Update on Haley, 05/24/10

Hi all,
Haley has been getting acclimated back at home since last Thursday. I asked her what the best part of being at home is, and she said, "Being at home."

She and Trent stayed with us last night, because she had an eye doctor appointment at 8:00am today. We had a nice dinner of Corky's BBQ and then talked a little before going to bed. Haley was tired and needed to get some rest.

We talked this afternoon, and she gave me an update about her appointment.
An outpatient surgery is scheduled to remove her right eye on Thursday, June 3rd. A few days ago, she told me this would take about 45 minutes. However, a couple other things will be done at the same time, so it may take a little longer. Her right eye lid still isn't opening, so the doctors are going to correct this. They said it will take "getting in" to determine what is causing it, but feel confident it will be fine. There are tests to find the cause, but the doctor said it is painful so will wait until she is under anesthesia. The other thing they will correct is the bottom part of the left eye (bottom eye lashes...can't think of the name right now). It sags slightly, so they will correct it during surgery also. The vision in the left eye is great at this phase. The only problem she has with it right now is looking down sharply. I asked if the prosthetic eye will be inserted during this same surgery, and she thinks so.

She also had an appointment with the facial surgeons. These doctors don't want to do any more surgeries until around Labor Day. They want to ensure all swelling is gone and everything is where it should be. This will allow them to know exactly what they are working with before moving forward.

Haley is doing good emotionally. She still has a positive attitude but needs our prayers to keep her spirits lifted. It is only natural that she will have emotional healing along with the physical during this time. Haley can't read texts on her iPhone yet, but Trent is a dear and reads them to her. So, send her love and keep praying for her, Trent, and her parents.

For all of you who sent prayers and well wishes for Haley to Aubrey for the prayer/friendship quilt, it is complete. Haley received it this weekend and loves it! She thinks it is wonderful and absolutely beautiful. Thanks to Aubrey and her mom for creating this amazing gift for Haley. And thanks to all of you who sent prayers, quotes, scripture, and thoughtful messages to include. Aubrey sent pictures, but they're not uploading to the post for some reason. I'll figure it out and include next time.

I'll post an update after surgery next week if not before.

Good night,
Christie

Update on Haley, 05/20/10

How exciting, Haley was released from the hospital today!

I called Trent around 3:00pm to see if they had left the hospital yet. He said they just got Haley a cheeseburger from the McDonald's drive-thru and were on I-240 headed to Corinth. She was feeling well and everything was good.

That's really all the info I have today but isn't it great!

Good night,
Christie

Update on Haley, 05/19/10

Hi all,
Haley and Trent are in great spirits because they are going home tomorrow! Brad and I just got home from a wonderful visit. It was like we were all hanging out talking together somewhere other than the Med.

Today was another big day. The stitches on her forehead and the trach were removed earlier in the day. She also had several visitors. We almost didn't go because she was so tired, but she had a great nap this afternoon and let us know she was rested. Her vision in the left eye is blurry at times because of ointment and drops. She is regaining her balance and was walking around the room by herself and doing great.

Trent and Haley will be back in Memphis Sunday night, because her eye appointment is early Monday morning. The condo they were staying at is available again, so they will be able to stay there Sunday night. Haley believes that all surgeries will be outpatient from now on unless something changes.

Haley asked that I keep updating the blog until she and Trent are settled at home. Trent said I will probably need to do it until Haley can even though I assured him it is as easy Facebook. The plan for tomorrow is they will hopefully leave early, get home and situated, turn phones off, A/C on high, and get some sleep in their own bed.

If you want to visit them in Corinth, it is best to text Trent or Myra and arrange with them. If you need their numbers, just let me know. Haley can see her phone but again her vision is sometimes blurry and will hopefully be getting good rest for the next few days. Also, if you want to send mail or packages, I can text or email you their address.

Haley and Trent are grateful to God, all of you for praying, visiting, cards, gifts, calls, and messages, and the doctor's who have and will continue to assist. Tonight, she said she's a believer in miracles and knows if it is God's will for her to regain site in her right eye, it will happen. Please keep praying for God to continue healing Haley physically and emotionally and be with Trent and her parents.

Good night,
Christie

Update on Haley, 05/18/10

There is major news to share - Haley may be going home this Thursday or Friday! Isn't this the best news you've heard all day?! I just had a quick visit with her and Myra. Myra asked me to get some more supplies because they were getting settled in. When I arrived, Haley said, "I'm going home." This is proof of God's work for Haley to progress so well and quickly.

