Mike Is Home

Mike came home yesterday and never did have his lung proceedure. The congestion he had went away mostly and the MRI looked good. He has med to take for two weeks to continue to clear the last bits of the pneumonia. He now needs to use a nebulizer with medication at home 2 times a day for an extended period of time, possibly permanently, as a preventative measure and to keep his lungs clear and healthy. Mike is in great spirits and he helped put up our little christmas tree last night.

Red

Update

Mikes proceedure to clear out his lung was postponed until tomorrow, Noon. he is still in the ICU and is improving each day but he will still need this proceedure to be certain he is completely clear of this before they let him go. He is doing well and his spirits are good. He is starting to get a little bored ut that goes with the territory I guess. I will update after his proceedure is done tomorrow.

Update

Mike will be having a proceedure on his left lung this morning to clear out the fluid in there. He is in good spritis and is resting comfortably. Especially during the day when the hottest nurse is on duty! The doctors think that this bout is because he was never really healed from the last pneumonia about a month ago. That was the one where he had to have the emergiency surgery and they think he inhaled something because it was an aspirated pneumonia, not one caused by the flu.

I will update when he he out of the operating room.

Red

Mike In Hospital

Mike was admitted to the hospital last night for pneumonia. He started getting sick a few days ago and, as usual with his condition it continued to get worse. He is doing OK and is in the ICU at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. He was resting and in good spirits when I left him in the early morning hours. I'll keep the blog updated with his progress and, as usual if any of you local folks can find the time to stop bye, it's a great pick-me-up for Mike.

Red

Mike's "temporary" new room

Well, the drama continues unfortunately. Mike has pneumonia and a blood clot in his lung. He has been admitted to Shady Grove Hospital and should be there for about 2-3 days. He is stable and the issue from Friday with his prostate seems to have healed. He is comfortable and taking Lovenox shots for the clot (what Erin took for her blood clot) and antibiotics for the pneumonia. We're not sure (and neither are the doctors-surprise, surprise) how he got pneumonia since that very same hospital vaccinated him for it in February of this year! It's supposed to last 5 years, but only lasted 8 months. They are looking into why...

He is waiting on his special sand mattress and for today at least, has a really nice nurse! If you would like to/have time to go by and visit, you're welcome to, just know that they are not letting any children in the hospital who aren't patients, even to visit (even his nieces!) if they are under 12 years old because of the H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses. Your kids would probably be scared anyway if they went to visit because every other person is walking around with a doctor's mask in that place!!!

He is in room 4A13.

-Kim

Emergency

Mike had to be taken to the hospital Friday night in an ambulance. He was going into Autonomic Dysreflexia. This happens to Quads if there is something wrong with their bodies that they cannot feel, and the brain tries to react but goes haywire and blood pressure is lost and the heart races out of control. He went into shock in the emergency room and had to be rushed into another section where they cut off all his clothes and admistered oxygen and whatever else was necessary and bring him back, but the Dr told Kim and I that it was still a very "touch and go", or "Dicey" situaltion. It ended up that the cause was his bladder was filled with 3 times the amount it should hold, and it was all blood. He was bleeding internally but no one knew why or from where. He was rushed into emergency surgery and it was discovered that when his nurse changed his superpubic catheter earlier Friday, she inserted it too far. It whet though his bladder and up into his urethra near the prostate, and she inflated it there, which tore all of the tissues in that erea, causing this life threatening situation. The surgeon told Mike's mom Jean, Kim and myself that he would be fine once healed and was very lucky considering everyting he faced that evening.

Mike came home yesterday and is recovering. He is pretty sore and isn't happy with the second catheter he has in until tomorrow. He is getting better slowly, but has been through a lot.

I know people around here think Shady Grove Adventist Hospital is a lousey hospital, me being one of them, but everybody involved in Mike's care Friday in the emergency room and operation room did their job perfectly, which saved Mike's life that night. The care he got in his room was excellent too. We are all grateful to them.

Red

Halloween Spooktacular!

Thanks so much to everyone who attended the Gotz Strength Spooktacular last Friday! We had a great turn out and the foundation along with the National SCI Foundation made over $1700!

