So Jamie's team of Doctors got together this afternoon and decided to go ahead with his knee surgery tomorrow (Wednesday morning).They decided that since he did so well on Monday, they would go ahead and do it now so his knee will be in optimum shape for rehabilitation.
So another big day towards Jamie's healing. Please pray for his strength, and his Doctors, Surgeons, and Nurses for tomorrow. We'll let you know how it goes!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Tuesday Update
Jamie has been officially upgraded to stable! Wow! After the past two weeks, I can't believe this day is here! He is on the list to move into progressive care which is a step up from the ICU.
He was awake and alert this morning when we visited with him and is really trying to talk to us. We told him that it wouldn't be long until they would make his trach tube smaller and he could actually talk and he responded "when?". He mouths the word and it comes out kind of breathy because of the trach. We know he's so anxious to get that out but it won't be long. He really wanted to know about Puella (our Boxer dog) this morning too. We asked if he wanted us to bring her in and he nodded his head yes! Don't think CMC is quite ready for that one yet! haha.
So another day of progress. We'll let you know when he moves.
And so many thanks for your continued prayers and kind words. We're planning on printing out all of the posts and comments from the blog for Jamie to read when he's ready. Keep 'em coming!
He was awake and alert this morning when we visited with him and is really trying to talk to us. We told him that it wouldn't be long until they would make his trach tube smaller and he could actually talk and he responded "when?". He mouths the word and it comes out kind of breathy because of the trach. We know he's so anxious to get that out but it won't be long. He really wanted to know about Puella (our Boxer dog) this morning too. We asked if he wanted us to bring her in and he nodded his head yes! Don't think CMC is quite ready for that one yet! haha.
So another day of progress. We'll let you know when he moves.
And so many thanks for your continued prayers and kind words. We're planning on printing out all of the posts and comments from the blog for Jamie to read when he's ready. Keep 'em coming!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday- Post Surgery Update
Jamie's surgery went well. They repaired his right femur with a titanium rod that is actually load-bearing, so no cast or brace. If he didn't have any other injuries, he could technically walk on that leg. The Doctors decided not to do the knee at this time. They were able to examine it while Jamie was under anesthesia and decided not to surgically repair it now but he could opt to have elective surgery in the future.
So he'll be in icu for another couple of days while we hope he continues to surprise us with his progress!
We'll keep you posted and thanks again for your continued prayers!
So he'll be in icu for another couple of days while we hope he continues to surprise us with his progress!
We'll keep you posted and thanks again for your continued prayers!
Monday Update
Jamie is in his orthopeodic surgery all afternoon. The surgery could run anywhere from 1-5 hours. We were able to visit with him this morning and he was doing well. He even snapped his fingers at the end of a song Mom was singing.
So please continue to pray for the surgeons, nurses and doctors taking special care of him today and that his surgery goes well!
And today is his birthday too. He's 27 years old today!
So please continue to pray for the surgeons, nurses and doctors taking special care of him today and that his surgery goes well!
And today is his birthday too. He's 27 years old today!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Sunday Update
Guess who's playing catch with his Dad? It's Jamie!
This morning at 10am, Jamie was able to throw one of those little squishey stress balls back and forth with his Dad--not too bad for a guy with his wrist strapped to the bed...
Jamie is a little restless now that he's awake and alert in the ICU, so he passes the time by keeping those nurses busy. He is clearly happiest when his Mom and Dad can spend time talking with him, and this morning he was eagerly answering questions with a nod or a shake of his head. He still has something to say (or a question to ask), but the trach prevents him from talking. I tried to get him to write a note on paper, but since he couldn't really see what he was writing, it didn't come out very legibly. Or maybe it was kanji? We'll have to work on that some more.
Tomorrow is a big day, because it's Jamie's birthday and because the orthopaedic doctors are going to do a procedure to correct the breaks in his legs. Let's pray for a quick, successful surgery and continued progress.
This morning at 10am, Jamie was able to throw one of those little squishey stress balls back and forth with his Dad--not too bad for a guy with his wrist strapped to the bed...
