When we went into this surgery our main concern was getting through it. Somehow it didn't dawn on any of us that 6 weeks is a long time to stay either in bed or reclined in some way. That's the most difficult thing right now.
I haven't updated in awhile because things are moving along pretty expectantly. There have been a couple of rough spots - restless nights, a bout with a bed sore that wanted to cause havoc (under control now), a few meltdowns out of boredom, but all in all, we're very thankful for the smooth recovery.
David's hip pain appears to be better already. We are hopeful that continues. He's still having pain in his legs, and we're not sure where that's coming from. Obviously, he's not able to move a lot so it will be interesting to see if this continues once he's back in his regular wheelchair. I told him this evening I thought he'd be almost back to normal if he could get in his regular wheelchair and he said "no". So I take it that he's not as back up to snuff as he appears to be because knowing him he would have jumped on that if he was feeling back to normal. He's really not much of a complainer so it's hard sometimes to see how rough it is on him. I guess that's why we listen to doctors orders!
Mary Jane
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Major milestones today
Today David:
1. Got his soft cast off (will continue to wear it at night).
2. Spent some time in the living room laying on the couch watching TV.
3. Had the dressing removed.
4. Had his first real shower in 1 1/2 weeks.
The incision is healing nicely. We were dreading the shower experience, but it was not all that bad. We were able to lay him down (since the chair reclines flat) and roll him into the nice big shower we have (thank you PHPSE and others!) and he was fairly comfortable.
Transitioning from bed to chair back to bed is the most difficult for him. He has been fairly comfortable laying in bed but we're trying to work more and more away from that. Each time is a little challenging, but I have a feeling we've turned a corner today and will look for more ways to get him out of his room and those four walls and into other positions.
Mary Jane
1. Got his soft cast off (will continue to wear it at night).
2. Spent some time in the living room laying on the couch watching TV.
3. Had the dressing removed.
4. Had his first real shower in 1 1/2 weeks.
The incision is healing nicely. We were dreading the shower experience, but it was not all that bad. We were able to lay him down (since the chair reclines flat) and roll him into the nice big shower we have (thank you PHPSE and others!) and he was fairly comfortable.
Transitioning from bed to chair back to bed is the most difficult for him. He has been fairly comfortable laying in bed but we're trying to work more and more away from that. Each time is a little challenging, but I have a feeling we've turned a corner today and will look for more ways to get him out of his room and those four walls and into other positions.
Mary Jane
Monday, October 12, 2009
Trying to return to normal.......
but it's going to take some time.
Laying flat on your back for a week is not much fun, but he's doing the best he can. Five more weeks to go. There is really no other position other than slightly tilted to the side with pillows propped up on the side. He has worked up to 40 minutes twice a day in a tilted wheelchair which does give him a little variation in position, but the transitioning from bed to chair is a little painful thus far.
On Wednesday we'll be able to take the soft cast off his leg. He has just begun to complain about it saying it feels like a "rock" and that his leg is being "bbq'd" (barbequed) :-)
He has consistently run a fever since he's been home. Today was the first day it was under 100 deg. The fever has been a little worrisome but according to the doctor not completely unexpected.
All things considered, he's being a trooper through all of it. He's had some company and that has helped him. He's always trying to recruit someone to play Nintendo or Playstation for him - a good distraction from his circumstances.
I'm looking forward to seeing him tall and straight in his new wheelchair!
Laying flat on your back for a week is not much fun, but he's doing the best he can. Five more weeks to go. There is really no other position other than slightly tilted to the side with pillows propped up on the side. He has worked up to 40 minutes twice a day in a tilted wheelchair which does give him a little variation in position, but the transitioning from bed to chair is a little painful thus far.
On Wednesday we'll be able to take the soft cast off his leg. He has just begun to complain about it saying it feels like a "rock" and that his leg is being "bbq'd" (barbequed) :-)
He has consistently run a fever since he's been home. Today was the first day it was under 100 deg. The fever has been a little worrisome but according to the doctor not completely unexpected.
All things considered, he's being a trooper through all of it. He's had some company and that has helped him. He's always trying to recruit someone to play Nintendo or Playstation for him - a good distraction from his circumstances.
I'm looking forward to seeing him tall and straight in his new wheelchair!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
First Night Home
Recovery seems to be taking a normal process. He had a good night, although he ran a fever most of the evening it's low-grade this morning. We'll have to watch that. And it took a long time for him to get to sleep, most likely because he slept all day :-) Aside from having to scratch his head (itchiness - a side effect of the medicine) periodically and reposition him, things went well.
David is so thankful to be home. I cannot tell you how many times a day and night he has expressed that to me. I am thankful too to be home and especially for the privilege I've been given of being mom to this special little guy.
Thank you to all of you too for your posts. He's feeling good enough this morning so I'm going to set the laptop on his chest and let him read the blog and all the posts. It will be awhile before he's able to operate his computer as he'll have to be reclined for weeks and head control is a little difficult in that position. We'll be working at it though, so don't be surprised if we don't figure out a way!
mj
David is so thankful to be home. I cannot tell you how many times a day and night he has expressed that to me. I am thankful too to be home and especially for the privilege I've been given of being mom to this special little guy.
Thank you to all of you too for your posts. He's feeling good enough this morning so I'm going to set the laptop on his chest and let him read the blog and all the posts. It will be awhile before he's able to operate his computer as he'll have to be reclined for weeks and head control is a little difficult in that position. We'll be working at it though, so don't be surprised if we don't figure out a way!
mj
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Home
Incredibly we are home. David is sleeping. He seems to have held off sleeping at the hospital and looks very relaxed and comfortable in his own bed.