Nothing can top her going home, but there is more. She is completely wireless - no IV or feeding tube. The trach tube was reduced today to a really small size, so she can talk just fine! The swelling continues to reduce and her left eye looks better each day. She feels confident the trach will come out all together tomorrow.

Another big step today was her hair. She had it buzzed all over to be the same length. She talked about it a couple times, but I didn't want to share in case she changed her mind. Last night, she told me she would rock the short cut for a while. Before her parents left Corinth today, Haley's good friend Amber buzzed her dad's hair also. They have matching buzz cuts.

Her spirits are high with this good news and visits with friends today. Micaela and another friend from Corinth, Annie, had good visits. She was grateful for them coming to see her. I only know of one other person who has as many true friends as Haley.

As for next steps if she is released from the hospital this week, she has an appointment with her eye doctor next Monday. She may be in Memphis a couple days during the upcoming weeks for doctor appointments. I sent Myra a text asking if the other surgeries will be outpatient or overnight, etc., but haven't received a response yet.

This may be one of the shortest updates of all, but this news is amazing and stands all on its own.

Good night,
Christie

Update on Haley, 05/17/10

Hi all,
Haley had another wonderful day. She was busy today with visitors and a shower. When Brad and I walked in, she was sitting up in the bed wearing pretty pink pajamas that were a gift from her friend Kamesha. She looked fresh from her shower.

Trent and Brad went to dinner, so Haley and I just hung out and talked. She is now able to get enough wind beyond the trach to speak at times! It was music to my ears to hear her talking. She was really tired after a few full days. She said the trach will either be removed or downsized considerably this Thursday. It aggravates her, so she is more than ready for it to be gone. The nurse put an ointment in her left eye, so she couldn't see us until right before we left. When she could see, she waved to let us know.

The doctors made their rounds today and everything is as it should be. My dear pal and co-worker Leslie Broadway's husband is a fifth year neurosurgeon at the Med and stopped by to visit with her today. He told her that he's keeping up with her progress. After he visited with her, he told Leslie that Haley looks great. You know I will drop a name or two to make sure my pals are taken care of, so everyone at the Med knows Haley has a connection to Dr. Broadway!

While the guys were gone to dinner, she asked if I would file her nails. She had to give me a lesson as manicures are not my strong suit. Her patience is inspiring...even with me attempting to file her nails. While I worked on her nails, she told me that she saw herself for the first time last night. She was positive and grateful for how good she looks as she thought it would be worse. I assured her that she looks great and gets better every day.

Trent asked me to bring avocado, lime, and sea salt because she was craving it. He sliced the avocado and sprinkled with lime juice and salt. She ate half of it and made Brad eat a slice (because he doesn't like avocado). Of course, he couldn't say no to Haley, so we got a kick out watching him put it down.

Her room continues to be filled with cards and gifts. She loves the beautiful and huge arrangement sent by the Octagon ladies. It has the biggest sunflowers, hot pink hydrangea, and lilies. Thankfully, it is large enough to sit on the floor, because there isn't much counter space in the room.

As she took a little nap, I realized again how lucky we all are to have Haley in our lives as a friend, wife, daughter and/or family member. Haley is precious, and God has blessed us with her.

Good night,
Christie

Update on Haley - 05/16/10 Evening

Haley had another amazing day. She can now open and close her left eye; therefore, she can see! Also, the staples were removed from the incision around her head! Big, big day.

Trent went home yesterday, Saturday, to spend time with his son Colton. He and I arrived at the hospital this evening around the same time, and relieved her parents who are spending a couple days in Corinth. Her dinner arrived, and she was eating so well. She's on a "whatever she wants diet" as long as it is soft and requires minimal chewing due to the trach. It was wonderful to watch her feed herself, mix the salt in her potatoes, and choose what she wanted to eat. Trent's brother who lives in Southaven, MS is visiting later tonight and bringing homemade chicken noodle soup.

While Trent went to get a quick dinner in the cafeteria, Haley and I sat together and talked for about 20 minutes. It was wonderful to talk with her and make eye contact. She is so thankful for all the prayers, gifts and visitors. She kept thanking me for everything over and over. I told her I can't imagine doing anything else. She said, "I know, but you know I don't do thank you cards, so just want to tell you." That's our Haley.

