Mike is out of Surgery # 10 and has managed to smile between ice chips and pain meds

Everyone wants to know...

"How is MC doing"?

MC is doing well. After a hurry up and wait  morning - he was finally rolled out of his room 90 minutes after his scheduled departure.  He had a few IV issues, one last pee, his meds and Elizabeth from Transport took him away wires and all. 

Here Dr. Brian Hodges is going over the Frame procedure with Mike just to be sure everything is clear.  This intern has helped Mike in the past and we like Brian a lot. After all the appropriate signatures and explanations, he was off and I was given a pager. 

I had to beg, but they let me into the PACU as he was recovering with his Nurse Kim.  I walked in and before I could see him I could hear his voice and his Nurse was laughing.  Dr. Gelman called me after the surgery to let me know things went well.  

Here is the first look at MC's new frame.  If you look close you can see 3 pins coming from his tibia. One in the middle and two closer together at the top.  He has a large plate at the bottom of his foot (leaving the free flap completely exposed of any hardware)  and a couple of rings around the calf.  This supports the foot and keep any part of it from resting on the skin itself.  Dr. G did not put a wire through the heel. That comes in 2-3 weeks during another surgery.  What he did do was put 3 wires through the upper part of his foot with what looks like wing nuts coming out each side of his outside toes.  

Dr. Hodges just came in and explained things a little clearer.  I'm feeling for MC and the pain he must be in due to all the new trauma on his bones and nerves.  

Here's MC in the Patient Acute Recovery Unit.  By the time I got there his pain was getting manageable and his eyes were sort of going in different directions.  I got lots of warm kisses and he seemed to be in good spirits.  It was so nice that they let me in to see him. 

The million $ smile.  Not sure  how he mustered this one, but out it came and I just had to share.  It could have been because he was given ice chips.  Oh the simple pleasures in life. 

Who would have thought. 

Mike is now resting back in TRACU only 2 doors away from where he was 4 days ago.  All the nurses were so happy to see him as he was rolled along the hallways. Back for some more of their lovin arms!  The foot is up, meds are down and everything seems to be getting settled in.  Vima is his Nurse this evening and what a pleasure she has been.  Hope we see her again.  No word just now on Mike's release date, but we do know that he is having his own skin grafted onto his free flap next Tuesday.  Not sure if he will be here till then. 

FUNNY BUT TRUE

(hope this brings the chuckle that is intended)

Yep - you guessed it - this is NOT apple juice. Last night during the wee hours, MC reportedly could not find his bedside pilot bottle.  He apparently fell asleep with it between his legs after doing his business.  

Now he knows where to look when it goes missing. 

As far as visitors - I would call him first or text to see if he is up for company.  We just can't tell right now where his pain level will be tomorrow.  We do know they wheel him out of here soon for x-rays.  I hope he's up for eating something.  This going 24 hours between meals is not healthy.  Thanks for all the love and prayers. 

SB & MC here in 3521 for at least a couple of days - over and out. 

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