Nick is sporting a diaper for a hat. Sometimes finding a little fun in the hospital is easier than you might think. When I tried to wear his hat, Nick said "No!" So I promptly returned it to his head.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Nicholas with diaper on head
Thursday morning update (8/16)
The TEE test found that there is basically a hole in Mike's heart that has been there since birth. The problem, as I understand it, is with the atrial septum. The atrial septum is the wall between the left and right atrium of the heart. His septum has a hole in it and apparently that's where the clot originated. At this point they've decided to do surgery to repair the hole using an umbrella procedure. Because Hendrick would have to open him up to do this procedure, they have decided to transfer him to a larger hospital. We do not know where are this point.
It's good to know the cause of the problem, now we just have to get it fixed. No doubt, Mike will be anxious to go under the knife, so please remember him in your prayers today. The family is doing pretty good, considering all. Mom and Becky are exhausted because they've been up at the hospital continuously. Pray for their strength and that the Lord would give them rest in Him. We are all tired. The Lord has been working overtime on our family this week and it's been good. I've always heard how circumstances like this bring families together and I have definitely seen that this week in a most personal way. John 15 is the story of the vine and the branches. Personally, I feel the Lord has pruned a few branches in my life and made me more able (and willing) to bear good fruit. It's been a difficult but necessary process.
It's good to know the cause of the problem, now we just have to get it fixed. No doubt, Mike will be anxious to go under the knife, so please remember him in your prayers today. The family is doing pretty good, considering all. Mom and Becky are exhausted because they've been up at the hospital continuously. Pray for their strength and that the Lord would give them rest in Him. We are all tired. The Lord has been working overtime on our family this week and it's been good. I've always heard how circumstances like this bring families together and I have definitely seen that this week in a most personal way. John 15 is the story of the vine and the branches. Personally, I feel the Lord has pruned a few branches in my life and made me more able (and willing) to bear good fruit. It's been a difficult but necessary process.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
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Mike's Health update
The CT scan on the abdomen never did happen today. At about 4:oopm, Mike started having a headache. The doctor ordered another CT scan on his head to check it out. We haven't heard anything on the scan, but Mike has started feeling a little better. We'll still anxious to hear the results though, obviously. At this point, it's possible that they would proceed with the CT scan of the abdomen and the Transesophageal echocardiagram.
The physical therapist didn't make it up to the room today, so she should be here tomorrow. Thursday will be a full day-hopefully it will give us some answers.
Mike seems a little better today. His speech is mildly slurred and most of the time you can understand what he's saying. He still cannot use his right hand or leg. He can stand up and walk to the bathroom with assistance, but it proves to be a challenge. A high number of visitors today seems to have lifted his spirit. I don't want to have false hope with what seems to be a decent day, so being unsure is still very unsettling. However, we have faith that the Lord will sustain him and all of us during this time. Thanks again for praying and visiting with us. I'll post every udpate as soon as possible.
The physical therapist didn't make it up to the room today, so she should be here tomorrow. Thursday will be a full day-hopefully it will give us some answers.
Mike seems a little better today. His speech is mildly slurred and most of the time you can understand what he's saying. He still cannot use his right hand or leg. He can stand up and walk to the bathroom with assistance, but it proves to be a challenge. A high number of visitors today seems to have lifted his spirit. I don't want to have false hope with what seems to be a decent day, so being unsure is still very unsettling. However, we have faith that the Lord will sustain him and all of us during this time. Thanks again for praying and visiting with us. I'll post every udpate as soon as possible.
Mike's Work
Some of you have asked about Mike's work, so I wanted to take a minute and let you know what's going on. Mike has a crew of 2 or 3 that he normally works during the week. Luckily, these guys are pretty good. One of the guys, Billy, has been working with Mike long enough to be familiar with most of the jobs. Another friend, Zack has been setting up the crew daily and handling money, equipment maintenance and purchasing. I've been fielding phone calls pretty much all day. Many customers have called with new jobs and many more have called checking the status of their current appointments. These calls have pretty much consumed my entire day, I don't know how he handles this on a daily basis!
As of right now, it appears that we'll be able to keep the business going. I've done my best to explain to customers the situation and most of them have been understanding. Anyway, that's the quick update. Thanks for asking. I'll post another health update soon.
As of right now, it appears that we'll be able to keep the business going. I've done my best to explain to customers the situation and most of them have been understanding. Anyway, that's the quick update. Thanks for asking. I'll post another health update soon.
What happened to Mike?
Please realize that my updates are definitely misspelled and I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to medical terminology, so bear with me. (especially those of you who are in the medical field).