We had a great DJ there to entertain along with "Otis the Cop" who won the costume contest, keg beer, and some great snacks donated by many of our guests! Thank you to Kristine, Kathy (Kristine's mom), Crystal, Zack, Rob, and Amanda who helped set up/donate decorations, and clean up. A real special thank you to Amanda who coordinated the event and Evite lists, and to Crystal's parents (AKA Jesus and the nun) for manning the door!

I have a photo of Mike's costume to the right and anyone who got great shots of the guests (I've seen some on Facebook!) and would like to add them to the slideshow.com link to this blog, please do!

-Kim

Poker Run

Last Saturday the Poker Run was held to benefit the Foundation. The turnout wasn't great due to the weather, but we would like to thank Courtney Miles and his buddy for showing up and braving the rain for the ride! Mike and few friends and family gathered at the Middlebrook Inn afterwards to grab a bite and hang out!

We would like to extebnd a special thanks to Summer and her dad who gave a generous sponsorship from Subway for the event. We look forward to holding this event again, and hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate!

-Kim

What's new...

Mike and dad bought a cabin about a month ago in West Virginia. They have been up for a visit almost every weekend to relax, and start fixing it up to meet Mike's needs and with supplies. They are both very happy about habving a place on the river to enjoy!
Mike's health has been great! The wound on his back is pretty much completely healed and although there is another small one on the back of his ankle, we feel we have this under control. The visiting nurse still comes to check on him once a month as well. He is gaining weight-he thinks too much!- and has more energy to ride over to the shopping center across the street for his sugar free Red Bulls and shopping trips to Home Depot.
A couple of weeks ago, he caught his first fish and completed staining a cabinet for the garage for him to keep his stuff in.
In February, NRH takes an annual ski trip for SCI patients and their physical therapists and he plans to attend! He continues to go to Orioles games with dad, including one this Sunday vs. the Red Sox (we all know who he's cheering for!).

Next Saturday is the first annual Gotz Strength for Spinal Cord Injury Motorcycle Poker Run! we're excited that Mike will be able to come out and enjoy the people, bikes, and beer and we hope it will be a great turnout!

Laslty, Mike is happy that our little sister Erin has chosen a career path! We're so excited that she just enrolled in the Dental Assistant Training School and will become certified to help fix your teeth in 11 weeks. Go Booger!!

-Kim

2nd Annual Green Turtle Event

The second annual Green Turtle Day for Mike was a huge success and a fantastic time! Mike had a blast seeing all of his friends. The dunk tank was a lot of fun too! The Booty Shaking Contest was derailed a bit, but still a lot of laughs. The band was great again too!

A special thanks to Crystal and Kim for all the prep work and running around, to those who manned the Gotz Strength gear table and 50/50 and the dunk tank too.

The Michael Gotzens Foundation for Spinal Cord Injuries made $2174 before adding in the Green Turtle 10% contribution!!! We'll update with that amount later. We will also get some pictures posted as soon as we gather them all up from everybody.

Mike's awesome day-See right for pic!!

Yesterday, Mike went to the Orioles vs. Red Sox game with his aunt Nancy, Uncle Ray, mom and Kent. Not only did the Red Sox win a very high scoring game, but Mike caught a foul ball!!!! They were in the right field area seats, and a foul ball was coming their way-As everyone else ducked for cover, Uncle Ray dove (literally) for it and knocked it right into Mike's lap!! We're trying to get the footage from MASN TV and if we can, we hope to post it! Way to go Mike and Ray!

Also, please notice the new event posting to the right. The Poker Run is on the books! Spread the word and for all you bikers, sign up today!!

-Kim

First Annual Gotz Ball Tournament

This event held at Morris Park in gaithersburg raised about $1700.00 for the Mike Gotzens Foundation! all 6 teams had a great time and despite the heat, played extremely well! A very special thanks to Gary Slaght, and Gary and Mike Foreman who organized and ran the event! Also, thanks to Crystal, Taylor, Lori Slaght and all of the spectators who came to support their team and the fundraiser! Team "Average Joes" came out on top, but Joe and Gary's Team (Mike's old team) J.A. Slaght Contractors, came in a close second! We look forward to next year's tournament being even bigger!

-Kim

The Softball Toounament is HERE !!

The first annual "Gotzball" softball tournament is finally here. Saturday, July 11 will be the one day event. The first game is at 9:00 AM and games will continue throughout the day.

