Friends and family,<\/p>\n
It is Saturday afternoon, and we are sitting in the waiting room of the burn unit in Phoenix. We printed the posts on Dad\u2019s website and all the emails you sent. We read them to him today and will do this on all our future visits. Please keep them coming. We know he is so very grateful for all of your thoughts and messages. <\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s condition remains critical, but stable. He is still heavily sedated and on the ventilator. Bandages cover most of his body. <\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s third surgery took place on Thursday. Doctors hoped to replace some of the temporary grafts with a second set of temporary grafts and to perform a tracheotomy so that the breathing tube could be removed from his mouth and throat. The tissue under the temporary grafts on his legs and abdomen\/chest was not ready for additional grafting, so the temporary grafts were removed to allow his body to heal further. In addition, the doctors were unable to perform the tracheotomy because of the severity of the burns on his neck and throat. He does have good blood flow there, so a graft from his hip was placed on his throat. The hope is that the graft will heal and the doctors will be able to perform the tracheotomy sometime next week. <\/p>\n
We were very concerned when informed that the surgery did not go as planned. The hospital staff has assured us that developments such as these are not uncommon. Because the healing process of a burn victim is so different from patient to patient, plans can change when in the operating room.<\/p>\n
We will continue to update you as we know more, and will let you know when he is able to receive cards and an increase in visitors. His fourth surgery will likely take place on Monday.<\/p>\n
Thank you again for all the support you are showing Dad. Please think extra special thoughts for him on Monday \u2013 it is his birthday! <\/p>\n
Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you\u2026<\/p>\n
Colin and Ian<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Friends and family, It is Saturday afternoon, and we are sitting in the waiting room of the burn unit in Phoenix. We printed the posts on Dad\u2019s website and all the emails you sent. We read them to him today … Continue reading