One thing Mandy took note of this morning is how warm his foot was on the side of the dislocated hip. That leg and foot had always been cold, sometimes the foot almost looking purple. He has complained about that leg for years. It will be interesting to see what this might mean in the long run to how that leg feels. It seems almost as if something was opened up to allow the blood flow in that leg better. I don't know - just a layman's opinion, but it's kind of exciting to us.
mj
One thing Mandy took note of this morning is how warm his foot was on the side of the dislocated hip. That leg and foot had always been cold, sometimes the foot almost looking purple. He has complained about that leg for years. It will be interesting to see what this might mean in the long run to how that leg feels. It seems almost as if something was opened up to allow the blood flow in that leg better. I don't know - just a layman's opinion, but it's kind of exciting to us.
mj
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
One night down
Aside from the usual pillow propping and bed raising and lowering, "uneventful" is a pretty good word to be able to use for last night. At least my best nurse, Mandy (who stayed with him last night) says. Although he woke up at 3:00 a.m. and hasn't slept since, his pain seems to be manageable at the moment.
We weren't sure how the night was going to go as he had a bit of a rough evening yesterday. A shot of morphine seemed to do the trick, and now that we've got the pain med schedule going, he's doing relatively good.
MJ & family
We weren't sure how the night was going to go as he had a bit of a rough evening yesterday. A shot of morphine seemed to do the trick, and now that we've got the pain med schedule going, he's doing relatively good.
MJ & family
Monday, October 5, 2009
Came through with flying colors!
Well, it's all done and he did just great! Dr. Fitch said he went to check on him right after surgery and he was wide awake, looking like he hadn't even been through anything! They did an epidural block (I think) which is to help with pain initially. He said the femur head was pretty much decimated, which assured him this surgery was exactly the right thing to do.
We're in a room now, the 7th floor, which is a regular room, so he didn't even have to go to a step-down room. He's having some pain and a little nausea, but they've given him meds for both. He is groaning just a bit with discomfort, but considering all, I think doing really well.
I am so happy to have all this behind us, and looking forward to getting through the next couple of nights, then going home. Thus far, it has gone way better than I expected.
Just this moment David called me over to the bed, looked up, and gestured to me in his way to thank God for getting him through this. Yes, little buddy, we have much to be thankful for :-)
Mary Jane and the family
We're in a room now, the 7th floor, which is a regular room, so he didn't even have to go to a step-down room. He's having some pain and a little nausea, but they've given him meds for both. He is groaning just a bit with discomfort, but considering all, I think doing really well.
I am so happy to have all this behind us, and looking forward to getting through the next couple of nights, then going home. Thus far, it has gone way better than I expected.
Just this moment David called me over to the bed, looked up, and gestured to me in his way to thank God for getting him through this. Yes, little buddy, we have much to be thankful for :-)
Mary Jane and the family
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Getting Ready for the Big Day!
It's been just about a year since David's hip dislocated. We are so ready for this surgery and have high hopes that we'll get our old boy back!
Now that his back is straightened, his pain hopefully alleviated through this surgery, a new wheelchair waiting for him and ready to support him properly when he recuperates - we see good things in the future.
We believe he is in a bit better condition going into this surgery than the last. He has a few pounds more on him and his spirit is strong. In his words, "I have a warrior spirit". Truer words were never spoken.
So Monday, October 5, is the big day. We were told that David probably won't have to go into ICU after surgery and that they're expecting only a 2-day stay. His biggest desire is to get home as quickly as possible, so he's already prepared to cooperate in every way to make that happen.
Again, thanks for following the blog, for your thoughts and prayers, and the support you give us to get through the next hoop!
(By the way, last time the settings did not allow you to post without registering. I have changed that so that you don't have to go through that process to post :-)
Mary Jane and family
Now that his back is straightened, his pain hopefully alleviated through this surgery, a new wheelchair waiting for him and ready to support him properly when he recuperates - we see good things in the future.
We believe he is in a bit better condition going into this surgery than the last. He has a few pounds more on him and his spirit is strong. In his words, "I have a warrior spirit". Truer words were never spoken.
So Monday, October 5, is the big day. We were told that David probably won't have to go into ICU after surgery and that they're expecting only a 2-day stay. His biggest desire is to get home as quickly as possible, so he's already prepared to cooperate in every way to make that happen.
Again, thanks for following the blog, for your thoughts and prayers, and the support you give us to get through the next hoop!
(By the way, last time the settings did not allow you to post without registering. I have changed that so that you don't have to go through that process to post :-)
Mary Jane and family
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Home Again!!!
I would like to thank everyone who has been keeping track of my progress. I'm doing so much better now that I'm back home. I greatly appreciate all the cards, food and prayers. Thank you very very much. I praise God for the miraculous gift he has bestowed upon me.
I would like to thank my Mother and Father who love me so dearly, Mandy for being such an incredible big sis', and Nathan for being an awesome big bro'.
Thank you,
Love David (written and posted with help from good friend, Alex)
I would like to thank my Mother and Father who love me so dearly, Mandy for being such an incredible big sis', and Nathan for being an awesome big bro'.
Thank you,
Love David (written and posted with help from good friend, Alex)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Sliding into Home!
We thought we'd never get out of there! We had a swallow study and a therapy consult we were able to nix, but still had a back xray this morning that had to be done. That was a trick - getting him in the chair, then out of the chair, then holding him like an octopus on a little swivel chair to get x-rays of his back. All that went fairly well, put him back in bed, and sat and waited in the room for 3 hours waiting for the discharge papers. The greatest feeling in the world - loading him in the van and heading home!
He is still very medicated, feeling yucky, but starting to eat just a little. He had barely anything to eat in the hospital so we appreciated coming home to dinner provided by some wonderful folks - and that seemed to do the trick. He ate a little bit, but enough to start helping him get his strength back.
So he is settled in his own bed, with balloons, cards and well wishes from all of you - a wonderful place to recuperate. Thank you all very much!
He is still very medicated, feeling yucky, but starting to eat just a little. He had barely anything to eat in the hospital so we appreciated coming home to dinner provided by some wonderful folks - and that seemed to do the trick. He ate a little bit, but enough to start helping him get his strength back.