Come on out and watch the fun and support the Michael Gotzens Foundation for Spinal Cord Injuries.

Updates and Foundation Changes

Hello, sorry we have been neglecting the blog for a few weeks. There has been a lot going on.

Mike is doing REALLY well. He got a new bed/matteress a few weeks ago thanks to his visiting nurse, and it is working great. His Sacral wound is 100% better. It's less than half the size it was when he came home from his surgery in February and getting smaller by the day. He also has found a cure for the really bad night sweats he was having. A prescription from Dr. Smooth (Dr.. Lea that is. Mike hates him) seems to have done the trick. According to Smooth, SCI patients can have this chronic side effect. I guess he just rememeberd this because he never told us before. Anyway, the medicine seems to have worked. He had a great time at Jay and Amanda's wedding and held really well. I think the pretty women riding on his lap had something to do with it. He looked like a pimp in his tux! (that's a good thing) We'll get some pictures out here soon. Mike is gaining weight too, and is looking really good. He's not afraid to wear shorts now or sleeveless shirts like he was when he was so skinny. He went shopping with Kim and got some new shorts and some really cool New Balance sneakers so he doesn't look like a "Patient" anymore, as he puts it.

We have been working on his "Activity Chair" too. This is a power chair that was donated to the Fondation for Mike that we are equiping with different gadgets for hunting and fishing. We are going up to Joe's Cabin near Berkley Springs WV over the 4th weekend to look at some property he has been hounding me about that is right next to Joe. He claims it is perfect for him and a great place for him to be able to do all his outdoor stuff. We'll see.........

Kim has been working with Mike for a few weeks now. For those of you who don't know, she left her full time job a few weeks back to go back to school and to help out with Mike every morning getting him up and dressed. Her and the girls keep hm company too, as they pop in and out throughout the day. This lets me get to work early and leave early at the end of the day so it has made a huge improvement in everybodys schedules and stress. She is going for PT lessons next Thursday at NRH so she can do all of his excersies with him at home now. We may not have mentioned it, but his therapy is done except for one hour a day, three times a week. Since he was spending 5 hours on the Metro Access van getting to and from DC for a one our session, he decided to work it this way, and NRH is accomodating it.

Mike is still as independant and stubborn as ever. He still spends a fair anount of time by himself during the day. He is getting very good at computers, well, the internet and email, but thats a big step for someone who still doesn't even like to text. Now he is venturing out in the neighborhood. He will tool over to Home Depot or Target to shop, and has learned how to order things on the internet. So now Cabella's, Gander Mountain and Dick's are on his Favorites list. Of course he never tells me he is going to these places until after the fact, because I am still nervous about him going that far and crossing streets. Of course it's just a Dad thing, he does great on his own and it really makes him feel good about himself. All in all he is so much better now. He looks great, has really filled out and can do so many m ore things for himself through his inginuity and persistance, and his OT training. He is a lot stronger now so things like the wedding, going to the O's games and the like don't wipe him out.

There are some changes in the Foundation as well. As part of the process of being approved as a 501 (c) (3) company, our lawyer recommended we ammend the Incorporation purpose and bylaws to better conform to what the IRS looks to as guidlines and proper tax exempt operations. In order to be truly tax exempt we need to give to other individuls and agencies as well as to Mike. So, we have changed the name to "Michael H. Gotzens Foundation for Spinal Cord Injuries, Inc." The official purpose of the Foundation is to "benefit agencies or people with SCI injuries through education, donations and other activites that will enhance the future of these agencies, individuals and Spinal Cord Injury Research as a whole" We will be donating a % of funds we raise to people or agencies, including Mike now. This makes everything proper for the IRS so it doesn't look like we are just looking for a way to not pay tax on money we raise for the sole benefit of Mike, which is a stipulation for being considered a Charitable, Not for Profit organizations and qualifies us to be taxc exempt as an entity. OK enough mumbo jumbo legal stuff. We have a real web page being built that will oultline al of the things we are dong and organizations we will be working with. That page will be linked to this blog too, so we can all still keep up with things on a personal level with Mike. More details on that to follow. Our first charitable event will be after the Softball Tournament in a few weeks. We would like to have a contest of sorts at NRH to donate one of Mike's 2 spare wheelchairs to a person who cannot get one due to no insurance or any other problem. This chair is a "Power Chair" or Scooter type, which is a few steps down from the specialized one Mike needs. It was donated to us from my fathers boss and shipped to us for free from New Mexico where they live. With the help of NRH we will get a list of people who really have problems getting a chair, and who can use this type of chair. Somehow we will pick a winner form that list. This is in the early planning stages, so we will keep you informed as we go.

