It Is a Team Effort

Six weeks...Today Andrew pulled off his colostomy bag so they had to redo his wound vac. They usually sedate him for this process but I convinced them that he could do it without. It doesn't hurt but he had to hold still for an hour. His front wound looks really small and good. Tina from the wound team then worked on his three other wound sights. They used something called Medihoney. If you put it on a wound it pulls the bad stuff up and out. We were really pleased with everything they accomplished for Andrew. Ariel, Aaron, Kortny and Amanda took turns hanging out with Andrew. We took off for a couple of hours to get some things done. Aaron played play station 2 with Andrew. Ariel played a card game. Kortny played with Amanda. This is a real team effort. I was able to get a hair cut and color and do some laundry. It is stupid but don't ya feel better when your hair looks good? Later as the Ute game was going on, Ariel and I took Andrew for a ride around the hospital. We ended up running into Andrew's friends from KJH. Taylor Edward's mom brought them up even though she had just endured a foot surgery and was on crutches. They brought Andrew a cool poster, the game ball from the winning game at district for KJH girl's volleyball (signed), a video of their season, and a book (Christmas Jars) and jar of money. When I heard that they were giving the game ball to Andrew, I cried. What a bunch of awesome friends! They wrote his name on their arms at their games. They gave Andrew a hug before leaving. Andrew doesn't really feel like smiling. It makes me hurt inside when I notice. Today he felt discouraged. I reminded him that it hasn't even been a week since he left the ICU and yet he can walk 30 ft with a walker. He said "I need to be patient." Isn't that something we all need to learn. If I could, I would speed this up to the happy ending. But that is not the purpose of life. We need to learn in small increments. Small steps of faith. Andrew is beginning to look at pictures from the past weeks. It is important for him to know. We just want him to see that this was an accident and that he will find happiness again. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. We will work to help Andrew be happy once again! We know that he can with the help of the comforting spirit of our Father in Heaven and great friends.

A Watched Pot Never Boils

Friday is my favorite day! Andrew had a better night. He slept for two hours and then again for four. Andrew had an NG tube placed in his nose down to the intensine. This will allow them to give his body nutrition without upsetting the pancreas. They took a scan as they placed it. It bipassed the stomach and the pancreas. Next, they placed a new iv because his pic line was clogged. Andrew had a great day in his different therapy classes. One therapist brought him a beach ball and a three foot bar. He held the bar while she threw the ball at him. It required some of the goalie skills that he has. I told her that he was going easy on her! During physical therapy he walked about 30 feet with a walker. Janine, the therapist, then had him shoot bean bags into a barrel. The bean bags were put up by two of us in different locations on each side. He has a lot of heart and really puts effort into the physical therapy. The music department brought a yamaha guitar for Andrew to play. He enjoyed playing it for a while. Around 2:00 p.m. he looked at the clock and said "it's only 2:00, I'm bored!". Tony from CL came and played "phase ten" with Andrew. After that I started a book with him and then we played catch for a while. The surgeon visited Andrew and allowed him a little more water. The kidney doctor visited and told us that she is changing his blood pressure medicine just to tweak things a bit. Alex called from Fort Lewis to talk to Andrew. Finally, it was 6:00 and dad came to visit. Ashley came a little later while we had something to eat. We spent the evening watching a movie. Andrew has a bunch of pills to take every night ending with a sleeping pill. I am beginning to learn some of the things that will need to be cared for once we go home. It isn't too difficult. We will probably need a home health care service too. Andrew is looking forward to going home! He felt so bored at one point I said, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." He didn't buy it. Ok, so time really dragged today. I don't know why, but it did!