Jamie is a little restless now that he's awake and alert in the ICU, so he passes the time by keeping those nurses busy. He is clearly happiest when his Mom and Dad can spend time talking with him, and this morning he was eagerly answering questions with a nod or a shake of his head. He still has something to say (or a question to ask), but the trach prevents him from talking. I tried to get him to write a note on paper, but since he couldn't really see what he was writing, it didn't come out very legibly. Or maybe it was kanji? We'll have to work on that some more.
Tomorrow is a big day, because it's Jamie's birthday and because the orthopaedic doctors are going to do a procedure to correct the breaks in his legs. Let's pray for a quick, successful surgery and continued progress.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Saturday Afternoon
At about 2pm today, Jamie had showed even more improvement!
Jamie continues to communicate with nods and with his right hand...and he's started moving his left arm a little bit as well. He even made a "smooch" face when his Mom sent him a kiss! He's glad to be communicating with his family again: he stuck his tongue out when his Dad told him to make a funny face. You can tell he wants to say something, we're just not sure what.
Thank God for this progress-Jamie needs prayers and support more than ever now that he is awake and aware. We've been telling him about all the postings and kind words from everyone, so he knows that a lot of people love him and care about him.
Jamie continues to communicate with nods and with his right hand...and he's started moving his left arm a little bit as well. He even made a "smooch" face when his Mom sent him a kiss! He's glad to be communicating with his family again: he stuck his tongue out when his Dad told him to make a funny face. You can tell he wants to say something, we're just not sure what.
Thank God for this progress-Jamie needs prayers and support more than ever now that he is awake and aware. We've been telling him about all the postings and kind words from everyone, so he knows that a lot of people love him and care about him.
Saturday continued
As the nurse put it this morning....'he's full of himself today!'. She said she heard an unfamiliar noise coming from his 'cubby', so she went over and his head was going up and his feet were going down and vice versa...He had found the buttons on the side of his bed and was just pushing them.
He's also communicating (just with his right hand and head nods) more and more. His nurse asked him today if his sister had any children and he held up 2 fingers! Wow! He has also squeezed beats out on Mom's hands as she's singing to him.
It's amazing. His brain is still so swelled and he's on a lot of pain medication, but he's able to see us and recognize us and communicate. We're so thankful for these blessings and for all of your prayers.
He's also communicating (just with his right hand and head nods) more and more. His nurse asked him today if his sister had any children and he held up 2 fingers! Wow! He has also squeezed beats out on Mom's hands as she's singing to him.
It's amazing. His brain is still so swelled and he's on a lot of pain medication, but he's able to see us and recognize us and communicate. We're so thankful for these blessings and for all of your prayers.
Saturday Update
Jamie had a nice restful night. He figged out how to move his bed around. I guess a small amount of nurse heckling passes the time.
Hopefully his surgery will be cleared for Monday and he can get his own private room out of the ICU and we can start bringing him things to occupy his time.
Hopefully his surgery will be cleared for Monday and he can get his own private room out of the ICU and we can start bringing him things to occupy his time.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Friday update continued...
So I just had to post this because it's kind of funny. Jamie's nurse told us this morning that he is way more awake and active than he has been...so much so that he has figured out to grab onto the right side of the bedrail and shake it when he wants a nurse to come over to him. So much so that as she put it, 'he's bought himself a wrist strap!'. This restraint he has now is nothing bad...it's just to protect himself. He's not the most patient guy in the world that's for sure. We thought it was pretty funny ourselves.
Stay tuned for more updates and keep praying and thanking God for these amazing blessings!
Stay tuned for more updates and keep praying and thanking God for these amazing blessings!
Friday Morning
Jamie's neurosurgeon Dr. Bernard was surprised today to find Jamie with "all the lights on" this morning.
This is just wonderful news, more to come as the day progresses and we get to see him. But I wanted to share with all of you the wonderful turn of events.
Way to go Jamie!
This is just wonderful news, more to come as the day progresses and we get to see him. But I wanted to share with all of you the wonderful turn of events.
Way to go Jamie!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Update- Thursday 4:30pm
What a wonderful day! Jamie surprised even the nurses today. He was awake this morning so the nurse came and got us out of the waiting room to see him. He opened his eyes and really looked at us and we asked him to squeeze our hand and he did it. Then Dad asked him to give us a thumbs up and he did it. Then Dad asked him if he was in any pain and he shook his head no!!!!!!!! Then this afternoon he was doing it again. Shaking his head yes and no to questions.
