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

Happy Valentine's Day--And An Early Release!

Joey had a better day yesterday. The pain management doctor visited with Joey, and was able to give him some pain medication for his leg. This helped ease Joey, and allowed him to get some relief and rest. Yesterday afternoon improved, and into today. Joey and his parents visited with the doctors. They talked about releasing Joey from the hospital on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Yeah!! Awesome! What great news!! None of us could believe it!

Once Joey is released from the hospital, he will continue outpatient physical therapy on a regular basis for his leg. The doctors plan to leave the tubes in his amputation, which will continue to drain the fluids from Joey's amputated leg. Joey will have the tubes in until doctors feel the amputation is healed. As the doctors stated, the amputation has to heal from the inside out.

Today is Valentine's Day. It is a special day to tell the ones that are dear to you--that you love them! It is a good day for reflection, and for all of us to think about what really matters the most in our lives.

As we have all learned from experiences in our own personal lives, and the possible reality we were faced with over this last month, life is so fragile, and can be taken in a fleeting moment. Time is so short. It is something we can never get back. Life is full of distractions--these little distractions that seem like big things in the moment--until something BIG really happens, and then we realize these big things really are little things. How quickly our perspectives can change, and cause us to look at the world so differently. It makes us appreciate the important things in our lives, like our families, our loved ones, each other. Every moment we have is a precious gift! Doesn't it make you so grateful for this time that we still have? What a beautiful miraculous gift!

There's no time for tomorrows--so make today count! No regrets! Slow down for the day, and spend time with the ones you love. Hug your mom, your dad, your siblings, your children, your husband, your wife, a little longer---a little tighter. Tell your loved ones that you love them---and not just for one day, not just on Valentine's Day, but everyday.

Post Time 4:45PM

The Warrior. . .

Joey slept most of the day. He tried to get some rest and some relief. It was a long day.

So many different emotions---so many different challenges. Each day brings a new challenge, a new stepping stone, a new bridge to cross. Yet each day that passes also brings Joey one step closer to healing--healing for the body, the mind, and the soul. Each day that passes brings new opportunities, new direction, hope---hope for the future, for a brighter tomorrow. There is always hope to make today better than yesterday, and tomorrow even better than today.

I am reminded of a quote: "The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takes everything either as a blessing or a curse ." Carlos Casteneda

Joey, you are a warrior! Your trials are your challenges, and they are not small, but you are not weak. We are never given anything that we cannot handle. Our struggles make us stronger, and through them, they become our strengths. Someday you will look back on today and see how far you've come. You will look back and see where you've gone, how you've grown, and you will be amazed at who you've become. Then you will see, what I see. . .a warrior. . .

Post Time 11:30PM

A Long Day. . .

Joey had a long day today. The doctors decided to take Joey off the morphine drip. In order for Joey to move off the fourth floor (cardiac unit) and onto the next floor, Joey has to be off the morphine drip being administered through his IV. Moving to the next floor will mean one step closer to going home. Yeah!!! We should have a better idea in the next couple days when Joey will be able to move floors.

Without the morphine pump, Joey was in a lot of pain today and was having a hard time getting comfortable. His leg was hurting him, and his Phantom Pains were intense. He tried to rest, but little rest would come. We are hopeful that Joey will be able to rest this evening for awhile, and that in the next couple days, the pain will be more manageable. Joey's visitors tried to help Joey keep his mind off the pain the best they could.

Hang in there Joey!! We are all praying for you, and we love you!! We pray that you will find the strength to fight through these next couple days with all your might, and find the comfort and peace that you need. There is sunny days up ahead---hang on---and we love you!!!

Post Time 11:30PM

Those Phantom Pains. . .

Joey had a hard night last night. He got up to turn off the lights, and slipped and fell on his amputation. He was given some Morphine, due to the amount of pain he was in from the fall. He has been on a small dose of morphine for the last couple of days, which is being administered through a drip system. He is on the morphine for the hole in his amputation and also for the Phantom Pains. He will remain on the fourth floor until he is taken off the morphine drip.

Joey's potassium and magnesium levels were down today. Joey was given a bag of potassium through his IV to raise his levels back to where they need to be. Joey has been experiencing severe Phantom Pains. We are looking into options to help ease his pain. Thank you for the comment posted earlier about the suction pump from Valley Medical Supply. We have been doing some research on this product to see if this could be an option for Joey.

On a good note, Joey received a jar full of candy from Aunt Beta (Lorinda) a few days ago, and some Valentines goodies. She headed up a craft project for Joey, where Joey's nieces and nephews made Valentines for Joey. So thoughtful Beta! Cheryl taped all of them up in Joey's room to help brighten his day. Joey was also happy to receive a visit from his older brother Josh, who has been traveling in Israel for the last seven days. Joey was happy for his safe return.

We love you Joey!! Keep up the good work! You are so strong, and you move mountains with your determination, your motivation, and your desire to get better. Hang in there!!!

Post Time 6:00PM


Joey's Valentines spread out on his bed.


Joey taking the candy jar away from Jared.