One of the highlights from yesterday also helped us get through this rough patch. Your nurse, Valerie, exclaimed upon your arrival to 4D, "Forrest, I took care of you as a nursing student two years ago over in Peds after you had a major surgery." She was so excited to see you doing amazingly well now. She shared with us later that at the time she had doubts if she had made the right career choice, but that taking care of you and following your progress convinced her that she had! I hope we get to have Valerie as your nurse again before you are discharged.
Midday the Infectious Diseases doctor stopped by...on a week end, probably not a good sign. Turns out that the surveillance cultures Dr Kumar took during surgery turned up the same bad bacteria you have had before. Even though there were no signs of active infection, this specialist recommends we hit this bacteria fast and hard to protect your new bone grafts. So today you began continuous IV antibiotic therapy and Monday you will have another central IV line surgically placed. That way you can continue these big gun antibiotics through continuous infusion at home...again. Hopefully since Dr Kumar removed all of your old hardware, coupled with this aggressive therapy, we can knock this bacteria out once and for all.
The pain kept you uncomfortably in bed all day today, but Toliver really wanted to take you for a walk this evening. Once up on your feet and out of your room, Toliver proudly escorted you around and around the unit for 10 minutes! Hopefully tomorrow the sun will still be shining and it will be a better day...maybe we can even make it outside to the garden!
Tami is on her way over now to keep watch and to spend some time with you tonight. We are so blessed to have Tami on your Team 44 to keep us all on course.
Rest well tonight, Champ. Tomorrow will be better.
Mum
Sure hoping tomorrow is better. Love how you make the world smile a bit more with your clever comments. Bless you! And boo on bacteria....you'll whip up on it too. Much love....
ReplyDeleteHoping tomorrow brings sun, no pain, and happiness!
ReplyDeleteSuch a trooper! You inspire us all 44!
ReplyDeleteSuch an encouraging update though hard to read that you are hurting so, dear one. We will redouble our prayers for diminishing pain and that these antibiotics kick that sneaky bacteria in the @$$ for GOOD! feel better today, warrior....we are marching alongside you. ��
ReplyDeleteForrest, your smile is extraordinary in so many ways. It brings light to all who know you. We are sending thoughts, prayers and good vibrations 24/7 to you, your family, team 44 and your doctors and nurses. You are awe inspiring!
ReplyDeleteAll love,
Jim and Gail
Forrest,
ReplyDeleteSeems like no maneuver warfare for you. No dancing around enemy strong points. No pick and roll. No clever tricks. Just straight up the middle, in your face, head on smash mouth attack. Not the preferred method but sometime it is the only approach that will work. It ain't pretty and it ain't fun. You put your shoulder into it and just keep pushing. Only the most determined, skilled, and committed pull it off. It has your name written all over it. Your Mom, Dad, Austin, and all of Team 44 have your flanks covered. Keep going. You are an inspiring champion. Hugs, admiration, and much love, Uncle John
HI there I really wanna talk to you, you are an inspiration to me and my family. My name is Maria Vera and we are in the same situation like you guys. Since July 13 this year we have been in the hospital my 7 years old son his name is Numita, he was diagnosed with an AVM that caused to a massive stroke they didn't give us hope in stead they just gave us 48 hours to make a decision. But God is so powerful that my son is stil alive this past Nov 11 he went into the hopefully the last surgery and he is doing great. When I see Forrest's picture from 2011 is just like my son, he is awake but he doesn't make aye contact, I know he is there and God sent me the nurse Zainab to let my faith be more stronger than ever because she introduced me to you (sorry for my broken English ) and I know that God's plan for my son is going to be just great, we know that hope, faith and love can heal anything. May God always bless you. Like I said to my son Just keep swimming Forrest. You have a very important mission in this world God loves so very very much.
ReplyDeleteSincerely
Maria Vera
571 405 8952 / 571 216 9665 lulitav@hotmail.com
HI there I really wanna talk to you, you are an inspiration to me and my family. My name is Maria Vera and we are in the same situation like you guys. Since July 13 this year we have been in the hospital my 7 years old son his name is Numita, he was diagnosed with an AVM that caused to a massive stroke they didn't give us hope in stead they just gave us 48 hours to make a decision. But God is so powerful that my son is stil alive this past Nov 11 he went into the hopefully the last surgery and he is doing great. When I see Forrest's picture from 2011 is just like my son, he is awake but he doesn't make aye contact, I know he is there and God sent me the nurse Zainab to let my faith be more stronger than ever because she introduced me to you (sorry for my broken English ) and I know that God's plan for my son is going to be just great, we know that hope, faith and love can heal anything. May God always bless you. Like I said to my son Just keep swimming Forrest. You have a very important mission in this world God loves so very very much.
ReplyDeleteSincerely
Maria Vera
571 405 8952 / 571 216 9665 lulitav@hotmail.com
You can kick the pants off this bacteria - it doesn't hold a candle to you! We're all praying for it to go far, far away and we're giving it a huge thumbs down. But you get a HUGER thumbs up for your brilliant smile, your courageous attitude to just keep walking! Love and strength!!
ReplyDeleteForrest, you are my hero. Such encouraging news. Praying for healing - complete healing of the bacteria stuff and for the pain to subside. We love you and pray for you and all of Team 44!!
ReplyDelete