Alex's football injury and subsequent surgery

Alex has had a long hard weekend. After being injured at football practice on Friday, he has had some pretty significant pain. Michael and Catherine said he has been walking around all hunched over, like a little old man. Yesterday he had a low-grade fever and in the evening Catherine brought him back to the emergency room at McKay-Dee hospital. Over a period of 2-3 hours, Alex had to drink fluid (contrast, or dye), then they did a CT scan. This one showed that he had a perforated bowel. He was taken to surgery around 10:00 p.m last night. The doctor said the injury wasn't as bad as he feared it would be. The doctor repaired the tear in his small intestine and cleaned him out good. He has a drain tube in his abdomen now and it will be there as long as he has excess fluid in his gut. He has peritonitis (infection in his gut - from leakage from the bowel). The doctor gave him an epidural and they are controlling his pain with it. His mom told him you usually have to have a baby to get an epidural! Alex is also able to push a button when he needs additional pain meds. He is resting comfortably now, and has been awake on and off all morning. 

The rest of this story is that Michael flew to Houston yesterday afternoon. He had a big audit there that was supposed to take the whole week. He had just landed in Houston when he received a text from Catherine that she was taking Alex back to the ER.  Shortly after arriving at his hotel he received a call from Catherine that they were going to perform surgery.  He was just sick! When Ryan collapsed at school, Michael was in California - and it was agony for him being there when he was needed at home. He went through the same agony last night, knowing Alex was here having surgery and he was stuck in Texas. He took the first flight out this morning and should be to the hospital soon. 

Catherine told the doctors about Ryan's condition (Cardiomyopathy), and they are monitoring Alex's heart - just in case.

The doctor said Alex will have to be hospitalized for several days. I guess we just take a day at a time and hope he makes a quick recovery. 

We are grateful for promptings of the Spirit. Catherine had the impression that she needed to bring Alex to the hospital, and she acted on it. Her quick action has probably made a big difference on the severity of the infection Alex had, and also his recovery time. 

We would sure appreciate continued prayers for this dear family.
Love,
Grandma Jeri