So he is settled in his own bed, with balloons, cards and well wishes from all of you - a wonderful place to recuperate. Thank you all very much!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
We are almost outta' here!!
Today was full of positive steps to getting David HOME tomorrow!!
It's Sister again writing and giving another update, I actually had written a post and lost it all!! Man, I have not been having the best of luck with this blog!! hahaaha
Anyway, as Mom mentioned, YES, David slept just about all night except for when I gave him is meds. I could not believe it!!
Dr. Fitch and his team came in about 6am and I was able to talk with them as I have been able every morning. They all seemed to think that since David was progressing so well, he should be able to go HOME TOMORROW(wednesday)!!!! I could barely stand it, I wanted to call Mom and Dad right then and there to let them know---but it was so early I waited til Mom got here.
Of course, the first question of the day from David was if he was going to go home today. His little lip puckered up and he almost cried when I told him that it would probably be tomorrow. I have been trying to encourage him everyday that if we go home too early we might have to come back and that would be absolutely awful!! He agreed and then went back to sleep :)
David got transferred to a regular pediatric floor room that has lots of space and a huge window. After David was transferred, I called Mom about 4 and was absolutely shocked when she said, "Guess what we are doing, we have been walking with David around the hospital for about an hour in his wheelchair!" I about started crying and flipping out, I was in utter amazement, just yesterday he could only sit for about 15 minutes!!
More answers to prayers are:
His blood levels have improved dramatically
His kidney blood levels have improved dramatically; urinating great
His pain is well controlled
His eating is slowly improving
He is supposed to go home tomorrow!!!
Requests:
That we can have an easy, smooth and QUICK discharge home tomorrow
That the car ride won't be difficult or painful
The medication regimen would be easily adapted for David's pain needs as he gets home and starts to heal.
Continue to sleep at night.
The LORD has been so faithful and quick to answer all of our specific requests, why do we ever take our eyes off THE Savior and gaze at the circumstances when the LORD is in control of it all!!
May HIS name be glorified above all things and may the LORD receive Honor and praise for all the miraculous deeds that HE has done in David during this time!!
From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for all of your prayer and support!!
Love,
The Bradley Family
It's Sister again writing and giving another update, I actually had written a post and lost it all!! Man, I have not been having the best of luck with this blog!! hahaaha
Anyway, as Mom mentioned, YES, David slept just about all night except for when I gave him is meds. I could not believe it!!
Dr. Fitch and his team came in about 6am and I was able to talk with them as I have been able every morning. They all seemed to think that since David was progressing so well, he should be able to go HOME TOMORROW(wednesday)!!!! I could barely stand it, I wanted to call Mom and Dad right then and there to let them know---but it was so early I waited til Mom got here.
Of course, the first question of the day from David was if he was going to go home today. His little lip puckered up and he almost cried when I told him that it would probably be tomorrow. I have been trying to encourage him everyday that if we go home too early we might have to come back and that would be absolutely awful!! He agreed and then went back to sleep :)
David got transferred to a regular pediatric floor room that has lots of space and a huge window. After David was transferred, I called Mom about 4 and was absolutely shocked when she said, "Guess what we are doing, we have been walking with David around the hospital for about an hour in his wheelchair!" I about started crying and flipping out, I was in utter amazement, just yesterday he could only sit for about 15 minutes!!
More answers to prayers are:
His blood levels have improved dramatically
His kidney blood levels have improved dramatically; urinating great
His pain is well controlled
His eating is slowly improving
He is supposed to go home tomorrow!!!
Requests:
That we can have an easy, smooth and QUICK discharge home tomorrow
That the car ride won't be difficult or painful
The medication regimen would be easily adapted for David's pain needs as he gets home and starts to heal.
Continue to sleep at night.
The LORD has been so faithful and quick to answer all of our specific requests, why do we ever take our eyes off THE Savior and gaze at the circumstances when the LORD is in control of it all!!
May HIS name be glorified above all things and may the LORD receive Honor and praise for all the miraculous deeds that HE has done in David during this time!!
From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for all of your prayer and support!!
Love,
The Bradley Family
New Room 7705
When I posted last, I didn't realize they were going to move us so fast from the step-down room to a regular room. But that's a good thing! Another step toward going home!
So it may be that folks will have to visit him at home.
He has been pretty quiet today - not feeling very good, and I think it's the problem mentioned before, but not sure.
So it may be that folks will have to visit him at home.
He has been pretty quiet today - not feeling very good, and I think it's the problem mentioned before, but not sure.
Room 5307
Not too much to add this morning, but David's in a regular room and I wanted to let the folks who've been asking know where they've moved him, Room 5307. If you wanted to visit and have any trouble finding us, call my cell, 862-6906.
He's doing great from the surgery, but he's still uncomfortable due to his bowels. We hope to have some help for that a little later. He's also a little disappointed that he's not quite ready to go home. We are thrilled as there's a possibility of him going home tomorrow! I wasn't here quite early enough to talk to the doctor, but Mandy said he thought that might be a possibility. I guess when PT comes around today to try him in the chair, we'll know how that part of it goes. I'm not sure he's quite ready for the 30 minute ride home - though we still pinch ourselves whenever we have to transport him in his new van, how very smooth and comfortable it makes our lives.
Mandy stayed with him last night and said he slept through the night (except for having to stir him when the nurse came by). Can you imagine! In all these years of no sleeping through the night, I wasn't even here to enjoy it :-) I'm not surprised - his sister has no doubt speeded his recovery time and surely added to his comfort---so, so thankful for her.
One of us will try to update at the end of the day.
He's doing great from the surgery, but he's still uncomfortable due to his bowels. We hope to have some help for that a little later. He's also a little disappointed that he's not quite ready to go home. We are thrilled as there's a possibility of him going home tomorrow! I wasn't here quite early enough to talk to the doctor, but Mandy said he thought that might be a possibility. I guess when PT comes around today to try him in the chair, we'll know how that part of it goes. I'm not sure he's quite ready for the 30 minute ride home - though we still pinch ourselves whenever we have to transport him in his new van, how very smooth and comfortable it makes our lives.
