Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Wednesday, December 2

Hello to all! Clay and I went to Dallas on Monday for his dressing change. He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow (Thursday) at 1:00pm at Children's Hospital of Dallas. He has had a wound vac on his neck for about 23 days now. If you recall, it takes 3-4 weeks for the Integra product, on his neck, to generate a dermal-like tissue & accept a skin graft(http://www.integra-ls.com/). They will take skin grafts from his legs (donor sites) and place them on his neck tomorrow. From his 4 month burn unit experience (Feb.14-June 15), these donor sites have proven to be the areas where he has experienced the most pain (superficial wounds). I think about the times when I have accidentally cut my legs, when shaving, and how painful it is. Clay will feel this pain on large areas of his legs, because they will shave the top layers of skin off to place on his neck (thank goodness for pain meds at this time). He underwent many surgeries, in the burn unit at Parkland, for skin grafting. This will be his third surgery since he was released from Parkland in June and his second "skin grafting" surgery outside of the burn unit. We hope he recovers well. Remember all the weeks when he vomited while he was in the burn unit & we couldn't pinpoint what was causing it? Clay has had four dressing changes since Nov.9, and each time they change the dressing an anesthesiologist has had to sedate him. He did okay with the the anesthetics used on the first 3 dressing changes, but he was sick all the way home on Monday because of the anesthetic used. We will ask what drug he was given before surgery on Thursday.
Thank you for remembering Clay and our family this past year-we are grateful for each one of you!

20 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday DeeDee!! WE will be thinking of you tomorrow as we always do. Hope they give the kind of anesthetic that won't make him sick again. Glad you are one step closer to the end of all of this. Give Clay, Carson and Cody a big hug from us. We love you all,Uncle Arlin and Aunt Karen

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  2. Thanks for the update!! We still check on you all the time. Wanted to send you BIG birthday wishes as well. Best of luck with the surgery!!!

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  3. Will be thinking of Clay tomorrow and hope that all goes well with his medication this time.

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  4. Thanks for the update on Clay again! We continue to daily have him and you all in our hearts and prayers. Hope all goes well tomorrow with the surgery and that he doesn't get sick. There are plenty of meds they can give to prevent nausea during and after the surgery. Hugs to that brave little warrior! Hang in there! Best wishes from your friends in NH! Kent & Sharon Chappell

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  5. Good afternoon,
    Was glad for the update and we feel so sorry for Clay tomorrow, but we know it is to his benefit. I can't imagain how he is dealing with all the pain. Even after they take away the pain meds, he still hurts. When he hurts, we all hurt. Bless his heart. We will be thinking of Clay and you all tomorrow. Suppose he will be staying over night in the hospital.
    It is supposed to be cold all day tomorrow here. Like in the 20's. Hope it is warmer there. Love y'all B&E

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  6. Good afternoon,
    Thank you for the update today. We feel so sorry that Clay has to go through so many surgeries, but we know it is for his benefit. Bless his heart, when he hurts, we all hurt for him. We will be thinking of Clay and the rest of your family tomorrow and hope he does well before, during and after the surgery. We think of Carson and Cody as well. Accidents are certainly not planned and can tear into a family's plans don't they?
    Hugs to all of you. B&E

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  7. Sorry that posted twice, the first one disappeared and I couldn't find it anywhere, so wrote the 2nd one and now they both pop up. Oh well, sorry about that.

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  8. Hello ms. DeeDee and family! Happy birthday 1st of all.. didn't know it was your birthday but now I do and my nephew shares the same birtday... so glad to hear that things are going well and that journey of healing is still going in a positive way... I have not posted as much lately but please know that I check the website daily to look for new updates... I still have your family portrait on my visor in my car to remind me to not take the little things for granted... and remember to pray for you guys everyday... u are an inspiration to so many people, u deserve the best... I hope today was the best day for you!!! You do have a lot to be happy about... praying for Clay and the rest of you tom. and everyday... love, Amy Lacretia's cousin...

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  9. I just wanted to let your family know how touched I have been by your blogs. I think it is wonderful that you have been keeping everyone informed about sweet little Clay. It truly is amazing to think of all the lives you have touched through this experience...your Faith and Trust in God is absolutely radiant in your words and actions. I am always inspired the days I get to see y'all.

    I will not be at Clay's surgery tomorrow, but I will tell the other PA, Savannah to make sure and tell the Anesthesiologist about the tough time Clay had after the last procedure. As I do every night since I met you, I will send some prayers up tonight that all goes well tomorrow and Clay has a quick recovery and his little donor sites are as painless as possible. He is in great Hands....

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  10. Will be thinking of you all tomorrow afternoon. Love, Susie

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  11. Special thoughts will go your way tomorrow.
    You are doing a great job of blogging...pretty visual what Clay is going through- we feel for that little guy!
    A Happy Birthday to you DeeDee! Hope you were celebrated-you have been one incredible lady this year!
    Our Love,
    Burgess Family

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  12. Continuing to think of you all....remember when you're in Dallas we're just down the road...
    Renita and family

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  13. Chance & Deidra, We check your blog often and are always glad for an update on your precious little boy! We will be thinking of him in surgery tomorrow and praying all goes well! That was so exciting to read of him climbing over the fence and running to play with the other kids! I know you felt soooo thankful that this day has finally come! Hope his legs heal quickly so he will be running again soon!!
    Anneta & Glen

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  14. Still thinking of you all! Wishing the best for Clay's surgery tomorrow and recovery.

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  15. Glad to see a update on Clay. We were wondering when his next surgery would be. Knew it was supposed to be this week. Hope all goes well for Clay and he can stay relatively pain free.
    Thinking of you all during this hard time.
    The Stark Family in NC
    The Ruble Family in IL

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  16. Best to Clay and the Fite Family.

    I'll be at Cub Drug in Olney on Monday, Dec 7th

    Phil S

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  17. We are thinking of you this morning, and hope that surgery went well yesterday, and that the night was good. We are hoping, too, for a smooth recovery and healing process with this surgery. Thank you for the update. Big Hugs to all ...

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  18. Hoping the surgery has gone well and there is no resulting nausea this time! I hope Clay doesn't have to have the wound vac anymore..?? We sure think of you often and feel so thankful that Clay is busily running and playing with his brothers. Your experience and willingness to share with all of us has touched so many hearts.

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  19. Still thinking about y'all, and wondering how surgery went. Love, Susie

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  20. Just checking in. Hope all has gone as planned. I still check the blog esp. if I haven't talked to the grandma for a few days. Hope all of you are keeping well. Our love Us 2

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