Sunday Written Jul 31, 2011 11:30pm

This day seemed to have gotten away from me.  I think it's the longest time I've spent with Max at one time.  Well, since we got here.  We had a few visitors and Max loves visitors.  I can't wait for him to talk, that will make it so much better.

He was off the ventilator for a while before they had to put him back on.  The second time they took him off the ventilator he did much better.  When I left he was still breathing on his own. 

They set him up in the chair for a while.  He really didn't like it, it was to uncomfortable for him.  But he stuck it out and didn't give the nurse any grief.

He was tired but because of the tube feeding they couldn't let him lay down.  It was really bothering him.  He was tired but wouldn't go to sleep.  I told him I would need to go so I could get some rest and he wrote "don't leave me"   I told him I wasn't "leaving him" I was just going to sleep in the waiting room.  He wrote "He needs help"  I was like "Who needs help, the nurse?"  I'm not sure why he thought the nurse needed help.  Maybe because he has an Australian accent, who knows.  Actually I know ~I'm starting to learn his shorthand and can get things for him easier. 

Finally the last time I asked him if I could go get some rest he was good with it.

I can't wait for tomorrow and all the good it will bring.  I would write more but my eye lids are droopy and my head keeps nodding!

Muc h love,  Sherry

What a Day Written Jul 29, 2011 10:59pm

It seems like forever ago Max had surgery on his leg.  It was a long day, Max slept through most of it.  There were a few times he was awake but mostly sleepy. It was funny this morning, he said before surgery "Dont leave me"   I had to smile ~ as if I'd leave him now on the downhill side of things! LOL

His vital signs are good and I hope tomorrow they can get him off the ventilator.  I talked with his nurse this evening and he is a christian.  It's neat to know that God has people there who are taking care of him and praying over him. 

During one of the times Max woke up he wanted water.  The kids went in to say goodbye and Max woke up.  My Dad went to hand him the water cup and Ray told him Max couldn't drink it.  I had to go in and help Max with his water.  He used the sponge a few times and then he gestured with his hand that he wanted to hold the cup.  I told him I couldn't give it to him, I'd get in trouble and kicked out.  He shot me a dirty look and then looked away.  I asked him if he was mad at me and he wouldn't respond.  I asked do you want me to leave and he shook his head no.    I'm so ready for him to speak.....I thiink.......Honestly the next best thing to that first kiss here in the hospital will be the sound of his voice and the sound of his laughter.  I really, really miss it. 

Okay, I have to go before I start crying.  Thanks so much for caring so much about Max.  You guys are the greatest.

Friday After Surgery Written Jul 29, 2011 8:55am

Max is out of surgery.  The Dr.'s said that everything went well.  They fixed the leg with rods and screws and he will not need a cast or anything. 

It will probably be a little while before I can get back and see him but I anticipate that all is well.  I'm praying that my time in this waiting room is coming to a close.  I'm so ready for Max to be rid of all this tubes and wires.  I know he is more than ready to talk.  I'll have to keep an eye on him when he starts to talk, so far all he can is wink at his nurses.

Have a great day & I'll update when I know more.

Love,  Sherry

Friday Morning Written Jul 29, 2011 7:35am

It's a great morning!  Max was awake this morning when I went in.a little after 5:00 and he was more responsive.  He wanted to know when he would walk, I told him it would just take some time.  Everything is swollen and it just takes time.  He was smiling and giving everyone the thumbs up. 

The Dr's said his lungs had some fluid but they are hoping to get it cleared up without having to drain it off.  This is the last operation, I am so ready for the next part of this journey with Max.  I know that Physical therapy will be next on the agenda.  They physical therapist told me that he will be an in house rehab patient.  He had his sense of humor intact this morning.  They were getting ready to take him back and he mouthed "Wait for me" ~ as if I would do anything else.