Mandy stayed with him last night and said he slept through the night (except for having to stir him when the nurse came by). Can you imagine! In all these years of no sleeping through the night, I wasn't even here to enjoy it :-) I'm not surprised - his sister has no doubt speeded his recovery time and surely added to his comfort---so, so thankful for her.
One of us will try to update at the end of the day.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Out of the ICU!!
Ok, so it's Amanda again, and i've heard i'm getting threats against my life because I haven't been updating quick enough....sorry, had a little bit of technical difficulties--i couldn't post for some reason on the blog. :0)
Let me catch you up on all of the wonderful ways the Lord has been faithful to David over just the past 24 hours!
As mom said, he had a bit of a rough start to last night and really finally got to sound sleep at about 5am this morning. AS you can imagine, that was really hard on mom, but she would never admit that because she is the best mom and woman that I've ever and will ever know! The praise in all of that is when the surgery fellow came to round that morning(which has been around 5:30 everyday while I was there) he was able to remove David's surgery dressing, re-dress the incision and remove the HUGE drain(more like a pipe) all while David pretty much stayed asleep!! WOWWWW! What a blessing. I don't think I could every explain to you or make you comprehend what type of pain David was in before surgery with his hip. We just could not roll him over without it just destroying him. Since he has been in here, the LORD has miraculously healed that pain!!! In fact, that left leg is as straight and relaxed as I have ever seen it in my life!!!
As the morning went on today, the ICU nurses removed the IV in his neck and removed his foley catheter. His kidney labs continue to improve! Praise the Lord. To be honest, I have not gotten his lab work from today for his blood, but I am assuming that they would not have moved him if it had not improved or it was not stable at this point. THey also would not have removed the line from his neck if they were concerned that he might need more blood.
So a big test came when Physical therapy came it!! uhh ohh-moving and sitting! Dad was there to transfer Dave into a wheelchair that they provided bc it reclined more that David's. Mom said that he did pretty good and was able to sit for about 15 minutes. I was so proud of him for being so brave. I can only imagine that would be scary to do for the first time after having this back surgery. Whoo, I can't even bare to think about it...
Mom left to go home and sleep about 1pm today and then about 2 we moved to a step down bed!!! Whooo hooo. We have had great nurses here as well. Elise, Alex and Jessica came up to see David. It was so nice to have them come and it helps him as well. He is still pretty snookered from the medicine, I think most of that is from the Valium(muscle relaxant) but that is really necessary right now for his muscles to stay relaxed. He is not on the IV Dilaudid(very strong pain narcotic) and it seems that his emotional state is much more calm and stable--answer to prayer! He is also taking oxycodone as needed for pain.
When I got here today I was doing my usual assessment of him and noticed a unusual feeling in his abdomen. There was some air under the skin that I was able to palpate and then there was a bit larger area that I was not expecting to feel. I had the floor nurse feel it and she decided to page the intern. David did not complain of pain when I was pushing on it, but his abdomen is distended. The intern came in and decided to order a x-ray for the stomach and intestines. He just came in right now and told me that David has a very small ileus(a slowing of part of the intestine), but that they would just watch it for now. He is already on some medicine that will help with that (Lactulose)
Mom came back this afternoon and her and dad went and got a little dinner together. My roommate, Jennifer, was here at Duke for work and she brought me some dinner. Dad went home about 7. Mom stayed and we were able to talk for a little while . David got his abdomen x-ray and then we gave him a really good bath. He has been asleep since about 10 and I am hoping he will be able to get a good nights sleep tonight.
I ask that you pray for a couple specific things for the coming days to get us home:
His ileus would resolve in the intestines and he would not have difficulty going to the bathroom
Continued decrease in kidney labs
Continued increase in blood labs
Continued increase in appetite
Continued pain control with meds
Continue to gain strength and energy
Getting into a wheelchair to be easier for him
Once again, we thank you for all your prayers and support. The Lord has been so faithful in answering the specific prayers that we and you have been praying!!
Daniel 6:19-23:
19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
David is our current example of Daniel ;0) Mom used this passage to encourage David to TRUST IN THE LORD!!
Love,
The Bradley Family
Let me catch you up on all of the wonderful ways the Lord has been faithful to David over just the past 24 hours!
As mom said, he had a bit of a rough start to last night and really finally got to sound sleep at about 5am this morning. AS you can imagine, that was really hard on mom, but she would never admit that because she is the best mom and woman that I've ever and will ever know! The praise in all of that is when the surgery fellow came to round that morning(which has been around 5:30 everyday while I was there) he was able to remove David's surgery dressing, re-dress the incision and remove the HUGE drain(more like a pipe) all while David pretty much stayed asleep!! WOWWWW! What a blessing. I don't think I could every explain to you or make you comprehend what type of pain David was in before surgery with his hip. We just could not roll him over without it just destroying him. Since he has been in here, the LORD has miraculously healed that pain!!! In fact, that left leg is as straight and relaxed as I have ever seen it in my life!!!
As the morning went on today, the ICU nurses removed the IV in his neck and removed his foley catheter. His kidney labs continue to improve! Praise the Lord. To be honest, I have not gotten his lab work from today for his blood, but I am assuming that they would not have moved him if it had not improved or it was not stable at this point. THey also would not have removed the line from his neck if they were concerned that he might need more blood.
So a big test came when Physical therapy came it!! uhh ohh-moving and sitting! Dad was there to transfer Dave into a wheelchair that they provided bc it reclined more that David's. Mom said that he did pretty good and was able to sit for about 15 minutes. I was so proud of him for being so brave. I can only imagine that would be scary to do for the first time after having this back surgery. Whoo, I can't even bare to think about it...
