Mr. Minahan and Bradley Fite!!

Brad:
Update: Sunday Night

Brad went into his third surgery at midnight last night. He came out of the surgery at 7:30 a.m. The Dr. called to let us know that he handled the surgery well-still sedated, and was headed to a CAT Scan. He wanted to wait till he saw the results of the CAT Scan before he gave us more information. He then called us at 3:30 p.m. and said the CAT Scan confirmed what he thought-the spine is perfectly straight. He said it was, "An awesome CAT Scan!" No spinal fluid leaks. They are very happy. Many of these boys come through Landstuhl Medical Center and do not make it or end up paralyzed. They LOVE a happy ending. Brad will definitely be walking again-he will have some numb spots in the upper portion of his legs, but I think we can deal with that.

They brought Brad out of sedation for a bit to do a few tests. Brad told the Dr. that the pain was much better and asked what he did. Brad told him there was so much pressure before-even with all the pain medication he was on. The surgery has finally released that pressure and Brad is in much less pain. The newly built spine is locked in, stabilized, and attached to newly built tendons. He needed blood and platelets. He is being fitted for a brace in the morning (they can't cast him due to the numerous incisions that need to be cared for).

We are still waiting for the liaison to call us with arrangements for Bob to fly out and meet the plane as it arrives on American soil. When he arrives at Bethesda he will be given a briefing of what happened to the other young men with him. He's been fighting a physical battle this week, and will continue to do so, but this week's battle will be an emotional one. Please keep him in your prayers.


Thank you so much.
Bob and Valerie


Matt:
He has a 3mm stone to pass and a 5 mm one waiting in the wings!
If he does not pass the 3 in a couple of days, they will surgically remove it and get the big one at the same time.(not lithotripsy)
If he does pass it, they will do the lithotrypsy thing on the big one.

We cannot lose control of his pain or he will end up right back in the ER! Learned that this evening!!!
Thanks for praying for him! Please pray that he will pass this stone soon with minimal pain!!!!