It is noon on Saturday and I've made my way home.
For some reason, I cannot talk! I'm having a problem with my throat! Please do not call...I'll probably let the phone pick up. I plan to try to get some rest and our wonderful friend Joan brought me some homemade chicken/rice soup. YUMMY!
Justin & Bill are still in Memphis. Bill tells me that Justin is sore and has had some nausea today...hopefully, the stomach tube thing will get better. Justin is so strong and has such a great attitude; he deserves to feel GREAT! But the surgeries were less than 2 weeks ago and it takes time to heal. Prayers for healing!
***Justin continues to have ups and downs. Today, they decided that he might be allergic to one of the antibiotics. We are still hopeful that he and Bill will come home soon. I know that Rocky, his black lab, is anxious to see him.
Thanks to all of our family and friends that have texted (is that a word?), called, sent cards, emailed and left phone messages! You are greatly appreciated!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday
Hopeful Day
We are hopeful that Justin will be leaving Memphis soon, headed back to Texas. He had a pretty terrific day yesterday---looking strong, feeling strong, in good spirits, etc. It was a shame that they were unable to insert the tube, but that is life in the hospital---ups & downs. They took Justin for the procedure this morning & we are waiting in his room. We have no news yet. We will keep you posted.
Latest News....
They had to put the nose thing in 3 times before starting the procedure so he was off to a rocky start.....but he is back to the room and does have a feeding tube in his stomach.
Justin will be in the hospital for observation today....released tomorrow to stay nearby, checked on Sunday....and the boys will head home on Sunday night ...to be home on Monday.
Kay & I are going to head back in the next few hours. We are probably going to Dallas for tonight....then, home on Saturday.
1:00 Kay & I will be headed out soon...so, any new news will be via Bill or after Justin arrives home.
3:00 They had to redo Justin's MRI and I'm sure that he is sore from the feeding tube insert. Bless his heart! I know that he is getting stronger each day and is excited about being released. We are thankful for that.
At this time, we are still not exactly sure when he will be released.
Love to all family & friends---Look forward to seeing you soon!
We are hopeful that Justin will be leaving Memphis soon, headed back to Texas. He had a pretty terrific day yesterday---looking strong, feeling strong, in good spirits, etc. It was a shame that they were unable to insert the tube, but that is life in the hospital---ups & downs. They took Justin for the procedure this morning & we are waiting in his room. We have no news yet. We will keep you posted.
Latest News....
They had to put the nose thing in 3 times before starting the procedure so he was off to a rocky start.....but he is back to the room and does have a feeding tube in his stomach.
Justin will be in the hospital for observation today....released tomorrow to stay nearby, checked on Sunday....and the boys will head home on Sunday night ...to be home on Monday.
Kay & I are going to head back in the next few hours. We are probably going to Dallas for tonight....then, home on Saturday.
1:00 Kay & I will be headed out soon...so, any new news will be via Bill or after Justin arrives home.
3:00 They had to redo Justin's MRI and I'm sure that he is sore from the feeding tube insert. Bless his heart! I know that he is getting stronger each day and is excited about being released. We are thankful for that.
At this time, we are still not exactly sure when he will be released.
Love to all family & friends---Look forward to seeing you soon!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday
Hanging In There
10:40 We are hanging in there and Justin is in good spirits. He had a good night's sleep and has enjoyed his Ipod. The doctors took out his staples this morning and will insert the stomach feeding tube between 1 and 3 today. The procedure should take about 20 minutes. We are praying for an easy procedure and continued strength for Justin. He is one amazing kid!
Easy procedure????? No luck for my boy! They were unable to put the PEG, the stomach feeding tube, in....we will keep you posted. Justin came back with a smile on his face, making jokes! We will keep on keeping on!
10:40 We are hanging in there and Justin is in good spirits. He had a good night's sleep and has enjoyed his Ipod. The doctors took out his staples this morning and will insert the stomach feeding tube between 1 and 3 today. The procedure should take about 20 minutes. We are praying for an easy procedure and continued strength for Justin. He is one amazing kid!
Easy procedure????? No luck for my boy! They were unable to put the PEG, the stomach feeding tube, in....we will keep you posted. Justin came back with a smile on his face, making jokes! We will keep on keeping on!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday
Another Day Forward
Thankfully, each day seems to move us forward a bit. The days that were one day forward with two steps back were extremely difficult and hopefully behind us.
