Poster Bigday

[GT21Megatron]

This dude is one fuking tough summa bitch!!!

[jjgold]

What a tough fight this is damn

[JAKEPEAVY21]

he's a fighter

hopefully he will be back for Khabib vs McGregor!!

[stealthyburrito]

Indeed Jaker. Hard to see a UFC event without a Bigday vid and pound it play.

[lakerboy]

So difficult for him. Tough to imagine. Keep going brother

[KVB]

Surgery Phase 2 complete


Journal entry by Mindy McBride — 43 minutes ago
Today I had the opportunity to shower! Yes, we celebrate the small things around here. On my ride home and the half hour I had before Maisie arrived home off the bus gave space for silence. I don't hear silence much, typically it is the hustle and bustle of nurses, the high pitch sound of the vent or the gargling sound as Andy adjusts to his trach. In today's silence space I think, I wonder and I cry. I struggle with what to say- if you know me well you know that I don't sugar coat much, yet I try to come from a very positive way. In each post I try to be honest and yet positive. Today I want to share some facts to paint the picture.

-Andy is fighting so hard!
-He had PT this morning and again in the afternoon with some OT in between! With PT they are working his large muscles and making sure they aren't getting to tight. Today OT had him trying to open and close his hands (more fine motor type exercises). Andy is activating his muscles and trying really hard and making gains. He loves to see his legs moving while sitting in his 'chair', which happened most of the day.
-The respiratory therapist gave him another breathing trial, this time for 2 hours, which he did well with! His oxygen numbers were great! Sounds like they want to go longer tomorrow!
-He had his feeding tube (PEG) placed late this afternoon and it was successful. YEAH! Nutrition while healing is always way easier and gives you strength for the fight!
- His blood pressure continues to be a puzzle and we are medicating him for comfort.
- Andy is no longer 'sedated' he is on pain medication which can make him tired and help control the pain.
-Andy is also getting a pain medication to help with his nervous system as he begins to activate his muscles again.
-As we move forward we have been told about options for Andy. Early next week we will evaluate how he is doing and next steps for care. If Andy is able to be off the ventilator then he can stay in acute care here at Regions, if he still needs the ventilator then we will look at long-term acute care at Bethesda. Both options are good and the educator in me would like to have less transitions.

Today we were blessed with an another amazing meal from the Meal Train, friends and family checking in on us which included hugs and tears, a visit from the Chaplain, and I was able to spend some time with the girls which also included hugs and tears. God is good and we are staying strong #TeamAndy
Thank you again for all your support during these trying times. ��

With love,

Mindy

For cash donations you can use the link below:

https://www.gofundme.com/the-mcbride-family

Hang in there guys, a long road ahead as you are aware!!

[Optional]

It sounds like Mindy is having to fight to not get too worn down too.

[acquavallo]

Best Wishes to Bigday.

[jjgold]

It sounds like Mindy is having to fight to not get too worn down too.

yes terrible stuff
He seems to making a little progress but it is very slow

[cincinnatikid513]

any recent updates

[Sam Odom]

any recent updates

nothing yesterday nor this morning

[GWags]

Prayers for Andy and his family. He doesnt know me but he's one of the good guys. Wishing a full recovery and keep up the fight, there is NO quit! Stomp this virus!

[jjgold]

I don’t see any updates

[BeerDog99]

Celebrating the small gains


Journal entry by Mindy McBride — 48 minutes ago
Good morning, #Team Andy:

As I begin to think about the world that is reading this I thought I would give you a little background on our family. Andy and I have been married 14 years and have two amazing little girls. Maisie is our 9 year old and lives with a rare neuro genetic disorder called Angelman Syndrome (1 in 20k). Maisie has global delays which include gross motor, fine motor, cognitive and speech. Maisie uses a communication device as she does not have any words but can advocate for her needs through gestures, adaptive signs and sounds. Don't get me wrong, the girl will tell you what she wants! Then we have Elsa, a spicy little 6 year old that is an amazing advocate and friend to her big sister. Andy is a fierce advocate for his girls and continues to network in order raise awareness and funds for FAST (Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics) to help find a cure for Angelman Syndrome.

As many of you know our family is big into fishing, hunting, camping and just having fun. Andy and I love to travel together to gain a break from the challenges of being parents of a child with special needs, this has been huge for us! Andy is also a great 'Mr. Mom' (insert giggle), with Andy's job he has been able to get the girls ready each morning and get them off to school while I run off to work. We work really hard at finding balance in our life and tag team each moment that arises in parenthood. This morning Andy and I talked about the great gains he is making and how I know he is frustrated that it isn't more or faster and I told him that it is ok and this is the reality. I reassured him that he is doing amazing and will beat this, it just takes time.

Yesterday, Andy had a busy day! He started out with sitting on the side of the bed again with his 3 PTs (see picture below). Andy is working on gaining his strength in his head, trunk, legs and arms, ok his entire body! While sitting on the bed side they push his body upward, lift his head and he tries to keep control of it. They also work with him to lift his leg and hold it out. I have noticed that he can hold his head up longer and beginning to control it for a nod while lying in bed. I am pushing him to nod versus using eyes up for yes and down for no. Andy had OT (fine motor) yesterday afternoon followed by another PT session which worked on range of motion in his bed. The ENT team came in around 5pm and replaced his trach while his sutures were removed in the morning.He also has some music therapy with a woman playing the guitar and signing... like I said busy day! One thing Andy and I have always believed in was early intervention and therapy, it truly has brought Maisie along to where she is. We are a family that doesn't give up and we have this... McBride's don't quit!

