Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Surgery Update

Clay spent about three and a half to four hours in surgery today in what appears to be the first in a long string of appearances in the operating room. The burn staff was encouraged by his strength and took the opportunity to graft nearly the entire portion of his little burned back. He came in and out of the anesthesia with no problems. In recovery, his blood pressure dropped slightly but the doctors anticipated this and quickly rectified the situation. The doctor in charge told us that if all goes well in the next couple of days they will schedule another procedure for Friday of this week. Friday's operation will entail the placement of a trachea tube and possible grafts to the arms and shoulders. More news will follow as soon as we know. -Chance

29 comments:

  1. We are so glad for this report, Chance. We have been anxiously waiting the news of the surgery. You 2 take care of yourselves (rest and eat) as you will need your strength to keep going. Don't get sick. We love you all. Otis & Audrey

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  2. Thanks for the update Chance. Many prayers and tears are with you. We are all anxious for your little one. All of you take care.

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  3. Great to hear good news. I have been in your position somewhat. Keep positive and cling together. I hope Dr. Purdue is still there he was great. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Let God lead you through this. Best wishes!
    Laurie Tinney and family.

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  4. We haven't met, but you are still in our thoughts as we know so many that are close to you. Just knowing that brings us love in our hearts for you, and now concern and prayers. Stay encouraged and strengthen each other.
    Davita Paul (Davina's Mom)

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  5. Chance and Dee Dee, I love you and I know that God is raising up little Clay to be the fellow to follow the fellow who came to you to give you two hope. Please take care of yourselves and get the rest that will restore your own bodies to be strong for Clay and Carson and Cody. I know that seems remote, but your bodies and emotions are exhausted as well. You are important and need to stay strong. Give my love to Joy and if there is anything I can do for her down here let me know.
    Love and prayers to all of you,
    Carolyn and Megan

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  6. Thanks so much for the update - have been thinking of all of you all day!! Has anyone thought of contacting the Shriners? They were very helpful in helping when Cliff was burned badly at 18 months.

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  7. We love to hear great news. You had a long day today so get some rest. We think of you every minute of the day. Good seeing everyone. Take care!
    Brad, Lesha, Trace, and Trevin Coker

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  8. So glad all went well today. Thanks again for updates.You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Our love to you all, Arlin and Karen

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  9. We all know Clay is a solid little guy, but the good news was great. You all have been in our thoughts every moment. Remember our children are
    only as strong as we as parents are. And we as parents are only as strong as our faith. You have a great support team let us all help in anyway!.
    Our Most Love,
    Dan, Twyla, Clem & Cordelle

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  10. Very thankful the surgery went well. Still praying!! We love yall!!

    Brad, Alicia and girls :)

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  11. Glad the surgery went well!! Clay is a little fighter!!
    Jeff & Aleigh Whitehead
    Appleton, WI

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  12. We are thinking of ya'll day and night. So thankful the first surgery went well. We hope that sets the tone for how his recovery will go. With love, Michelle, Morgan, and family

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  13. Chance - Thank you for taking the time to update the blog. We are so glad the first surgery went so well. Prayers continue to go up on behalf of your entire family. You and DeeDee take care of yourselves, too. Our love, Pam Wiggins & Dawn MacTaggart

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  14. Chance and Dee Dee,
    I am so glad to hear how well the first surgery went. I just want to let you know that my family and I, as well as many in Archer City are praying for you all and lifting little Clay up to the Lord. Remember..ALL things are possible through Him. We will continue to pray daily and anticipate more good updates.

    Love,
    Leigh Pollock

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  15. Thanks for the update we've been anxiously waiting for. I'm at Ruby Stanley's today, and she too has been anxious for news. Our thoughts & prayers continue to be w/ you. Love, Susie

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  16. Thanks for the update,so glad to hear the surgery went well. Sounds like Clay is a very strong little boy. We will continue to keep your family in my prayers.
    Vince & Malinda Morrow

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  17. We are so glad to hear the good news! You are all constantly in our thoughts and prayers. I want you to know that there is a lot of love and support coming from the small town of Krum. Take care! Shawn, Sheila, Clayton, Cheyenne,& Conway

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  18. This update sight is amazing! Thanks for the great news. You guys take care of each other and remember we are here if you need us. Your family and little Clay are constantly in our prayers. Hang on and keep the faith we know you have. God bless you all.
    Roger, Jamie, Ragan and Race

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  19. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and we anxiously await your updates...Sounds like your little one is a fighter....Take care.
    Ronny, LaQueta and Ryan White

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  20. I am following this from Oregon. A friend in Graham forwarded the blog. I used to be a nurse at Hamilton Hospital, then went to Shriners Hospital ICU burn unit, so I know what you are having to go through first hand, but as a nurse, not a parent. It is a long road you have ahead of you. I am glad you have a strong support system. Small towns seem to do that for their own. If finances get too hard, talk to your social worker about transfer to Shriners. I have never seen such a remarkable place. I cannot say enough good things about them. And there is never a bill for anything. The families stayed right in the hospital where they could be at the childs side in moments (although Ronald McDonald House is good too). I worked with children with 90% & 95% 3rd degree burns, and they survived. I will keep you in my prayers that Clay will do the same.

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  21. DeeDee & Chance, our thoughts and prayers are with you, and with little Clay. Travis has been keeping us up to date with all thats happened. I know your family is so strong, so cling to them. May God Bless you and give you strength in this time. Take care.
    Jason & Brandy Brown
    Jake, Reaghan, McKenzie & Sydney

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  22. The whole town of Graham is praying for you guys! We are all planning on making the blood drive.
    Love,
    Troy, Shana, Easton, and Lexi Wolfe

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  23. Sweet Fite Family,

    You are constantly in our thoughts. The Lord keeps telling us to pray for Mercy and Grace. So,those 2 words are spoken over you many times every day. You are in good hands.

    Love you!
    Marty and J.J. Middleton
    Haven, Emma, and Luke

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  24. We are all praying for you guys! May God place his healing hand on Clay! He really sounds like a tough, fighter. We will continue to pray for his strength and endurance. So sorry that you all are going through this. We will make the blood drive and anything else needed.
    God watch over you all!
    Kandy, Matt, Izzy and Ford Maberry

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  25. Thanks for the update. We were so glad to know that Clay got through the surgery okay. We all still continue to pray for all of you, and are asking everyone we know to do the same. Eddie and Pam Farmer

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  26. Thank you for the update. Stay strong. We continue to pray for all of you daily. Continue the fight little Clay. God is with you and will give you the strength and healing needed.
    We love you guys,

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  27. Like others here, we have had you all in our thoughts these past few days. Thanks for the updates. We met Clay, and some of the rest of your sweet family, in the Granbury area when you were visiting Justin, Heidi, and Lily. We wish Clay lots of care and comfort in the coming days and weeks...as well as your whole family. Take care of yourselves! We'll be sending lots of good thoughts your way!
    Angela, Scotty, Tracer, Trevor, Trenton, and Trinidy Roberson

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  28. My heart weeps for all the anguish your family is going through. I'll be glad to read every positive report. You know that you all will be lifted in prayer.

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  29. May God lift you and hold each of you in his loving arms and comfort you all during this time. I will keep you in my prayers and put you on our special prayer list at our church. God Bless and know that you are loved.
    Cynthia in Grant City, MO

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