8/30 10:37pm

Blake had Occupational Therapy on Sunday for an hour. He learned an alternate way of getting in and out of the wheelchair. He is letting his hair and goatee grow.

Pictures - working with arm weights and a weighted rickshaw.

8/28 5:54am

Blake's blood test showed higher hemoglobin, so no transfusion needed yet. Will be tested again on Monday. Assessments done by Physical & Occupational therapy.

8/26 9:39pm

Blake moved from Grant Hospital to Columbus Rehabilitation & Subacute Institute. He will undergo assessments on Thursday to determine a plan for therapy.

8/25 10:15pm

Took JP drain off Blake's left leg. Got back into wheelchair for the first time since last Friday's surgery.

8/25 6:44am

Physical Therapy restarted Blake's right arm exercises. Infectious Diseases increased the antibiotic dosage because the MRSA is not showing signs of defeat.

8/24 6:43am

Blake had an ok weekend. Still in pain. On Sunday, he started bleeding from his left leg's stitches (Friday's surgery). Compression bandage applied. Transfusion may be needed.

8/21 11:07pm

Blake had a bit of a setback during surgery. Patellar tendon reattachment was reversed and knee cap was removed. Focus to be on curing infection and healing.

8/21 9:46am

The doctor will be taking Blake in for surgery #10 at approximately 10:30am. Cleaning out left knee. Pray this goes well. Blake's getting weary of all these operations.

New Pic

Wearing a shirt for the first time since July 13! Physical Therapy in wheelchair just required to keep "hands inside the ride".

8/20 6:29pm

Doctor said right leg x-ray is good and his is approved for getting in/out of wheelchair. But checking left leg in the morning (Friday). If there is pus, he will be taken in for surgery #10. Prayers!

8/19 11:00pm

Orthopedic surgeon ordered X-ray of Blake's right leg. May indicate he could begin putting weight on it. Make for big changes with Physical Therapy.

8/18 10:57pm

Blake had a fairly good day today. Pain was somewhat under control. Had physical therapy and requested Chinese food for dinner.

8/17 8:55pm

Blake had a Groshong PICC catheter (basically a long-term IV) installed on his right arm. It will enable administering IV antibiotics for the next 4-6 weeks.

8/16 9:16pm

Blake's contracted MRSA Virus and has been placed back into Contact Isolation. Taking antibiotics via IV. Restarted Physical Therapy. Sat up at edge of bed.

8/14 4:02pm, 5:51pm

4:02pm: Blake just went in for surgery #9. He was plenty nervous. Please keep up the prayers.

5:51pm: Blake is out of surgery. The doctor cleaned up the hematoma and moved the topmost pins on the X-fix. Said the patellar tendon repair (from over a week ago) was holding.

8:14 5:00am

Blake sent by ambulance back to Grant Hospital due to extensive bleeding from left knee. Waiting for word of possibly surgery today for knee and one troubling pin site.

8/13 5:30pm

Blake was discharged from Grant and taken to Bon-Ing Care Facility.

8/12 8:44pm - From Blake

Psych!

Hello all! It's Blake again coming to you outa Grant with a loose gown!

Well folks, things have changed once again. Exact details are a little hard to convey, but here is the punchline...I'm not going to rehab. We have to find a skilled nursing facility we like and I'll be going there for a while. If you're a little confused it's o.k....we're starting a club. Thanks again for all your prayers and concern.

Love y'all,

Blake

Margaret Valentino

Blake's Aunt Margaret (Katie's sister) slipped peacefully into God's arms last night; her family at her bedside.
Memorial service Saturday, August 15 at the Reynoldsburg Nazarene. Family will greet guests starting at 10:30am, service to begin at 11:30am.
Reynoldsburg Church of the Nazarene
1340 Crest Street
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Moving Day Tomorrow!

(This was recorded on my phone so the quality isn't great, I am also not sure how to turn it right-side up. But you get the idea.)

Pics of Blake

Outside for the first time in a month!


Sushi!


Blake & Lucky


Visiting ICU

8/9 10:14pm

Blake's in a room with another patient and doesn't like it. His half is very cramped; 1 side chair, one tray table. Leg pain continues to be a major issue.
Still up in the air about moving to rehab center or not today.

