Wednesday, June 04, 2008

So Sorry...we are finally out of surgery again. Once again Duke time, they took him back around 7:20 and we didn't get to see him until 11:00. But I can officially say we had our first uneventful procedure. They cleared out a lot of the fluid and put his trach in. It is more comfortable for Bo, but this does unable him to talk. So everyone when we can, feel free to call him and get your two cents in because he will not be able to respond back until the trach is out or plugged.
The doctor didn't really have to much to say other than hopefully tomorrow we can get some of the drugs to wear off and start trying on getting him up and moving a little bit more. They feel like he is moving on his way nicely and it might be time to think that we are getting over this hump. We are still not out of ICU, but we are getting closer. I have never been so proud of someone in the leaps and bounds that he made today. I could see him in his eyes and he even cut his eyes a couple of times. We are still working on getting his other organs to function more properly, but the tests now are done ever 12 hours instead of every hour. So that has to be progress for the lack of urgency. Small steps...
We are still watching his platelets and kidney function to get the potassium out again along with the other toxins. We are praying and praying for his hand to heal. It is wrapped in a splint and elevated to try and drain the extra fluid out. We are also praying for his liver to calm down and and the infection to clear itself up. They will still have to do another procedure to put a feeding tube in, but that should be in a couple of days.
But tonight along with praying for Bo to heal, please pray for two wonderful and amazing men that have helped me and my family through this incredible process. Bob nicknamed us the "Mod Squad", please pray for Bob and his wife, I will have to get her name tomorrow. Bob Fuller has been in ICU since January with his wife. They are trying to get her strong enough for a heart transplant and every day he comes in to be with her. He always has an arm around me with a smile on his face telling me to be cautiously optimistic and try to take each situation one problem at a time. And then there is Joe Edwards and his wife Marilyn. Marilyn was admitted two weeks exactly before Bo and she also had a double lung transplant. Joe not knowing me from Adam or Eve told me his story (they were on ECMO as well) and made me feel sane with everything that I was going through. He opened his heart and soul and we shared our emotions of everything and our frustrations. I selfishly talked most of the time about my frustrations and he kept quiet with me. Now able to step back and realize he must of wanted to strangle me because he had fought for so much longer. I am happy to say today Marilyn was move to "step-down" out of ICU and is starting the fight of using her lungs. These two men have touched my soul in a way that I hope and know I will never forget. I love them and their families and we will have that picnic soon to celebrate life.
I hope to post wonderful news tomorrow because I begin to feel like the sun a breaking through the clouds and my Bo is fighting back to me.
Love
Christi and Sweet Addi girl

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Celebrating the "baby steps" with you guys. Hang in there and keep looking up.

Blessings and much love.

Randy & Kaye Ellington
Ky Prayer Team

Anonymous said...

Never doubted team Bo and Christi for a minute! Constant prayers will continue to be said, and endless words of thanks will be lifted to the Lord for His watchful eye and healing hand over Mr. Bo.
We love you guys!
-The Baileys
PS...we will be sure to add the wives of your two new friends at Duke to our prayer list as well!

Anonymous said...

I made sure to wear my white ribbon on my way to Boston today. Several people asked why I was wearing it and I told them all about our beloved Bo. He's such an inspiration and now there are several more people up here in the Northeast praying. Babysteps! Christi I also made sure to tell them how strong you are!!

Keep fighting Bo!!!

Emily

Anonymous said...

Dear Christi,
Though we have never met, I can say I love you. Your capacity to care for others when you have so much on you is truly wonderful. I think things are going really well and I will sleep much better. Prayers continue for all of you.
Love,
Kay Falandys

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to hear the good news. I look forward to hearing about more baby steps tomorrow. Both of you keep up the good work. We will continue to send you good vibes from the midwest and northeast.
Love, the Dodds

Anonymous said...

glad to see the progress continue. Look forward to more of it tomorrow.
Head up Bo!! almost there.

Jay and Mel

Tundra said...

reading this post, it was very difficult to hold back my tears. I check this blog hourly to see if there are any updates. Your strength is amazing. If only I had the strength in my life on a daily basis that you have right now. I know that BO can feel your hope for him and it will only help him. Keep your chin high and know that you are who he is fighting for. Bo is strong and he will pull through. He knows there are many here who depend on him and he will never let us down.