Reality Check

So in case there are those following this blog who think that it is weird that our family is handling this a little too well, today we didn't! The stress of week after week of worry, living at the hospital for some, and separation for others has taken its toll. Yes, we are normal, we sometimes really bug each other. So tonight we all had to go to our respective corners to regroup. My job is to handle things at the hospital, Randall will be handling things at home and work. We are exhausted and really spent but must keep movin'on. I suppose the pioneers who settled Utah had their "moments". Think about it. Can you imagine being in a wagon for months on end with your family. Sometimes we have had trouble just driving to Salt Lake from Kaysville! Sometimes too much family time can be a stress. We learned that when we moved to Germany. When we first arrived, we didn't have friends, telephone, tv, or computer for a couple months. We really started to irritate each other. I suppose in the eternities we will be more mature and able to handle "quantity" family time. Well, on the other end of the spectrum, Andrew had a great day. He was able to have a shower before they changed his wound vacs. His wounds are really healing. They could see a difference from a few days ago. Andrew slept for three hours this afternoon. Ian, his nurse from the PICU, came by to visit with him and he took care of the wound vac procedure. Ian is one of those gifted, extraordinary people who is able to heal others by their skill and presence. We will never forget the work that he has done for Andrew and the help he has given our family. After the procedure, I sat by him and enjoyed listening to him really sleep for the first time. His surgeon came by later to visit with him. The surgeons are so pleased with their work and with Andrew. Tonight I watched a little tv with him. He looked so good and he was interested in finding some music that he likes. He had a very calm day. We had an 8 am meeting with the staff of about 18 people regarding Andrew. It is a little strange to sit in on such a big meeting regarding one of your children. The meeting eventually got around to talking about his discharge. It is still some time away but exciting to ponder. Andrew will come home with some accessories i.e., wound vacs, feeding tube, and colostomy bag. They asked us what we were willing to do at home with medical care. We said that we would trust their timing and that we figured we could learn anything that needed to be done. I have zero experience with home health care so it will be interesting!

Andrew's New Schedule

This morning I answered the phone and it was Andrew. He wanted to know when I was coming up! I hurried and dryed my hair and then it was off to the races! Andrew took two rides outside today. I am getting good at pushing the iv cart. The weather has been so nice. Andrew enjoys sitting in the sun. Today as he sat there, a golden retriever ran up to him and sat down by him. The therapy dog wanted to visit with Andrew. Julie and Ariel helped take Andrew to the third floor where they have an outdoor patio. There is a display case with Steve Young, Karl Malone etc. jerseys. Andrew has a schedule now. He meets with different people who work on various areas of his recovery. Andrew did a puzzle today, and a couple of math figures. Next he took a nap. Then it was time for physical therapy. He walked about 10 steps, and did some leg lifts. I met with the education director. She will coordinate with KJH regarding his educational needs. We are so impressed with the team that is backing Andrew's recovery. They don't miss a thing. Right now Andrew needs a lot of quiet. He doesn't like loud talking or a lot of busy things going on in his room. When we are in his room, we only talk in very quiet tones and less is more. The doctors have requested that if someone visits, that it happen after 5 o'clock. The visits need to be brief, like 15 minutes. Only two people (including parents) can be in the room at a time. It is best to call ahead because sometimes he simply wants to be alone. I've watched him cover his face with a pillow if someone talks too long. Tonight I watched the World Series with him. Then we had a visit by the hospital chaplain. She said a very nice prayer for Andrew. Afterwards, we watched a movie and then had a little scripture reading by dad. Andrew talked to Aaron and John and Matt on the phone. It is the first time that he seemed to enjoy talking on the phone. Every day there is progress. We are so grateful for our blessings. We are so grateful for our family. Life looks different now. All the things that used to concern me just don't seem to matter any more. There is so much good that a person can do if we just look for the opportunities. Tonight we read the scripture that basically says if you should labor all your days in serving God you would still be unable to repay his goodness to you. God is always helping and blessing us. You should hear Andrew's prayers. He understands where he has come from. He understands the blessings that he has received and he is so grateful!

