Mickey’s Story

Site created on August 18, 2019


We would like to ask you to please hold Mickey and our family in your thoughts and prayers right now.  Mickey is having another surgery tomorrow (Thursday October 8th) at the University of Colorado Hospital, Anschutz. It will be very similar to the surgery she had last year. There were a couple of complications with the surgery that developed afterwards that need to be repaired so that she may be able to live comfortably again. She’s been waiting for this all year, delayed because of the covid pandemic, and we’re grateful it can finally happen now. She has a great team of surgeons and we’re very hopeful that this will help to get her back to some semblance of a normal life again.  It is a bit of a complicated procedure; they will be reconstructing her pelvic floor with muscle tissue from her abdomen and repairing the hernias that have developed.  

She’s been so strong throughout this year, going through so much difficulty and pain, including rib fractures and lumbar compression fractures due to osteoporosis, being on supplemental IV nutrition and oxygen for months and months, and losing some of her ability to walk which she’s always loved doing.  

Matthew is visiting right now and will be with her through the surgery. Please send your prayers this way on Thursday and we will get back to you with an update as soon as we can. If we or Mickey can't answer calls or return messages at this time, please know that we appreciate the thoughts and are thankful for all the love and support you all have given Mickey lately.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Jessica Zay

Mickey is home! Yay!!  The doctors sent her home a teeny bit early because the numbers of covid cases were increasing in the hospital and they think the safest place for her to be is at home.  She's doing pretty well, walking around the neighborhood a bit, and has very little pain.  She hasn't even needed to take pain meds during the day!  Breathing is still difficult.  She developed a bit of pneumonia and is still recovering from that.  She gets short of breath pretty easily - mostly when she's trying to do tasks that she didn't have to do in the hospital.  This is very frustrating for her and we're trying to remind her to take it easy and slowly, that this weakness is expected for her, and that she really is doing well.  
 
She and Jonathan are figuring out wound care, getting all the medications straightened out and organized, and trying to just take one thing at a time.  Jonathan goes back to Oregon on Wednesday and Mickey's sister Maureen will be coming to help out for a week.   
 
We are worried about Mickey's susceptibility to the coronavirus and need to minimize visiting right now to only brief, socially distanced visits.  A phone call or video chat are just as good as a visit right now too.  There is a limit to how long she can talk without coughing or getting too exhausted; but as she gains stamina and once the pneumonia is gone, we can accept more visitors! 
If you would like to visit please text or call us to schedule a time. We kindly ask that you wear a mask, sanitize your hands, and keep 6 ft distance between you and her (no hugs at the moment).   We have masks and hand sanitizer at the front door for you.  Or if it's warm enough, you can sit outside to talk.  
 
Texting is the best way to communicate at the moment.  Please be patient with us though if it takes a bit of time for us to respond. :)  
 
Again, thank you so much for holding Mickey and our family in your hearts!
 
Jessica 
 
 
PS. We will be needing a bit of help - if you're willing to deliver a meal, drive to an appointment, or run an errand, etc., please check the planner here on Caring Bridge where you can ''sign up'' for a task on a specific day (which will be a good way to get a visit in!).  We haven't filled it in yet but we will soon.  Thank you! 
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