Well thats it for now. I know it's a lot. We'll be posting things here on a more regular basis now that so much is happening.

Red

Mike's weekend

Mike had a great weekend at IW with Joe and Jay fishing and trying out his newest "contraption" to aid in his quest for the perfect fishing rod! The weather was great and being out really picked up his spirits! When I spoke with Mike yesterday, he was on his way home from working hard at therapy and ready for a great dinner with dad (whose brithday is today!!). Mike's looking forward to Jay and Amanda's wedding this month, and hopefully getting back to doing some work for his old company reading plans!

Keep up with the blog for upcoming fundraisers! The softball tournament is around the corner on July 11 and 12, and hopefully the poker run will get on the calendar soon!

-Kim

Pictures from the tournament!

Here are some photos that my cousin Kristen took at the golf tournament! Some really great ones of Mike!!!! Thanks Kristen!


http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=2uur3utt.bonm4s21&x=0&y=k5ysup&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_button


Love, Kim

Golf Tournament

We would like to thank everyone for attending the second annual "Gotz Strength" Golf Tournament this past Saturday! The event was a hogs success raising over $7000.00!! The weather held up nicely as well! A special thanks to Crystal, Shannon, Summer, and everyone who helped volunteer at the event-it could not have happened without you all!!!

We can't wait until next year!

Love, the Gotz Family!

NEW -- First Annual "Gotz Strength" Softball Tournament

Thanks to the efforts of Gary Slaght, Mike's freind Joe's dad and good freind as well, there is a 2 day benefit softball tounament scheduled for July 11 - 12th !! Gary has spent months getting this organized mostly on his own, and it has finally become official. There are several teams entered and will be other fundraising things at the games like food, T-shirts, etc., Please see the Event Post on the side here. For all you local freinds, and anyone else who can, please save one of both of these dates. We want to get huge crowds and cheer on Miks's old team!!!!!

On another note.. Joe took the van last night with Mike to his old team's first softball game! They had a banner set up with "Gotz Strength" and some of the guys wore Mike's Jersey in tribute. Mike had a great time!!!

Thank's to Joe for taking Mike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bigred

Mike has been home and really gaining independance. He is able to get his own lunch (today was the first time!) and is doing great since his surgery with just a few bumps! He went to his first Orioles game of the season on opening day and had a great time ( The O's beat the Yankees too!). Hopefully with the warmer weather coming up, he'll be able to get outside and enjoy all his newly rigged "toys"-target shooting and fishing!

The golf tournament is coming up soon!!! Please register today as the girls have been putting together the teams. We can't wait to see eveyone on May 2nd!

-Kim

Mom

Mom had her check up today after her surgery and was told that the pathology report came back negative for Cancer! She is healing well and resting at home for the next several weeks.

Just a reminder that the Golf Tournamnet is LESS THAN ONE MONTH AWAY! Please go to the new website set up by Shannon and register today! Thhis year is going to be even better than last year and we're so excited to see the turnout! Also, if you would like to be a sponsor or know someone who would, contact Crystal Connelly (contact info to the right and on the golf tournament site) and sign up!

-Kim

Update

Mike has been home almost a week now and has been healing nicely. He had a visiting nurse come by and check everything it things look good. His sacral wound looks really good and is shrinking a little, which is awesome. He has really been comfortable being able to wear regular boxers and all and seems to just be a lot more up beat. He can't start therapy until next week so he has been home alone this week with people checking in on him every few hours. He is adjusting well and doing fine on his own for these short periods of time. I think he likes being independent (a little at a time) He seems really proud of t he fact that he can manage on his own for a bit.

