So much has been going on and we have some progress to report. The first part of today's post is to give remembrance to Mike's Dad, Jim Colligan who passed on the 14th of January. Jim was 89 1/2. (although he called it 90) So we gave it to him. :-) This photo was taken during a trip to Arizona over Thanksgiving weekend to see his brother Dean and sister in-law Sharon. Although he had a great visit, he never quite recovered from the traveling. Unfortunately it would be his last trip. We are all thankful for the time he had with Dean and Sharon during that time of giving thanks.
I'd like to take some time to share a few of our favorite and more recent photos. Please enjoy!
Remember this photo from the MC T-shirts blog post? This is Jim in AZ and very proud to sport his MC's Angel T-shirt.
October 2012 Mike's daughter Katelyn got married. It was a wonderful family time for all.
I had the distinct privilege of dancing with this fine man. I think he enjoyed it as much as I did!
Last spring 0f 2013 the family went to Colorado Springs to visit Katelyn, Codi her new husband and other Colligan Family members in the area.
Personal favorite! I loved getting a big hug from this very special man!
Maddison (Mike's youngest daughter) Jim, Sherry, MC, Katelyn (Mike's older daughter)
Codi, the son-in-law at Garden of the Gods in Co Spr.
MC loves sniffing at the Harley Dealership in every city we visit. It was an extra treat for him to have his Dad with him on this particular trip. Hang Loose Papa Jim. ( He would rather have been in Hawaii)
Here's the small family reunion with what is more commonly known as the Bloods and the Crips.
Family members and the NON- family members, but who's looking?
The Colligan Men. (missing Mike's brother Pat)
Mike, Jim and brother Pat during Jim's last month with us.
What more can I say except, for this is Jim's sweet, sweet Mary. I would say he felt a little lost and incomplete without her. It was a tough year and a half, but they are finally reunited!
We love you Jim, Papa! We will always treasure the memories we have of you and with you. We are better people for having had you in our lives!
July 26th, 1924 ~ January 14th, 2014
If I may..... Here are the last few weeks on MC.
We had a great Holiday and it was so good to see Katie & Grandson Brayden from CO.
He's just a little bit happy to be holding his Grandson Brayden. Hi-light of the Holidays!
And he happens to be the cutest little thing you ever did see.
Baby Brayden, lifelong friend and 3rd daughter Jamie Loo, Sister in-law Christine & daughter Katie. (oh and Kidderz sneaking in there - always)
All I can say about this is "MINI ME"
(Daddy Codi and Baby Brayden)
Just a few days before Mike's "FRIDAY" appointment he got this fortune cookie!
SO...
MC in High Hopes of getting a removal date on the Frame.
Fingers and toes crossed. (as much as possible) Sweat & panic added in as well.
Dr. Gellman approaches. Current state of "the Foot" that day.
Guess what? Fingers uncrossed and all thumbs are UP!
Surgery date set for the 31st of Dec. Great way to bring in the New Year!
New Years Eve - Out patient at Legacy Emanuel - waiting to go back for Ilizaroth removal!
Procedure discussion with MA - all systems GO!
30 minutes later - a little recovery time, back to the prep room and we are all DONE !
We have one happy camper. Headed home shortly after this photo was taken.
MC- had quite a bit of swelling and discomfort after the procedure, but it helped pass a little time watching football with Brayden on New Years Day.
2014 looks a lot more promising! We like to show the smiles, but some days are just plain tough. We still love visitors and MC could use the added ongoing support! :-)
Shortly after the surgery Mike's foot looks like this. Remember they took the Lat Muscle off of his back. Read more by clicking HERE
The swelling seemed out of control and the pain was pretty intense.
But we know this is all part of the journey and we can't slow down yet! Mike stays hopeful and keeps his spirits UP as best he can considering what's behind him and what's in front of him.
You can see where the wire pins, 3 running through the ball of his foot and 3 running through the heel bone have been removed. The open sore is a place where the skin graft from 3 months ago has never healed. Because there was never skin on the flap, it has not grown there or filled in yet. Also we have been told that with all the swelling, the body will keep that spot somewhat open and take advantage of it for drainage purposes.
MEANWHILE....
MC - got behind the wheel. Reports have it that he was the cause of the morning traffic jam that day, but it's really just a rumor no matter what his "best" friends claim.
I was clearly with him on this trip, but he has taken a few solo's since then. He went to watch football at the Gonzale's, went to a Dr. appointment 1 block away & went to get his hair cut!
All of that felt good for both of us.
This photo was taken just yesterday. I take lots of pictures of "The Foot" so that Mike can see what the bottom and sides looks like. We have a few reasons to celebrate. First Mike finally got his leg into a pair of jeans!!! 2nd we are taking measurements and we are recording a significant reduction in the size. The flap it's self is becoming soft and moveable. The spot on the bottom of the foot has still not healed, but we are hopeful so that Mike can join me in the water aerobics class at the gym.
(the line at the ball of his foot is from the compression sock MC wears during the day.
New profile. You can see the leg is blending into the foot. We had a meeting with Dr. Fromm about a week ago and she talked a lot about the level of pain MC is still experiencing and timing on the additional surgeries needed to reshape the foot. Once the swelling is down and a few months have passed they will be scheduling the follow-up surgeries. It's called debulking and will also require another set of skin grafts from Mike's thigh. Dr. Fromm and MC are very optimistic.
TARGET SITING
Why, just yesterday you could have spotted MC at the Beaverton Target getting his laundry and tissue supplies. His only complaint is that the carts move way to S L O W..... (he also doesn't like to go backwards due to the fact that he feels like he's on a construction site with all that loud beeping. Sort of draws attention to him. Hmmmm Maybe he actually does like the beeping and the attention because I caught him backing up several times.
Overall, we are doing well. We are making our lifestyle packed with some healthier habits. Better eating, better sleep, stress reduction by reading and better TV habits & we are moving more! Our hope is that you too are making happy healthy choices for yourself and loved ones. Let's all live as long and as well as possible.
Life is so precious!!!
S&M out for this afternoon.
I promise to stay a little more up to date.
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MC loves to read them!!!
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