Post-operative Update

Good evening, everyone. Your prayers and messages of love and concern have been so heartwarming and comforting. John got out of surgery about 1915. Chris, Marcus and I were able to see him, briefly. First of all, the resident who assisted in the surgery, Dr. Mark Igualla, stated that the surgery went very well. He stated that John's spinal column was large. Because of this fact, the dislocation, and the fracture of the cervical vertebrae, were able to not impact on the spinal cord, therefore not causing paralysis. Then he stated, that 90 percent of patients with this injury never walk again. John was monitored during the entire case, and there was never a decrease in the nerve impairment anywhere in his body. Every nerve ending remained intact. John had an anterior and a posterior repair. His face was very edematous and there was a lot of third spacing of fluid. (For my non-clinical friends and family, basically he was very swollen). This is not uncommon, especially when a patient is positioned on his abdomen for about 3 hours of the surgery. He will remain intubated (breathing tube) and on the ventilator over night. He will remain in the Critical Care Area for 24-72 hours. Depending on his lung function, he may be on the ventilator for more than 1 day. As most of us know, John was a smoker for about 30 years, and even though he has quit for about 10 years, they were a bit worried about his lung capacity. While we were in the room, he woke up, and was moving ALL 4 EXTREMITIES!!!!
We were so happy, humble, and overwhelmed. All of your prayers have certainly been heard.
He then began coughing and not really aware of what was going on around him. I tried to comfort him by talking calmly, but the breathing tube causes patients to cough. He then required some analgesia and sedation. We were so happy he was awake, even for a little while. We received a miracle today. Have no doubt. I will update more in the morning.
Thank you for your love and support.