The swallowing test was supposed to be today and somehow it got cancelled. We are still praying for the nerves to heal and for Justin to move forward with his swallowing reflex. ***They did end up giving him the swallow test and he was unable to swallow. He thinks he is swallowing some saliva, but he was unable to swallow the pudding. He will get the stomach tube on Thursday and is happy to have it! The sooner that he gets it, the quicker he loses the nose tube, and the quicker he can go home. The chest sounds good, looks good, and has a little more work to do with his breathing to get the lungs 100%. The doctors are very encouraging that with time and training the swallowing will return.
Justin is so happy to be in a private room and cleaned up. He is getting his Ipod and phone recharged as I type! Sounds like a young adult....got to have those technological gadgets running!
Lastly, I have tried to email privately after reading comments and don't necessarily have everyone's email address. So, please know that we appreciate your encouragement and prayers. Thank you to all of our family and friends!
Thankfully, each day seems to move us forward a bit. The days that were one day forward with two steps back were extremely difficult and hopefully behind us.
The swallowing test was supposed to be today and somehow it got cancelled. We are still praying for the nerves to heal and for Justin to move forward with his swallowing reflex. ***They did end up giving him the swallow test and he was unable to swallow. He thinks he is swallowing some saliva, but he was unable to swallow the pudding. He will get the stomach tube on Thursday and is happy to have it! The sooner that he gets it, the quicker he loses the nose tube, and the quicker he can go home. The chest sounds good, looks good, and has a little more work to do with his breathing to get the lungs 100%. The doctors are very encouraging that with time and training the swallowing will return.
Justin is so happy to be in a private room and cleaned up. He is getting his Ipod and phone recharged as I type! Sounds like a young adult....got to have those technological gadgets running!
Lastly, I have tried to email privately after reading comments and don't necessarily have everyone's email address. So, please know that we appreciate your encouragement and prayers. Thank you to all of our family and friends!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday
Kay arrived safely last night and we are glad that she is here!
***8:30 am Tuesday brings continued hope and prayers! Justin was sitting up in the chair when we arrived. He is trying to get strong and move out of the ICU. The neurosurgeon indicated that they would move him to his own room today. He is still coughing up mucous and on/off with the oxygen. This week is crucial as they will test his swallowing and we will know that status by the end of the week. Please continue the prayers for Justin's healing and swallowing to return.
***4:00 Justin has been moved to a private room---YIPPEE!
We continue to pray for little steps each day. The ENT has not evaluated the swallowing yet, but Justin is delighted to be upstairs out of ICU. He can't wait to get cleaned up...yea, his own shower! Please continue to pray for Justin's healing nerves and continued healing in every fiber of his body.
Love to all
***8:30 am Tuesday brings continued hope and prayers! Justin was sitting up in the chair when we arrived. He is trying to get strong and move out of the ICU. The neurosurgeon indicated that they would move him to his own room today. He is still coughing up mucous and on/off with the oxygen. This week is crucial as they will test his swallowing and we will know that status by the end of the week. Please continue the prayers for Justin's healing and swallowing to return.
***4:00 Justin has been moved to a private room---YIPPEE!
We continue to pray for little steps each day. The ENT has not evaluated the swallowing yet, but Justin is delighted to be upstairs out of ICU. He can't wait to get cleaned up...yea, his own shower! Please continue to pray for Justin's healing nerves and continued healing in every fiber of his body.
Love to all
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday-Changing of the Guards
It is 4:30 am, the Smith family has left for the airport. We are sad to see them go! My sister, Kay, says that she will join us today and Aunt Dawn is claiming that she might make the trip, as well.
Kay has become much of a road warrior this weekend with a little 515 mile drive from Houston to Lubbock (to see her twin daughters at Texas Tech) then to Ft. Worth-what only 315 miles to watch her daughters cheer, and now on to Memphis--484 miles. What only 1340 miles??? Don't ya want to go for 1500 or so??? No, just kidding! We look forward to Kay stopping off early in Memphis.
Dawn wants to join us, too. She has had some difficult days lately as her in-laws came for a visit last week and her father-in-law, Joe Dad, had heart difficulties. He ended up in St.Luke's with some of the best heart doctors in the world and appears to be doing well after a surgery and follow up treatment. We all feel very blessed by the Lord that Joe Dad is doing so well!
So, today is a changing of the guards. Amanda, Donlee, and baby back home and new family visitors on their way. Bill and I will see Justin at 8:30 this morning and continue with our 4 visits a day while he is in ICU. We continue to pray that the swelling and pain subside and that God touches his hand upon Justin's nerves, restoring use and clarity to his voice and swallowing. If he is feeling up to it, his aunts will visit and if not, they will be here to support Bill & Sherrie.
