Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Tuesday September 30, 2008 4:30 PM

Hey Everybody,

I just wanted to let you know that rehab this morning was beyond great. When I got there we had so to a small re-evaluation since I've been gone a while, mostly to see what I lost. I was a little stiff at my stump, but my overall strength was maintained. That shocked us all. After the eval, we walked a little, then biked some, and lastly we walked a little more. This is not going to be as big a problem as I thought of getting back in the routine. I think we are pretty much starting back where we left off. Talk to you later.

Fins Up,
Jr.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Monday September 29, 2008 4:45 PM

Good Afternoon,

I hope you all had a great weekend. I sure sure did with the way the Tide just dominated the Dawgs in Athens. Friday night Dad and I had a great time at "The Camp" and I had a chance to see my good friend Katie V. Harbin. The food and the fellowship couldn't have been better. Overall it was just a great weekend.

Today Dad and I had a great lunch with Reese as she was coming through "The Gump". After that I had a Dr. Appt, surprise surprise. I had the drain removed from my abdomen without having to have a CT Scan. That was a wonderful surprise. Also I was cleared for rehab, so I will start that tomorrow and we are very excited and I am pumped to go.

That's really all I have.

Fins Up,
Jr.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Friday September 26, 2008 2:15 PM

Good Afternoon Everybody,

The last 2 days have been fairly busy for us. Yesterday I got my haircut and had a chance to talk to those wild women in the barber shop. After that Mom and I had some lunch at Down the Street Cafe, if you never been I strongly recommend giving it a try. Later in the afternoon I went to see the wound Doc and he fixed me up. Today Mom, D, and myself had a great meal at the Street Cafe. I know it's close, but 2 different places. Then Mom and I went to see Mrs. Sue at John Knox, she looks wonderful and seems to be doing great. They are such a great family and I just love them all.

I am now packing to try to spend a weekend in the big town and watch the Bama game with Dad.

I do want to send our love out to Mrs. Susan and Mr. Tad Bowman as they lost Mr. Tad's mother on Wednesday. They have been so great to us during my ordeal and all we can do is pray and let them know we are thinking of them.

I hope everybody has a great weekend.

Fins Up and Roll Tide,
Jr.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wednesday September 24, 2008 5:30 PM

Hey Guys,

Dad came today to hang out with me and as usual we had a great time. We solved most of the world's problems and talked some football. That was really the extent of the day, it was pretty slow as most of you can tell. Tomorrow Lucia Gayle is coming and I have a Dr. appt to go to later in the day and I might get a haircut. I'm sorry but I really don't have anything new to tell, which I guess is a good thing. I hope all is well with all of you. Please let D and I know if we can help with anything. I am forever indebted to everyone. See you later.

Fins Up,
Jr.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

September 23 8:00 PM

Hey Guys,

We made it home around 4:30 this afternoon. It's great to be home. We finally saw my Doc late last night and he said everything was looking better. I will go back next week to see him. Thank you all so much for keeping us in your prayer, you really don't know what it means.

Bama looked pretty good Saturday, but not great. I'm glad we weren't playing Georgia or somebody like that because I think we would have a lot more trouble. I hope this week those guys are ready to play. Auburn looked better and really had their chance to win the game.

I hope everybody had a great weekend and maybe the week is turning out well.

Fins Up,
Jr.

September 23 11:45am

Good morning from Baptist South, The doctor came by late last night. He said the infection was caused by bacteria and Neil could be treated by oral antibiotics. He said Neil should be able to go home today or tomorrow. The doctor also said Neil should be able to start back to rehab Monday. All of this is grand news!!!!!! We will keep you posted.


Thanks so much for your prayers, love and support.

Monday, September 22, 2008

September 22. 11 am

Good morning Folks, Neil is doing well. He is not on the 6th floor, but rather on the 4th. (This is a new experience as he has been on the 6th floor since he has been at Baptist South.) The abscess was drained on Friday and they left a drainage tube in his abdomen. He is on IV antibiotics. Neil has not had any temperature. Our prayer is the infection has been stopped in its tracks. We are waiting to see the doctor. Hope you all had a good weekend and are having a good Monday.

Thanks so very much for your prayers, love and support.

Friday, September 19, 2008

September 19 1:45pm

Hey Folks, Neil had the CT Scan yesterday. After that he went on to Elba as he and DeAnn were going there for the weekend. The doctor's office called DeAnn at lunch and said for Neil to go to Baptist South. Apparently there is an abscess and that is the source of the temperature. The radiology folks will drain this and Neil will be started on IV antibiotics. Neil will be in the hospital at least through Monday. The good news is that Neil feels good when he does not have a temperature and the weekend is full of football. We are very pleased they have determined what is causing his fever and he can get on the road to resolving it. We will keep you posted. Hope all of you have a good weekend.

We will listen out for those Elba Tigers as they are undefeated. Hope all of your teams win.

