Dr Mitch Update #4
by markm, under General, Medical
Hi Crew
Sam, Bridie and myself went and visited Mike again today to check status, and he was jumping out of his skin. His improvement has been unexpectedly good in the last 48 hours, largely due to his excellent respiratory function. So good that he’ll be moving to the spinal ward tomorrow, with plans to remove his tracheostomy on Monday or Tuesday next week.
Mike & Dr Mitch – click here for larger image
Physical
Mike’s breathing is the best it’s been since he had his accident. He’s blowing numbers for the physio in the mid 2000’s, which is about 1L better than when he was a bit under the weather last week. The physio is also being tested to the limit by Mike’s well hardened work ethic, plus the recent addition of trash-talking added to his armoury! He has a fenestrated tracheostomy tube, which is supposed to be open for 45min or so (so he can talk), then closed to give him a rest. When the nurses tried to change it back to silent mode, he put the foot down (metaphorically) and has been yapping ever since. He has become the biggest talker of anyone in the ICU- well of the patients anyhow! This augmented communication has buoyed his spirits tremendously, plus the fact that he no longer requires the ventilator to assist his breathing. His large breaths are about 50-60% the size of our big breaths, so he still has to complete regular physio to prevent infection and strengthen the breathing muscles he has left (essentially the diaphragm).
Mike’s back and neck pain have eased considerably, so he is able to sit up for longer periods. This has the added benefit of protecting his skin from pressure sores, and allowing his lungs to be filled more efficiently by his diaphragm. He’s wearing a rigid collar about his neck still, which is allowing any unfixed ligamentous and bony damage to heal with some support.
His neurological state has also improved In the last 24 hours- he was barely moving his arms, other than shoulder shrugging late last week. But today he was able to move his arms from the pillows beside him, using his deltoid muscles. The biceps muscle may yet returned, though nothing is certain when there has been damage to the spinal cord. It’s difficult to explain in summary, but the nerves in the spinal cord are unable to regenerate in the same manner as a nerve could if it were cut in an arm. Essentially there’s no breadcrumbs (myelin sheath) for the nerves (axons) to follow in the ncentral nervous system, so the nerve cannot reform it’s connections to the peripheries.
Mental
The last couple of days has seen a vast improvement in Mikes outlook on his short and long term future. This has been helped a lot by being able to share his thoughts and feelings with Mon and Ash and all his visitors. He is loving the messages of support, and he is busy making plans for the future- like being able to walk/wheel Ash to school when he gets back home. Luckily she’s not due at school for a bit, so he has time to get his act together.
Visiting
Keep the trickle going folks- he’s loving it. Try to get out during the week if you’re able, as most people have spare time to visit on the weekends. His family are proving steadfast, and Mon is getting booted to the outside world for a break from time to time!
Overall
He gets an A for being a good physio student and getting his act together so quickly to get out onto the ward. This is the Acute spinal ward, where he will stay until he has no pressing issues which prevent him from getting to Royal Talbot for rehab. The sorts of things that are required prior to being allowed to move include: remaining temperature normal (don’t visit if you have a bad cold/flu!); tolerating sitting for extended periods in a chair and getting his lung function as premium as possible.
Cheers
Mitch
July 9th, 2008 on 9:17 pm
Thanks for the update Mitch.
On behalf of all Mike’s friends a big thanks to those administering this site and allowing us the opportunity to support Mike, Mon and Ash without burdening the family for constant updates.
Keep up the great work Team Mike!!!
July 10th, 2008 on 12:40 am
to Mitch and others, thanks for sending in these detailed updates, its wonderful to be able to stay abreast of Mike’s progress and having a photo online now makes it easier to accept (seeing Mike smiling)
great work
cheers
Nat and Chris King
July 10th, 2008 on 7:18 am
Mike may need reminding to remember me, but myself and 2 others rode with Mike and brother Peter from Maitland in NSW to the Gold Coast to raise money for the Amy Gillett foundation a couple of years ago. On the weekend just gone, my wife and another couple drove a section of the same highway, which included a long steady hill and I was telling the others in the car how Mike rode the whole way up that same hill with only one shoe clipped in – that is one legged, in order to practice his bike skills (& maybe to show us how strong he was). On a hill we were all working hard to ride up, Mike went up on one leg! Perhaps you could tell him that I remember it like it was yesterday, and how impressed I was with his fitness and the mental toughness that must accompany that state. The hill he is climbing right now is metaphorical, and he may not even have the use of 1 leg to our 2, but his fitness and mental attitude (& friends and family) will help him achieve what may seem miraculous or even impossible to others.
Please wish him well from Dennise and I, and tell him we are thinking of him and his family in this tough time.
July 10th, 2008 on 8:45 am
Hi Mike
I was one of the others that rode with you Craig, TP and Peter one that charity ride some time ago. I too remember the day you rode up that hill with one leg. The ride was 167klms long in the heat if summer and you made it look easy. You even went for a swim after it was all over when i was just looking for a place to lie down. You were supremely fit but i was most impressed with your attitide and lust for life.
I can see form the updates that you are applying that lust for life and superb mental fitness to your recovery. I wish you the best for your recovery and will be cheering for you all the way.
Nick Gallo
July 10th, 2008 on 9:21 am
Thanks for the update.. this is such a great update.
Thanks for medically explaining everything – it makes it much easier to understand.
Go Mike & Mon! I’ll be in at somestage hopefully in the next week to say “Hi”.
July 10th, 2008 on 10:50 am
Thanks Mitch for your updates on your website about – it great to see the progress Mike has made in the past week.
As a fellow MTC member, Forbesy has given me a lot of advice during my Ironman years and for the ITU world champs last year. Since meeting him a number of years ago at Telstra, he has always been a source of inspiration to me through his dedication to achieving his goals in life.
Mike is a tough competitor and I’m sure this next challenge will be taken on with the same positive commitment and attitude we’ve grown to admire.
Forbesy – keep punching and I hope to get in there to see you soon.
Cheers,
Cam Esposito
July 10th, 2008 on 11:58 am
Thanks Dr Mitch for the updates! It feels like a personal visit being there with you, Mike and Mon! Great to see the sitting up photo. You are a strength to us all. Cheers Russell and Virginia