Well, that's the last hurdle for now. Next comes the DORS Program for learning a new trade, which is the pathway to getting his drivers license and the Van further modified for him for free by the State. It looks like he has this all set up. His former boss told me they may try to set up a position for him so he can work in the office reading and working on plans / blueprints for fire alarm systems, which became his specialty before he got hurt. He used to install and wire them, now he might be able to do the other side of that. If that works out, he can show the County/State he has a job waiting for him and that could expedite things for him. AND he wouldn't have to be retrained in some other profession.

I will keep you all up to date as these things progress.

Red

change of plans...for the better!

Mike WILL be home TODAY! As of yesterday, he was not going to come home this weekend, but they say now he is ready to go today! Mike is obviously excited and dad is with him now and waiting to get him in the van and on the road.
Sorry for the sudden change of plans but please feel free to call him tonight and tomorrow about stopping by for a visit!

-Kim

Mike's Stay

Mike will not be coming home this weekend. I know that a few of you have been asking me to post something so you would know because you wnated to come by and see him. He would love to hang out-but itwould be at the hopsital! Again, he is in room 3NW10 at Washington Hospital Center in DC (across from NRH). He is doing much better and healing well!

-Kim

Mom is home-Mike hopefully will be soon.

Our mom came home today around noon and reports that she is feeling OK. We are waiting to hear the final word on the biopsy, but she said the doctor's have told her they "feel confident" it is not Cancer. We hope to have an official word by early next week. Thank you to everyone for all their kind words and thoughts.

Mike is supposed to be speaking with his doctors today and will hopefully have a clearer picture on when he will be able to come home. Originally, we were told today or tomorrow, but are not sure. We will keep you posted on this, but he has been doing a little better with the pain each day according to dad and Erin.

-Kim

Update

Mike is in a private room at Washington Hospital Center. His room number is 3NW10 and is recovering. He should be home by Friday if things continue to go well.

Just two floors above in room 5c19, our mom underwent an emergency hysterectomy around midnight last night for a large tumor which had grown on her ovary. This was discovered on Saturday. We are waiting to hear the results of a biopsy, and as of this morning, she was relieved the surgery was over and anxious to hear about Mike and the results of her tests.

It was an "exciting" day yesterday for our family and hope this is the end of these issues so we can focus on the rest of the year ahead!

-Kim

Final Surgery Another Success

Mike finally had his colosotmy surgery today and all went well. He is in recovery now, but should be out in an hour or so. He will be in the hospital for 3 or 4 days while everything heals a bit and he gets used to the new process. Mike was really looking forward to this, unlike all the other surgeries, so we are all happy it finally happend.

This will give Mike the freedom to go wherever and whenever he wants with no fear of those untimely accidents. Now we can really make use of things like our O's season tickets, fishing, and so on.....

I will be down to visit Mike tonight. Kim brought him to the surgery and has been there all day. As soon as he gets a room and is settled we'll let everyone know.

Red

Talk To The Hand ?? !!!

Mike and I were sitting watching TV last night and he said, "hey Pop's, I can move my hand!" He was moving his right hand at the wrist, where before it just flopped from there. I watched him move it up and down several times! He could also move his right thumb ever so slightly!!

I waited till today to see it again before I posted this.

He is also now able to sit up on a hard surface with his arms behind his back and support himself. He can balance and not fall over with no help from me for a few minutes.

Red

More Donations

I just heard from The Josh Snyder Foundation that their annual Fishing Derby was a huge success again, and that they are going to sponsor a hole at the Second Annual Gotz Strength Golf Tournament as well as making a cash donation to the Mike Gotzens Foundation. This will be the second time they have sponsored a hole.

The Josh Snyder Annual Fishing Derby is held in Cheshire, MA and is a memorial for Josh, who was tragically killed in a car crash about 7 years ago. The funds raised go to several causes around the area. The Foundation and Derby are run by Nancy Snyder (Josh's Mom), Karen Ryan, ( my sister) and a host of other regular vounteers that make it all run.

We here all appreciate your generosity.

Red

First Fundraiser of the year!!

