Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Tuesday, September 22nd

Brief note on Clay's surgeries last Friday. Clay spent about 5 hours in the operating room at Children's medical center last Friday, as many of you know. While sedated an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor scoped above and below his trach to make sure everything was in order with his airway. The plastics team spent about 4 hours working on his left hand and releasing under his eyes. We had planned on an overnight stay in the hospital but after the procedure the Doctor told us it might be best if Clay stayed in the hospital for 5 days until the stitches were removed from his eyes and his donor site. Deidra and I were not very excited at this prospect but we thought we would see how Friday night went. After our stay on Friday night we called the doctor and asked to be released. He agreed and we arrived back in Olney around 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Clay seems to be doing well and is recovering. He is being treated like a little king. We carry him from room to room at his request and Grandma and Mom are at his beck and call. His eyes are not sutured completely shut and he can see over the tops of bandages sewn beneath his eyes, so it is bearable for him. He has kept a good spirit throughout and will return back to Dallas Wednesday of this week to have some stitches removed and visit a trach nurse at Children's. Thanks for all of the thoughts, prayers and concerns. We will keep you posted as progress is made.

19 comments:

  1. Glad to hear that all went well with the surgeries. We are still praying for you each day especially Sydni, she always prays for Clay at our night time prayers. Hope all goes well on Wed.

    Jeana

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  2. Glad to hear that he's at home. He has had enough hospital time to last a lifetime, I'm sure! I will be praying still that he continues to progress! I watched the clip from the school and was so proud of you DeeDee! You spoke from your heart,and you did great! Love ya!

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  3. Sending Our Hugs and Prayers ...

    Love,
    Tucker, Graham, Bria, Eric, and Heidi

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  4. It is exciting to think that with every surgery, life is going to get just a little bit better for Clay and all of you. I'm hoping that these surgeries make him more comfortable. God Bless you all. When Clay gets better, Rusty wants to come say hi. Thinking of you all the time and constantly praying for nothing but the best.

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  5. Fites,

    I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful it was to finally meet your entire family. You are truly beautiful people, inside and out. I am so thankful that Clay has such awesome older brothers to help him through this journey. And you are amazing parents - your love for your children shines through, and I just know that everything will turn out okay.

    I'm so sorry that you have to face so much, but please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many. I'm guessing you saw the news clip online, but here's the link just in case:

    http://kfdx.com/content/fulltext/?cid=56272

    Thank you so very much for letting me be a part of your lives and for letting us help tell Clay's story. Please keep in touch & let me know whenever we can be of any help.

    With love and prayers,
    Katie Crosbie

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  6. We are glad thoes surgeries are over and now for the healing process. He sounds like a little package of willpower, and determination. He will do o.k. He has a lot of love and encouragement from everyone around him. Thank you for the update as we have wondered since Friday how things went. Take care to each one. Love Bruce & Edna

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  7. Best to Clay. Please call me when you have a chance and can come up for air.

    God Bless and Prayers.

    Phil

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  8. It is so good to get an update...we have had you so much in our thoughts!! Glad the surgeries went well, and glad that it means progress for Clay! We are still pulling with you all! With love and care....

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  9. So glad to hear his surgery went well! Also glad that he is home where love can help him heal! Thoughts and prayers are with you!
    The Stark Family

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  10. Hugs to all the Fites! Keep on keepin on!

    Love, Royce and Sue Kesselring
    Ashland, IL

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  11. We watched the link mentioned above...very inspiring, and touching after keeping up with your story since the beginning. That took courage, and we appreciate being able to peek in.
    Want to let you know of a blog that is the begining story of one of our friends who has been burned from a car accident. Clay, and you, his family, would be such an encouragement to her friend, and all of her family. This happened in KS.

    http://larisahertz.blog.com/

    We hope that Clay is healing well from the last surgeries...think of him, and you all often.

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  12. I am so glad that surgery is behind you. One more to scratch of the list. You are such an awesome family and I know it is God shining through you all. What an insight we are getting of God's love and His ability to lift you up when the going gets rough. We have all learned to trust Him more. I'm a little tardy checking the blog. I am so thankful for it. As always, love and prayers, Carolyn

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  13. God Bless this little guy and God Bless your family. You all have been through so much, and sweet Clay is just so brave, and such an inspiration to all of us. I continue to pray for Clay and your family, and I know God has great things planned for him.....he is such a remarkable little boy.
    Take care of yourselves and thanks for keeping us posted on how he is doing.
    The Southerlands in Austin

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  14. Hey You, Andy and I are glad you all are keeping up with the post, we sure understand time is a precious commodity. Just know you are in our thoughts and prayers, so when things seem to be taking all your energy and patience, just stop for a moment and think of all of the prayers and love that are going out not only for Clay, but your whole family. But Im sure you know this already, just wanted to send our love along with others.
    HUG HUG KISS KISS
    Andy and Beverly Beekmann

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  15. Good morning Chance, DD and boys
    Just wanted you to know we have never forgotten you, and still have little Clay and the rest of you in our thoughts and prayers. This blog is opened everday and hope things are going good for you. Hope his surgeries are healing well.
    much love to you all. Bruce & Edna

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  16. Hello to your family-it's been awhile since I sent a note, but we're always thinking of you. Soooo glad to hear of Clay's progress. I want to be there and spoil him, too! It's so fun to play with the little ones. If our daily chores could just take care of themselves, it would help. I'm with you, DeeDee -- I didn't care if my kitchen was a mess when our boys were home. Now I'd give anything to have them here again. Your family life is awesome; keep encourages. Know that we've come to love your whole family. Take care of yourselves. Love, Brant & Joyce deBoer

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  17. Your family is Still up near the top of our prayer list! Clay you are an amazing young man and your family is a true example of a great, caring family. We pray that it just gets better and better for all of you!

    The Snyder's: Gary and Jeanne'

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  18. We find our thoughts going your way often, too, and hope that Clay is healing from his last surgeries, and that they were successful in the way they were intended to be. Your story, your spirits, your perserverance and endurance still speak loudly, and are a strength to us when we think things are rough in our little world....With care and Hugs....

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  19. Praying and hoping for the best for little Clay and Family!
    Joanna

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