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[SBR Tony]

Balancing Life


Journal entry by Mindy McBride — 36 minutes ago
You know the one thing I have always strived for is to balance life... I mean who doesn't! I am so glad to be back in MN AND finding the balance is hard. I want to be next to Andy every waking moment so I don't miss a thing the doctors say, a procedure they complete, ideas or questions they may have. The other side of the coin is the balance of self care and our beautiful daughters. Yesterday, Elsa kept asking when she would see me again (insert breaking heart). Today I had the opportunity to tag out with Lynn (Andy's mom) while I went and did some self care. My self care included lunch with an amazing couple (Jeff and Alena), and a mani/pedi. Then I got to get the girls off the bus, chat with some neighbors and have dinner with another amazing couple (Chris and Kristi), they even came over and cooked for me!

While I was away, Andy was busy as well! He completed a CT scan, physical therapy and sat up in a chair/bed! Currently the guy is out cold! He worked really hard today and his mom got to see it all in action. Dave, his dad came up as well and was able to see the EMG take place. It truly takes a team to support Andy and each other. I am so grateful for #TeamAndy God is good and we will continue to pray for Andy to make gains and for the team to stay strong!

[King Mayan]

Praying for you BigDay!

[tblues2005]

Hang in there BigDay

[jjgold]

Seems a little better news

Is he conscious?? I am a little confused

[rollie_t651]

Seems a little better news

Is he conscious?? I am a little confused

JJ, MMAchicka reports that he is fighting hard. He is still intubated and doing better with the respirator. He is still sedated and is finding time to rest in order to get stronger.
She just texted me this now.

[The Kraken]

When people get as sick as he did, it takes a lot of time to get better. And by time I mean months to a year.

I honestly hoped he’d be further along than he is. By all objective measures he is doing better meaning his echo is better, his bronch isn’t bad etc....but he’s still struggling :/ Medicine isnt hard when you know what you’re treating but it’s incredibly difficult when all the tests are coming back normal yet the patient is still struggling. Id put Bigday into the latter category right now.

With that said, nothing here changes, we still support him. He’s at a new place with a fresh set of eyes, hopefully they will solve the riddle. Glad Chicka has more support and share the load of being next to Andy.

[19th Hole]

God Bless and Heal Andy.

[BuckyOne]

Best wishes - you have an amazing story to tell. Thanks for sharing it with us. In some way I hope this social interaction lets you know how many people care and that will help Team Bigday get better.

[mpaschal34]

When people get as sick as he did, it takes a lot of time to get better. And by time I mean months to a year.

I honestly hoped he’d be further along than he is. By all objective measures he is doing better meaning his echo is better, his bronch isn’t bad etc....but he’s still struggling :/ Medicine isnt hard when you know what you’re treating but it’s incredibly difficult when all the tests are coming back normal yet the patient is still struggling. Id put Bigday into the latter category right now.

With that said, nothing here changes, we still support him. He’s at a new place with a fresh set of eyes, hopefully they will solve the riddle. Glad Chicka has more support and share the load of being next to Andy.

Kraken....I know others have given you a lot of flack over the years on the site, but this thread has certainly earned you a lot of credit in my book.

Keep up the good insight and thanks for taking the time to help some of us medical-idiots understand what’s going on.

[KVB]

Still bumping for BIGDAY!!

For cash donations you can use the link below:

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

We got you good and your family!!

[jts1207]

New respect for Kraken here.

[SBR Tony]

Up!


Journal entry by Mindy McBride — 4 hours ago
Yesterday the PT team jumped in and had Andy sitting on the edge of his bed with the assistance of 3 physical therapists. Today he sat up again with the team supporting him and he demonstrated more strength! After he completed his physical therapy they sat him up in a bed like chair for about 3 hours. Andy has been lightly sedated today and looking around much more. They also gave him lung exercises to build up his strength. Today was a step forward as I saw him grow stronger and the antibiotics seem to be helping him with the pneumonia in his left lung. Keep those prayers coming!

[SBR_Guest_Pro]

it's working guys. keep up the support

[SBR Genie]

Sam's latest donation update: https://www.sportsbookreview.com/for...nt-bigday.html

[Thor4140]

Let's be honest here i think Bigday might be the only person on this site who doesn’t have an enemy. His wife wow what a woman. You can’t ask for a better support system. Keep up the good fight Chicka

[19th Hole]

May God Bless Andy.