On Tuesday morning, my little brother Mike woke up unable to move or speak. They rushed him to the hospital and began a series of tests that included 2 cat scans, EKG, ECG, carotid Doppler, MRI and MRA. At the end of the day, we were still unsure of exactly what happened. This morning (Wednesday), the neurosurgeon concluded that it was indeed a stroke. He called it a brain stem stroke located in the basil ganglia butted up next to the nerve that controls your speech. The doctor said he is lucky to be alive, and extremely lucky to not be completely paralyzed.
The next step is to find out WHY a 27 year old had a stroke. There are a series of tests scheduled today and tomorrow that will hopefully determine that. Today's tests include a CTA scan of his abdomen, more specifically the arteries to determine if a hematoma that he had a few weeks ago might have been the cause. Tomorrow's test will be a Transesophogeal Echocardiagram (TEE). The way I understand it, they will examine the mitral valve and the connective tissue surrounding it. Apparently, something looked irregular on one of the other tests that has caused them to take a closer look at these places. At this point, they are just trying to figure out what may have caused the stroke.
Mike's current condition is better than it was yesterday. He can walk a little, with assistance, and he can talk, but his speech is still extremely slurred. His right arm and leg are very weak and barely functional. In fact, he hasn't been using them at all due to frustration if nothing else. On the bright side, his thoughts are coherent and he realizes what's going on.
The neurosurgeon and internist are currently working on him. The internist is trying to determine whether to give him anti-coagulates to dissolve any clots that may be remaining and as a preventative measure.
They will begin physical therapy soon and hopefully that will help him gain some confidence. The road to recovery will be long and he'll definitely need your prayers to sustain him.
Some of you have asked about visiting. You are all more than welcome to come and say hello, he's in Hendrick room 7715. Please realize that Mike has been quite emotional and be prepared for him to cry a little-just want you to be prepared for that. I've asked him if he wants visitors and he says that he does, so please come say hello if you get the chance, I'm sure he would love to see you.
Please pray for Mike's spirit as he deals with this. He's very frustrated and scared, understandably. I know that if he's able to gain a little ground then he'll be better prepared to meet the physical challenges that lay ahead.
I'll do my best to keep posting here so that you all can stay on top of what's going on. Thanks again for all your support and prayers. -br
On Tuesday morning, my little brother Mike woke up unable to move or speak. They rushed him to the hospital and began a series of tests that included 2 cat scans, EKG, ECG, carotid Doppler, MRI and MRA. At the end of the day, we were still unsure of exactly what happened. This morning (Wednesday), the neurosurgeon concluded that it was indeed a stroke. He called it a brain stem stroke located in the basil ganglia butted up next to the nerve that controls your speech. The doctor said he is lucky to be alive, and extremely lucky to not be completely paralyzed.
The next step is to find out WHY a 27 year old had a stroke. There are a series of tests scheduled today and tomorrow that will hopefully determine that. Today's tests include a CTA scan of his abdomen, more specifically the arteries to determine if a hematoma that he had a few weeks ago might have been the cause. Tomorrow's test will be a Transesophogeal Echocardiagram (TEE). The way I understand it, they will examine the mitral valve and the connective tissue surrounding it. Apparently, something looked irregular on one of the other tests that has caused them to take a closer look at these places. At this point, they are just trying to figure out what may have caused the stroke.
Mike's current condition is better than it was yesterday. He can walk a little, with assistance, and he can talk, but his speech is still extremely slurred. His right arm and leg are very weak and barely functional. In fact, he hasn't been using them at all due to frustration if nothing else. On the bright side, his thoughts are coherent and he realizes what's going on.
The neurosurgeon and internist are currently working on him. The internist is trying to determine whether to give him anti-coagulates to dissolve any clots that may be remaining and as a preventative measure.
They will begin physical therapy soon and hopefully that will help him gain some confidence. The road to recovery will be long and he'll definitely need your prayers to sustain him.
Some of you have asked about visiting. You are all more than welcome to come and say hello, he's in Hendrick room 7715. Please realize that Mike has been quite emotional and be prepared for him to cry a little-just want you to be prepared for that. I've asked him if he wants visitors and he says that he does, so please come say hello if you get the chance, I'm sure he would love to see you.
Please pray for Mike's spirit as he deals with this. He's very frustrated and scared, understandably. I know that if he's able to gain a little ground then he'll be better prepared to meet the physical challenges that lay ahead.
I'll do my best to keep posting here so that you all can stay on top of what's going on. Thanks again for all your support and prayers. -br
Mike's conidtion 8/15 1:15pm
I'm hoping I'll be able to keep everyone updated via the blog so that I can send one update and then everyone can get it. It's been hard keeping up with everyone who has called and returning those calls. Please send on this web address to those who you know would like to keep up with Mike.
I'll post as I have updates.
I'll post as I have updates.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Here we go again
This is the first of many posts over the next year that you will be able to read. We want to keep you up to date on what's going on with us. Bookmark this site or subscribe to our feed so you can keep up with the Rogers family.
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