Mom left to go home and sleep about 1pm today and then about 2 we moved to a step down bed!!! Whooo hooo. We have had great nurses here as well. Elise, Alex and Jessica came up to see David. It was so nice to have them come and it helps him as well. He is still pretty snookered from the medicine, I think most of that is from the Valium(muscle relaxant) but that is really necessary right now for his muscles to stay relaxed. He is not on the IV Dilaudid(very strong pain narcotic) and it seems that his emotional state is much more calm and stable--answer to prayer! He is also taking oxycodone as needed for pain.
When I got here today I was doing my usual assessment of him and noticed a unusual feeling in his abdomen. There was some air under the skin that I was able to palpate and then there was a bit larger area that I was not expecting to feel. I had the floor nurse feel it and she decided to page the intern. David did not complain of pain when I was pushing on it, but his abdomen is distended. The intern came in and decided to order a x-ray for the stomach and intestines. He just came in right now and told me that David has a very small ileus(a slowing of part of the intestine), but that they would just watch it for now. He is already on some medicine that will help with that (Lactulose)
Mom came back this afternoon and her and dad went and got a little dinner together. My roommate, Jennifer, was here at Duke for work and she brought me some dinner. Dad went home about 7. Mom stayed and we were able to talk for a little while . David got his abdomen x-ray and then we gave him a really good bath. He has been asleep since about 10 and I am hoping he will be able to get a good nights sleep tonight.
I ask that you pray for a couple specific things for the coming days to get us home:
His ileus would resolve in the intestines and he would not have difficulty going to the bathroom
Continued decrease in kidney labs
Continued increase in blood labs
Continued increase in appetite
Continued pain control with meds
Continue to gain strength and energy
Getting into a wheelchair to be easier for him
Once again, we thank you for all your prayers and support. The Lord has been so faithful in answering the specific prayers that we and you have been praying!!
Daniel 6:19-23:
19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
David is our current example of Daniel ;0) Mom used this passage to encourage David to TRUST IN THE LORD!!
Love,
The Bradley Family
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Awake
I thought Mandy was going to update today with more technical info, but she has been here pretty much night and day since Thursday and is taking a very needed and deserved rest. What a blessing to have her walk us through everything. Having been an ICU nurse. she was so helpful to us and David in explaining everything and being a liason between us and the staff. Speaking of the staff, I just have to say it's been an added benefit to get to know all the nurses. You begin to feel like they're family, and every one that we've had has just been the best. When you sit here for hours and days and watch all the numbers and lines flashing and hear all the beeps and alarms, you find out it's a lot more interesting if you know what they all mean - or rather, just an inkling.
David began to open his eyes early this morning and was immediately wanting the breathing tube out. When he saw Nathan, his dad, and I he got pretty distressed and started having tears roll down his eyes. We quickly realized we needed to calm him and Mandy reminded him to let the breathing tube do the work and not fight it. By 10:00 they had it out and he was a MUCH happier camper. He was thirsty and hungry, so he had a bit of apple juice and apple sauce. Just a bit later he had a whole cup of ice cream (anyone that knows him knows he would rarely turn that down) and shortly after that they brought a meal. He had a few little bites of several things and ended up with some pudding, so we were ecstatic that he felt like he could eat.
His throat is sore from the tube, he says he hurts all over, but they're doing a good job of trying to manage the pain. We had a little misunderstanding this evening with the staff about being in the room at the wrong time. They made us leave, and he completely lost it. That set his emotional state soaring in the wrong direction right at bedtime, when he hurts the worst. So we've had a bit of a hard time calming him, getting the pain down, and helping him see that I'm not going to have to leave him tonight.
He had to be given more blood today, his blood pressure is better, but pray that his kidney test comes back with a good result. Also, that with all he's been through and in spite of the meds that affect his emotions, that he would be able to keep his emotions controlled. Because it's so difficult to move him or change his position, it's important he keep calm.
All in all, we are thrilled with his progress, hope that he will be moved out of ICU tomorrow, and will be on the road to recovery soon.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. We see God's hand in so many circumstances and are thankful we can trust him in the good times and the bad.
David has probably asked me 20 times today when he can go home!
Mary Jane
David began to open his eyes early this morning and was immediately wanting the breathing tube out. When he saw Nathan, his dad, and I he got pretty distressed and started having tears roll down his eyes. We quickly realized we needed to calm him and Mandy reminded him to let the breathing tube do the work and not fight it. By 10:00 they had it out and he was a MUCH happier camper. He was thirsty and hungry, so he had a bit of apple juice and apple sauce. Just a bit later he had a whole cup of ice cream (anyone that knows him knows he would rarely turn that down) and shortly after that they brought a meal. He had a few little bites of several things and ended up with some pudding, so we were ecstatic that he felt like he could eat.
His throat is sore from the tube, he says he hurts all over, but they're doing a good job of trying to manage the pain. We had a little misunderstanding this evening with the staff about being in the room at the wrong time. They made us leave, and he completely lost it. That set his emotional state soaring in the wrong direction right at bedtime, when he hurts the worst. So we've had a bit of a hard time calming him, getting the pain down, and helping him see that I'm not going to have to leave him tonight.
He had to be given more blood today, his blood pressure is better, but pray that his kidney test comes back with a good result. Also, that with all he's been through and in spite of the meds that affect his emotions, that he would be able to keep his emotions controlled. Because it's so difficult to move him or change his position, it's important he keep calm.
All in all, we are thrilled with his progress, hope that he will be moved out of ICU tomorrow, and will be on the road to recovery soon.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. We see God's hand in so many circumstances and are thankful we can trust him in the good times and the bad.
David has probably asked me 20 times today when he can go home!
Mary Jane
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Mom at his bedside
Well, we took some very wise advice and Mike and I went home last night leaving David in very good hands - the nurses, his sister, and of course the "One who giveth his beloved sleep".