I wanted to update everyone about the first fundraiser conducted for The Foundation this year! Our cousins in Boston held a fundraisers at their friend, Tommy Doyle's bar in Harvard Square this past Friday night. They raffled these items:


Pair of CELTICS tickets (donated from Alyssa Tingle)
One Day of Carpentry Labor from Garrett Tingle Sr., Master Builder and Carpenter
(2) $50 City Sports Gift Certificates
Manicure and Pedicure Gift Certificate to The Nail Box in Watertown
Beautiful Wood Jewelry Box
Melita Single Cup Coffee Maker and Coffee Pods
$100 Cash (from Gemini Scientific)Bath/Beauty Gift Basket
$100 Cash (from Peterson/Griffin Architects, Ltd.)
$100 Gift Certificate to Golfer’s Warehouse
2004 Jason Varitek World Series Jersey
Sex and the City movie DVD
LaCoste Canvas Navy Beach Bag
George Foreman grille
Crème brulee maker kit
Hess Gas Gift Card
Johnny Walker Black Label Scotch/Whisky

They made over $2750 for the foundation and the bar is giving half of what they collected at the door as well!!

Thanks so much for they hard work on this!

-Kim

Mike's first few days home

First we want to thank the people who came by on Saturday to hand out with Mike and allow us to say "thanks" for all your help in modifying the house and for those few who had the biggest part in planning the 2008 Gotz Strength Golf Tournament! We had a nice time and thank you also to Joe and Taylor and Skipper for staying late to help clean up!

We appreciate ALL of Mike's friends and family and neighbors for EVERYTHING that they have done, big or small, for the past 8 months and hope to continue to have your support!

Mike is off to a restful start at home. He has a visiting nurse attending his wound twice a week and reports that it continues to heal nicely. She is also looking into another form of personal care assistant for Mike to have daily since the first one wasn't what he was looking for. He has been fitted into his new custom chair which looks amazing and is getting used to the new fit! It has a wonderful lift feature which assists in others helping him into bed, chairs, shower chair, etc.

The rehab hospital called today and reported some great news that the virus Mike was told he had when he was discharged, will NOT prevent him from attending physical therapy, so hopefully he will start going again as soon as later this week or next week!

Dad will be heading to Daytona all of next week (Feb. 27-March 6) but Mike will be staying at home with our mom. Please stop by if you have time for a visit on the weekend or any weeknight!

-Kim

Great News!

Mike will be coming home this Friday, the 20th! We're excited to have him home and closer to us. Hopefully, he will continue to improve and will be able to go to therapy and resume is normal daily routine as soon as possible. His bed sore continues to heal and he will finish his antibiotics on Thursday so the infection should be gone. Thanks to all who made it down to Washington Hospital Center and NRH during this last several weeks. It really cheers him up (even if you can't tell)! See you all soon!

-Kim

Mike's Visit Home

Mike came home for the day yesterday to wtach the super bowl! He had a pretty good day before he had to go back to NRH. He had predicted the Steelers would win and was happy they did!

We still do not have a discharge date from the doctor, but we're hoping to hear of one soon.

Thanks to all who came over to watch the game with Mike. As always, your company means so much!

-Kim

Mike's Driving Lesson

Mike had his driving lesson today and he loved it! It was great for his self esteem and really gave him an idea of what he will be capable of and took his mind off of the recent complications.

This Thursday is the Team Meeting with all of the specialists on his case to determine his possible discharge date. We're excited to hear when this will be because Mike's looking foward to getting home to his house, although he has his favorite nurse Delphine for the next 5 nights so he may be content for a little while!!

Zack and I and Dad and Skipper will be partying with Mike for the Super Bowl this Sunday! He'll have his usual chili and wings and maybe a couple "drinks"....!!!!

-Kim

Making Progress

Mike has been at NRH for a few weeks now and things are settling down. His wound is healing and he is in full time threapy every day again. His blood counts are still whacky, but the Dr. says they have determined that those counts are now going to be normal for him. SCI patients often have all kinds of strange effects on their other body chemestry. So says Dr. Smooth, (Lea) which is what Mike calls him. He thinks he is way too full of himself and loves to tell him so.....That;s our Gotz! Anyway, it's good to see him getting healthier and stronger and to see him laughing agian.

Unfortunatley he has other issues to worry about like cuts in Medicaid by the State which could mean a lot more oout of pocket expenses to him in the near future. It seems the wonderful state of Maryland thinks that if you make more tha $350 a month, you can afford your own benefits!!! Well it's all to much to get into here, and Mike's Mom is working hard to get all the info on how he can get the most out of his Medicaid so we'll keep our fingers crossed. Anyway, thanks to Crystal we have started to put together the now annual Mike Gotzens Foundation Golf Tournament for May 2, and the Mike Gotzens Foundation Harley Poker Run will be March 28th. These two events should help out a lot!! Keep looking here on th Blog for updates.

