Saturday, August 2, 2014

Birthday Harley Style

Time for an update :) Mike was admitted back into the hospital on July 22. Yep, just a couple days shy of his birthday. He was really trying to make it until his birthday but he was feeling pretty crappy. The good news is his friends were kind enough to throw him a birthday bash the weekend before he went in.

It started with Katie coming to join in the fun early in the day:


David asked, "Why is Katie dressed like Mike."




Remember you can click on a photo to see it larger :)















Then it was out to the clubhouse to be joined by some friends for a few hour ride. Now, this may not sound like a big deal but let me tell you, it was. You see, it's a little precarious for Mike to plan on taking his bike on a ride. Depending on his health and the weather - things can really get messed up. Thankfully, his friends anticipated challenges and had a few back up plans. Someone took a trailer so that if Mike got tired he could hop in a truck and get a ride the rest of the way. Things like that made a day like this possible....and a day like that helps make CF bearable. That's what friends are for :)













Mike was very blessed that it was not humid and his lungs behaved so he was able to enjoy the ride.

Mike with his "brothers"

















After the ride Mike was joined by other friends out at the clubhouse. He said it was one of the best birthdays yet.

On Tuesday Mike was admitted to the hospital. His lungs were at FEV1 of 26%. This was pretty good considering he stayed out of the hospital for almost three weeks.

I was able to take a half a day of vacation and visit Mike on his birthday. I stopped at Olive Garden where a nice young man named Bryan helped me. Mike really liked his dinner.




The hospital sent up a little cake and a bottle of sparkling juice. I surprised Mike and brought up a piece of cake from Bryanna's bakery.
Yum, was that good!


Mike had a little trouble with some swelling during his stay. Mostly in his left leg. They did an ultrasound and determined it wasn't a blood clot. They also did some blood work to make sure his kidney's were working. I was glad Erin, his favorite nurse (and most competent if you ask me) was working that night. They never really found out what caused it but it seems to be getting better.

The doctors were able to adjust some of Mike's meds and he feels like he has more energy. He even said he feels like he could dance again. Wow, that is an improvement.








Katie was able to go see Mike this past Friday. She had a special visitor for him.



Jessica was up from Texas! Still as pretty as ever!!

On Monday Mike plans to come home. His lungs were at 31% on Friday. So blessed the drugs are still working!!




All in all it was a good birthday. It got two thumbs up from Mike.


How the guy does it....I'll never know. He was out for a walk today and saw a quote he wanted me to share with you:

You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it
 
Amen to that....Amen to that.
 
 
Blessings to you!