Photo captured by Amanda Barker, Vivitography
April 6, 2011
Chest Tubes Out!: Post-Op Day 2
Bradley got a set of chest tubes out earlier today, which has greatly helped his side pain. He still has some other underlying pains, but the pain meds seem to be helping. He will be moved from his ICU room, to another room on the cardiac floor. Sorry it's a short update, but I'm about to fall over and pass out because I'm so exhausted. Thank you everyone for your prayers and support!
Update: Post-Op Day 1
Today has been a pretty good day for Bradley. They've gotten him up about 4 times today, each time a little easier. He's been taken off a lot of the medicines he was on post-op, but continues to need quite a bit of pain medicine. He's having some severe pain in his left side, most likely from the chest tubes that help drain the fluids from around his heart. Hopefully they will be removed tomorrow when he is transferred out of CV-ICU and into his regular room. I hate seeing him in so much pain, but he's been a good patient and been able to bear it most of the time. There are some times when he is really miserable, though. Fortunately, he hasn't had much chest pain from the incision or throat or back pain.
Linda (Bradley's mother) and I will be excited when we are moved upstairs. We'll be in a much more comfortable room with a bathroom and shower inside the room (instead of a public bathroom/shower!). I will update sometime tomorrow about how he's doing.
And the Lord is really working on my heart. The emotions I have experienced in the last 2 days has been almost more than I can handle. I hope to blog on it soon, if I'm able to focus enough to get my thoughts together. :)
We appreciate all of the prayers that have been coming our way. We still need them as this recovery time goes forward. Love you all.
In Him,
-Ashley
Linda (Bradley's mother) and I will be excited when we are moved upstairs. We'll be in a much more comfortable room with a bathroom and shower inside the room (instead of a public bathroom/shower!). I will update sometime tomorrow about how he's doing.
And the Lord is really working on my heart. The emotions I have experienced in the last 2 days has been almost more than I can handle. I hope to blog on it soon, if I'm able to focus enough to get my thoughts together. :)
We appreciate all of the prayers that have been coming our way. We still need them as this recovery time goes forward. Love you all.
In Him,
-Ashley
April 4, 2011
HE'S OUT!!
I know this is a late update, but we've had a busy last few hours. Sorry about the delay! :)
Bradley got wheeled out of surgery about 3:30, and he looked wonderful. When we were able to go back to see him in his room, he still looked great but it was a little weird seeing him just laying there unresponsive. But, after a while, he's begun to respond by shaking and nodding his head in response to our questions. He's trying to talk, but he still has the breathing tube in. They're trying to wean him off the respirator right now in hopes that they can take it out tonight.
He'll be in ICU for 2-3 more days, and then moved to his room on the cardiac floor for another 3-7 days. His stay depends on how well he is responding in his recovery.
We are so grateful and humbled by this experience and by the prayers of the saints. I will post a blog about the emotions of the day and what God is teaching me later. Right now, I'm going to go spend some more time with him.
Thank you Lord for bringing our Bradley back to us. You are good and you are faithful!!
Bradley got wheeled out of surgery about 3:30, and he looked wonderful. When we were able to go back to see him in his room, he still looked great but it was a little weird seeing him just laying there unresponsive. But, after a while, he's begun to respond by shaking and nodding his head in response to our questions. He's trying to talk, but he still has the breathing tube in. They're trying to wean him off the respirator right now in hopes that they can take it out tonight.
He'll be in ICU for 2-3 more days, and then moved to his room on the cardiac floor for another 3-7 days. His stay depends on how well he is responding in his recovery.
We are so grateful and humbled by this experience and by the prayers of the saints. I will post a blog about the emotions of the day and what God is teaching me later. Right now, I'm going to go spend some more time with him.
Thank you Lord for bringing our Bradley back to us. You are good and you are faithful!!
Procedure Beginning
We just got an update from the nurse. Prep work took longer than what they expected but they're doing the ablation right now. There is a lot of scar tissue from previous surgeries so it's taking longer than they originally thought. He hasn't been put on the heart/lung machine yet, which will take about an hour when that happens. The surgeon will then perform the procedure. I think that's the next step. I will continue to update when we get them. Stay tuned!