We know that last week was one heck of a week-almost 7 days since embolization, almost 6 days since main surgery, and only 1 1/2 days since vocal cord surgery. Justin has been through a lot! We pray with all of you that this week will be full of many steps forward for Justin!
***8:30 am Justin has the color back in his face and appears to be feeling a little better. He was sitting quietly in the chair. His oxygen level was remaining strong when he removed his mask--good sign. Again, this is a slow process and we are praying for healing of the nerves and continued progress.
***12:30 Justin was sitting in the chair. He had walked a lap around the ICU and they hope to move him to a room in the morning. They will begin to evaluate his swallowing and whether it is working or not. We keep praying that he will be able to swallow, even just saliva for starters. Time will tell and he seems to have his spirits up! He is an amazing young man with an adorable sense of humor!
Kay has become much of a road warrior this weekend with a little 515 mile drive from Houston to Lubbock (to see her twin daughters at Texas Tech) then to Ft. Worth-what only 315 miles to watch her daughters cheer, and now on to Memphis--484 miles. What only 1340 miles??? Don't ya want to go for 1500 or so??? No, just kidding! We look forward to Kay stopping off early in Memphis.
Dawn wants to join us, too. She has had some difficult days lately as her in-laws came for a visit last week and her father-in-law, Joe Dad, had heart difficulties. He ended up in St.Luke's with some of the best heart doctors in the world and appears to be doing well after a surgery and follow up treatment. We all feel very blessed by the Lord that Joe Dad is doing so well!
So, today is a changing of the guards. Amanda, Donlee, and baby back home and new family visitors on their way. Bill and I will see Justin at 8:30 this morning and continue with our 4 visits a day while he is in ICU. We continue to pray that the swelling and pain subside and that God touches his hand upon Justin's nerves, restoring use and clarity to his voice and swallowing. If he is feeling up to it, his aunts will visit and if not, they will be here to support Bill & Sherrie.
We know that last week was one heck of a week-almost 7 days since embolization, almost 6 days since main surgery, and only 1 1/2 days since vocal cord surgery. Justin has been through a lot! We pray with all of you that this week will be full of many steps forward for Justin!
***8:30 am Justin has the color back in his face and appears to be feeling a little better. He was sitting quietly in the chair. His oxygen level was remaining strong when he removed his mask--good sign. Again, this is a slow process and we are praying for healing of the nerves and continued progress.
***12:30 Justin was sitting in the chair. He had walked a lap around the ICU and they hope to move him to a room in the morning. They will begin to evaluate his swallowing and whether it is working or not. We keep praying that he will be able to swallow, even just saliva for starters. Time will tell and he seems to have his spirits up! He is an amazing young man with an adorable sense of humor!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday
It is Sunday, a day of rest! Justin's procedure seemed to go well, but the swelling thereafter and pain made for an extremely rough night. In fact, we got a 3 am phone call from the hospital that Justin had respiratory distress. They had him stabilized. We pray for rest and healing for Justin today as he celebrates his 27th birthday!
***12:30 visit....Justin is coming along slowly and we are hopeful. Amanda, Donlee, and Bill delivered some balloons and cards. Justin's voice is still hoarse and he needs prayers for healing! :-)
***5:30 visit....Justin was sitting up in the chair when we arrived. He was sitting very still, trying to relax. He still has pain and swelling from Saturday's procedure.
***8:30 visit...Bill, Amanda, and Donlee will go over to the hospital shortly for a visit with Justin. We hope that by late tomorrow we will see a marked improvement or even sooner. The ENT had said that the swelling would last a couple of days...one day down.
Please keep Justin in your prayers! We are praying that the swelling goes down, nerves begin to heal and that he makes marked improvements each day!
Love to all--Thanks for your sweet notes of encouragement and prayers!!
***12:30 visit....Justin is coming along slowly and we are hopeful. Amanda, Donlee, and Bill delivered some balloons and cards. Justin's voice is still hoarse and he needs prayers for healing! :-)
***5:30 visit....Justin was sitting up in the chair when we arrived. He was sitting very still, trying to relax. He still has pain and swelling from Saturday's procedure.
***8:30 visit...Bill, Amanda, and Donlee will go over to the hospital shortly for a visit with Justin. We hope that by late tomorrow we will see a marked improvement or even sooner. The ENT had said that the swelling would last a couple of days...one day down.
Please keep Justin in your prayers! We are praying that the swelling goes down, nerves begin to heal and that he makes marked improvements each day!
Love to all--Thanks for your sweet notes of encouragement and prayers!!
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