Saturday, October 15, 2011

Update: 3:15pm on 10/15

Today we begin again.

Forrest's indomitable spirit is peeking through the post surgical fog and already he is winning the hearts of his Critical Care nurses. During his first breathing trial this morning when they turned the ventilator support off he quickly started breathing on his own amazing the respiratory therapist with his large tidal volume. The breathing tube was removed and he continues to breathe well on his own. When asked he will open his eyes and do his best to move his arms & wiggle his toes. We are settling back into the ICU routines that are all too familiar to us. Morning rounds with doctors residents & nurses, tracking every medication & treatment, repositioning every two hours, moving & massaging his arms & legs, watching the monitors & reading your wonderful messages aloud. Austin spent the night bedside & went with Forrest for a Cat Scan at 5:00 AM, reassuring him along the way. The results are encouraging, but of course only time will tell.

Many cultures & lab results are still pending and the plan will evolve over the next few days & weeks. For now we count our blessings. He is alive, he is able to understand us and knows that we are always by his side. We are eternally grateful for your unending love, prayers, encouragement, and most of all your belief in Forrest and confidence that he will heal, he will return to his home, his friends, his future. 

Last week was the best we have had since March. As I sit with you now Forrest, I see a quiet determination alive in your eyes. We will never give up, never surrender. No matter how long it takes or what obstacles we encounter. Together we will go over, under, around, or straight through them. We are still on our road home. We will get there and it will be all that we dream of.

Love,
Mum & Team 44

MaMa Bear + Sara's Bear keep Forrest company in ICU.
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22 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Dear Team 44 - Thanks for always keeping us bedside too. You have the whole community in your room! All your efforts, Forrest, with the recorder most certainly helped you this morning. Wishes that your stay in ICU is a short one.
    Hugs from The Weedens

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  2. LynnOctober 15, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Indomitable spirits....I'm running out of adjectives! Keep it up guys. In our thoughts and prayers...

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  3. Granma Norma AllenOctober 15, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Forrest!! I just felt in my heart you would come out of that surgery room with that determination of your still intact. Your Mom was amazing describing on the blog to us how you are doing. I'll just bet you are happy to have that infection not making you feel so awful any more.

    Hang in there sweet Forrest. Remember with God on your side you will run this race and come out a winner!! I love you.

    Granma Norma Allen.

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  4. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    It is so good to hear we are still making strides, even though there was another bump in the road. We will continue to pray for strength, answers, guidance for the medical staff,and total healing. Team 44 is so incredibly amazing! Hugs, Viki, Rick, Mandie & Ryan

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  5. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Thank you team 44, for keeping your extended family informed. I've been stalking the blog since last night, and am delighted, but not surprised to find that the news is good. Bless you all for your courage. Stay strong,

    Gail (Wofford)

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  6. DianeOctober 15, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Thank you for the very encouraging news, Rae! Go Forrest! You're constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
    Love,
    Diane & Jay

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  7. Joyce in MissouriOctober 15, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Forrest, you absolutely amaze me with how you keep popping back after surgery! May God continue to be with you and your team until you make a full recovery!

    Praying as always,

    Joyce and Wilbur

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  8. PatOctober 15, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    This is such good news! Forrest you are amazing!
    The computer is next to the front door, and the blog was the first thing I checked when I came back from a day outside in this glorious weather. May the energy from the sunshine work its miracles and continue today's encouraging news.
    Pat & Packard

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  9. Shannon DavisOctober 15, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Rae, Kent & Austin...Meg just updated us. We are in the car heading home. Jim and I are intensely praying for God's powerful protection in all that Forrest and all of you are enduring. More soon precious ones. You are COVERED in prayer.

    Love and constant prayer,
    Shannon, Jim, Meg, Kara & Charlotte

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  10. badputtsOctober 15, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Sending prayers & love...... I'm so sorry you are going through this,again.... But it sounds like you are fighting hard! Keep it up!
    Love, Mark, Betsy & Lauren Davis

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  11. Laurie Tyrrell-SchroederOctober 15, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    Forrest, Mom, Dad, and Austin - you are deep in our thoughts and prayers tonight. Forrest - keep up that undeniable strength in spirit we know and love. "It is always too early to quit." Norman Vincent Peale... We love you! Steve and Laurie

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  12. Andy SelfeOctober 15, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Love and prayers,
    The Selfes

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  13. KellyOctober 16, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    Forrest...

    You are the most inspiring person! Keep at it and we will not give up praying and believing in you!!!!

    God bless you! You are just amazing!

    Lots of love to Team 44! You all are incredible!
    kelly and family

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  14. Richard and ColleenOctober 16, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    Forrest,
    You are an inspiration! We are so proud of you and all of your strength and determination. We are so grateful for this blog. You are constantly in our thoughts.
    xoxo

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  15. Austin AllenOctober 16, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Thanks all, I really love reading all your warm wishes, makes us feel like we have an army behind us. Laurie, I love that quote, that's a keeper. I was just showing him a few episodes of the show "scrubs" and got a few laughs and smiles, which is truly heartwarming to see. He's in there, as always. Also have been showing him videos from his friends which I can tell he focuses intently on and enjoys.

    Love,
    Austin

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  16. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Home is where the heart is - and with the love that surrounds Forrest, he is indeed home. This is a young man of incredible spirit, surrounded by incredible people, and we are praying for you all. You have no idea of the strength you give us all as we feel the power of your love and determination. I am humbled by it all. Forrest, keep up the good work, we out here cherish every step you make forward, no matter what the adversity of the moment is.

    The Laughlin Family

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  17. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Wow, Forrest, what a roller coaster ride you've given all of us ardent fans of your blog! As long as you can pull out of those hair-raising nosedives...but then, you always have, and I rather suspect you've done it all your life. As I read the up-dates, I watch the slide show too, and there it is! Another daring deed as captured in the photo of you and Austin(?) apparently in pursuit of bees. Austin is dressed in bee keeping attire, no bee is going to sting him. And there you are, dressed in a safari hat and holding a tennis racket w/ a "bring-'em-on" pose. Never ever lose that attitude! It has served you so well! You are most impressive!!

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  18. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    So glad to hear Forrest made it through surgery so well - he is strong, he is a fighter and he has the neverending love and support of a truly exceptional family at his side. You are all always in our thoughts and prayers and can conquer anything that comes your way. We'll be on the lookout for those beautiful pictures of Forrest smiling brightly again very soon! Love always, Berkeley and Thomas Gunnell

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  19. anonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    I read the blog faithfully but have never posted. Hang in there Forrest and team 44. You have so many people pulling for you. We are sending you warm and fuzzies. Stay strong and positive through this bump in the road.

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  20. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    You all DO have an army behind you!! We all love you, admire you, treasure you and most importantly, God has all of you in his loving healing hands. He doesn't give us anything we can't handle. Immeasureable prayers and love are always with each of you.

    anne m

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  21. lizaOctober 16, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Forrest, We were all thinking about you this weekend as we ventured back to our alma mater. I'm glad to hear your surgery is over, keep pushing, we all love you so much, hang in there

    love,

    liza rizzo

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  22. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Have been checking often - sounds like you were off to a good start after surgery Forrest, and we are trusting that continues to be true. To say we wish the road was easier for you would be the ultimate understatement, but for months we have been awed and truly inspired by your perseverance, resilience, and unwavering strength - stay strong and remember that one small step at a time is incredibly huge. We're in your corner and cheering you on every step of the way. Love to you and your Team from The Shermans.

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