The other good news is that he now has a temporary tracheotomy so he does not have that tube going down his throat. So he should be more comfortable. And that procedure went smoothly.
They were also able to clear out his lungs and start some more antiobiotics to help with that infection. So the plan is that he knocks out the infection this weekend and he'll be ready for his orthopeodic surgery on Monday morning.
We still cannot thank all of you enough for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.
Stay tuned for another update tomorrow!
The other good news is that he now has a temporary tracheotomy so he does not have that tube going down his throat. So he should be more comfortable. And that procedure went smoothly.
They were also able to clear out his lungs and start some more antiobiotics to help with that infection. So the plan is that he knocks out the infection this weekend and he'll be ready for his orthopeodic surgery on Monday morning.
We still cannot thank all of you enough for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.
Stay tuned for another update tomorrow!
Thursday Morning
Jamie's neurosurgeon Dr. Bernard would like to wait a few days on Jamie's surgery just to let him rest.
First off Jamie is just fine, since the surgery is stressful on the body Dr. Bernard would like Jamie to be as rested as possible.
While this may sound like a set back. It is not, they are just letting him rest. We all want Jamie to be better as quickly as possible. With all that Jamie has been though lately more rest is "just what the doctor ordered" (sorry for the pun but I know Jamie would approve).
Lets pray for a nice quiet restful day for Jamie.
First off Jamie is just fine, since the surgery is stressful on the body Dr. Bernard would like Jamie to be as rested as possible.
While this may sound like a set back. It is not, they are just letting him rest. We all want Jamie to be better as quickly as possible. With all that Jamie has been though lately more rest is "just what the doctor ordered" (sorry for the pun but I know Jamie would approve).
Lets pray for a nice quiet restful day for Jamie.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Update- Wednesday 2pm
So we have some more progress to report. The Doctors feel that Jamie could have his orthopedic surgery on his legs as soon as tomorrow! They are going to do another ct scan tonite and get official sign-off from his neurosurgeon, but he's on the schedule right now for 9:30am tomorrow morning. His surgery could be anywhere from 1-5 hours depending on his vitals and how he's doing. They are planning on placing a rod in his right femur and a plate in his left knee. There is some possible damage to an artery in that left knee that needs a test as well to confirm the extent of it. He's most likely not going to have a cast on either leg either which is hard to believe--he'll most likely have a brace on his left leg. But just the rod in the femur.
Wow. We are still continuously told that he is 'not out of the woods yet' and 'bad things could still happen', but it feels so good that we are moving in the direction we are moving.
In addition, he is back to following some commands today. He's wiggled his toes, squeezed hands, and held up 2 fingers this morning. (The past 2 days he wasn't following commands as well which they attributed to his fever, which is still up and down). When we were visiting this morning, we were talking to one of the Doctors and all of the sudden Jamie even opened his eyes for a second. It was kind of a drunk blink--but as soon as he did it, we all leaned back toward him to say 'heeeeeeyyyyyy jamieeeeeee' because he kind of surprised us! That's the first time that I've seen his eyes open! (Since the Sunday night of his accident in the ER before he had his stroke and he was complaining about his catheter! Boy is he going to have a lot to complain about when he wakes up now, but we can't wait for that!)
A lot of you have asked about how the family is doing. We are doing better--eating a little more and sleeping a little more. Yesterday my Dad said "The good news is my appetite is back...the bad news is my appetite is back!" Mom and Dad are the veterans in the 9th floor waiting room and know all of the families and are manning the phone in there. We have an amazing support network and I have been blessed with wonderful people coming to watch my little ones in the mornings so I can be at the hospital all morning and then at night.
We can't thank you enough for all of your prayers for Jamie and will ask you to please continue them! Please pray for his healing and his strength for surgery tomorrow.
Wow. We are still continuously told that he is 'not out of the woods yet' and 'bad things could still happen', but it feels so good that we are moving in the direction we are moving.