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So It Begins...
They just took Bradley back to the operating nurse a few minutes ago (about 7:40am). The OR nurse said that the surgery could take anywhere from 8-12 hours. They will call us in the waiting room about every hour, so I will update on here, and on our Facebook profiles, when we get a call.
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April 3, 2011
Prayer List for Surgery
As Bradley's surgery is very quickly approaching (a little more than 24 hours away), there are some things we would like prayer for, if you feel led to pray for us in this way.
1. A successful surgery with no complications that will improve Bradley's pressure in his heart and lungs
2. Wisdom for the doctors, nurses, and others involved, especially in regards to his pacemaker leads (wires) in his heart
3. An undeniable peace that surpasses all understanding for Bradley, myself, our boys, and our family and friends; freedom from anxiety, fear, and worry - Philippians 4:6-7
4. A speedy recovery - managing pain, physical healing of his body
5. That I receive a supernatural spirit of service for my family during the recovery time (Bradley will not be able to lift more than 3 pounds or drive for 2 months)
6. That our sons, Cade and Blake, may adjust to their time away from us and that they may somehow come to know Jesus through this
7. That above all else, God's will be done in this and through this!!
I just realized that I haven't really specifically posted what is going to be done during this surgery, so if you're interested, this is for free. :) During the surgery, they are going to 1) widen an area of obstruction that is causing the high pressures, 2) do a procedure called an ablation that will help with his atrial flutter, and 3) possibly extract his pacemaker leads or add a second set of leads. It's not likely that they'll have to do much with the leads.
If you would like more information about visitation or anything else, feel free to email me - safer505@gmail.com
Thank you for reading this and for your prayers.
In Him,
Ashley
1. A successful surgery with no complications that will improve Bradley's pressure in his heart and lungs
2. Wisdom for the doctors, nurses, and others involved, especially in regards to his pacemaker leads (wires) in his heart
3. An undeniable peace that surpasses all understanding for Bradley, myself, our boys, and our family and friends; freedom from anxiety, fear, and worry - Philippians 4:6-7
4. A speedy recovery - managing pain, physical healing of his body
5. That I receive a supernatural spirit of service for my family during the recovery time (Bradley will not be able to lift more than 3 pounds or drive for 2 months)
6. That our sons, Cade and Blake, may adjust to their time away from us and that they may somehow come to know Jesus through this
7. That above all else, God's will be done in this and through this!!
I just realized that I haven't really specifically posted what is going to be done during this surgery, so if you're interested, this is for free. :) During the surgery, they are going to 1) widen an area of obstruction that is causing the high pressures, 2) do a procedure called an ablation that will help with his atrial flutter, and 3) possibly extract his pacemaker leads or add a second set of leads. It's not likely that they'll have to do much with the leads.
If you would like more information about visitation or anything else, feel free to email me - safer505@gmail.com
Thank you for reading this and for your prayers.
In Him,
Ashley
March 29, 2011
Surgery Rescheduled
Wednesday night (March 23rd), we got a call from the surgeon saying that he had come down with a fever and his cough had gotten worse and therefore could not do Bradley's surgery the next day. We were disappointed at first, but realized it was for the best. We definitely don't want a sick surgeon performing an 8-10 hour surgery. It's been rescheduled for Monday, April 4th.
While it threw a kink in our plans, God knew the surgery wouldn't be on the 24th, so we're trusting in His timing. Please continue to pray for the surgery and recovery time. I intend to post a detailed prayer request list if you feel led to pray for us in that way. On the day of the surgery and in the days following, I will try my best to update Bradley's condition on here, our Facebook pages, and on Twitter.
Above all, God gets the glory!
In Him,
Ashley
While it threw a kink in our plans, God knew the surgery wouldn't be on the 24th, so we're trusting in His timing. Please continue to pray for the surgery and recovery time. I intend to post a detailed prayer request list if you feel led to pray for us in that way. On the day of the surgery and in the days following, I will try my best to update Bradley's condition on here, our Facebook pages, and on Twitter.
Above all, God gets the glory!
In Him,
Ashley
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