleep most anywhere, because her current arrangement is neither quiet nor dark. Some of the hospital employees (namely waiting room staff) tried to lay down very strict guidelines initially - no food, no pillows, no blankets, no bags, no moving furniture, etc. They’ve since realized that we aren’t going anywhere, so they’ve backed off. I’ve become good friends with one of the weekend staff members “Danny” and he leaves us alone entirely.
Thankfully, while she’s been away from home she’s had to worry about nothing other than dad’s well-being. Her house is being looked after, the pets fed, the mail collected, the plants watered, and friends, family, co-workers, and even strangers are still constantly trying to find ways to help. It’s been amazing!
So, to finish answering the second most common question asked – How’s Ruthie doing? (second only to, How’s Louie doing?) - She’s doing okay. She’s been so strong through all of this. Some days are harder than others, but throughout it she’s pulled herself together to be a rock for all of us. The night of the accident she gathered us all together to pray. We went to the right corner of the ICU waiting room while he was in surgery and we all prayed for dad. That night we made that corner our own.
Thanks again to everyone for everything they have done. I couldn’t imagine having a better community as a support system. I haven’t lived in El Campo in many years, but I’m so proud to call it my hometown!
So many have asked, “How is Ruthie doing?” She’s hanging in there. She’s made the right corner of the waiting room her “home”, despite housekeeping’s attempts to evict her belongings. We’ve even joked about laying down a rug, adding a few throw pillows, and possibly replacing the generic wall-hanging with a family picture. As nice as that would be, we quickly remember how we are trying to befriend housekeeping. Right now the well-being of mom’s “accommodations” are held in the palm of their hands. She’s not been home since the accident, so she’s living out of a duffle bag that was packed for her. She’s spent every night in the ICU waiting room using two chairs and an ottoman to make a “bed”. While it’s not the greatest bed, it really isn’t quite as bad as it sounds. Luckily mom has always been one who could sleep most anywhere, because her current arrangement is neither quiet nor dark. Some of the hospital employees (namely waiting room staff) tried to lay down very strict guidelines initially - no food, no pillows, no blankets, no bags, no moving furniture, etc. They’ve since realized that we aren’t going anywhere, so they’ve backed off. I’ve become good friends with one of the weekend staff members “Danny” and he leaves us alone entirely.
Thankfully, while she’s been away from home she’s had to worry about nothing other than dad’s well-being. Her house is being looked after, the pets fed, the mail collected, the plants watered, and friends, family, co-workers, and even strangers are still constantly trying to find ways to help. It’s been amazing!
So, to finish answering the second most common question asked – How’s Ruthie doing? (second only to, How’s Louie doing?) - She’s doing okay. She’s been so strong through all of this. Some days are harder than others, but throughout it she’s pulled herself together to be a rock for all of us. The night of the accident she gathered us all together to pray. We went to the right corner of the ICU waiting room while he was in surgery and we all prayed for dad. That night we made that corner our own.
Thanks again to everyone for everything they have done. I couldn’t imagine having a better community as a support system. I haven’t lived in El Campo in many years, but I’m so proud to call it my hometown!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Lord's Day
"For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy."
Exodus 20:11
The "micro surgeons" don't work on the Lord's day; unfortunately Dr. Duke does not have that luxury, so Uncle Louie was back in surgery today. Since the "micro surgeons" don't work Sunday, Uncle Louie just got a routine wash out. The new "micro surgeons" will either come tomorrow or the next day. The surgery went well and their were NO heart incidents...Praise God!!
For one I am so thankful for Uncle Louie's "micro surgeons" not only are they doing their job but they are allowing Uncle Louie to go to surgery less often. These days of rest are so good for his body, he is able to really rest on these days. Sometimes he is less sedated. Today before surgery he was awake enough to try and talk to Aunt Ruthie; these days are such a blessing for us all.
Abby
Exodus 20:11
The "micro surgeons" don't work on the Lord's day; unfortunately Dr. Duke does not have that luxury, so Uncle Louie was back in surgery today. Since the "micro surgeons" don't work Sunday, Uncle Louie just got a routine wash out. The new "micro surgeons" will either come tomorrow or the next day. The surgery went well and their were NO heart incidents...Praise God!!
For one I am so thankful for Uncle Louie's "micro surgeons" not only are they doing their job but they are allowing Uncle Louie to go to surgery less often. These days of rest are so good for his body, he is able to really rest on these days. Sometimes he is less sedated. Today before surgery he was awake enough to try and talk to Aunt Ruthie; these days are such a blessing for us all.
Abby
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