Friends and family,
It is Saturday afternoon, and we are sitting in the waiting room of the burn unit in Phoenix. We printed the posts on Dad’s website and all the emails you sent. We read them to him today and will do this on all our future visits. Please keep them coming. We know he is so very grateful for all of your thoughts and messages.
Dad’s condition remains critical, but stable. He is still heavily sedated and on the ventilator. Bandages cover most of his body.
Dad’s third surgery took place on Thursday. Doctors hoped to replace some of the temporary grafts with a second set of temporary grafts and to perform a tracheotomy so that the breathing tube could be removed from his mouth and throat. The tissue under the temporary grafts on his legs and abdomen/chest was not ready for additional grafting, so the temporary grafts were removed to allow his body to heal further. In addition, the doctors were unable to perform the tracheotomy because of the severity of the burns on his neck and throat. He does have good blood flow there, so a graft from his hip was placed on his throat. The hope is that the graft will heal and the doctors will be able to perform the tracheotomy sometime next week.
We were very concerned when informed that the surgery did not go as planned. The hospital staff has assured us that developments such as these are not uncommon. Because the healing process of a burn victim is so different from patient to patient, plans can change when in the operating room.
We will continue to update you as we know more, and will let you know when he is able to receive cards and an increase in visitors. His fourth surgery will likely take place on Monday.
Thank you again for all the support you are showing Dad. Please think extra special thoughts for him on Monday – it is his birthday!
Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you…
Colin and Ian
Happy Birthday, Colin!
Just think how much better next year’s birthday will be!! This will all be behind you and you will be off and running again! There’s a real ‘bull stubborness’ that comes with a good ol’ Taurus! Use it to get back together again!
Sending you lots of love and healing!
Barb from Long Ago
Colin, Marci and I have kept you in our prayers and know that you are strong and will heal well. We want to wish you a very happy birthday and hope to see you soon. Thank your boys for all that they are doing. Dont harrass the nurses too much brother.
Bo and Arrow
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and praying for continued healing. You and your boys are in our constant prayers. Remember: “You Can Keep A Good Man Down” I cannot wait to see you and talk to you and watch you take off on your new bike!!!!!
Colin,
You are a strong man and I know you will make it through this. I am thinking of you constantly for a pain free and speedy recovery. Can’t wait to hear some of your old jokes again. Happy Birthday. Yea you finally made it to 21!!!!
Boys keep the great work up. You know if we all could be there to help you through this we would. Keep your heads up and a positive thought. Your dad is a strong and stuborn old man. He loves you and will be thankful when he wakes up. Don’t let anyone tell you what to do when deep down in your hearts you know what you are doing is for the best.
Positive thoughts all the way from Leesburg, VA
Happy Birthday brother we love and miss seeing your smiling face Get well soon so we can spend your Next Birthday with you Riding.
Love TakeOff & LaLa
Happy Birthday Mr. MacDiarmid! You keep fighting and staying strong!
Your boys are doing an amazing job! Obviously from amazing parents;-)
Thinking of you every day… Thinking positive healing thoughts
And sending them all to you!!!!
Love you!
Cristal
A very Happy Birthday tomorrow, Colin, and we pray tomorrows surgery will have better than expected results. You are the Timex man….who takes a licking and keeps on ticking. You are in our daily thoughts and prayers.
love you lots.
Heather and Rick
HI COLIN, YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND I WAS VERY SHOCKED AND SAD TO HEAR OF YOUR ACCIDENT. I KNOW YOU ARE A VERY STRONG MAN AND WILL PULL THRU THIS.I AM ANXIOUS TO COME SEE YOU, SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW SOON AS I CAN. WHEN YOU RECOVER I WANT TO GIVE YOU A BIRTHDAY SPANKIN!! I LOVE YOU COLIN, MY DEAR SWEET FRIEND, SUZ
Happy Bithday Colin 🙂 We will celebrate when you come back. Praying for everything to go well.