Just saw the Trauma doc...he is completely stitched closed! Now, we wait. Approx. 24 hours to 48 for him to "check" the wound for infection and we will continue no food, only liquids and the immodium until then. He is saying if all looks good, maybe even Wed. night we could go home.

It's all contingent on whether there is any infection. The ENTIRE wound is closed, even the small area he thought he wouldn't be able to close. PTL! We won't get our hopes up yet...but he did say the "H" word (Home)- yippie!!!

So, our prayer is that there will be no infection in the wound. If there is, it's gets much more complicated...meaning they have to re-open it. He is already been on liquid antibiotics since we've been here, so they can't give him any more that way. He said we would need to come back in two weeks to take out the stitches and it will require putting him out again b/c there are SO MANY (boo hoo) stitches and they are hard to get to...too much pain to not be sedated.

Just saw the orthopaedic doc...there is an area bigger than a silver dollar on ankle by his achelles tendon that is darkened and hard...he opted not to remove it b/c that exposes the tendon and could cause damage to it. The skin could still heal itself to some degree he said...if not, it still needs time to prepare itself for a graft (the body is very cool all it does). So, that's a wait and see game. We don't know about care for this wound yet b/c the reg. doc that has been doing his care had a funeral and will be back tomorrow. So, we'll know more then. At any rate, this will not hold us up from going home.

Looking back at one week over

For the first time since being here, Josiah rolled to his stomach on his own. They scaled back his morphine and he still hasn't used the button for self-medication. He doesn't complain of pain much, just lots of discomfort...his foot is still pretty bothersome. Mom didn't sleep too great last night...another round of new nurses with a slightly different routine.

Not really expecting much to go on today except maybe some wound care and dressing changes...most people, even therapists and activity personnel will be "off" I am told. That might be a good thing as it's usually quite a revolving door here..."someone" always wants to talk or look at something. Steve encouraged me to read Philippians 4 today....lots of words of blessings and promises of God's provision.

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am...I can do all things through Him that strengthens me...And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus...And the peace of God, which surpases all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Amen

Steve will be here after church today and plans to stay over.

June 5, 2010 a.m.

We had a pretty good night except for some malfunctioning machines that beep when you don't want them to, just the "usual" interruptions. The OR doctor we saw today said there is a small piece of skin on the back of his ankle that still doesn't look good. It may need grafting if it doesn't heal on its own...that is something to ask the Lord for. They have him on immodium, but his bowels are still in action, though it is liquidy...of course mom is his favorite "cleaner upper", which makes for a lot of up and down. He told me I needed the exercise once, when I mentioned being tired of doing it - ha. I suppose it's true :)

His sisters will be coming for the first time today...so that will be nice for me to see them. I miss all the kids. We have been e-mailing and calling some, but it isn't the same. Alayna pitched her first time at softball the other night and I wasn't there, boo hoo. Micah went home yesterday...I think he needed a break. I enjoyed a nice long break while Steve was here...saw the sun and felt the breath of the wind on my face - ahhh. They have nice big showers in the Family Resource Room, so I took advantage of that too. It was a very refreshing afternoon.

We actually made it into a wheelchair in the afternoon and went outside - on the 3rd floor they have a play area. There wasn't much J. could do of course, but he counted while Micah raced, and tried to throw a b-ball to Steve so he could make a basket. It was good for him to see the outside as well. It's not an easy trip dragging his pole, watching for i'v. cords to get tangled, but it was worth the trouble.

Just came out - they closed 85% of the wound!!! Unbelievable by human standards since he expected to be able to do a "couple" more stitches. If the wound vac falls off we are leaving it off!!!! yeah!!!!!

June 4th

Josiah was taken to surgery early due to a cancellation. This will just be a wound vac change and foot dressing change, unless the doctor can pull his skin together on the buttocks wound more than he is expecting. We had a pretty good night of sleep. The nurses gave me an egg crate to sleep on my very hard bed, so it was like heaven when I laid down. They worked really hard to leave us alone and we had very minimal interruptions between 11 and 7:30...it was nice to have some privacy as all day it is like a revolving door...everyone wants to be helpful, but it is tiring to constantly be discussing with many different groups. They give him a light sedative before going down the hall to the OR which helps him a little, but it is still a VERY tearful good bye at the door - today he was clinging to me and begging me to go with him. I have to return the laptop I borrowed at 10 a.m. so I don't know when I'll get back to the computer, but will try to update later. Steve will be with me after the surgery and maybe I can take a break later when things are stable. Thanks for praying. I read Psalm 46 today...Something about everything falling apart...God is my refuge and strength, my ever present help in times of trouble....and later, be still and know that I am God.

Today, June 3

This started out as a great day...Josiah was happy, pain free and showing some mobility, able to lift each of his legs on his own (even though his right is so heavy). He has a 6 inch burn on the outside of his left shin. The dr. says this is superficial and won't require treatment. He also has a burn on his left hip being treated the same way. Yesterday he had a complete clean out of his colon to attempt to not infect his cuts on his bottom. Today, he is just running liquids straight through him and the colon is NOT stopping yet, in spite of several doses of immodium. I am told they are going to double the dose tonight. The catheter is out, which is more comfortable, but with the amount of fluid going in, the need to empty is VERY OFTEN...might be an interesting night of sleep. Anyway, they found some feces attempting to get under the wound vac, which required a VERY painful clean out procedure. It is so hard to watch and hear (he cries loud and hard). That process over, he is happy, enjoying some cards and gifts from a few friends. He has lots of movie choices and plenty of clear liquids, though I can't talk him into the broth choices yesterday. He only ordered lemonaid from the "food service" all day. Thankfully the nutrition and liquids going in through the PICC line (a permanent IV in the arm through a larger vein) must keep him satisfied somewhat. He does ask for food occasionally, but

Josiah's Accident May 29th 2010

On Saturday, May 29th, our lives were turned upside down! Micah was mowing, Josiah playing on the trampouline, Steve mulching, Lydia was at Walmart with Steve's mom. In a crazy instant moment Josiah ran toward the mower, slipped and fell under it. So Josiah and Lydia have been at Children's hospital in Columbus ever since. He has underwent 6 surgeries (2 together each time with different teams of surgeons) to treat 6 broken bones in his right foot, a few superficial burns (right leg and hip) and a very serious deep wound to his buttocks. The initial surgeries just basically patched him up and allowed them to attach a wound vac, which is a silver nitrate patch with a plastic seal and a drainage tube designed to promote healing and keep it dry. The cut goes all the way down, almost to the anus, making it extremely difficult to treat and to keep dry and un-contaminated by feces. He hasn't had a drop of food since we've been here and only a few cups of liquid by mouth. The rest of his hydration comes from i'vs and nutrition in bags dripping into his veins. The days are just one big cycle of treatments and doctors and nurses. This is a great hospital and they are super accommodating and parent friendly, however, going home isn't on our radar yet....