This morning the surgery team decided that they are seeing movement in the x-rays with his bowel obstruction so they do not feel like he will need surgery, YEAH! They will continue to hold his feeding and flush him with fluids in hopes to gain some movement. The ICU team has also reached out to some LTAC (long term acute care) facilities which include Regency and Bethesda. Although Andy is doing a great job weaning from his vent (11 hours) he would not be able to withstand 3 hours of therapy a day in Regions Acute Inpatient Rehab center.

We have an amazing team here at Regions and multiple nurses, doctors and other staff stopped by to see Andy even though they are not on his service!

#angelmansyndrome #FAST #TeamAndy

• 

[jjgold]

Good to see a photo of him

I think down road he will be ok

Life not fair

[MinnesotaFats]

Mindy if he's at Regions is he taking non family visitors? Would he want them?

[jjgold]

Good things will come this family in future
I cannot believe damage West Nile did

[rollie_t651]

Keep Fighting, Andy!

[DigBick86]

Keep fighting Bigday, you will overcome this

[stealthyburrito]

It's good to see Bigday up. He's slowly winning the battle. Keep up the fight brother!!!

[rollie_t651]

It's good to see Bigday up. He's slowly winning the battle. Keep up the fight brother!!!

I saw Mindy, Mindys mother and the girls last night. It was my family’s Turn to make dinner (Meal train). They said he had a good Monday and this update is awesome. I can’t wait to visit him! Will keep everyone posted when I go. As for last night, I made a pork loin wrapped in bacon. BigDay would be proud!

[jjgold]

Let’s go Fargo!!

[stealthyburrito]

I saw Mindy, Mindys mother and the girls last night. It was my family’s Turn to make dinner (Meal train). They said he had a good Monday and this update is awesome. I can’t wait to visit him! Will keep everyone posted when I go. As for last night, I made a pork loin wrapped in bacon. BigDay would be proud!

Awesome stuff Rollie, Bigday and his family need you there as a support network now more than ever. No one could ever doubt your love.for him and his family. Awesome job!

[Optional]

Phew. Was hoping for a more positive update today and we got one.

[PAULYPOKER]

Wonderful family! And this is why Andy will win!!

[stealthyburrito]

Bumps x2
Journal entry by Mindy McBride — 4 hours ago

Sometimes I just wonder if the poor guy can catch a break!

Yesterday we had some movement and the bowel blockage is working out on its own and then began the throwing up! Come to find out after an x-ray this morning his J tube has threaded its way into a loop and may be causing the nausea. They may be going back in to try and fix it, stay tuned.

PT had him sitting up on the bed again and moved into the chair (see picture from yesterday and today). Today the speech therapist helped him cough and we heard some air flow through his vocal folds! Andy's voice/sound was really raspy as he tried to say AHHHHH, but we heard it!!! Our selfie pictures are of him smiling! He is practicing and gaining that muscle strength along with head control!

Keep those prayers coming! Due to all of the set backs they do not think we will be ready to go to a LTAC (long term acute care) facility until next week.

#TeamAndy
#fightthefight
#strong

[trobin31]

Wow, just read this, sorry to hear, seems like a good dude.
If he’s been extubated he’ll likely continue to make good gradual recovery, albeit with some neurocognitive deficits that will slowly improve over a few years.

[Heltah Skeltah]

Stay strong Mindy!! Bigday is one lucky guy to have you by his side

[SEAHAWKHARRY]

Get strong Bigday

[PAULYPOKER]

Finding words!!!

Finding his voice


Journal entry by Mindy McBride — 3 hours ago
Good afternoon, #TeamAndy:



Last night Andy was taken for an MRI, we are still waiting to hear from the neurologist. The ICU team did see mastoiditis. The team at UMC saw a spot in his CT around his ear and treated him with antibiotics. The team here at Regions has begun an ear drop and nasal regimen, the ENT team will follow up.



We continue to face challenges with the PEG tube. The J tube is twisted into his stomach instead of his intestine. They have began giving small feeds into the G tube portion (into stomach) at a slow rate and will continue to monitor his progress and make sure things are moving correctly. The team does not want to face any risks at this time with replacing the PEG tube with a new one, they want to allow more healing and try other options first.



Andy had a great PT session this morning, sitting on the side of the bed strengthening his trunk while trying to sit up with support. The speech therapist was here as well and we heard words! I am sharing a clip of some of the video I took. Some words are more clear than others. We kept telling him one word at a time but he wanted to tell us something else which included a short sentence. Andy has always called me babycakers and he loves to give me air kisses. Take a look at the video, can you hear him? Watch his lips, I can see the kiss! It was a great job and lots of hard work! 😍



#TeamAndy
#fightthefight
#westnile

[PAULYPOKER]

Awesome Andy!!!

[jjgold]

damn that video was emotional
fuk

He looks good but this is breaking my heart
I hope he can get back to normal eventually

[rollie_t651]

Saw MMAchicka about an hour ago and I thanked her for the latest caring bridge update. Emotional is right! She was just as emotional especially when BigDay called her what he normally does. So cool! He’s fighting.

[jjgold]

He looks good I guess everything’s got to come back slowly with very hard work

[sweep]

This whole shit has really opened my eyes to life, time to make some changes.


This man will stand the test of time