Hello to all! Chance went back home this afternoon. We have not seen the surgery chart so we do not know the specifics of the surgery. Our understanding is that most of the pinkie finger was removed and small portions of all the others. The dressing around his hand looks like a boxing glove and I told him that it was pretty neat to have a "boxing glove" bandage. This dressing will be taken off in a few days. He was really groggy when we were able to see him after surgery. When he woke up, he motioned that he hurt around his donor sites. Skin was taken from his right side and his shoulder to graft the hand. We were told that his donor sites probably hurt worse than his hand because they are superficial. He is feeling more pain after this surgery compared to the previous ones because they have gradually decreased his morphine. They are thinking about possibly moving him out of ICU next week.? We were worried about moving him since the back of his head still needs to be grafted. The majority of his "open" wounds have been grafted (a few little spots + the back of the head remain "open"). Surgeries are still performed when they are moved to the Acute Burn area. This is great progress! Although, change can be a little scary. Dr. Arnoldo will be back on for the month of May. He and his team will assess and make the final decisions as to when Clay needs to be moved. Clay also had a smaller trach tube and a new feeding tube put in while he was in the O.R. Once his vomiting is resolved, the speech therapist will be able to cap his trach so he can talk to us. He did get to have some apple juice this afternoon, but it made him sick to his stomach again. I hope we can get this resolved soon, because it is so uncomfortable for him.
Thank you for all your encouraging posts, texts, and letters. Above all, thank you for your prayers. We had a bible study with Clay this evening and then we asked him if he wanted us to sing him a song. He held up 3 fingers so we sang hymn #3 in our hymn book - "Tell me again of God's wonderful love...".
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It's very touching to think of Clay's choice of hymn. Makes it very clear and real that God's love for him is comforting his little heart as he faces all the struggles this experience brings to him.
ReplyDeleteI had the very same thought! We cannot know how God is deepening His relationship with little Clay during this time. But we DO know we can trust Him. Blessings from the Steffler family in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the updates you give us so regularly. I am so glad to hear of his progress. And I totally agree with Renee (above), it is clear that little Clay is comforted by God. I pray that God's ministering angels sing comfort into your hearts and that you are feeling the brush of their wings.
ReplyDeletePhil. 4: 7 and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding may guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen and Goodnight.
Grateful for the outcome today. Thank you for allowing us to witness the miracles that God is performing daily. What an amazing boy Clay is!
ReplyDeleteWe love you guys,
Cody, Brooke, and Boys
Your struggle is not easy but also not over looked. Our thoughts and prayers continue with you all.
ReplyDeleteHave been waiting to hear how things went today. Seems like things went well, all considering. Thanks again for sharing this w/ us. Love, Susie
ReplyDeleteI think I checked your blog at least 50 times today praying for an early update! I was thinking if it was really great news that you would post early, so I was hopeful. Then when there wasn't an early one, I got worried. I was trying to figure out how I could ever find words to encourage you. Then I get on here and you are the ones encouraging me! How precious that during all of this God uses Clay to encourage all of us with his song choice! I do think God has some REALLY BIG plans for our little Clayball! Rest well, I have night duty and will be praying for no more nausea! love, Missy
ReplyDeleteHave been anxious to read the updated post tonight, so was glad to know the latest. Just a 'little encouraging thought'...Clay still has 'everything he needs' to 'LOVE'..which is his heart! :-) I know there will be 'difficult times,' but so thankful for your 'positive attitude' in every situation! WE LOVE YOU!
ReplyDeleteGreat spirit in all of you. Keep up the good fight.
ReplyDeleteI also checked a few times this afternoon just in case but didn't really expect anything until tonight. Thank you so much for telling us about how things have gone today! My husband "only" needed a 4"x1" (approx) graft but even with that he said if he had known it would hurt that much he wouldn't have had it done. Poor little Clay. That gives me a little insight as to what he is going through. What a little man! Our little Fiter.
ReplyDeleteLove and lots and lots of hugs for all of you!
Rena
Like many of the others, I started checking on Clay when I got home from school. I'm glad they were able to salvage as much as they could of his little fingers. His choice of songs, I agree, was phenomenal, and it reflects his fine teaching he has received from his believing parents. Chance and DeeDee, you have prepared him well to walk through this trauma holding God's hand. And I know it has helped Carson and Cody to go through the "valley" with him as well. I am thankful for all the understanding of God you have given him. This little darling "knows" God...not just who He is. God is his personal acquaintance and friend. This is so very obvious. I love you and I'm glad things went as well as they did. God bless all of you. I'd like to wrap your whole family of five Fiters up in a warm fuzzy blanket together and just rock all of you in peace and calm. Love to you all, Carolyn
ReplyDeleteWe are so grateful to hear of Clay's progress. Your faith and trust in the Lord is an inspiration to many.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray for Clay and trust that he is in God's care. Thank you for your continued updates.
God Speed to Clay!
Prayers continue. Thanks for the updates. Maybe Clay could have an MP3 player with him and some calming music to listen to!
ReplyDeleteGary & Jeanne'
Just so happy to hear that Clay is doing well after surgery. Lane colors pictures for Clay all of the time so we are always thinking about him. Just wanted to you all to know we miss you and thank you for keeping us updated.
ReplyDeleteContinue to think of you all and pray for you... Janie Hancock
ReplyDeleteWe, too, had Clay and you all on our minds all day yesterday..so glad for a good report! It is a wonderful thing to see how our Father is with you all through all of this, and that even Clay feels that. Your experience continues to teach us, too. Big Hugs to all of you!!
ReplyDeleteYour amazing little man is definitely in God's hands. We've been reading about Clay since Feb. and praying for him and you his family daily. Never let your courage falter!
ReplyDeleteI was praying for the thumb and hopefully keeping a big piece of the first two. Yeah God. Thanks. Pinkie fingers are so overated. If you really think about it, you don't really use them for much anyway unless you want to pinkie shake someone. Pinkie shakes don't unless hold up very well in court anyway so they are pretty useless too. If Clay ever feel the need to enter into a non-binding agreement with anyone, he can always use his right pinkie. I bet Clay and all of you are back home within 3 more months. I still bet at 3 months out, it is good. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteClay's recovery and comfort is in our prayers! - The Farish's
ReplyDelete