Surgery in the Future

We've gotten settled in and talked to the doctors here. Trey is still in pain, but hopefully soon we can get that manageable.

His surgeon ordered another MRI and CT scan to verify that there haven't been any changes to his spine since Wednesday and Thursday when the originals were taken.

It looks like we are most likely looking at surgery on Tuesday afternoon, but we'll know for sure once they get the test results back from the scans.

There are a lot of risks in Trey's future such as complications in the surgery, chronic pain after surgery, limited movement, or excessive degeneration of his spine due to the surgery. We know this is all in God's hands. Right now it is indefinite if he will even be able to go back to work in full capacity, but we are trusting God's plan for us.

Throughout our lives, we've learned that we have no control, and that his plan is the best plan. We may not see it right now, but he knows what is beneficial for us.

I am grateful that I still have my husband. As difficult as this has been, and will be in the future, I'm so grateful that I can still have conversations with him and that one day I'll be able to play footsie with him again ; )

Please continue to pray for the doctors, for Trey, and for our future. We have a long road ahead, but God knows where this road is going and he's leading our journey.

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. ~ Deuteronomy 31:8

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Moving

First let me start by saying thank you all for the prayers. There are moments when I just feel wrapped in prayer, and it is such a blessing during this time.

We have safely transported Trey to another hospital. The new hospital has a specialty spine center, multiple spine specialty surgeons, and is a Level 1 trauma center versus the original hospital which was only a Level 2 and had only one surgeon.

I feel like God led us to this decision, and I think it is the best decision for Trey's future. It's hard to think that his life, his future rests in my hands through the decisions I make, but I know that truly it's all in God's hands and I just keep praying for wisdom.

Before being transported, I asked for prayer and I prayed with him that his pain would be minimal. Going over bumps in the hallway makes him wince in pain, and the ambulance ride on a rough road we knew would be tough. Not very far onto the journey, Trey fell asleep and slept the majority of the way here. We were also blessed with awesome paramedics that transported us. I can just see God watching over him through this trial.

The doctor came in briefly and we should have an operative plan in the morning.

We are waiting now to see his new doctor, and Trey is resting thankfully. I ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers. The only thing that will get us through this is prayer. It works miracles!

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What the Surgeon Says

So since Wednesday night, we've been waiting on someone, anyone to tell us exactly what was going on.  While in the ER, he had a CT scan and multiple x-rays done but we were not given any type of prognosis or treatment plan or any hint of one.

Finally, yesterday we talked to the surgeon.

This is how he explained it to me . . . in the vertebrae there are 3 parts, the main circle and two "forks" Typically when people have the type of injury Trey does, they either break just the circle or they break the  circle and both "forks.

When just the circle is broken, there is minimal risk for spinal cord damage, so they just put the patient in a brace and keep them on bedrest for several weeks while managing their pain.

However, when they break both the circle and both "forks", there is risk that essentially the torso can become disconnected from the bottom portion of the body, severing the spinal cord. To prevent this, they place pins in the 2 vertebrae above and below the damaged one in surgery to maintain the stability of the spinal cord.

His surgeon is perplexed as to which way to treat it because he is in the gray area. He doesn't want to treat it on the lax side and risk Trey severing or damaging his spinal cord if he was just in a brace, but at the same time he doesn't want to take the risks (death, paralyzation, spinal cord fluid leaking) involved with surgery if it is not necessary.

He told us he was going to speak with another surgeon and he would be back in a couple days to give us his advice regarding the treatment.

I'm praying that God will help me to make the right choices, and the surgeon as well. I know it's all in his hands.

It's so difficult to think about the possibilities, so I just try to keep them out of my mind. I'm counting our blessings that Trey is not injured worse than he is, but he's still in a lot of pain and a lot of risk.

Thank you all for your prayers. We will never be able to thank you all enough for the prayers.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. I've seen so many little things he's done and I just know he's right here beside me, holding my hand.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.~ Phillipians 4:13 

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In an instant. . .

Wednesday night, my phone rang from a strange number I didn't recognize. Typically, I don't answer those calls, but my gut told me I wanted this one.