Thanks to each of you for your prayers, love and support. You all have kept us moving in the right direction.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

September 18, 2008 1:45 PM

Good Afternoon Folks,

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday. After lunch I started running a fever that would not break, so I felt pretty bad. Before that happened, Dad came up to see me and we had great time just messing around. We went to Costco to look around and kill some time. It was a really fun day before the fever started. The fever has been pretty consistent for the last week or so. I'm really glad I have the CT scan in a couple of hours so hopefully we can figure out what's going on. Mom is up here today and we have both been working on the computer.

I have such a good time hanging out with my parents. I know I've told you before, but it is so nice having great relationships with them. Right now I don't know what I would do without them. We are going to Elba this weekend, so I need to go pack. I hope to see some of you this weekend. Thanks for reading.

Fins up,
Jr.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

September 16, 2008 2:30 PM

Hey Guys,

I hope all is well. I went to the Doc this morning. The wound looks good, but there might be some infection. I have had a low grade fever since I left Baptist, I don't know if that has anything to do with anything. Thursday I will have a CT scan and that will tell everything.

Thankfully until this accident our family was fairly healthy. We didn't go to the Dr. much because we didn't get sick, so all these appts. and going to the hospital is very different. I think we have handled this nicely. The one thing I forgot to mention to the doc was about continuing rehab.

I don't know what is up for the next week or so, but the football is going to be great come Saturday. Talk later.

Fins Up,
Jr.

Monday, September 15, 2008

September 15, 2008 5:00 PM

Good Afternoon Everbody,

I hope the weekend was nice for everyone. We had a great weekend at the house. I'm still running low fevers from some infection. It's not enough to worry, just enough to make me feel bad. Dad, Mom, and Reese all said they hada good time in Troy and the team must have looked good. I know Bama sure played like they needed to.

Yesterday D and I went out to eat for a late lunch and had a good meal. I can really tell now that I didn't lose too much of my strength. So that excites us about going back to healthsouth in a week or so. I've got a Dr. appt in the am, so we will find out how he likes my belly. I hope I will have more for you tomorrow. Mom and I looked at the Killingsworth blog and the baby continues to improve. Isn't God good.

Fins Up,
Jr.

Friday, September 12, 2008

September 12, 2008 1:00 PM

Good Afternoon,

I think some of my dear readers need to get their head out of the gutter. It would be a VERY suspect decision for D and I to have a kid right now. We definitely want kids and plan to after I get well and we are a tad bit more established. I am having to be extremely slow with all my moving. So I have been being pretty lazy this week and I am ready to go next Tuesday to see Dr. V. Hopefully everything is healing well and we can get back to rehabbing sooner rather than later.

DeAnn and I don't have any plans for the weekend. My plan is to watch a good bit of football, but we'll have to see if DeAnn schemes anything up.

Richard Barlow, a guy from Elba, was involved in a car accident and is in SICU at Baptist. I don't know any details, but please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Fins Up,
Jr.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

September 11, 2008 5:00 PM

Hey Guys,

OK before I start a revolt I will go ahead and tell the news.

My cousins, Josh and Elizabeth Stewart are expecting their second child. I am so happy for them and I am even more excited now that Tripp will have a playmate. I guess Uncle Daniel and I may have another one to raise "Our" way. Love You Guys.

Jr.

September 11, 2008 11:30 AM

Good Morning Everybody,

Has it really been 7 years since that tragic day? Where does time go?

Yes, we are home and it's not real fun. I can't do anything for fear of pulling this thing apart. The pain is very manageable, but the fact that I can't get up and go drives me crazy. I'm glad it's all over and my body is doing everything naturally.

I can't thank you guys enough for the thoughts and prayers you continue to send me. I hope one day I can repay you all somehow. I've got some great news, but I'm not sure I can tell it yet. I'll check and tell you later today or tomorrow.

Maybe my Crimson Tide will look better this week than last. I like everybody else really want to see some consistency. Thanks for reading.

Fins Way Up,
Jr.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

September 9 5:30 pm

Hello to all, The doctor just came by to see Neil. He does not want to do anything about the incision. He said any other work on this could increase the risk of infection. He said he would add "Montgomery strips" to the incision. This is a strip on each side of the incision going the length of the incision. It is then tied across the incision to hold it closer together. The doctor is going to add Levaquin to help with the infection in the ostomy incision. The pain is still moderate, but somewhat manageable with medication. The doctor anticipates Neil will be discharged tomorrow. He said Neil should be able to return to rehab 3 weeks from the surgery. Tomorrow is 1 week so it is passing quickly.

We saw Susan today and Ms. Margaret(her mother in law) is doing well and should be discharged tomorrow. Please remember her and Shanna in your prayers.

Please surround the Andress family with your love.

Thanks so very much for your prayers, love and support. I fully expect Neil to resume this blog tomorrow.

Monday, September 8, 2008

September 9 4:45 pm

Good afternoon to all, Neil is having an OK day. The physician's assistant came by and changed the dressing. Yesterday Neil coughed and thought he had pulled something. In fact, three of the stitches have pulled out of the incision. She said there was not anything to do about this and she was not totally suprised. The incision where the ostomy was has some infection and they expected this. There is a drainage tube in that site and this should take care of the infection. The doctor will see Neil tomorrow. Neil will not go home today and maybe not tomorrow. He is not discouraged as he does not want to go home too soon. His abdomen is still very sore. We sure do look forward to tomorrow. Will keep you all posted.

