Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Tuesday, March 31 (Surgery VIII)

Hello to all. Clay was calm before he went into surgery this morning. He really wanted some almond milk, but they did not want it on his stomach before surgery. He did get to wear his shades on his way to the O.R. He went to the O.R. at about 10:30 am and came out at approx. 1:30 pm. The doctors placed the Integra on his face & he came back to his room with a thick bandage all around his head (it does have holes in it for his eyes, nose, & mouth). He's a little swollen from the surgery. We are hoping the Integra adheres to his face within the next three weeks. If it has adhered, in three weeks, the doctors will place sheet grafts over the Integra. We have learned a lot about patience & waiting. :-) During this three week period, the doctors may perform surgery on Clay's left hand.
Clay slept all afternoon. During our last visit, he opened his eyes and motioned for us to take his covers off because he was hot. He also wanted almond milk again, but could not have it. We told him that he might get a chance to sip some tomorrow. We hope he has a restful night. We want to thank you all again. We love to read your comments that you post on the blog. We are so tired at the end of the day that we do not get a chance to respond to all of you. Please know that we are grateful for your kindness, thoughts, and prayers.

15 comments:

  1. I could not wait to read the blog tonight to see how little Clay did. I knew he would do great, as he is the "little Fiter" He has been such a trooper. I cannot believe the 8th surgery is already over. It seems like just the other day when we were talking and it was his 3rd surgery. God continues to be amazing. He continues to hear our prayers and hold Clay in his arms. Stay strong and rest. Before you know it, you will be running after Clay. It is so good to hear about him walking and I am not sure how far it is to the end of the ICU or to the window, but to hear how he walks this far, is like he is walking miles and miles. I am also so glad Cody and Carson get to spend time with you and Clay. I am sure it means so much to all of you to spend time together. Keep up the fight little Clay. You continue to inspire all of us every day. Peyton cannot wait to see you, she misses her little buddy at school. We love all of you. You are all in our prayers continuously.
    Jay, Brandie, Porter, and Peyton

    DeeDee - can you believe Porter will be 8 Wednesday? It was truly like yesterday when I brought him to you for his first babysitter. WOW!

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  2. We too anxiously await your updates...as you all are in our thoughts every day. You all continue to be close to our hearts. Stay strong and rest when you can.
    Ronny, LaQueta and Ryan White

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  3. Greetings from NE once again. So glad Clay is resting well after his eighth surgery. That is just mind boggling. It must seem like forever to you since the accident and then on the other hand only like yesterday.

    Hope the two of you have a restful night. Please remember to eat well...having experienced a mildy traumatic time dealing with an accident and hospital time with my hubby, I know sometimes you have to force yourself to eat,as your nerves are playing havoc with your appetite and food tastes terrible, but it's so important that you take care of yourselves so you can continue to take such good care of Clay. Good nite and thanks again for being so faithful to post an update daily. It is appreciated so much!

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  4. Glad to hear that Clay's surgery went good, I read so much about almond milk, I may try some myself! :)
    The books I ordered for Clay came to my house by mistake, so I'll send them on to you guys at the Ronald McDonald house.
    We love you all and continue to pray for your strength, comfort, patience, faith, and endurance for your journey.
    Cody, Brooke, Mason, and McCray

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  5. Glad to hear Clay came out of his surgery fine. We hope the procedure was a succesful one.WE will keep you all in our prayers. God Bless You All

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  6. We continue to rejoice with you as everyday is a step closer to home. Integra is great stuff and you all have some of the most amazing doc's in the burn community working on Clay. Rest well tonight knowing that so many are petitioning for you!
    The Birdwell's

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  7. Each day we read the updates. Thank you so much for taking the time to let everyone know about Clay.

    We think of Clay and you guys many times throughout the days and we continue to pray for everything positive in Clay's life. The Integra application sounds promising for the best and we know God's hand is in on that too.

    We love you all.
    Kelly, Valorie & Ky

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  8. I know at the end of long, tiring days the last thing you feel like doing is posting an update for all of us, but as you have read, we all appreciate it! You are part of the bedtime ritual, brush teeth, check blog! Then we pray! So glad God is answering our prayers! I know the days seem long and his recovery seems slow, but...I promise one day this will all just be a bad memory! Loving you daily through prayer! Missy and family.

    Oh,Annie says she is still praying too! A package is on its way with love from Annie!

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  9. I have opened this blog so many times to read the updates on Clay...while I see him fishing with a smile on his face & in his eyes...I think to myself how incredibly loved he is by so many people. We have 3 young sons as well & when we heard of Clay...well our hearts were filled with such sadness for you all. However, we appreciate your spirit & positive attitude. We lost a son at 6 days old & another son has been through 5 surgeries. Someone told us we could go through experiences & grow bitter or better. This thought stays with us as we are always facing new experiences in life. Tell Clay he has 3 buddies in NE praying for him to be strong!
    Andrea & family~

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  10. We are hopeful for the success of this latest surgery, as we know you are. We look forward to the daily updates - and please don't worry about not being able to respond to each. We know your time is full of more important things. Keep strong and encouraged! Love, Dawn & Pam

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  11. So happy to hear that the surgery went well. We will continue to pray that the Integra does its job and that the doctors consider it a success.

    We will be coming to Dallas from Graham tomorrow, April 2nd, for chemo at Presbyterian for Mom. Is there anything we can bring to you?
    Email me at fiveowens@sbcglobal.net if there is anything you can think of that we can bring that way for you.

    Hope you have a wonderful day today!

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  12. As I say every time I talk about this child, bless his sweet heart. We will be so glad when the day comes, and it will, when he can enjoy seeing the family and not be in so much discomfort. We keep you all in our prayers, everyday, and pray for little clay's continued recovery. Thanks again for blogging every night, at the end of your long, emotionally draining days. We look so forward to reading your updates.

    God Bless each of you..
    The Southerland Family Austin, Texas

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  13. I can't tell you how it blesses my heart every day to check on Clay and lift him up in prayer.... Not a day goes by that we don't check on him and pray for him!! Children are so resiliant!! I see how God has brought our Jesse through... so He will do the same for sweet little Clay.... I know your battle is long but it will be so worth all the fight! I found this passage of scripture that David wrote in the old testament, and pray it will encourage you today!!! The Word of God is powerful and true, life to those who believe!! Our love and prayers are with you!! love the Cochrans from Anson
    The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my DELIVERER; in whom I take refuge, He is my stronghold.... I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies! In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God, from His temple He heard my voice.... He parted the heavens and came down... He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me..... They confronted me in the day of my disaster, BUT the Lord was my support! To the faithful, you show Your faithfulness!! I crushed my enemies completely, and they could not rise!! They fell beneath my feet!!! excerps from 2 Samuel chapter 22

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  14. We think of Clay, and talk about him everyday wondering how he is today. Hope the surgery yesterday is a big success. Am anxious to know how his hands are doing. He is in the thoughts of others that you will never know about, as the people I work with ask "how is Clay getting along"?

    May you have comfort, rest and strength from God's hand.
    With love B&E

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  15. Another surgery behind you! Clay stylin' on his way to surgery in his sunglasses - we love it! :) I, with others, am amazed that without fail you have reached out to us all by updating every single night. It's very selfless of you.I hope you can still feel everyone's thoughts and prayers as strongly as at first. For we are all still thinking of you just as much as when you first went there. Maybe even more as we think of how much strength you need to just patiently take one day at a time during a slow and painful process. Your spirit through this experience has touched our hearts. Rest when you can so you are ready for another day. So much care, Morgan and Michelle

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