I feel the pressure lifting, still feel God holding me upright and rejoice that I am so blessed.  There are so many people who pass through this waiting room.  Some leave relieved, some leave heartbroken and lost.  By the grace of God we will leave here eventually relieved that Max is alive. 

When he gets out off surgery I'll let you know how it went.  There are 2 ways they will go about the surgery.  It will either be internal or external.  I pray that the way that heals the fastest is the way they are able to fix his leg. 

Coming soon, the new and improved Max!

Thursday Morning Written Jul 28, 2011 7:15am

I got to get back and see Max before shift change.  He was restrained again because he keeps pulling his stomach tube out.  He seems calmer this morning, but more out of it.  It's so hard to know what is going on in that mind.  I know the days ahead will be hard, but it will be a different hard.

One more surgery and I hope he gets to cap that trach and start talking. 

They should be getting him up and out of bed today.  I don't know if he is look forward to moving that much but I am ready for him to progress to the next step.

Wednesday eve Written Jul 27, 2011 7:21pm

Max is finally resting.  He's in pain and can't get comfortable.  Keep him in prayer that the nurses are attentive to him through the night.  In typical fashion I signed the papers for the tot go to surgery for his leg and then later they came and decided to cancel it.  It will be rescheduled for Friday.  They want to give him some time to recover before they put him under again.

The waiting room is getting old.  There is lots of things that end up going on.  Families dynamics are always interesting but I'm ready for this to be done.

I wish I had the ability to respond to all the things in the guestbook.  Max will be so touched and blown away when he sees what everyone has said.  It's exciting and scary to anticipate what our next move will be.  So be in prayer that tomorrow will be a great day of moving forward.  I was hoping we would be over the anethesia part soon, the sooner we are done, the sooner we can get the trach out of his throat.

I'll try and give you an update before I go to bed.  I go in to see Max and hope I have a bed to come out to.  It's like a family reunion going on here ~ just not my family!

Wednesday Praise Report Written Jul 27, 2011 1:00pm

Max is out of surgery and the report is great.  They were able to fuse the spine so he can start to sit up.  The spinal cord was not severed or punctured, it is just swollen.  When we asked the dr. she told us that usually when someone comes in and can't move they don't recover that.  We are believing God's report that he is whole and he will be re-stored. 

They will set his leg tomorrow and then it will be a matter of slowly bringing him up to sitting and then up to moving.  It's such a relieve to get this behind us.  All his vitals were good and his lungs remained strong during surgery.

I asked her about talking and when they wean him off the ventilator he will be able to talk.  I'm sure he will have lots to say.

We are rejoicing that he is one step closer to walking out of here.

Sherry

Wednesday Morning Written Jul 27, 2011 10:58am

Ray was sweet enough to update the page for me this morning.   Im not sure what the heck is with his signature, but that's Ray.   He takes after Max a lot.    They just posted that he is still in surgery and that he is doing good.  I know that he was ready to get fixed. 

He slept a lot yesterday which was good for him.  I wanted him well rested for surgery today.  In typical Max fashion, the person "driving"  his bed didn't realize that the iv pole was still way in the air and they banged it into the top of the door frame going out.  Luckily there was nothing hooked up to it.  Max was sedated but his eyes flew open.  Usually things are kept very quiet in the ICU but not Max, he has to go out with a bang. 

They expect him to be in there for 5 hours.  They won't set his leg until tomorrow ~ I was hoping it would be sooner.  They had a problem trying to coordinate the different surgeons.   I'm excited and I know Max was ready to have this done so he could set up.

I told him I'd be in trouble once he can talk....the nurses are already fighting over who gets to take care of him.  He of course is just a grinning and loving that one.

I'll try and steal the laptop from the kids when we get another update.  Tthanks so much for the prayers, we differently feel and are humbled that so many people have him in their thoughts.

Love,  Sherry

Written Jul 27, 2011 10:10am

Restful Night. Max is currently in surgery, he was in good spirits and looking forward to the surgery.

~ El Homo