Please remember Shanna in your prayers and Susan's, mother in law, Ms. Margaret Bauman.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers, love and support.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

September 7 5:30pm

Hey Folks, Neil has had a good couple of days. He still is very sore. The good news is he has not had a temperature today. For the last couple of days, he has had the hiccups. This is not uncommon following abdominal surgery and he is getting medication for this. The doctor is very pleased with Neil's progress. He indicates Neil should be discharged Monday or Tuesday. All news is good.



We so appreciate your prayers, love and support.

Friday, September 5, 2008

September 5 6:30pm

Hey Folks, Neil has had a good day. He is still in pain, but each day it gets a bit better. Physical therapy came in and again Neil sat on the side of the bed. The doctor came by and is pleased with the way the incision looks. Neil has continued to have a low grade temperature. They think this is probably a yeast infection. This is being treated with medication. We sure to look forward to tomorrow.

Thanks so very much for your prayers, love and support. Hope you all have a great Friday night.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

September 4, 4:30 pm

Good afternoon, Neil is still having quite a bit of pain. He did not sleep well last night. With all the work the doctor did in/on his abdomen, I guess this would be expected. They have adjusted his pain medication and that might be helping a bit. Physical therapy came in this morning and helped Neil sit up on the side of the bed. He said it was fine once he was sitting up, but getting up and getting down was not so good. The great news is his vital signs are wonderful including his blood pressure. We are all still so pleased.


Shanna and her mother, Linda, came to the hospital today for Shanna to have a barium swallow. Shanna did great with this and will be able to have soft food. They are looking to move her to Spain for more therapy. Both Shanna and Linda looked wonderful. They came by to see Neil and it was like a family reunion. Please keep Shanna high on your prayer list.


We saw Sue's son-in-law and he said Sue was doing great. We are so thankful for her recovery.


Everyone here at the hospital has been so nice to all of us from the workers in Chappy's to all of the 6th floor employees. They have done everything to make Neil's stay as comfortable as possible.


Please continue to love and support the Andress family. They have a baby boy, Graham Goodson. What a blessing!!!!

Thanks so very much for your prayers, love and support.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

September 3 6:00pm

Hey Folks, Neil continues to be groggy and sore. He was up late last night and very early this morning. We hope he and DeAnn can get lots of sleep tonight. Everything is still great and we are all still smiling. Thanks so very much for your prayers, love and support.

September 3 pm

Hey Folks, Neil is in Room 615. He is still very groggy and is fairly uncomfortable. The doctor came out grinning and we could not be more pleased. They were even able to fix Neil's in-grown toenail. It does not get better than that. Neil looks forward to having visitors this weekend. He thinks he will feel much better by then. I will post again tonight.

Please keep Ms. Verbie Holley's family in your prayers.

Thanks so very much for your prayers, love and support. We are so very blessed with all of you in our lives.

September 3 1:00 pm

Hi Y'all

One of Neil's favorite songs is by Dr. Hook, "On the Cover of The Rolling Stone". One line in the song goes like this, (I got my old gray haired daddy driving my limousine).....well this is his old white haired Daddy driving and have I got good news for all of you. The Doc just came in and he has completed the surgery and to quote him "it could not have gone better". Neil will be in recovery for about an hour and then we are going back to our old stomping ground on 6th floor.

Will keep you updated. And as Neil says, "Fins Up".

September 3 11:15 am

Good morning Folks, We are in the Day Surgery Waiting Room at Baptist South. They just called and said the surgery was beginning. This morning we saw one of the nurses and she said they had blocked out 4 hours for this surgery. The plan is to close his abdomen and reverse the illeostomy. Neil is very excited about this and cannot wait to get back to rehab.

We so appreciate your love, prayers and support. We are celebrating all the wonderful things God has provided during this journey. We will post as soon as we hear or know anything.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

September 2, 2008 7:45 PM

Hey Guys,

I hope everybody had a great weekend. What about the ALABAMA Crimson Tide? Man did they look good.

Just wanted everybody to know Reese went back to work today. So she is doing much better. I hope all of our racing pals in Houma LA rode out the storm ok. Also, They moved my surgery up to 10:00 AM tomorrow. DeAnn won't get all of her beauty sleep tonight because we have to be at lovely Baptist South at 7:00.

We had a pretty decent Labor Day as we just laid around then went to Jim n' Nick's to get a bite to eat. This morning I went to HealthSouth for the last time for a few weeks. I had a pretty good workout and did some walking. After that I came home to rest.

Mom will be taking over the blog for the next couple of days. I will get back hopefully by the weekend. Please keep my cousin Lynn's neighbor, Kim, in your prayers as she fights cancer. I hope you all have a great rest of the week.

Fins up and Roll Tide,
Jr.