In addition, he is back to following some commands today. He's wiggled his toes, squeezed hands, and held up 2 fingers this morning. (The past 2 days he wasn't following commands as well which they attributed to his fever, which is still up and down). When we were visiting this morning, we were talking to one of the Doctors and all of the sudden Jamie even opened his eyes for a second. It was kind of a drunk blink--but as soon as he did it, we all leaned back toward him to say 'heeeeeeyyyyyy jamieeeeeee' because he kind of surprised us! That's the first time that I've seen his eyes open! (Since the Sunday night of his accident in the ER before he had his stroke and he was complaining about his catheter! Boy is he going to have a lot to complain about when he wakes up now, but we can't wait for that!)
A lot of you have asked about how the family is doing. We are doing better--eating a little more and sleeping a little more. Yesterday my Dad said "The good news is my appetite is back...the bad news is my appetite is back!" Mom and Dad are the veterans in the 9th floor waiting room and know all of the families and are manning the phone in there. We have an amazing support network and I have been blessed with wonderful people coming to watch my little ones in the mornings so I can be at the hospital all morning and then at night.
We can't thank you enough for all of your prayers for Jamie and will ask you to please continue them! Please pray for his healing and his strength for surgery tomorrow.
Wednesday Morning
Jamie had a good morning and is able to follow the doctor around the room with his eyes and respond to requests to move his hand and wiggle his toes.
The outpouring of prayers and love are helping Jamie lets keep up the good work!
More to come as the doctors make there rounds.
The outpouring of prayers and love are helping Jamie lets keep up the good work!
More to come as the doctors make there rounds.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Update- Tuesday 3pm
This afternoon the Doctors were able to put the filter into Jamie to 'catch' the clot in his leg and the procedure went smoothly. He's now sedated and resting.
One more baby step in the right direction.
Keep praying and thanks again.
One more baby step in the right direction.
Keep praying and thanks again.
Tuesday Morning Update
Jamie had a good night. The CT scan shows nothing new (a good thing). His doctors hopefully will be working on his blood clot in his leg today.
Lets pray that goes well. I know Jamie is benefiting from all this prayer lets keep it up!
Lets pray that goes well. I know Jamie is benefiting from all this prayer lets keep it up!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Monday Night Update
We have some good news from the doctors. Mike and Brenda got a chance today to talk to all of the -ologists who are taking care of Jamie, and the doctors say Jamie is making some progress. Jamie is still in a holding pattern, but that's okay for right now because he has a lot of healing to do.
After increasing his sedation for a little while last night and this morning, the doctors now have him off sedation again. He is drowsy from the pain medicine, but he squeezed our hands at 5pm, and he reacts to his visitors' voices. The nurses are able to get him to open his eyes for a little while. With the help of some Tylenol and a cooling blanket, Jamie's temperature is staying steady around 100 or 101.
Everyone's prayers are really making a difference. I told Jamie that there are a lot of people praying for him, and that everyone is checking on him on his website and thinking of him all the time.
After increasing his sedation for a little while last night and this morning, the doctors now have him off sedation again. He is drowsy from the pain medicine, but he squeezed our hands at 5pm, and he reacts to his visitors' voices. The nurses are able to get him to open his eyes for a little while. With the help of some Tylenol and a cooling blanket, Jamie's temperature is staying steady around 100 or 101.
Everyone's prayers are really making a difference. I told Jamie that there are a lot of people praying for him, and that everyone is checking on him on his website and thinking of him all the time.
Update Monday
Jamie had a good night. He is opening his eyes for the nurses. The doctors said he is in a holding pattern right now, nothing new good nothing new bad.
More to come as the day progresses.
Lets pray to get him over this next hurtle.
More to come as the day progresses.
Lets pray to get him over this next hurtle.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Update Sunday- 9:30pm
We just saw Jamie and he is holding steady. The nurse very cautiously used the word 'better' in describing Jamie tonite. He's been off sedation all day today and is opening his eyes when they really stimulate him. He hasn't opened his eyes for us yet, but that's ok. We got him all worked up tonite just talking to him and touching him. He was moving his right arm all around and his pulse and blood pressure went way up. He was also doing a lot of breathing on his own instead of letting the venilator do it because we had him stimulated. So we made it a quick visit so that he can continue to rest and heal. (Mom and Dad stayed back to watch him quietly and he calmed way down!)