More good news! Mike is being taken out in a van tomorrow for a lesson on assisted driving and how it works and a driving assessment!! This is the beginning of him working his way back behind the wheel!! (Oh oh!!!) It will take some time, but he is really excited and so am I.

I'll keep you posted on his progress.

Red

Mike's being moved-FINALLY!

At 4pm today, Mike will be moved to NRH to continue to be monitored and begin his physical Therapy. He is very happy to finally be where they know how to properly care for him and he will see some of his old nurses! Our mom is going down now to be with him while they move him. You are are welcome to go and see him at his old "stompin' grounds" at NRH anytime after today! Not sure which room right now, but he won't be hard to find at the front desk!

Let's all hope he continues to improve, and will be home again in no time.

Love, Kim

Out of Surgery

Mike got out of surgery this morning about 10:30 and was back in his room by 11:30. He is still at WHC but all the paperwork is in to get him moved accross the street to NRH. I spoke to the social workers on both sides and he is just waiting on a room now. They want to give him his own room, so it may take a day. I also updated all of his therapists too. Everytime they see me over there they chase me down for updates. Some are bummed because they won't see him again until he goes back to outpatient, but Kendra, both Katie's and John are looking forward to getting their hands on him again for inpatient. Some of the SCI patients he has made freinds with, Like Darnell and Sharron are waiting for him too.

The surgery this morning removed a piece of his tailbone which was infected. That piece will be sent for a biopsy to determine what type infection it is and the best antibiotic for it will be identified. He has a PICC line in his arm that goes up his arm and into his chest area. That will stay for 6 weeks and be used for the antibiotic, so he won't have to drag around an IV pole.

They also removed all of the damaged tissue in and around the wound to promote healing. They are not going to close it or do plastic surgery. They want to let it try to heal itself while he is monitored by the clincal nurses at NRH. Meanwhile he can get back to therapy in a few days. He will most likely stay at NRH for as long as he shows an infection, so that could be 6 weeks, but we will keep our fingers crossed it is shorter. Mike isn't too troubled by the thought of a long stay. We both think it is best for the wound since we don't have the knowledge or equipement to keep ahead of it. He also wants to try to get his colostomy while he is there since the location of the wound and going to the bathroom are not a good combination when trying to keep a wound clean and infection free.

Mike is in good spirits and is already talking about his nurses and therapy, looking to the future and putting all of these health issues behind him so he can concentrate on his therapy and getting involved in other activities.

As soon as he has a room at NRH we will post it. He is looking forward to seeing he friends too!

BIGRED

Mike's Surgery

Tomorrow at 9:00 am Mike will have his surgery to remove the inflamed piece of his tail bone. The surgery will take about 30 minutes and he will be transferred to NRH after that. We will post his recovery updates as soon as we have them.
Thanks, Kim

Mike's Progress

Mike is still at Washington Hospital Center and has seen all of the specialists involved in his care by now. His Calcium levels have gone down but they are still trying to find the source of the initial elavated levels. He does not have an infection from the bed sore, but does does have some inflammation of the last bone in his tail bone. The doctors are going to perform some surgery to ensure there is no further irritation, but what kind and when, they are not sure. They are also going to have him transferred to NRH so during his recooperation he can continue some of his therapy. We will et everyone know when he is coming home, but for now, he can be visited at Washington Hospital Center in DC in room 2NE8.

-Kim

Update

Today Mike was taken to Washington Hospital Center in DC for symptoms of severe sweats, headache, and just not feeling well. Because of complications which could occur due to his bed sore and another infection (I forget the medical term), dad thought it best to get him to the experts for evaluation. After a blood test and x-ray, it was discovered that there was no infection of the bone or skin from the bed sore, but that Mike's calcium levels were really high. He was admitted, and they are running further tests to determine the cause.

This is considered a positive hospital stay even though it is not what we want, because a wound care specialist and surgeon will now see him tomorrow about his bed sore, instead of at the end of the month. We hope to have a more clear picture of Mike's status and proposed treatment tomorrow.

-Kim