Blake's Aunt Margaret

Blake was briefly visited by his cousin, Charles yesterday. His mom, Blake's Aunt Margaret, is in OSU Hospital. She had a cancerous lung removed and is now in a coma. She needs our prayers.

8/8 9:58pm

Blake was moved out of the Trauma Intermediate Care Unit and into a semi-private room. The doctor's may release him to a Rehab Center by Monday, but bed availability is a big factor.

8/7 12:46pm

Sweet freedom! Blake got 90 minutes in wheelchair where he traveled to the hospital's main lobby and got an iced coffee. The pain was intense afterward, but he said it was worth it.

8/6 10:40pm

Blake is doing a little better today. Still in a great deal of pain, but coping. Did nominal physical therapy. He is back on regular food and drink.

About Me & the Blog

I changed some posted blog titles to make them easier to go through chronologically when Blake is able to. All posts, unless otherwise noted, have been direct text/e-mail messages from Steve and Katie who have the most up-to-date information on Blake's recovery - which were transcribed here for Blake's fans. Thanks for the kind words that have been said about me doing this blog (including Blake!). It makes me feel good that I can do something to keep everyone in the know. I am so GRATEFUL that I still have my "baby brother" around and as soon as he heals I can resume giving him a hard time. That's what big sisters do!

All my love,
Lori

First blog entry from Blake

This was written by Blake before his surgery this (Wednesday) morning:

Family, friends, those praying for me, and anyone who's just randomly reading this blog: Hi, this is Blake. Thank you all so much for all the prayers, cards, and simply keeping me in your thoughts. If you only knew how much it really means. Your sentiments have brought me to tears on many occasions.

I have to send some special "Thank You's" real quick:
To my parents, I don't even know what to say. They have gone far beyond what I ever could have expected and have been here for me so much!
To my brothers for helping me stay strong and helping me smile.
And Lori Funk, (my sister from another mister), for making this blog and updating it. (Lori, I'm sorry if you have to translate my handwriting by the way!)
And to Jamie & Tresden, for being around as much as my weird fungal infections would allow, always making me smile and making me proud.

Well, it's Wednesday, August 05, 2009 @ 9:30 a.m. I will have my 8th surgery in an hour from now. They're reconnecting my patellar tendon!?! Basically, they're connecting my knee cap. So wish me luck y'all!

I'm out for now. Deuces! (That means "Peace").

Blake

8/5 6:26pm

Blake came through nearly 3 hours of surgery fine, but in tremendous pain. On a 1-10 scale, he says its 11. He's groggy and keeps grabbing at oxygen tube & left leg "x-fix".

8/5 2:32pm

From Steve: Met with the surgeon, Blake is out of surgery and we are waiting to see him. Tendon reattached at knee, 1 screw applied and all staples from prior surgeries removed.

8/5 12:37pm

Blake went into surgery at 11:11a. This marks his 8th surgery, but the first that he's completely aware of. He was VERY nervous. Steve & Katie ask to keep him in your prayers.


Blake resting with "Lucky". His Aunt Janet brought him a watchdog and Tresden put a lei from Dusty & Chesha's wedding reception on him. Lucky has been with Blake since he first got to ICU and rarely leaves his side.

8/4 8:49pm

Blake had more physical therapy and wheelchair time today. He got to visit the ICU staff on the 3rd floor (where he was first brought in).
Surgery is scheduled for 10:30 tomorrow morning.

8/3 11:35am

Blake got into a wheelchair during physical therapy this morning. Spent 30 minutes learning to use it. Surgery scheduled for Wednesday to reattach tendon to left knee and install plate across bone.

Power of prayer

Testament to the power of prayer. First surgeon to see Blake on the day of his accident (7/13) came by this morning. In his 8+ years as a trauma doctor, he only had 3 patients in that condition pull through.

8/1 11:08pm

Found out tonight that Blake sustained several broken ribs in the accident. They were the least of his injuries and they no longer bandaged those so they hadn't been mentioned.

8/1 8:12am

Blake did not get much sleep last night. He thinks he overdid his physical therapy and the pain was intense afterward. He has begun basic personal grooming; shaved, brushed teeth and combed his hair.