New Year's Eve - New Room (328)

Michele is out of ICU and in pavilion B room 328 - YEA!. They were scared and skeptical the first time Michele went to the step down unit but this time around everyone feels like she is truly ready to leave ICU and are happy she is in step down. She is breathing 100 on her own with a little nose oxygen just for New Year' s Eve Fun.  Tomorrow they will drain the fluid again below her diaphragm and hopefully find the source of the infection. She has taken the full prescription of the first antibiotic but her white blood cell count is still highly elevated.  Her fever is gone - another YEA!  Not much more to say tonight. I will see her tomorrow and have a better bird's eye view of her happy factor. Happy New Year everyone and Steveie D says thanks so much Travis for the lovely flowers,  but she still can only have cards in step down.

Best to everyone for a Happy 2011. On K-Love (a radio station) the DJ's suggested to pick one word to work towards in the coming year. I have my one word for me and also picked a word for Michele. If we all pick a word and pray for that for her,  imagine how fast she will be 100% again. Keep up the faith all - she is gaining on it!

Just say "No" to the Trach!

Michele is just a bed away from leaving ICU - Thank you God! Her Trach tube was removed today and she is eating and talking. Her taste buds are super sensitive. Stevie D said she said something was really salty to her that when he tasted it, it was really bland. Her fever still needs to settle down and the infection needs to go away, but all news seems to be improving daily.

On a side bar the game this week was more than originally thought. CJ, and the Swiggerts (Jim & Jamie) also attended and the boys were able to move around a lot and utilize some seats that were practically courtside. Zach and Corbin both touched the game ball, shook Rockies Hand, and took tons of close up pictures of the Nuggets Dancers ( a 14 year old's dream date). They all had a great time watching the Nuggets and MIchele was glad they were able to go.

Address to come hopefully tomorrow of her step down unit number.... Hang in their girlfriend you are a rockstar to all of us!!!!

Tub Tuesday and Threw Away some Tubes

So Michele has made some good progress towards her recovery today. Her feeding tube and lung tube have been removed - Just Say NO to a Liquid Diet! She is able to drink juice and some other yummy concoction well some other nutritional something, perhaps its not so yummy. Her doctors told Steveie D. that it may just be days before she can try to go back to the Step Down area of care. Her fever has subsided for the most part.  Yesterday was a day full of visitors including Scott Cook's family (owner Cook Chevrolet), the Sperry family, and my guys Steve and Corbin Diehl plus of course the regulars Linda, Sam & River.

Yesterday was Bailee bath day. I may be saying that wrong but it entails cleaning every nook and cranny of all the wounds and body. It took three people (Linda, Steve and Nurse) 2.5 hours to accomplish this task. Maybe we should bathe longer? I have never even been in a bath tub with smell good beads for over 1/2 hour. Way to get clean Michele! Steveie D. said he was exhausted afterwards, so you can imagine how Michele must have felt.

Corbin and Zach continue to honor Michele by playing all the Xbox games she bought Zach.  We found the Xbox early on in a great hiding place in the house then River went to the car to recover the rest of his presents -Xbox stock should rise this year. The boys (Stevie D., Zach, my Steve and Corbin) are going to the Nuggets game tonight for a little hospital break. I know Michele will be so happy they are getting away, since her concern is more for her boys then herself. She does need her rest and Linda and Sam will be there to watch out for her, although in this ICU the nurses and staff are amazing.  Have a good night Michele! People continue to let me know how much they love you and are thinking of you. All the girls at Bella salon today sent their love and prayers. Amy said to let her know when you need anything done to your hair and she will come down and take care of you:). We know you will be home before you need a new do.....

Monday Clarification

Michele is in ICU and had a minor surgery last night to insert a drainage tube. It is just below the lung not in the lung like we originally thought. They are hoping to drain the chest and therefore find the infection which spiked her 104 degree fever.  Michele now has her cell phone with her,  so she can text Steveie D. if she is worried or anxious for any reason.

Good News is Jeffrey and Steven surprised their parents by coming to Denver from California on Christmas eve. They didn't tell their parents they were coming and jumped out in the lobby and both scared and surprised them - good one guys! I am so happy for you and your parents to get to be together for Christmas!

Several more visitors have come and gone, but since I am no longer down there, I am trying to piece together all that is going on. It is still very stressful and tiring for the hospital family crew. Sometimes when I talk to the group there, only the pertinent  medical information about Michele and her recovery is passed along,  but know that Steveie D. appreciates everyone who has reached out to Michele and the entire family. Her being back in ICU is being seen as a good thing to the family - so no unnecessary worrying - just prayers.  Stevie D. will update us again this afternoon.....

Sunday Update

Michele's status is that she is back on the ventilator and has a tube in her lung to drain the fluid. They are working on clearing up the infection. Everyone feels comfortable with her back in ICU because the level of care is superior.  

Christmas dinner was delivered by Mr. & Mrs. Clause (AKA: Stu and Sue Fishman). Linda and Tom joined the group and there was a festive event. Michele needs her rest so encouraged the boys to leave the hospital and also attend a game. River said everyone is very optimistic and realize while it is a long haul she is gaining on her recovery. Everyone in Denver is feeling the love and prayers of us all....

ICU Again

Michele is back in ICU. I don't have a lot of detail yet, but yesterday Steveie D. went over to the hospital early having a bad feeling ( he didn't leave her the night before until 1:30 in the am). When he arrived at 8:30 am he was told she had a fever of 104 and they were transferring her back to ICU.

On a happy note, Zach has been in touch with the kids and they did celebrate Christmas. Linda text and let me know Michele will be OK, but no details yet on how they spent Christmas day. I'll update more this afternoon when I hear from the group at the hospital...

Merry Christmas all and please keep your prayers and well wishes coming. two steps forward and one step back is to be expected. Let's all stay positive for Michele. I know she feels our love.

Christmas Eve

Michele is now out of ICU and resides in Pavilion B Room 350. It was a another great day with no Ventilator and they even changed  the Trach. She was able  to talk to say hi to Zach and Stevie D for a minute today while between trachs. Then she said I hope they don't cram another one of those things down my throat, but unfortunately they had to put one back in.  Today was very tiresome with morning walking  - 10 steps and being a bit anxious over the room change. After Stevie D. left her room today they put a do not disturb sign up for a bit because she has to have her rest and we all know how she likes to entertain.  

River is down there now and  the boys ( Steve, Zach, and River) are headed back to the hotel for dinner and down time till the 8:30 visiting hour appears again. Steveie D. was finally able to get in an afternoon nap - he has not afforded himself such a luxury yet , so he must be feeling better about Michele, her progress and prognosis. It is going to be a different kind of Christmas in the hospital, but they will make it knowing they have Michele.

Tonight at the Christmas eve. service, Pastor Troy reminded us as we left the sanctuary to go out and be lights like the candles we were holding. Steveie D. was so bummed not to be at church tonight for Christmas Eve. but he is a light to Michele and the family remains strong and bonded and lights for each other.  Sam and Linda are still there and a strength to Michele while away from their own boys. The whole group is blessing one another as God has blessed Michele.

Merry Christmas Eve all and Thank you God for our Christmas miracles -  Michele and your Son!