We feel extremely rested having had a night's sleep longer than we can remember in years!
I'm back up here at David's bedside. When we stood by his bedside and spoke, we could see his eyes trying to open and his mouth struggle a bit with the breathing tube. He was already trying to communicate something to me. I told him to be calm, that I would stay right at the foot of his bed, but for him to relax and just sleep.
They have to move him from side to side a bit to get him off his back and that's the hardest time for me. I know at home how painful it was for him, and it's hard for me to watch them do it, wondering if he's okay. He seems to settle very quickly afterwards, so I think the meds are adequate.
Can't say enough about how great the nursing staff is!
We feel extremely rested having had a night's sleep longer than we can remember in years!
I'm back up here at David's bedside. When we stood by his bedside and spoke, we could see his eyes trying to open and his mouth struggle a bit with the breathing tube. He was already trying to communicate something to me. I told him to be calm, that I would stay right at the foot of his bed, but for him to relax and just sleep.
They have to move him from side to side a bit to get him off his back and that's the hardest time for me. I know at home how painful it was for him, and it's hard for me to watch them do it, wondering if he's okay. He seems to settle very quickly afterwards, so I think the meds are adequate.
Can't say enough about how great the nursing staff is!
Sleeping restfully
Sorry I haven't been able to update, it was a bit of a busy unsteady emotional night to be quite honest. He came out of surgery very cold, still loosing a lot of blood out of his drain, he had myoglobin (which could cause damage into the kidneys) in his urine and he wasn't making very much urine, and he hadn't woken up at all.
I sent Mom and Dad home to finally get a good nights sleep and I stayed here with David. The nurse was great last night and let me ask her a ton of questions. The doctors that were there with him were great as well and let me ask them questions and they explained to me their thinking and their plan for getting all the above issues fixed.
Last night around 8/9 the drain from his back slowed down and they were able to stop infusing it back to him. He also started to warm up from the warming blanket and that also helped with the bleeding.
They were making his body alkalitic to help counteract the myoglobin from settling into his kidneys which would cause kidney damage. They said that could have been from a blood reaction, but we will never know because he got about 5 pints of blood from the hospital and then on top of that they re infused his own blood. This morning his urine is MUCH MUCH clearer and the amount is picking up.
His blood counts are pretty much steady, still low, but they said that they are going to wait to see if it increases because his blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, urine output are all good. Sometimes when a patient gets a lot of IV fluid it can make the blood get diluted and therefore make the labs look low.
Early this morning he woke up and looked at me and I was able to easily calm him down and he went back to sleep. We are trying not to stimulate him much because of course when he wakes up he coughs because of the tube which can also be kind-of scary. We just want him to rest and that is what he is doing.
The plan is to keep him intubated at this point at least till late this afternoon for several reasons. First, pain control because he can be given more medicine at a safe rate. We are hoping that they will keep him intubated overnight just so he can rest and get the pain meds he needs.
Second, they are just waiting to make sure that he doesn't have what is called 3rd spacing go into his lungs(from all the fluid he's gotten), but I really don't anticipate that because he was very dehydrated before surgery so he needed the fluid.
He is doing better this morning, but please keep praying that he will continue to improve and that the removal of the breathing tube will be at the right time and he will tolerate it well. We also are concerned about pain control after surgery and we know it will be hard on him, especially with the hip.
By the way, if any of you want to visit, please give us a call on one of our cell phones and we can meet you at the front entrance.
Mom-919-862-6906
Dad-919-302-6637
Amanda- 919-791-8080
By HIS grace,
The Bradley Family
I sent Mom and Dad home to finally get a good nights sleep and I stayed here with David. The nurse was great last night and let me ask her a ton of questions. The doctors that were there with him were great as well and let me ask them questions and they explained to me their thinking and their plan for getting all the above issues fixed.
Last night around 8/9 the drain from his back slowed down and they were able to stop infusing it back to him. He also started to warm up from the warming blanket and that also helped with the bleeding.
They were making his body alkalitic to help counteract the myoglobin from settling into his kidneys which would cause kidney damage. They said that could have been from a blood reaction, but we will never know because he got about 5 pints of blood from the hospital and then on top of that they re infused his own blood. This morning his urine is MUCH MUCH clearer and the amount is picking up.
His blood counts are pretty much steady, still low, but they said that they are going to wait to see if it increases because his blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, urine output are all good. Sometimes when a patient gets a lot of IV fluid it can make the blood get diluted and therefore make the labs look low.
Early this morning he woke up and looked at me and I was able to easily calm him down and he went back to sleep. We are trying not to stimulate him much because of course when he wakes up he coughs because of the tube which can also be kind-of scary. We just want him to rest and that is what he is doing.
The plan is to keep him intubated at this point at least till late this afternoon for several reasons. First, pain control because he can be given more medicine at a safe rate. We are hoping that they will keep him intubated overnight just so he can rest and get the pain meds he needs.
Second, they are just waiting to make sure that he doesn't have what is called 3rd spacing go into his lungs(from all the fluid he's gotten), but I really don't anticipate that because he was very dehydrated before surgery so he needed the fluid.
He is doing better this morning, but please keep praying that he will continue to improve and that the removal of the breathing tube will be at the right time and he will tolerate it well. We also are concerned about pain control after surgery and we know it will be hard on him, especially with the hip.
By the way, if any of you want to visit, please give us a call on one of our cell phones and we can meet you at the front entrance.
Mom-919-862-6906
Dad-919-302-6637
Amanda- 919-791-8080
By HIS grace,
The Bradley Family
Friday, May 29, 2009
We saw him
We got to see him for a brief minute. He looks so much taller!! ;0) He was very pale and sound asleep with the breathing tube. The nurse was so gracious to let us see him to quickly for just a few minutes.
We will hope to see him a little longer in a little while.
We will hope to see him a little longer in a little while.
OUT OF SURGERY!!!
Well, he is finally out after about 7 hours! HALLELUJAH!!!!
