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