Home for a Week!

I am so sorry I been slow to update the blog. Drew's been home for a week as of last night and is doing remarkable well. He has gotten his staples out and his wound is healing nicely. It is rough being inside at home all day, but he is finding fun ways to occupy his time and is being very patient. These are critical days in terms of avoiding infection; so, we want to be extra careful. So good, so far! Thankfully! We are glad to have all of that behind us and now can focus on SUMMER.

"I'm doing great!"

If you ask Drew how he's doing, he responds with a smile/dimple and says, "I'm doing great!" He is, too! Everyday he gets stronger and stronger. The doctors determined his post surgical problems were a result of two medicines that didn't sit right with him. They have since discontinued those meds and Drew is racing to recovery. He even got dressed in real clothes this morning. Occupational and Physical Therapy are in with him and he is playing Wii baseball. The nurses are estimating we will get to head back to Austin on Monday, but we haven't talked to Dr. Wheless yet today (still hoping for Sunday.) He is eating incredibly well. They just need to finish up a couple IV medicines. Now, he is playing the guitar for us. He is definitely getting back to his old self and we are trilled to see his progress! Thank you so much for all the prayers and support. We are forever grateful!!!!!

Out of ICU

Drew's surgery yesterday went well and he spent the night in ICU. Just when they were bringing him up to his room, he took a downward turn. He started trimmering and not knowing where or who he was. They sent him directly to have a stat CT scan that was clear. He had also had a MRI earlier today that looked fine. His doctor concluded that he was having a bunch of little seizures back to back. (He is no longer hooked up to the monitoring to know for sure.) His IV went bad in the middle of the doctor ordering several medicines for him. Several teams tried to get another IV started ( 8 or 9 times) and the Life Flight team finally got one started in his foot. He is resting comfortably now. This is not uncommon to have happen after as much surgery as Drew has had to endure. I think his body was saying, "ENOUGH." Our prayer now is for rest, healing and understanding.

Surgery is on!

Drew had a rough, rough day today. We just spoke with the doctor and they have all the information they need in order to do the surgery tomorrow. It is scheduled for 9:30 in the a.m. Our prayer is that the great physician will be in the OR tomorrow guiding the minds and hands of Drew's doctors for a successful surgery.

Surgery Postponed Until Wednesday

We just talked to the doctor. It looks like he wants to see more seizures and run some more tests. The good news was that Drew gets to eat something (nothing by mouth preparing for surgery)! We are in such good hands. It is much better to be cautious and the more information the better. He's toughed it out this long, what is a couple more days, right? He is such a trooper and is smiling his way through all of this. I am wow'd by his endurance that is for sure.

Drew had a seizure

Prayers were answered. Drew had a seizure around 1:00 today. It was hard to see, but was what the doctors needed. Dr. Wheless would like for him to have one more, but not as strong as the one he had; so, he has put him on a light dose of anti-siezure medication. Hopefully, surgery will go on as scheduled tomorrow, Monday, as scheduled. Drew has been sleeping soundly. I'll update as soon as I know whether the surgery is tomorrow or not.

Still No Seizures

Things are pretty much the same. We are waiting for seizures. He is completely off his anti-seizure medications. While we are waiting, the doctors are still working to control his pain. He had some good times today. He gave the nurses and us a few smiles and raised up a couple of times in the bed (without having the bed do it for him.) It is such comfort knowing we have the support and prayers from friends and family. Each day seems to get better and better!

Things Are Looking UP!

The doctors found a pain medicine that seems to be the ticket! Yesterday, he ate his first solid food. The smell of BBQ in the room opened his eyes that was for sure. Dennet started getting the food out and Drew started eating. BBQ is his ultra favorite. He ate chicken, then famous Memphis "pulled pork," then brisket, then beans, then fudge brownine pie. Things were definitely looking up. It was amazing to see how food make him so much stronger. He slept really well last night, too. We were able to turn the light on in the room this morning for the first time, too. That was huge.

Now, we are praying and waiting for seizures. Sounds sort of funny to be praying for seizures, but that is what the doctors need!

Drew is in his room

Surgery went fine yesterday. He has been in a lot of pain since then. Bless his sweet heart! He is trying so hared to be tough.
They brought him up to his room 7816 at LeBonheur. He has been getting Morphine and Valium around the clock and is able to rest a bit. Dennet and I have been taking turns trying to help him get some rest and relief. The one good thing about this is that we have been down this road before and know that eventually the pain will subside. He is still getting his regular dosage of seizure medications. I think the doctors want him to be a little more himself before they start to reduce his meds in hopes of having seizures. So, our prayer is that his swelling and pain are relieved; so, he can move on to the monitoring portion.
Thank you for your continued prayers!!
Catherine

Drew is in surgery

We arrived in Memphis yesterday around 2:00 p.m. and checked into the hospital. Drew had an MRI around 4:00 and was ready for surgery this morning. The doctors will be placing strips of electrodes beneath his skull that will be able to map the exact location of his seizures. He is so ready to get on with all of this and went into the OR with a huge smile on his face. He will be in surgery for 2-3 hours and then will head to ICU, where he will stay the night. They will bring him back up to his room sometime tomorrow and reduce his anti-seizure medications in hopes of him having seizures that will be recorded. The doctors have a very good idea of the seizure focus. This is just information that will confirm details for them. The plan is that he will go back into surgery a week from today to remove the strips and the seizure focus.

Thank you so much for your prayers for a successful surgery and for peace knowing that Drew is in God's hands.