She opened up a little about the emotional side things and said she can not believe this has happened. I encouraged her not to wonder why, and she agreed. She said she can't get emotional while getting through this. I've been worried about how she spent her time alone in thought, so am very glad to see God is giving her the determination to put all her energy into healing.

To pass the time when she can't sleep, she sits up to stretch her back, arms, and legs and prays constantly to God. She said at first, she didn't pray because she was so out of it that she couldn't really focus. Now that she can focus, she is praying and just talking to God every chance she has. Her attitude and determination is humbling. Haley's spirit is encouraging and makes us realize just what is important and not in life.

She said she can't keep her eye open all day because it gets tired easily but can for a few hours at a time. She explained that she will take a nap to rest the eye, wake up, eat a little, and stay up for a while with her eye open. She doesn't want to over do it but is fighting hard (and raised her fist in the air when saying this). As she told her district manager from Kirkland's who visited her today, "I got this...I got this. I'll be back."

Good night,
Christie

05/15/2010, Evening

Haley had a rock star day and evening! It is amazing at how much happened so quickly today.

The hospital called Trent at 5:00am to let him know Haley was moved to a private room! After breakfast, we all went to her new room. When we arrived, she seemed stressed because she was in a new setting without knowing what it looked like and was by herself. First thing, she wrote on her board, "Please don't leave me by myself." Trent and Myra assured her that someone will be her around the clock. We immediately began setting up "house" by taping all her cards to the wall and getting her other items placed. After an hour or so, she seemed relaxed.

Next, a food tray was delivered to her room and she ate about three bites of grits and eggs! This was her first food other than the tube in 12 days, and she was so grateful. I wanted to run through the halls screaming in excitement on her behalf.

Then next, one of the oral and facial surgeons came in to make his rounds. He had wonderful bedside manner and spent a decent amount of time checking on her and explaining some things to her mom. Even though he's not the eye surgeon, Myra asked if he would clean her left eye, so it can open freely as soon as the swelling goes down enough. He then lifted the left eye lid and held up three fingers. She held up three fingers. I was standing at the foot of the bed directly in front of her, and when I realized she definitely could see I smiled from ear to hear and started waving both hands like a mad woman. Haley smiled and waved back. I was like a proud mama bear, and it made my heart flutter!

Ok, then a few hours later, Brad and I went to Kirkland's to get a lamp and couple other decorative items for her room, Myra called and said Trent called her and said the physical therapist got her out of bed and walked her to the nurse station right outside her door! She was able to walk for the first time in 12 days.

Later this evening, Brad and I went to the hospital to relieve Mike and Myra for dinner. Haley's friend Dana was visiting who is a nurse. Haley wanted some Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup, so Dana walked her from the bed to a chair. Haley sat up and drank the soup (with the mini noodles) from a straw. She sat in the chair for around thirty minutes and loved every minute of it. When she was sitting there, I looked over at Brad and almost teared up in amazement at God's healing power. It is surreal that all this has happened, but our friend Haley is fighting so hard to overcome this situation as quickly as possible.

Other the trach, feeding tube, and blood pressure thingy there is nothing else attached to her. The swelling reduces almost by the hour, and she looks better and better. She did say this morning that she is ready for all this to be over with, but she is the best patient in the world. She said someone told her the feeding tube will stay in until after the next surgery. She didn't know when the next surgery is planned to happen but she will be here for another four weeks.

While she is in the hospital, we're trying to make it as comfortable for her as possible. Trent got her a dock for her iPhone and put some good chill music on it for her, we put a light in the room to avoid using the harsh fluorescent overhead light, placed her cards on the blinds and wall (which will be completely covered soon), put an electric cooler/fridge in the room, hung a plaque that says, "with God, all things are possible", and a coordinating monogram "L" rug beside her bed (She's the manager of Kirkland's, so yes it is necessary.) When she opens her eyes, we want her to be in as comforting of a setting as possible.

The last thing I will share is a special visit from the Kirkland's truck driver who came for the second Saturday in a row. He and his wife are the sweetest people, and Haley lights up when they visit. Before they left this morning, he asked if he could pray for Haley. We all joined hands and circled her bed while he said a lovely and uplifting prayer. It is still the best thing any of us can do for her right now - pray. She is in a new phase of the healing process and will continue to need all our prayers as the phases continue to transition.

Good night,
Christie