On the other end was a lady from the fire department letting me know that Trey had fallen at work off the pole they slide down. Over the past few days, I've gotten differing stories but the general consensus is that he fell at least 12 or more feet, and landed on his back on the cement floor.

I rushed to the emergency room and sprinted in to check on him. Fear consumed me. Was he paralyzed? Was I ever going to hear his voice again? I was so utterly terrified.

To my surprise, I walked in to watching him wiggle his toes as the doctor examined him. My heart skipped a beat. I was so thrilled to see that tiny movement I once took for granted.

He was in severe pain, and we had a difficult time getting help to manage it while in the emergency room.

Finally, about 6 hours later, and after lots of tears and pain, they got us moved to a regular hospital room, and Trey was put on a pump so that he could better control his pain.

While in the ER we found out that his L1 vertebrae was broken, as well as a hairline fracture on his ankle.

Since then, we've been fighting an uphill battle.

My husband is not one to be in pain easily. He played several football cames in high school WITHOUT his arm attached completely to his body (his shoulder was severely dislocated). Clearly, it takes a lot for him to be in pain.

To watch him cry and scream in such agony is like ripping my heart out and stomping it on the ground.

He's was given high doses of morphine in an attempt to relieve his pain. His back has been spasming non stop for the last 48 hours and causing him so much more pain as his entire body flexes around his injury.

The morphine made him itch severely and also caused tons of nausea. His blood pressure bottomed out twice last night and they had to pump him full of fluids. Such scary moments.

This afternoon, they decided to put a filter in to try and prevent blood clots from spreading to his lungs and causing a pulmonary embolism. They can't put him on blood thinners due to the risk for him to need surgery.

During this procedure, they gave him more morphine to control his excessive pain, and he went into respiratory distress.

They have now moved him to the intensive care unit, and we are fighting to get his oxygen levels back up.

Just know that life can change in an instant. The things I prayed for Tuesday night seem irrelevant today. I just want to see my husband smile again.

I know God is in control and I'm trusting that he's watching over Trey and that our fate is in his hands. There is a little more going on in our life that I don't care to share right now, but I'm asking for your prayers.

Please remember Trey and the journey ahead as you pray. Pray for the surgeon and doctor's to act with wisdom that only God can give them, and please pray for strength for me. It's difficult to wear many hats and deal with everything in daily life as well as taking care of my husband's medical future.

*I'll update details about his surgery/treatment as has been discussed with me tomorrow. I'm going to bed now* 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ~ Romans 12:12

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Pinteresting

Pinterest is my love addiction. It is a giant time suck, but I just love looking at outfits, nursery ideas, and ideas for our future home. I could spend weeks on there non stop, I believe. Wouldn't that be stellar parenting? Don't call CPS!

Anyway . . . on with the pins. These are some of my favorites of all time. Since this is my first week joining in on this link up fun, I'm allowed to share my all time favorites, right? Good. You know I'm all about following the rules. *UPDATED* You can follow my Pinterest here.

I LOVE this outfit. Wedges are my very favorite heels. Mainly because I'm addicted to heels, but they are they only heels I can maintain my balance on while carrying my less than cooperative toddler. 

Isn't this stunning? Hey Babe . . . you know husband I'm talking to you . . . doesn't your wonderful wife deserve an amazing bathroom like this? Oh, I suppose you can use it too. 

I am in love with this as well. For as long as I can remember, I've always dreamt of having a table like this in my kitchen. It just seems so cozy to crawl in and eat breakfast next to your loves!

And this is my promise and life motto to my kids. Swear. 

This nursery for the Ryanne's future brothers (Lord willing) is just adorable. Sign me up! 

I love this monogram. It's just brilliant. Why don't I ever think of anything brilliant? 

These frames are just breath taking. I need to teach my Dad to make them. Or maybe I'll just bite the bullet and buy one. Or ten. Remember this post from yesterday? Totally using those here. 

If only the people of pinterest were willing to bargain the goods in the pictures for my superior skills . . . if only I had superior skills to bargain with. Ha! 

Hope that everyone has a fabulous Wednesday!