Healing Nicely. . .

Joey had a doctor's appointment on Thursday for his amputated leg. It is healing great! Everything looks great inside and out, and is healing nicely. Joey will keep his wound vac in for the next two weeks, which will continue to drain fluids, and then his amputation will be re-evaluated. If everything looks good in a couple weeks, his doctor will close up the hole in the bottom of his amputation. Closing up the amputation may require a skin graft, but we will know more in the next couple weeks, and as we get closer.

Joey's amputation was examined, and the black spongy material was changed in the hole in his leg. Each time the black spongy material is changed out, which is twice a week, it irritates the nerves in his amputation, which causes extreme Phantom Pains for at least twenty four hours. Joey was in a considerable amount of pain today, but being the good sport that he is, he agreed to join his family for lunch today at Chili's. Thanks Joey!





Here is a picture of Joey's amputation from Thursday. Doesn't it look awesome???? It is the perfect pink color that it should be, and everything is starting to fill in. Yeah!!!



Post Time 8:00PM

Climbing A Mountain. . .

Joey is continuing to improve daily. He goes into the hospital every Monday and Thursday to have the black spongy material changed in his amputation. He still has the wound vac, which continues to drain the fluids from his leg. Joey will see his leg doctor on Thursday for evaluation.

So far, everything is looking great, and if he continues to heal at this rate, his amputation will be completely healed by the end of March, and they will close up his amputation. Yeah!!! Good Job Joey!!

Joey still has his good days and bad days, sunny days and rainy days, easy days and hard days, and these ups and downs are all part of it--they are normal. These sunny days and cloudy days both play a part in the healing process, both physically and emotionally.

I am reminded of a Norwegian Proverb quote “Heroism consists of hanging on one minute longer”. Keep climbing that mountain Joey! Keep hanging on! Take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, and sometimes if needed, one minute at a time.

We all love you so much!

Post Time 8:15PM

In The Swing Of Things. . .

Joey is doing great and loves being home. Joey goes into the hospital to have the black spongy material changed in his amputation twice a week. Joey receives extra womb vac equipment delivered right to his door courtesy of UPS. The womb vac is replaced every few days when it gets full. It is replaced with a new one. The womb vac is small and goes into a small black pouch, so Joey can carry it around with him everywhere he goes. No, it isn't a man purse--it is a murse :)

He was able to go to Outback last night with his dad Roger and his Aunt Crissi and Uncle Nate. Joey enjoyed ribs, and even got winked at on his way out by a cute girl. Whoo Hoo Joey!! I guess you still have it going on!!! :)

Joey is working on getting some of his weight back. He has lost a total of thirty five pounds, thirteen pounds being from the loss of his leg. So Joey has about twenty pounds he needs to gain to get to where he was before.

Joey is still experiencing Phantom Pains, but they come and go sporadically. He is quite a trooper, and fights through them--no matter how long they last.

We love you Joey! Keep up the good work!!

As promised, just a little later than promised, here are some pictures of Joey getting released from the hospital, and being home. . .home sweet home. . .

Post Time 9:10PM



Joey getting the last of his IVs out


Waiting patiently. . .


Roger helping out and making sure everything looks good. . .


Joey's scar healing up nicely. . .


Saying goodbye to his room on the fourth floor. . .


In the elevator. . .first floor please. . .


Out the front door!


Joey in the car with his mom. . .


At Aunt Crissi's house. . .his dad by his side. . .


Out of the car. . .headed to the house. . .Joey glowing :)


Up the front steps. . .


Almost in. . .




Welcome Home Joey!!!


Comparing bald spots. . .Um. . .I think Uncle Nate won that one. . .but just by a little bit :)

Footprints In The Sand. . .

Joey is home and happy, and we are happy for him! Joey had his wound vac changed yesterday, along with the replacement of the black spongy material. It was getting clogged during the night, and causing the suction to push the fluids into his leg, not out of his leg, as it should be. This was painful and uncomfortable for Joey. Aunt Crissi tried to massage the clots out that were causing the vac to clog. The vac was fixed at Joey's appointment.

Today Joey and his parents met with Dr. Zoe, the pain management doctor, to go over some things and get some questions answered.

Before Joey left the hospital on Wednesday, he was able to meet with some of the doctors and nurses that were instrumental in saving Joey's life and in providing Joey's great care. Each one took a turn telling Joey goodbye and good luck. There were tears of joy and strong emotions as some expressed their true feelings of what possibly could have, and should have been the reality of Joey's serious condition. Some told him they didn't think he would survive, and ever step foot outside the hospital again--let alone have full kidney function, and on crutches, walk himself out of the hospital, only thirty five days later. Joey has exceeded every expectation--and everyone couldn't be more thrilled!

Thank you again to all his doctors and nurses! What a wonderful group of awesome, intelligent, caring people! Also- Thank you again to Dr. Kim and Nurse Boone---Thank You---Words cannot express. . .

We are on to round two. . .another chapter in Joey's life, another beginning to Joey's life legacy. . .and the future is bright. . . we eagerly await to see. . . what's up ahead. . .ahead of all of us. . .one step at a time. . .baby steps. . .are our footprints in the sand. . .

Post Time 4:00PM

Home At Last. . .

Wound Care finally got the wound vac late this morning, and Joey got his release papers. Yeah!! Joey is now home (at Aunt Crissi's) and very glad to be there. Shortly after leaving the hospital, he was able to go to Burger King, his favorite place to eat, as well as step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and see the beautiful outside world!

He is tired but happy. The wound vac will be changed by wound care again tomorrow. He will also see Dr. Zoe, the pain management doctor, on Friday morning. He is very independent, which is great and will get Joey far. His dad was able to get Joey all the necessary equipment that Joey can take home with him, to help take care of himself.

Joey's phone has been turned back on, so he can receive calls and texts.

It has been a good day. There are difficult times ahead but beautiful times ahead as well. He needs continued prayers, love and support. We are truly moving into the next phase, and it is an amazing step forward.

We will have some pictures to post tomorrow. He has made incredible strides and our hearts are full.

Post Time 11:00PM

HOLDING. . .

Joey did not end up getting released from the hospital today. It is sounding like it will be tomorrow now. The paperwork and proper authorizations did not get completed, so Joey is staying tonight, and will be getting released tomorrow. In addition, Joey will need a new smaller pump for his amputated leg. The new pump will continue to drain the fluids. The new pump did not come in today. Wound care will be bringing the new pump in tomorrow.

Everyone is hopeful that he will be getting discharged around noon tomorrow. The news was a little disheartening, but the front doors are getting closer and closer. . . the end is in sight. . .and Joey is ready for the next step!!!

One more night Joey. . .one more night. . .

Post Time 11:00PM

Today Is The Day. . .

Today is a new beginning. Today is the first day to a fresh new start. Joey is leaving the hospital today! Yeah!! Joey will be saying goodbye to his doctors, his nurses, and many of the staff that he has become close with over the last month. We so appreciate as a family the great care Joey has been given by the staff. Joey has commented that the hospital feels like a second home, but he is glad to be leaving. As a family we are all scared and excited for this next step. It will be a big transition in Joey's life, and today is day one.

Joey will be leaving the hospital with the tubes still in his leg. The tubes will continue to drain the fluids from his leg until his leg is healed and can be closed back up. Joey will also be doing frequent out patient physical therapy.

Thank you to all the family and friends for your support, for your visits, for your kindness, for your love, and especially for your prayers. Please keep it coming!

Post Time 12:00PM