He'll have another scan tonite so hopefully his brain is not swelling anymore. The Doctors really want to see what it does now that he's off sedation. I'll try to have a post as soon as we get a report from the Doctors in the morning.
Keep praying. He's definitely not out of the woods but he's still in there!
He'll have another scan tonite so hopefully his brain is not swelling anymore. The Doctors really want to see what it does now that he's off sedation. I'll try to have a post as soon as we get a report from the Doctors in the morning.
Keep praying. He's definitely not out of the woods but he's still in there!
Update Sunday- 12:30pm
Jamie had a quiet night last night which is good. He was running a fever of 102 yesterday afternoon, but as of this morning it's down to 100.6 (the nurse says it will go up and down due to his body fighting his lung infection and possible blood infection which is still unconfirmed). The nurse has taken him off of sedation completely and is going to work on getting him to really wake up. While we were there, he was able to squeeze Mom's hand and move his hand all around. He was really trying to respond to us. Hopefully he'll open those eyes this afternoon.
Thanks again for all of your prayers. Keep them up. We'll keep you posted.
Thanks again for all of your prayers. Keep them up. We'll keep you posted.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Update Saturday- 1:30pm
So Jamie had a good restful night. He's warming up and should hit 98.6 degrees very soon. (and then hopefully he will not go over that!). As soon as he's warmed up, they'll do another scan to check for any change in his brain swelling. The 2am scan was the same as yesterday which is ok. The nurse told me that it could take a little time before the brain starts to move back.
He does have a clot in his right leg where he has the bad break of his femur. As soon as he's completely warmed up, they can hopefully take the 'cooling' machine off of him and get a filter in his leg to take care of that clot. That might be as soon as tomorrow. It's just a matter of prioritizing his injuries and we have to save his brain first because it controls everything else.
His nurses are so wonderful and they just love Jamie. His nurse this morning told me it was easy to care for him because she has her whole heart into it and he's just 'awesome'.
His color looks real good too--he's pink again! They've taken his bandage off where he had his surgery and his head looks amazing. We couldn't believe it. There's even hair already starting to grow back. He's got a really cool punk-rock hairdo going right now with half of his head shaved. We think he'd like it. He is still waking up on his sedation breaks and squeezing the nurses hand and giving her a thumbs up.
The support and well wishes are very much appreciated. We also love all of the comments that you leave-it's uplifting to see how many people are pulling for Jamie. We can feel the power of prayer and just thank you all so much. Please keep praying--he's still very critical and fragile but he's fighting hard.
He does have a clot in his right leg where he has the bad break of his femur. As soon as he's completely warmed up, they can hopefully take the 'cooling' machine off of him and get a filter in his leg to take care of that clot. That might be as soon as tomorrow. It's just a matter of prioritizing his injuries and we have to save his brain first because it controls everything else.
His nurses are so wonderful and they just love Jamie. His nurse this morning told me it was easy to care for him because she has her whole heart into it and he's just 'awesome'.
His color looks real good too--he's pink again! They've taken his bandage off where he had his surgery and his head looks amazing. We couldn't believe it. There's even hair already starting to grow back. He's got a really cool punk-rock hairdo going right now with half of his head shaved. We think he'd like it. He is still waking up on his sedation breaks and squeezing the nurses hand and giving her a thumbs up.
The support and well wishes are very much appreciated. We also love all of the comments that you leave-it's uplifting to see how many people are pulling for Jamie. We can feel the power of prayer and just thank you all so much. Please keep praying--he's still very critical and fragile but he's fighting hard.
Restful Night
Jamie had a restful night. We can be thankful for that. More to come as the doctors make there rounds and we get the scoop for the day.
All that positive energy and prayer are working! Help us get the word out about Jamie. Please ask your churches to include Jamie in there prayer groups. Also please encourage your church family to visit this site and leave there well wishes I can't express how much its means to Jamie's family and friends to hear from you.
All that positive energy and prayer are working! Help us get the word out about Jamie. Please ask your churches to include Jamie in there prayer groups. Also please encourage your church family to visit this site and leave there well wishes I can't express how much its means to Jamie's family and friends to hear from you.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Update-Friday 3:30pm
Jamie’s neurosurgeon, after reviewing the CT scan, said that “Jamie is holding his own” at this point they are going to start warming his body up (they had him in a cooling state to reduce swelling). So we have some good news this evening.
