Clay had a tough day in the Burn ICU. He is still vomiting and the doctors and nurses have taken what we consider drastic measures to try and stop it. They have placed him back on the paralytic drip which means he is back on the breathing machine. They are trying to make his feeding tube bypass his stomach and go straight to his intestine. Deidra and I feel that these are steps that would not be necessary if he could have his mucous removed immediately when ever he coughs it up. We would stay with him around the clock, if we could, to suction his mucous. We sat quietly in Clay's room and were told that if he twitched a muscle that we were to alert the nurse so they could give him more sedation medication.
There was some sad and shocking news today. There was a young man that was in the burn unit when Clay came in. He had been there for approx. 7 months. He recently was moved to a different floor for physical therapy. His mother had told us that they would get to go home soon. This morning during our 8:00 visit, DeeDee was called out of Clay's room. This young man's mother was waiting for her at the nurses station. She wanted us to know that her son passed away this morning. This has been heavy on our hearts today. We are thankful for Clay's progress but today has made us realize how fragile life can be. Please continue to remember Clay. Thank you for all you have done.
Our hymn #276 has been an encouragement: "Sweet to tell Him all He knoweth, roll on Him the care, cast upon Him all the burden that I cannot bear; Then without a care oppressing, simply to lie still, giving thanks to Him for all things, since it is His will.
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Our dear little family, After reading yours this evening all we can do is give you all a huge tender hug. We love you so much and just remember you are never forgotten. That hymn you mentioned is a wonderful hymn and has special memories to us also. We love you dearly, Stan and Helen
ReplyDeleteAs always you are in my prayers tonight as I think of you. I talked to Joy today. It was good to hear her voice.
ReplyDeletegod bless you and keep you all,
Carolyn
Dear Folks, we are soooo so sorry for the sad news tonight. And that poor little Clay has had such a bad day. But tomorrow maybe will be a better bright day for you all. We trust it will. Our hearts go out to you all. We know you must be so weary. Wish we could wave a wand and every thing would be fine again. But we can't. So we all will pray and trust that God will do what is best for everyone. Love ya all , Sarah & Jim L.
ReplyDeleteI've been following Clay's progress from Montana, and, in spite of the fact that I do not know you personally, I feel as if I do. I'm a physical therapist and can relate to how difficult but necessary it is for Clay to participate. I'm also sorry for the sad news of today, and will continue to pray for your comfort, strength and healing. I'm so thankful for the faith we share as we pray to a God who cares for and loves us so much. Wanda
ReplyDeleteDear Fite Family,
ReplyDeleteWe are continuously praying for all of you. Dee Dee, Maely is very faithful to pray for Clay too! May God continue to give you new grace every morning! How great is His love! We love you all and will keep praying for all of you.
Sincerely,
Troy and Sara Beth Batts
Sweet Jesus, I lift up this precious family to you that lost their precious son today. I pray for comfort for them. Also, Lord, I pray for precious Clay. You know all that is going on in his body. You formed him in DeeDee's womb, and you know very well what he needs. I praise you for being a God who cares and who is mighty to save. Father, please be with Clay's mommy and daddy as they depend on your grace DAILY to get through this difficult storm. Bless them. Rain peace down upon them. The Kell Family, From Graham Bible Church (we came to visit you early on, please let us know if there is ANYTHING we can do)
ReplyDeleteI know that everything that happened today probably seemed like all the good was coming undone but remember that as bad as today was, tomorrow can be every bit that good. I'm hoping that Clay is just back on the drip because they needed him to stop vomiting and that they wanted him sedated enough to suppress the gag reflex yet didn't want to take a chance that he would be sedated so much that his breathing might be compromised, and they thought the suctioning might irritate his airway more. I think a lot of the things that doctors do and why they do it doesn't really make a lot of sense, but sometimes I guess they just opt for what they know will work. Try to find comfort in that Clay is breathing and not vomiting and they can bring him back out of that state when they feel that he is okay. Also remember that as hard as this is on you, he isn't going to remember this and this method is actually probably less scary for him. It is really sad for the other young man and his mom. Hopefully he was a saved individual and he is with God right now. We all just never know when our time has come. As fragile as life is, isn't it comforting to know that we don't necessarily have to be hearty or physical strong for God to pull us through. It is a blessing that our life span is not determined by our own physical durability. May God pull all of you through this and give you immense strength. I'm praying that Clay will be back doing fine in a couple of days, and that you all make it through the next couple of days okay too with at least a little bit of sleep for yourselves. God bless and keep you all.