I'm Movin' On

Today Andrew took a ride outside with his nurse to sit in the sun. We met with the surgeon, nurses and staff to discuss the next phase for Andrew. Then Andrew took a victory ride around the PICU and moved into this new room in the NTU unit. It is really nice and it is already making a difference. He took a nap, did a little written work, and went to the gym. He took about 16 steps with the help of a walker. A little later he stood up by himself from the wheel chair. Andrew even talked about the accident. He doesn't remember anything before falling backwards. He wants to know about his condition and has a lot to say. We were told that it is possible that they might write him up for the medical books. It is extremely rare for someone to survive ECMO with an abdomenal injury. One nurse said around 5% change of survival. So a lot of people in the hospital know about him and are so happy with his recovery. Tonight they tried a different sleeping pill. Hopefully, he will get a good block of sleep. So many different miraculous things have happened for Andrew. When he said his prayers tonight, it was with great sincerity and faith. He knows that Heavenly Father has watched over him in his hour of need. We know that angels watch over the children!

Let Me Be Myself

Today was a busy day for Andrew. First the wound team changed his wound vacs. They looked really good. They put a patch of collagen over the back wound to stimulate healing. The results from his CT scan showed that he has a large blood clot near the veina cava where the bullet knicked it. They have doubled his dose of blood thinner. The more movement he has now the better. I watched him brush his own teeth. He threw his Jazz ball to me, sometimes at me. His nurses name was Susan today. When she went into the hall while he wanted some water, he called her name. "Susan, Susan". She ignored him so he call "Suzie, Suzie". A little later, he was throwing a fit when the Geico (cavemen) commercial came on. He stopped fussing and starting singing, "Let me by myself. If you want to, let me by myself... . " After that we watched some hockey on the tv. I got him to sleep for a 1/2 hour. He only slept for an hour last night. Tonight they are going to double his dose of sleeping meds. We got him into his wheelchair and took him for a spin out to the angel garden. Then we took a tour of the NTU wing where his new room will be tomorrow. He will have a nice view. We went into the rehab gym. He wanted to know where the hot tub was. Tonight he listened to some of the Jazz while watching the World Series on the tv. Tomorrow we have a big meeting with the medical staff about the move and what is next for Andrew. Andrew is getting stronger everyday. Just beware of the flying pillows. There are so many children in need up here. If you are feeling self-absorbed visit a children's hospital. It will cure you real fast! Be happy, life is good!

Watching the Sun Set

Sunday was a beautiful day in Salt Lake. There was a strong sunshine coming in the windows. Andrew did not sleep once again. He was awake all night. We had worked really hard at keeping him awake. We thought that he would sleep. But no deal. First thing today, Andrew had a CT scan of his stomach. They were checking for cysts. They didn't find anything remarkable. Today each of our six children came up to the hospital. We had special permission to meet together in Andrew's room. We had a chaplain take some pictures. Andrew is sitting in the chair in them. Next, the rest of us knelt down and we had a family prayer. A little later, around sunset, we got Andrew in a wheelchair and took him through the new ICU wing and then downstairs. First we wrapped him up in the quilt made by Taylor E. and friends, and put a Jazz beanie on his head. The quilt is really nice and warm. Perfect for a stroll outside. Ashley, Dustin, Harper (a bee for Halloween) and Amanda were waiting outside as we came out the doors. It was a great moment! The first time he has left the hospital to go outside. We parked him by the water fountains. He really seemed to enjoy it. Andrew remembers what happened to him. He even remembers flying in LifeFlight. He is very grateful for the knowledge that Alex had to save his life, for Aaaron's help, and for the blessings/prayers that Randall gave him. Tonight, I spoke to my brother-in-law, Max, who is a retired Lieutenant Colonel (Air Force) and my sister Janice. Max commented about how the training that Alex received from the Army kicked in to help him do what needed to be done. He said to tell Alex that he is very proud of him. Janice and I talked about how fun it is to be grandparents. We are so grateful for all of the support that our family has receivied from family and friends near and far. We feel incredibly thankful that Andrew is such a fighter. We are thankful that it was not yet his time to go. We recognize that God knows the masterplan for each soul's life. Jesus Christ marked the path at every point. It is up to us if we will follow. He said "Come Follow Me" to his disciples. The choice is ours.