Ok, so we talked with Dr. Fitch. He said that it was as difficult as he expected, but nothing occur ed that he didn't expect.
I saw the anesthesiologist in the hallway and he was looking for me to talk to me about the case. He said that it was a LONG case and David lost A LOT of blood. But a lot of his own was given back to him(which is good) BUT he also required a lot of blood as well from the hospital blood bank. He said that his breathing/lungs and heart did great and that his vital signs did great all throughout the surgery.
He said that at the end of the surgery, he looked down and saw that his urine had become very dark/brown. His vital signs were stable and good, but they weren't sure why his urine became dark. He mentioned that the urine changing color could be from a blood transfusion reaction--so PLEASE keep that in your prayers
He still has the breathing tube in and is asleep from all the medications. They are getting him settled in the pediatric ICU--so we have to wait for that. We hope to be able to get to see him around 5:30/6.
I will update again after I see him....This is from the passage that I was reading this morning and meditating on all day.....
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
ROm 8:26, 32
Ok, so we talked with Dr. Fitch. He said that it was as difficult as he expected, but nothing occur ed that he didn't expect.
I saw the anesthesiologist in the hallway and he was looking for me to talk to me about the case. He said that it was a LONG case and David lost A LOT of blood. But a lot of his own was given back to him(which is good) BUT he also required a lot of blood as well from the hospital blood bank. He said that his breathing/lungs and heart did great and that his vital signs did great all throughout the surgery.
He said that at the end of the surgery, he looked down and saw that his urine had become very dark/brown. His vital signs were stable and good, but they weren't sure why his urine became dark. He mentioned that the urine changing color could be from a blood transfusion reaction--so PLEASE keep that in your prayers
He still has the breathing tube in and is asleep from all the medications. They are getting him settled in the pediatric ICU--so we have to wait for that. We hope to be able to get to see him around 5:30/6.
I will update again after I see him....This is from the passage that I was reading this morning and meditating on all day.....
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
ROm 8:26, 32
Waiting time...
Hello all!
This is Amanda (Mandy), David's sister, giving the update....
We first want to tell you all how much we appreciate the prayer, phone calls and emails that we have received so far--the pouring out of your love and concern has been so appreciated!!
We got to the hospital this morning at 6am ready to get this thing started. We waited for them to call us back to pre-op; we walked in the door and the nurses started to sing "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to David and he just busted out crying. OHHHH, it was so hard-I think it just all hit him that it was his 16th birthday and this is not what we had planned. Anyway, he quickly "recovered" and to be honest was in the best spirits I have seen him in quite a while. He was actually smiling and laughing a little at each person that came in--everyone was going on and on about how cute and handsome he was, so of coarse he loooved that, and we didn't mind it either ;0)
They had a little bit of a hard time getting his IV started, but a pediatric anesthesiologist(MD who puts kids to sleep) was able to get it in--David was such a trooper getting stuck 3times!
It was soo funny to see mom put on the white paper jumpsuit, blue hat, blue paper slippers and surgical mask to go back to the Operating Room with David--David, Dad and I had a great laugh at that!
We all prayed together and Mom and David headed off to the Operating Room with the anesthesia team.
So far everyone that has been part of the "team" for David has been great--and there has been a lot of people! An Orthopaedic Resident came in and is going to try to put a steroid injection into David left/dislocated hip to help reduce some of the inflammation that is not helping the excruciating pain.
We are now just playing the waiting game. They have been calling every hour and giving us updates. We have a bed already for us in ICU(answer to prayer)! The nurses name that David will have until 7pm is Gretchen and she is a seasoned nurse! Praise the Lord for a ready bed and an experienced nurse.
I will let you know when he is out of surgery and in his room!!
Love,
The Bradley Family
This is Amanda (Mandy), David's sister, giving the update....
We first want to tell you all how much we appreciate the prayer, phone calls and emails that we have received so far--the pouring out of your love and concern has been so appreciated!!
We got to the hospital this morning at 6am ready to get this thing started. We waited for them to call us back to pre-op; we walked in the door and the nurses started to sing "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to David and he just busted out crying. OHHHH, it was so hard-I think it just all hit him that it was his 16th birthday and this is not what we had planned. Anyway, he quickly "recovered" and to be honest was in the best spirits I have seen him in quite a while. He was actually smiling and laughing a little at each person that came in--everyone was going on and on about how cute and handsome he was, so of coarse he loooved that, and we didn't mind it either ;0)
They had a little bit of a hard time getting his IV started, but a pediatric anesthesiologist(MD who puts kids to sleep) was able to get it in--David was such a trooper getting stuck 3times!
It was soo funny to see mom put on the white paper jumpsuit, blue hat, blue paper slippers and surgical mask to go back to the Operating Room with David--David, Dad and I had a great laugh at that!
We all prayed together and Mom and David headed off to the Operating Room with the anesthesia team.
So far everyone that has been part of the "team" for David has been great--and there has been a lot of people! An Orthopaedic Resident came in and is going to try to put a steroid injection into David left/dislocated hip to help reduce some of the inflammation that is not helping the excruciating pain.
We are now just playing the waiting game. They have been calling every hour and giving us updates. We have a bed already for us in ICU(answer to prayer)! The nurses name that David will have until 7pm is Gretchen and she is a seasoned nurse! Praise the Lord for a ready bed and an experienced nurse.
I will let you know when he is out of surgery and in his room!!
Love,
The Bradley Family
Thursday, May 28, 2009
5/28/09
Here we are, the day prior to surgery, just getting home from having several pre-op tests at Duke and my mind is spinning with all that we have to remember and do before tomorrow.
But before anything else, I wanted to take the time to create this blog and thank all of you who are thinking and praying for our little guy and what he's about to go through, and to update you on the process and his progress. Your thoughts, prayers and friendship mean so much to us.
