Sunday, February 15, 2009

February 15th, 2009- After the surgery

For those of you who do not know, David woke up from the anesthia with some slight brain damage today. When he first woke up in the early hours of the morning he could not speak and had no function on the right side of his body. As the morning wore on he did regain SOME function of his right side and he did get his speech back, but it is VERY slurred and hard to understand. He also has some efacia (the droopy mouth and face look that stroke victims have). His muscles in his throat aren't working as well so he doesn't have the capability to swallow or a gag reflex. He has been very low all day and very discouraged, the pain is unbearable from the surgery. One thing that is a blessing is he has total brain function as far as understanding, forming thoughts and memory. It was an incredibly hard day for us all, he just looks really bad and his spirits aren't that great.

I have to say as we were leaving him today his right side was for sure stronger then he had this morning. The morphine that he is on is making him really out of it and he has a hard time getting words out because of that and the damage from the surgery. The doctors really believe that the effects will ease in time, but it will be awhile. They do not think it will be permanent, we are praying for that. This is not very common after this type of surgery, and it took all of the doctors by surprise. It could have happened for different reasons, some being that he did go into arrest for a small period of time, he could of had a blood clot that went to the brain, or a air pocket during surgery that floated to the brain.

Some of you have read on the pump website that it is possible for the heart to repair itself while on the pump, while this is true the doctors do not think that David has a chance with that because his heart is so damaged.

More tomorrow...... we are all very tired and we are just praying for patience and peace right now, but most of all for comfort for our boy. He was highly emotional today and just very upset in general.

9 comments:

  1. May the good Lord bless you and give you peace. Rest assured that you are in His loving hands. My prayers will continue to be with you and yours during this trying time.

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  2. We are praying for a full recovery, he is young and strong and full of faith in the Lord, we are praying for him and you.

    Today in church the sermon was about trusting in the Lord and not forgetting about him in the good times and talking to him and being his best friend, I was really touched by that and was thinking of David and you, that is how I see your relationship with the Lord, and he will help you through this,
    We love you and are always thinking of all of you,
    Love Rogelio, Aliza, Christopher, Carlos, Michael, and Marcos

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  3. My son woke up from surgery two different times with damage doctors didn't anticipate. The first one was the swallowing and vocal cords, the second was facial paralysis. It has been a long road for us, tumultuous to be sure, but we wouldn't trade it for the alternative of not having him for a minute.
    Praying for you.
    Stephanie
    Lynnwood, WA

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  4. Hey David, its Jeremy. Just writing to say that i love you man. Also that you have inspired me as a Christian. your faith is amazing and it has made me reconsider where i am at with my faith. I thank God for your strength, and remember, your are always in my thoughts and prayers.

    Jeremy Severin

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  5. An improvement over the day is a blessing. It's so hard to keep your spirits up at a time like this. It's OK to feel all is not well, however, this is temporary. It we don't experience these emotions, we never have a clue when we experience the joy and relief from all of this. It will be a journey for all but be reminded that you are on everyones minds, hearts and solidly in our prayers. We await a miracle (this would be our preference) and for these wonderfully skilled professionals to keep doing what they do best for Dave and give you David and Bronwyn peace and comfort daily.
    Love to all,
    Liz, Lianna and PJ and Adam (in memory).

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  6. David,
    I can't stop thinking about you and how amazing God is through all of this. I can't begin to imagine what this must be like but the fact that you are clinging to God and trusting in Him for everything is awesome. That is such a great testimony to the Doctors and other patients. I love you david and am preying for you.
    Ben Davis

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  7. We know God is a miracle worker...we have seen two here in the last month, both of which are a testimony that God does indeed answer the cries of those who love him. There are so many people here in Washington that are following David's journey and praying for him and you...know you all are constantly on our mind and in our prayers....
    We love you, Michelle (for all of us)

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  8. David,
    I love you a ton bro. Your example shines bright here in Tehachapi. Praying for the pain and nerve/ brain damage and I'm hopeful it will subside. I myself was known to be quite crazy while on morphine, that stuff messes you up! You're in our thoughts and prayers constantly.

    The Fam,
    Praying for you all as well! I think Ben Davis and I are going to try to come up there on Friday and Saturday if that works. I'll call you if it becomes for sure.

    Love you all, in Christ,
    Brandon Kirby

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  9. David,
    You gotta know how much we love you. We are all praying for you and know that He hears our prayers, He is Sovereign over every cell in your body and He loves you even more than we do.
    Can't wait to see you again and hug your neck.
    Love,
    Mrs. D

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