Keep praying I know he is comforted by it and it gives him strength.
Keep praying I know he is comforted by it and it gives him strength.
Update-Friday 10:30am
We just saw Jamie. We have not been able to talk to our neurosurgeon yet this morning and he will be able to give us the update from his ct scan last night. Hopefully he will be by soon and can give us the update.
It is not confirmed that he has a blood infection- we will not know that for the next 2 days. However, he does have some type of pnemonia which they are fighting with the strongest antibiotics possible.
He just has a lot of battles going on right now but the nurse confirmed that he is a fighter for sure. Even though he had a really rough night, his color looks better today.
Keep praying.
It is not confirmed that he has a blood infection- we will not know that for the next 2 days. However, he does have some type of pnemonia which they are fighting with the strongest antibiotics possible.
He just has a lot of battles going on right now but the nurse confirmed that he is a fighter for sure. Even though he had a really rough night, his color looks better today.
Keep praying.
Friday
Jamie had a tough night. It seems that he has a blood infection and pneumonia. Keep sending your prayers and positive energy he needs them now more that ever.
More details as they come.
More details as they come.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Website
To make it easy the domain www.prayforjamie.com will point to this site. Please pass this on to everyone you meet so that we can all come together to help Jamie get better.
Pray Pray Pray
So many people have asked what they can do to help. Just keep praying-we are really feeling the power of prayer and need as many people praying as we can get. So if you can add him to a prayer list, please do so!
All we can do is wait right now. Wait for his brain to stop swelling--the Doctors are hopeful that he has 'swelled out' as much as he's going to and now it just needs to move in the right direction. From his scan at 2am this morning to an additional scan at 11am, it had done that. We just hope it continues in that direction. The nurse was extremely pleased that when she took him off sedation for his neurology check today, he opened his eyes! He didn't do that yesterday-so that's another baby step in the right direction.
And last night during our visit, they took him off sedation and he squeezed Mom and Dad's hands! We threatened that his bossy big sister was going to fuss at him if he didn't do it, and he did it right away! We know he's in there fighting hard!
He is still extremely critical and is at risk for pnemonia and other infections. So pray for his strength.
Thanks so much for the outpouring of faith, prayers and kind words. Keep the juicy prayers going up!
Sarah
All we can do is wait right now. Wait for his brain to stop swelling--the Doctors are hopeful that he has 'swelled out' as much as he's going to and now it just needs to move in the right direction. From his scan at 2am this morning to an additional scan at 11am, it had done that. We just hope it continues in that direction. The nurse was extremely pleased that when she took him off sedation for his neurology check today, he opened his eyes! He didn't do that yesterday-so that's another baby step in the right direction.
And last night during our visit, they took him off sedation and he squeezed Mom and Dad's hands! We threatened that his bossy big sister was going to fuss at him if he didn't do it, and he did it right away! We know he's in there fighting hard!
He is still extremely critical and is at risk for pnemonia and other infections. So pray for his strength.
Thanks so much for the outpouring of faith, prayers and kind words. Keep the juicy prayers going up!
Sarah
Wonderful News
Jamies brian swelling went down!
He also opened his eyes during when he was taken off his medication to test his vitals.
He also opened his eyes during when he was taken off his medication to test his vitals.
Thursday
Jamie had another restful night. Although his brain swelling continues, lets pray for his fever to break and the swelling to go down.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Last Night
Last night Jamie had a restful night and was able to wiggle his toes and squeeze the nurse's hand when he was taken off his medication to test his vitals.
Jamie
As you all know Jamie has been hurt, Sunday the 15th on the way home from Raleigh he hit a slick spot on exit 38 and hit the guard rail. As Jamie was inspecting the damage outside his car. Another car hit that same slick spot and he was hit.
He is now here in Charlotte in critical care.
This blog is my attempt to keep everyone informed of his recovery and a place for you to leave your well wishes to Jamie and his family.
He is now here in Charlotte in critical care.
This blog is my attempt to keep everyone informed of his recovery and a place for you to leave your well wishes to Jamie and his family.
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