Sunday

I apologize for not updating everyone yesterday. I was away from my computer all day. Madeline and Caleb are both at home resting and recovering. I truly believe that Madeline's turn around was from God. The prayers from so many of her family and friends truly made a difference in her recovery. Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers. God is still working miracles every day!

Caleb

I finally heard from Mom and Don about Caleb's surgery. It was a success and he is on his way home to Russellville now. Hopefully with a little rest and recovery, he too will be on his way back to normal. Prayer is such a wonderfully powerful thing!

Friday

Madeline is still doing wonderfully! The doctors are even saying that she may get to come home on Saturday or Sunday! Isn't that an answer from God! I can't believe how far she has come in one week. She is a blessed young lady.

She is responding well to her physical therapy and was even able to go for a ride in the wheelchair yesterday around the hospital.

Caleb is in surgery at this time. It is a four hour long procedure, so I will post when I find out how the surgery went.

Again, as you can see, your prayers have been heard and thank you so much!!!

Thursday

I just spoke to mom and she said that Maddie had another good night. It was pretty typical of a night in the hospital, getting woke up several times for check ups. Her confusion is getting a little better and she is communicating well with a whisper.

Caleb is still scheduled for surgery tomorrow in Tennessee. Please keep him in your prayers and also those traveling back and forth to be with him.

Have a blessed day!

Wednesday

Maddie had a good night last night. Her Aunt Ann just got to speak to her and she is sitting up in a chair!!!! They will not let her put weight on her leg, but she was able to use a walker to get to the chair. These little steps toward recovery are a blessing to witness. Thank you God for your healing hand and marvelous victory!

Tuesday Afternoon

I just received another update from Birmingham. They are moving Madeline to a step down room now. Praise God! She is still confused, but they believe they know what is causing it. She may have Sundowner's Syndrome. Some patients have this after bone surgery. It should go away in time. Please continue to pray that the effects of this will go away.

Tuesday Morning

Madeline had a rough night last night. She was very disoriented and not fully aware of what has happened to her. She does recognize people and communicate with a whisper. Some of her medicine is causing her to be combative, please pray for a calming spirit to come over her. I know that in the book of Mark, Jesus spoke to the sea, "Peace, be still," and the sea became calm. I believe that we can pray for peace and God will send the great calm. Our prayers continue to be answered, thank you for joining us as we pray and expect a calm day.

Monday Night

Today has been a good day. Madeline has been a little combative, but I believe that this is normal considering the medication she has been on. I haven't heard much, so I guess that is good news. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Hopefully she will be able to leave the ICU sometime this week.

Monday Morning

They took out the ventilator last night! Please continue to pray that everything goes well and that taking her off the ventilator will not cause any other problems. This is such a blessing!

Sunday Night

They decided to keep her on the ventilator for today, but they did say they might try to take her off tomorrow. Each day she seems to be more responsive. She had many visitors again today and I am sure they could all post sweet, inspiring stories of how she responded to them. Please feel free to do so. I think when we see how well she is doing, we are witnessing miracles from above. Again, thank you for the outpouring of love.

Joe did get to go home today. Please keep him in your prayers as he travels back to Pensacola. We pray that he has a speedy and complete recovery.

Sunday Afternoon

I have received more good news. Joe is getting to go home today and Madeline is doing wonderful. They are putting her before the major doctors to have her ventilator taken out....I think that means that they are recommending it. It will be the head doctor's decision whether or not to completely take her off. We will hopefully know something soon. I will let you know as soon as I find out. Praise God for such wonderful news!

Sunday Morning Update

Another great night! They are going to work on weaning her off the ventilator more again today.

Joe is also doing well. He may be able to go home some time this week.

Again, the family is so appreciative of all the prayers, cards, words of support, and visits. It is a blessing to live in such a caring and supportive community of people.

Saturday Night

Madeline has had many visitors today and has responded to them well. It has been a very positive day. I can imagine that the highlight of the day was when Joe had his physical therapist take him to see Madeline for the first time.

They also weaned her off of her oxygen for a couple of hours today. Her stats dropped some, but not drastically like before. They plan to do this again tomorrow. Prayerfully, they will soon be able to let her breath on her own.

Have a blessed evening and thank you for your prayers and support.