[QuangX]

Up!


Journal entry by Mindy McBride — 4 hours ago
Yesterday the PT team jumped in and had Andy sitting on the edge of his bed with the assistance of 3 physical therapists. Today he sat up again with the team supporting him and he demonstrated more strength! After he completed his physical therapy they sat him up in a bed like chair for about 3 hours. Andy has been lightly sedated today and looking around much more. They also gave him lung exercises to build up his strength. Today was a step forward as I saw him grow stronger and the antibiotics seem to be helping him with the pneumonia in his left lung. Keep those prayers coming!

BIGDAY #getbetter

[rollie_t651]

Keep the prayers going! BigDay and MMAchicka are the coolest couple I know. Been a long three plus weeks for her, their girls, family and friends. I keep waiting for a text from BigDay saying it’s a beautiful night for a fire and football, come down! Today is one of those beautiful days when he would invite friends over for TNF. I can’t wait for that text again no matter when he sends it. Stay Strong BigDay! You got this! Thank you MMAchicka for all you do. Much love

[allabout the $$$]

Bigday get better! Me and booya coming to hang out

[SEAHAWKHARRY]

Praying

[sweep]

Any reason he needs a trach? West Nile affects your vocal cords, wind pipe as well? WTF man, horrible.


FIGHT BIGDAY!

[The Kraken]

Any reason he needs a trach? West Nile affects your vocal cords, wind pipe as well? WTF man, horrible.


FIGHT BIGDAY!

Ya, after people have the breathing tube for a few weeks its best to put in a trach. More comfortable for the patient and less likely to contract ventilator associated pneumonia.

We used to trach everyone after two weeks

[SomeDayinBuffalo]

Stay strong! Meet you in DR. You and your wife are great people. See you on the next island.

[jjgold]

Football season is not the same without bigday here Although it’s very early in the season hopefully he’ll be back at the halfway point giving us winners and vids

[The Kraken]

Honestly sbr hasnt been the same since

[DiggityDaggityDo]

Update??

[slambam]

This was posted an hour ago...

Good morning, #TeamAndy

Yesterday morning Andy woke up with a large swollen right arm. The team completed an ultrasound on all extremities and found some small blood clots in his right arm near the IV area that will dissipate on their own. Andy was able express that his stomach was not feeling well. He moved his arm a bit and I began asking him yes/no questions of what hurt. When he pointed to his stomach and blinked his eyes for yes we knew that was it! The respiratory therapist started his metaneb treatment and he got sick! Well come to find out after a midnight x-ray and a 2 a.m. CT scan, Andy has a bowel obstruction. We are trying to resolve the bowel obstruction by fasting, intravenous hydration and decompressing his PEG tube. We will try these protocols before looking at surgery. Andy is also has a neurogenic bladder disfunction caused by the west nile encephalitis , this means he cannot feel that he has to urinate and retains his urine. We feel the bowel obstruction is the same, it is because of the neurological damage from the west nile encephalitis.*

On a positive note, Andy went from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on a weaning trial from the ventilator!! This means his lungs are getting stronger!*

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4893753/*

For those that live in the area, our softball crew is putting together a fundraiser today at Erickson Park/Fields in downtown Rosemount. Stop on by from 12 p.m.- 6 p.m. for a root beer float, all proceeds will go to our family! I will be there with the girls from 12 p.m. - 3p.m. for Elsa's softball games, come stop by field 2!

With love,*

Mindy*

[rollie_t651]

Watching Softball and cheering on TeamBigDay! Andy’s youngest has softball today and a root beer float fundraiser! Keep fighting BigDay!

[rollie_t651]

Honestly sbr hasnt been the same since

100% Agree

[rollie_t651]

[rollie_t651]

Sorry SBR. Forgot how to upload. Can’t call BigDay and BooYa is busy. Got a pic uploaded from softball! #TeamAndy #TeamBigDay

[rollie_t651]

[IMG]Lil BigDay!

[mr. leisure]

Thinking about you Bigday , keep improving buddy !!

[19th Hole]

Slambam
Thank you for posting the update.


God Bless and Heal Andy.

[SBR Tony]

Celebrating the small gains


Journal entry by Mindy McBride — 1 hour 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