Bo is a fighter, Bo is true. Bo will be here for many years to come.

DB

Anonymous said...

Great news! We look forward to hearing more tomorrow. Keep fighting Bo!

The Garretts

Anonymous said...

What great news!!! I can't wait to get up there to see the two of you again! Please tell Joe that I am so happy for him! Looking forward to your post today! Love you guys!

The Faunces

Anonymous said...

This is so good to hear Christi. You and Bo are troopers! I am glad you've met people there who can share in the emotions you are all going through. We will keep supporting you both and praying for more good news like this!
~Rochelle

Anonymous said...

That's great news Christi. Go Bo... "Sweet Addi Girl" was running around the office yesterday. For those of you following Bo's story who don't know Addi, I can honestly say she really is a great little girl. Bo certainly has a lot to fight for. Thanks for the great news. What a nice way to start the day.

Chris, Tracey, CJ and Hannah

Anonymous said...

Wow! What wonderful news. God's blessings are coming down as prayers are going up! I will pass both additional families' names on to everyone who has been praying for Bo and for your family. Way to fight back Bo! Love to you Christi, Bo, and to Addi too.
God Bless.
Donnelle and Jon

Anonymous said...

What a nice way to start my morning! Today the sun's gonna SHINE! I just know it!
:-)

Anonymous said...

Christi - what wonderful news to wake up to this morning! I know just the fact that you and Bo have been able to visit with each other has given you both the extra surge to press on when you both must be so tired. I can't tell you how many people I have told your story to and they are now "blog addicts" just like all of us. Take care of yourself and continue to find strength in the people you meet at Duke and your unbelievable support system of friends and family.

Anonymous said...

That is great news. We'll keep praying. Stay strong.

Unknown said...

It was hard to fight the tears this morning. God has been working to heal Bo. Kristi you are So amazing with the strength that you are showing through all of this. I will continue to pray for Bo and for your family.

Anonymous said...

such great news! doing the happy dance in Omaha! sending love, prayers and sunshine your way.

Anonymous said...

Christi,
This is very encouraging news. I read it first thing this morning and it feels so hopeful. Bo is such a fighter and he has such a great manager in you. Stay strong and stay positive. These baby steps keep the journey going.
Know you are in our prayers and you are both very much loved.

Love,
Aunt Mary and Uncle Jeff

Anonymous said...

Christi and Bo,
God is answering all our prayers and is smiling down upon you. I will continue praying for both of you, and for your new friends. Christi, you are absolutely amazing and such an inspiration to us all. I have faith that you will soon be together at home as a family and God's light will continue to shine down upon you.
Love,
Sherree

Anonymous said...

Christi, you are one of God's chosen few, that can stand the events of these days,since May 27th, with humor,optimism,love, and never doubting BO and GOD. And never did any one of us think that BO was not fighting every minute. We knew God was always there. We have prayed for the DR's and staff, and can't forget they are humans too with feelings.We will continue to pray for BO's hand, and everything else that needs to function properly. These two families that have come into your life, will be with you forever. We love you ADDI, with a kiss and keep Mom and Dad's home going, taking care of the Buddies. Love Uncle Leon and Aunt Marilyn

Anonymous said...

as you walk with Love along the way Christi -- small steps -- sent with a prayer in my heart, and to our angel, and a tear of joy

Peter Macon

Anonymous said...

happy tears.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to hear that BO is doing better. I will keep you guys in my prayers! -kate

Anonymous said...

Keep fighting Bo, you can beat this! Christi your comment about Duke time made me think about Sigma Nu time. Ask Bo, Brian and Shawn about that some time. If their Chapter was like mine nothing ran on time.

David Williams

Anonymous said...

It was so wonderful to reach your post after the surgery! I found out today that my daughter-in-law works with the mother-in-law of I believe maybe your brother. I'm sorry I don't know her name. We have wondered at the small world. My daughter-in-law received the same prayer request from me and this other lady and put it together. I pray many times during the day for Bo, you and Addi. I just know God is blessing Bo with recovery! Marilyn Erdel, PH Rehab

Anonymous said...

It is so nice that you are able to communicate with people that are basically going through the same thing or something very similiar. It is very had for us to imagine the roller coaster of emotions you have been experiencing and I am so happy those people entered your life and you are all helping each other get through this. I am thinking about them as well as the families that offerred Bo the chance for new lungs.

Mindy