As you may or may not know we discovered the later part of last year that after months and months (and probably years) of pain in his leg, that it was probably the result of the movement of his spine, hip and everything connected to that. It was around November/December that his hip actually dislocated, leaving him in excrutiating pain. We were given several options, the most appealing to all of us was letting the hip settle without doing any surgery. At the time it sounded like the pain would eventually subside, possibly within 6 weeks. That didn't happen. The pain has actually increased exponentially to this day.
Shortly after the hip dislocated, we realized that his scoliosis was so bad he needed surgery. By the time we made these decisions and were ready to schedule the surgery, August was the date we were given. Within a very short time we realized his pain was increasing at such a rate that August was going to be a very long time away.
So we were so happy to learn YESTERDAY that a cancellation had come about and we were asked if we were willing to go ahead with surgery for Friday. We believe it came from the Lord, as we very much were at the end of our rope dealing with his pain and sleepless nights.
So that brings us to this morning when we had to tell our precious little guy that not only would he not be having the amazing birthday party Elise, Alex and Nate were planning for him, but his surgery date had been moved up and he was scheduled for surgery tomorrow! Needless to say, there were some tears shed and a very disappointed looking face in our rear-view mirror on the way to the hospital.
For those of you who haven't seen the little verbal dance he and I do to spell out words - it's a trip, but it works! It's pretty drawn out and tedious, but he's able to get his questions asked and points made. We run through the alphabet in a specific way with him stopping me with a sound or nod at each letter as we make his way through a sentence. And let me tell you, it's not easy twisting around backwards to watch his face as we run through the alphabet for the 30 minute ride out to Duke! So he asked a lot of questions, but we were so touched when he told us that he agreed that God was in control and that it was the right thing to do - such a great attitude!
Most of the morning was spent hooked up to some electrodes that monitored his pulse and heart rate to get sort of a fingerprint for tomorrow's surgery. That was grueling as he was so very uncomfortable and hurting in his chair, which the nurse was nice enough to accommodate us in by not making him lay in the bed. Every move in and out of the chair is so painful - the less the better. But they often had to move his legs, hips, etc. to get everything attached and then he was to lay there relaxed. After 2 doses of morphine he finally relaxed and dozed just a few minutes.
Then it was off to draw blood, get the pre-op tour of the hospital, talk to more people. By the time we left he was one very tired, uncomfortable and miserable fellow. We couldn't wait to get him home and comfortable until we start the whole process again tomorrow. At least he has had a couple hours of restful sleep since we returned and we're hoping to get some food in him before the end of the day. He has had only a bit of apple juice.
To end this for today, I would just add that he is one very skinny little boy going into this. He is probably at his all time worst physical condition. Not only has he endured so much pain for so long, he has lost nearly 15 pounds, weighing in at only 77 pounds this morning! Surgery is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, 5/29/09 at Duke University Children's Health Center. We so appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we begin this new journey.
But before anything else, I wanted to take the time to create this blog and thank all of you who are thinking and praying for our little guy and what he's about to go through, and to update you on the process and his progress. Your thoughts, prayers and friendship mean so much to us.
As you may or may not know we discovered the later part of last year that after months and months (and probably years) of pain in his leg, that it was probably the result of the movement of his spine, hip and everything connected to that. It was around November/December that his hip actually dislocated, leaving him in excrutiating pain. We were given several options, the most appealing to all of us was letting the hip settle without doing any surgery. At the time it sounded like the pain would eventually subside, possibly within 6 weeks. That didn't happen. The pain has actually increased exponentially to this day.
Shortly after the hip dislocated, we realized that his scoliosis was so bad he needed surgery. By the time we made these decisions and were ready to schedule the surgery, August was the date we were given. Within a very short time we realized his pain was increasing at such a rate that August was going to be a very long time away.
So we were so happy to learn YESTERDAY that a cancellation had come about and we were asked if we were willing to go ahead with surgery for Friday. We believe it came from the Lord, as we very much were at the end of our rope dealing with his pain and sleepless nights.
So that brings us to this morning when we had to tell our precious little guy that not only would he not be having the amazing birthday party Elise, Alex and Nate were planning for him, but his surgery date had been moved up and he was scheduled for surgery tomorrow! Needless to say, there were some tears shed and a very disappointed looking face in our rear-view mirror on the way to the hospital.
For those of you who haven't seen the little verbal dance he and I do to spell out words - it's a trip, but it works! It's pretty drawn out and tedious, but he's able to get his questions asked and points made. We run through the alphabet in a specific way with him stopping me with a sound or nod at each letter as we make his way through a sentence. And let me tell you, it's not easy twisting around backwards to watch his face as we run through the alphabet for the 30 minute ride out to Duke! So he asked a lot of questions, but we were so touched when he told us that he agreed that God was in control and that it was the right thing to do - such a great attitude!
Most of the morning was spent hooked up to some electrodes that monitored his pulse and heart rate to get sort of a fingerprint for tomorrow's surgery. That was grueling as he was so very uncomfortable and hurting in his chair, which the nurse was nice enough to accommodate us in by not making him lay in the bed. Every move in and out of the chair is so painful - the less the better. But they often had to move his legs, hips, etc. to get everything attached and then he was to lay there relaxed. After 2 doses of morphine he finally relaxed and dozed just a few minutes.
Then it was off to draw blood, get the pre-op tour of the hospital, talk to more people. By the time we left he was one very tired, uncomfortable and miserable fellow. We couldn't wait to get him home and comfortable until we start the whole process again tomorrow. At least he has had a couple hours of restful sleep since we returned and we're hoping to get some food in him before the end of the day. He has had only a bit of apple juice.
To end this for today, I would just add that he is one very skinny little boy going into this. He is probably at his all time worst physical condition. Not only has he endured so much pain for so long, he has lost nearly 15 pounds, weighing in at only 77 pounds this morning! Surgery is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, 5/29/09 at Duke University Children's Health Center. We so appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we begin this new journey.
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