August 09, 2005
"The doctors took a long, hard look at Mike's right foot and have concluded that there is plenty of circulation in it to perform the "muscle-flap". This procedure will take a chunk of muscle from Mike's left shoulder to be reconstructed and fitted to his lower right leg and foot. This is EXTREMELY good news because it will save Mike's foot from amputation. Still a long road but he is on his way, baby! The surgery will more than likely take place on the 10th of August. Keep the faith my friends, with our love and support, Mike's determination and positive attitude will bring him through this adversity.Love Issac"
We're absolutely hopeful that this all will go well.Waiting is the hardest part, we're still waiting on his surgery for his right hand and more skin grafting, rehab, etc. Months and months are still ahead.
Although this is going to be a long and painful journey, Mike has opted to do the majority of the rest of this without pain medication. While the doctor and nurses will be administering meds during dressing changes and the "10's" (on the pain scale), the major portion of his rehab will be as excruciating but bearable (for him). He's a tough mudda fudder my brudda, I couldn't do that.
He's lucid and cogent at times, but at others he seems like he's been dreaming; not making sense of what's going on around him. Still a raspy voice as the swelling is slowly going down. He sleeps a lot too, since I'm sure most of his days are painful and grueling. Rehab, physical therapy, shower time, all tiring events. Being in bed for nearly four weeks can also atrophy your muscles quite quickly and as of yet, he hasn't had a solid meal, just tube feedings for three and a half weeks. He's looking forward to a solid meal soon, but his swallowing mechanism isn't working quite right since the intubation. All things take time and Mike's progress is going as well as expected.
He has good days, bad days and sometimes we're frightened as hell about the possibilities that the bad days bring, but if we only could stay as positive as he is, we would smile and joke and have a good time. I'll let you know more as we do. Thank you for your love and support and your visits.
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Thank you so much for everything that has been done on Michael's behalf.