Michelle’s update

9/19/21 91

Good morning saints, keilah is with Mike and he is sleeping right now, so he hasn’t told us how he felt his night was. Nephrology will talk to MICU, but they don’t think he needs CRRT again, his kidneys seem to be recovering well from this set back.

His nurse last night was one that Mike hadn’t felt comfortable with before. I had time to pray for God to work on all of us and asked for the Holy Spirit to guide our conversation. When he came to the room I thanked him for being the person to discover separating Mike’s meds helped with his nausea. This was before the PEG and subsequent g-j tube. I didn’t know that until after our other conversation. That then led to me being able to ask more questions about his life, while he was very capably and gently caring for Mike and moving him back to bed. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that God loves everyone else as much as he loves me. He does not desire for his children to be in conflict with one another. I am very grateful we got another opportunity with this nurse.

Mike was sleeping before either of us left the room last night.

10:30-the docs just had rounds, he’s doing so well they want to move him back to 3E. Will you please pray with me that this move will happen at the right time and that I can rest in the knowledge that God is fighting for him, I need only be still. Mike isn’t the only Satan attacks through changes-he comes after me and the kids too.

6:30 he has slept pretty much all day, I asked if they’d checked his CO2 recently, his nurse checked it with his scheduled labs and it had gone up again. So he’s back on cpap. He hasn’t moved yet, it’s possible but unlikely to happen overnight. Again, all in God’s perfect timing.

Michelle’s update

9/23/22 95

UPDATE:traveling now-procedure is at 11:00!

Good morning saints-a little confusion over timing- Dr. Warren said 11:00, but everyone today is saying 1:00. Either way it’s today and we are grateful. Mike is sleepy as he didn’t sleep well last night. But, he continues to be fully present and engaged. His flat affect is gone and he’s more animated with his expressions. He said he’s not nervous or anxious about today’s procedure.

We have a nurse I haven’t met before. I asked if Keilah and I could be together with him today before the procedure, and she needs to “ask the chain of command”. So we are both here, swapping out for now.

Whatever the outcome. God has ordained our steps and each day continues to be a miracle in my eyes. The anesthesiologist who came in said she’d been researching his history to be prepared for today’s procedure (apparently, he’s complicated) and said “you are a miracle” when she came for us to sign consent. I agreed.

Thank you for praying with us and being witness!

1:07 no updates so far. But, I did get the name of a patient and his wife that we’ve been praying for. I’ve visited with his parents before as we all wait in the ICU. David has been on ECMO for 4 months and needs a transplant, but experienced some setbacks that may keep him from being a candidate. Please pray for him and his wife Nya.

2:51-Mike tolerated the procedure well, but they were unable to safely place the valve. Everything is too fresh and raw and I’m still processing what it means for his healing. Keep praying and I’ll update tomorrow.

Michelle’s update

9/27/21 99

Howdy Saints-I woke to texts from Mike, that docs were coming to talk to him, and he wished I was here. So, I quickly dressed and came over. I missed the docs and Mike was unable to communicate what they said, so I asked at the nurses station to have the docs come back and tell me what they sad. Mike has two teams of doctors-the pulmonary team drive the train and the medical team run his care here on 3E.

Fortunately they were able to come back through pretty quickly and it was a lot of information. First is that there are multiple steps for this process and not everyone who would benefit from a transplant is accepted for transplant. His team also expects because his Kidneys did take a hit, that he would need a kidney transplant as well, due to the post-transplant medications.

As I mentioned before Mike needs to get stronger. So they are looking for a LTACH that will accept him with a chest tube that needs continual suction. The hope is this move can happen sooner than later, but regardless. He needs physical therapy and therapists here are more about assess/discharge than actual treatment planning and executing.

I'm reminding myself continually that God is fighting for us. We need only to be still. We still have the spectre of retirement hanging over us as well-the request to rescind was submitted last week but we have not received an answer yet (I'm told it can take 30 days).

We are counting on God to order our steps and continue leading us through this journey.

Michelle’s update

10/3/21 105

Good evening saints. Mike had to go back on bi-pap for the day because his CO2 a has been climbing. He texted me yesterday evening that he “didn’t feel well”. He’ll switch to cpap for bed, and hopefully tomorrow can go back to “blow-by” oxygen. Even though that has been higher too. He’s been on an antibiotic for the last few days-the same bug that cultured from his pic line was growing from a lung culture. Perhaps that is what is causing this little set back.

These last 24 hours have been a whole lot of me talking to Jesus to remain calm and in my place and trusting God-it doesn’t matter how small the set back, it’s unnerving.

We however had a nice day, watched a couple of episodes of Hart of Dixie and got to watch a live stream of Shepherd playing at the Tater Patch.

Michelle’s update

10/5/21 107

Good afternoon saints.

Today has a calm healing day. After breakfast Mike got into the chair where he spent 5 hours! He also did two sets of 10 of 5 different leg exercises. That's the most I've ever seen him do! So his lungs may have stalled out a bit, but the rest of him is getting stronger!

No word on when we will be moving-that's a case worker-paperwork job. He's had a few quirky phospate numbers and I very much appreciate his doctors staying on top of things and being proactive instead of reactive. I guess that is a benefit of being in the hospital for a long time.

I also want to thank my sister Kirsten Sacra for going to hang out with my boys at FLW this week. It was a huge relief to have her go through my mail for me, something teenage boys just didn't quite get the importance/urgency for mom of unopened mail.

Always thanking God for all of you as well.

It’s me this time, Mike, I am well and strong enough to respond myself after nearly four months. Iam still in the hospital awaiting to be moved to a long term rehab facility. I also need a double lung transplant. Covid really kicked my butt. Would appeciate continued prayer.

Welcome back Mike! So happy for all the progress you've made and can't wait for your continued healing. Take care of yourself and God bless!

Welcome back brother, continued prayers for your healing!

(10-07-2021 05:05 AM)army56mike Wrote:  It’s me this time, Mike, I am well and strong enough to respond myself after nearly four months. Iam still in the hospital awaiting to be moved to a long term rehab facility. I also need a double lung transplant. Covid really kicked my butt. Would appeciate continued prayer.

Welcome back and know of our continued prayers.

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(10-07-2021 05:05 AM)army56mike Wrote:  It’s me this time, Mike, I am well and strong enough to respond myself after nearly four months. Iam still in the hospital awaiting to be moved to a long term rehab facility. I also need a double lung transplant. Covid really kicked my butt. Would appeciate continued prayer.

What a blessing to see one of your posts. You can count on the continued prayers for your eventual return to health and home! Just so you know there is also a thread on the main College Sports and Realignment board where your prayer warriors gained a greater exposure.

After 180 days of hospitalization, I have made it home!
Still a lot of healing and rehab to do, but I am home with my family.
Thank you for past, current, and future prayers. God has been good to me, powerful and merciful!

That's awesome man! God bless

Great news! Just in time for Christmas!