It's Official . . .

. . . I'm a soccer mom. Yikes. But as promised a Mike update first.

Mike update: Thank you to all those who have called, emailed, facebooked or gotten a hold of us somehow. We are glad you are here and we appreciate the support. Mike is having a hard time with patience. It is hard to spend as much time as he does, isolated, in a small room, 2 hours or more away from home. The woman in the room next door keeps him awake and has made rude comments that, of course, he can hear.

Mike went to take a walk yesterday and some teenagers stared at him when he got on the elevator. Mike has to wear a mask etc., when he leaves his room. You know, it's kind of like anything else, if I'm in a bar and someone treats me rudely or makes an inappropriate comment, I may get upset but I do take into consideration the fact that I am in a bar. Now, if I were at work and that happened I might not take it so lightly. Know what I mean? Mike doesn't appreciate rude stares and nasty comments while in a hospital. It is a hospital! I know he is sensitive to all these new things he has to do because of CF - oxygen, masks, ports and tubes in his chest and stomach - who wouldn't be. But truly I want to believe others look and wonder out of concern. It is just hard to deal with as we all know. We pray for Mike's patience.

He also didn't sleep well Friday night. He woke up with a stomach ache and had to stop the night feedings. This was Mike's facebook entry from yesterday:

Mike Vandeurzen: hates the weekends in the hospital they go by so slow

And his blog post from the day before he was admitted:

Mike Vandeurzen: u have nocked me down many times i have goten back up i no u come agen to nock me out but i will tuck my chin in put up my hands n fight i am a cf fighter n this round is mine

Many of you have asked about visitors. Yes, Mike can have visitors. Please, please, please be careful and use the antibacterial hand lotion outside his room and gown up to protect Mike. The cold and flu season is upon us and that stuff is all flying around the hospital. We need to keep it out of Mike's room. Go to this post for more info. Mike is bored right now and would appreciate the company. He said he feels badly when people visit because he figures they must be bored too. Let's help him stop feeling that way. I explained that when his dad and I come we love having the opportunity to spend time with him. We don't need to be entertained. We don't feel bored at all. I am always disappointed when I don't get to go.

To keep our CF freinds in the loop Mike's routine right now includes:
Up at around 5-6 for vitals. (He goes back to bed)

IV Tobra and Zosyn one is every 6 hours (4 x daily) and the other is 2 x daily.
Do the math on that one. Each IV runs about an hour with another 15-20 min flush. He is hooked up a good percentage of the day.
He does chest PT or IPV/Vest 4 times per day. Those each take about 15 - 30 minutes.
Aerosol treatments before like Pulmozyme, albuterol, HTS, saline, etc.
Insulin checks and other CF meds like enzymes etc. Throughout the day.
And then by 9-10 p.m. it is time to get him hooked up to the feeding tube that runs 8-10 hours and oxygen that runs all night.
This is a weekend-type day. During the week tests and procedures can interrupt and add to the schedule.

The best time of day for Mike is generally afternoons. He gets unhooked between 1 and 2 and usually has another Med around 4ish and then is unhooked until 7-8 p.m.

That's about all for now on Mike. Facebook him or drop him a card or a call if you get a chance. He so appreciates the support and pray for his continued patience through all this. It is hard to be so tied down. It is hard to be sick. It is hard. Peace. Peace. Peace. Love you.

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Richard had his first soccer tournament yesterday and yep, I'm a soccer mom! What next an SUV? Just kidding. It was fun. The team took 1st place in their Division!! Go Panthers! Richard scored a goal in the first game that I missed. I was able to catch the last two games. As I walked up and saw all these moms in blankets, hats, and mittens I knew I was out of the car pool loop. Man, the things you gotta learn on the streets. Thankfully, by the time I got there people were shedding their mittens and hats. I will know next time. The kids played awesome. Better yet, I

was so impressed with their sportsmanship. (In the picture above Alissa snuck one past the goally and into the net!) Not one bad incident. The parents behaved very well too. ;) Lots of energy on the sidelines. I sat next to Regina so I would know what was going on. Thanks for the constant screaming, I mean updates :)!

This is the first year Richard has played soccer. He seems to really be enjoying it. He scored two goals at the game Wednesday night. I was so happy I had the day off and got to see him. The kids are all really working hard as a team. (Love the pic below - the boy can jump!) Parents click on any picture if you want to see it larger.

Proud soccer mom :)

P.S. We were so thankful to hear at church this morning that Ginger received her new lung. Blessings to you and your family for a continued speedy and full recovery. Peace.

Please consider being an organ donor. Blessings to you!