Saturday, August 31, 2013

8-31 Saturday Providence Portland - post surgery

Mike's update for tonight - one more long day. I'm going on hour 13 of deciphering today's agenda so a little be groggy. Mike had another surgery today and after that procedure Dr. Bartholomew said that he and the Orthopedic Specialist Dr. Fleming said that Mike's best chance to save his foot (and yes there is still a wee chance) is to move Mike to a trauma level 1 hospital. Some calls were made and Mike has now been accepted into Legacy Emanuel . He will be transported that way tomorrow morning Sept 1st.
From there a run through the ER and an evaluation will be completed. They will assign MC a room and Ta-Da - we are IN!! At this trauma level 1 he will be given the best possible chance to have a flap attached and skin grafting. The doctors over there are Orthopedic specialist and do this sort of thing all day long. Not every foot is like Mike's but they are real experts. Mike's foot is by no means out of the woods, but it is hanging in there. Without much tissue to work with the chances of the doctors feeling as though there is a chance is very slim.
We are very excited that the Providence Doctors share the same desire and enthusiasm to keep his foot attached. The road will be a lot longer and more painful if they keep it, but Mike is up for that journey.
Today Mike had a couple of special visitors. His daughter Madison Rose and her BF, Zach Miller. What a treat. They hung with me during the 6 hours Mike was in x-ray, surgery and recovery. They'll be back again tomorrow.
Love and hugs, SB and MC from room 4R15 Providence Portland
Madison and her Daddy

Madison, Mike and Mads BF Zach Miller

August 31st Providence Portland - the morning after debridment surgery.

Good morning loved ones. Mike's doc called me at 11:30 pm and discussed the surgery with me. He debrided much of the eschar (not sure on those spellings) and surrounding nonviable tissue. Because of Mike's recent heart attack and the blood thinners he is on has made any sort of long surgery very dangerous. Even in the couple of hours last night he bleed out quite a bit. Today the doctors plan is to do surgery again early this afternoon to remove more tissue and to do this surgery with a orthopedic surgery. Between the bone and skin specialists they will be able to come up with the best plan possible for Mike's foot.
I will add that the Doc was not very optimistic about Mikes ability to keep his foot. The top of the foot has blood supply and want to be there as a happy living foot with wiggly little toes - but the bottom of the foot, heel and back of the heel is missing the tissue to be able to walk on it. In the accident Mike lost the blood supply that reaches to the bottom of the foot and all he has been fighting this fight with is the blood supply that feeds the top of the foot.
What does all of this mean? I think it's getting to be more black and white. The most important thing is Mike's ability to recover, live as pain free as possible and to live a life that gives him the ability to do the things that are important to him. Like golf and mowing the lawn. We'll see what happens later today and we want you to know that we appreciate all of you in the biggest way!!
As far as visitors - Mike's room is so small and it's such an effort for MC to have to chat and make conversation with a guest right now. Lots of emotion coupled with the pain drugs and exhaustion has him pretty tuckered out most of the day. He has family coming tomorrow, his daughter this evening and possibly his Daddy tomorrow afternoon. All Mike needs right now if you want to reach out, is a simple email or FB message saying you are out there. Don't expect him to respond, but a read only is very special to him. His email address is mike_colligan@hotmail.com He loves you, and can't believe the outpouring and support he is feeling from everyone. I will do my best to keep you posted.  
SB & MC out for this morning.