Saturday Noon Update

Everything is still pretty much the same. She is still opening her eyes and responding. Earlier in the week, Patricia brought a Beanie Baby Bear Angel to the hospital. The bear was given to Patricia when Madeline's great grandmother passed away several years ago. Today, John took the bear into the ICU to Madeline. When he told her about it, she reached for it and held it in her hands. Again, God is so good to continue giving us little glimpses of recovery.

Saturday Update

Around 7:30 am they talked to the nurse. She had a good night and her fever didn't spike. That's pretty much all that they told her. We should get another update around 11:00 am.

Friday Night

They were able to visit with Madeline at 8:30 and there hasn't been much change. Her temperature has gone down and she is still responding to visitors. Sometimes I feel like we are going three steps forward and then two steps back. The doctors have said that it may get worse before it gets better. I was trying to find a Bible verse for this and came across the following:

2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (New International Version)
8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Exodus 15:2The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

I believe that even though these are tough times, God arms us with strength from above. I praise him tonight for watching over Madeline and Joe. I think it has made everyone reading this blog realize how precious life is and how easily it can be taken away. Thank you God for LIFE.

Friday Afternoon

Madeline is still being responsive, barely opening her eyes and trying to focus. When Suzanne told her she was going to have to leave because visiting hours were over, she shook her head no. They let Suzanne stay an extra fifteen minutes. John arrived during that time, and he was able to go in also. They are still back with her now.

The doctors have also identified where the fever may be coming from, she has pneumonia. Pray that the doctor's will be able to focus on this and get her temperature back to normal. I feel that God is guiding the doctors and that she is in wonderful hands.

Friday Noon Update

Another quick report:
When Suzanne went in earlier, she was trying to open her eyes. This is another good sign. Her hematocrit dropped and they have given her some red blood cells this morning. Her temperature is down to 100.8. They are going to do another cat scan just to check things out. It will be several hours before they know anything from this scan.

Joe is having trouble seeing out of his left eye. As of right now, he only has 40% vision in that eye. Time will only tell if this is permanent.

Friday Morning

Overnight Madeline's fever spiked up to 102.9. They gave her Tylenol and were able to get it down to 101.9. Because of this, they have taken more cultures. Some of the earlier cultures came back negative, but they have not heard from them all. An attempt was made to decrease her oxygen on the ventilator, but it was unsuccessful. They are now working to get her breathing back to where it was before they tried to decrease her oxygen. Again, continue to pray. I think it's precious to see the love of children praying. I have had several of my fifth grade students tell me stories of how they have been praying day and night for Madeline. I know we have a mighty God and that he is hearing each of those prayers. Thank you!

Good News

I just spoke to mom. She gave a wonderful report of how Madeline responded to John just a little bit ago. She hasn't responded since Friday night, so this is very important. John went in to see her and started speaking to her. When she heard his voice, she wrinkled her forehead. Then big crocodile tears started to flow down her cheeks. She didn't open her eyes, but she understood him. Again, God has answered our prayers and given us a sign from above. She still has a fever, but I truly believe that this is wonderful news. Thank you again for your prayers.

Thursday Morning

Just a quick update....
Madeline's temperature got up to 103 degrees during the night, it was down to 101.8 last I heard. They are doing tests looking for infection in her body. They are also concerned that she is not responding to commands as she should. Please continue to pray.

If you would like to send a card, this is the address:

UAB Hospital
TB ICU
Attention Madeline Mitchell Room 9510
619 19th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35249

Wednesday Evening

I am in the car on the way home from UAB. I was able to see Madeline at the 2:30 visitation time. She is still sedated, but looks beautiful. It's amazing how God spared her face from any trauma. I also visited Joe. He was sleeping. They had to place a chest tube in his lungs earlier and give him more blood. They both have a long road to recovery, but God will walk with them each step of the way.

Caleb has just arrived at UAB safely. Thank you for your prayers!

Wednesday Morning Update

Everything looks good today. They have spoken to the orthopedic surgeon and he is pleased with the results of yesterday's surgery. Thank you again for all the prayers and support. I will be taking a copy of the blog and comments to UAB after lunch. I am sure it will lift them up. It is a blessing to live in such a wonderful community where people care so much! We are all blessed!

Caleb

Many of you have asked about Caleb's scheduled surgery for his torn ACL this week. The surgery has been postponed until next Friday, October 10th. It will be done in Tennesse. Caleb will be traveling today to UAB. Please keep him in your prayers for a safe trip and also an uncomplicated surgery and recovery.