ReplyDeleteFrom California: I have been so thankful for all you have shared this week. I love the thought above that Sara shared: "May God continue to give you new grace every morning." I went back to the day that you shared the thought from your special mtgs.: "You cannot save or store up grace. It flows out on an as needed basis. We have found that no matter how good or bad Clay's days are we can always count on God's grace." I just loved these thoughts. I am so sorry about the young man who passed away today. And I feel so bad for Clay because he has been feeling so awful.....and for you because you hate to see him have to go through this. I think of you and Clay so often throughout each day. My love goes out to you and I will be praying for Clay and for you and Deidra as well.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts are heavy along with yours. We continue to pray and think of you all daily!!
ReplyDeleteWith much love and care,
The Wades
We continue to lift you up in prayer. We check your updates often and appreciate your specific requests. I am sorry for the loss of a fellow patient. I know that must have been tough news to hear. Praying for strength and comfort as you walk this journey.
ReplyDeleteWe are sorry Clay had such a rough day yesterday. Hope things go better today. We think of the Mother that lost her son yesterday and feel bad for her as well. Hang in there and we pray God will give you strength and see you through. Hi to your boys. B&E
ReplyDeleteDear DeeDee and Chance, Yesterday was a different day for me and I was unable to check your blog last night. I still went to bed with you all on my mind and in my prayers. I couldn't wait to see what I had missed. I was hoping to read that Clay had a wonderful day and had given a thumbs up to little Kermit. So much for hoping. :o( My heart is so heavy for this precious mother who has lost her son. Over the past year as we have gone to burn clinics we have met many families who unfortunately have very similar stories. Although all of the details are different, the heartache is the same. We have found that through each story we see God,s loving hand holding each family up under the horrible agony of loss. I know it is especially hard for you because it has hit awfully close to home. Clay will be fine. I am praying with everything in me that our little Clay will be through with all of this very soon. I know it is frustrating as you sit by and quietly wait for him to heal. Just you remember with each passing second, God is having a chance to heal his precious body. There is nothing I or anyone else can say to make it better, but...oh how I wish I could. Just know we are praying. Love you so much! The Wood family
ReplyDeleteDearest Dee Dee, I assume the young man you are speaking of is my friend who I have visited a few times on the 8th floor. I had just got him a signed photo of Dale Earnhardt Jr. that I was goignt o bring him this Tuesday, as that was his last request prior to me leaving. He allowed me to pray for him this past Wed, for that I will always be thankful. My heart is so broken. I just spoke to our congregation this morning of Clay, Kermit and Ray, and requested them all to keep them in their prayers. I will be in this week to see you Clay and Kermit. Your friend, Jamie
ReplyDeleteDeeDee, we wanted to let you and your husband know we are praying for your family.
ReplyDeleteDear Chance and DeeDee, I have been following your blog as well, but hadn't commented yet. Thoughts and prayers go your way daily as we follow Clay's progress. I was sorry to hear that yesterday Clay had a harder day, and also sorry to read about the man who passed away. I'm thankful to know that God is a God of all comfort and strength and is especially near you through each day. Thinking of you with tender care, Monique (Michelle B's sister)
ReplyDeleteWe just got home from a good day and read your blog and our hearts go out to you all!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are SOOO HOPING little Clay had a better day today!! That 276th Hymn you mentioned was the one Marvin chose Sunday am after our Son Louis(18) was killed in a truck accident Sat. Night Nov. 14th 9 years ago so it is Precious to us too. LOVE and Care Marvin & Bonnie xoxoxoxoxo
this is a prayer I read today.
ReplyDelete"I ask you Holy Spirit to encourage the hearts and spirit of those parents who are hurting because they cannot personally help their child and are depending on You Father. Please place them in your loving arms. Please touch the lives of those children who need a physical touch today. Help them feel your love in an abundance. Lord, You are God, perfect in holiness. You are our refuge. You wipe away each tear. Your hear our every prayer. You give us comfort, you touch our hearts and calm our fears. In our darkness You are everlasting light.
Hold tight to these words Fite Family...
love to each of you, especially dear clay.
The Southerland Family
love to you all....
Th Southerland Family
Oh, Chance and Deedee, we hope today was a better day. Our hearts are, like so many others, heavy as we think of Clay having such a hard time with vomiting and gagging. And you having to watch him go through all he is going through. Then you got such sad news of the young man passing away. A hard day on your hearts! And like you said, a reminder that life is so fragile. There aren't words to tell you how our hearts are going out to you. Yesterday and today I keep thinking of our hymn "I will leave it all to Jesus." Every word rings so true and is such a comfort. Morgan chose "Just Cling to the Hand" this morning. You two are proving the words of that one and it has meant a lot to so many of us. I hope your Sunday was good for your hearts so you can face another week. With love, Michelle and Morgan
ReplyDelete