Austin Darr Updates

Austin is doing well! He went back to DTA and completed his first full week Friday. His wound is healing nicely as well.

We saw the GI last week and will follow up in 2 months. For now no changes. He will remain on pump most likely for 6 months before we can start to transition back to bolus feedings. He explained it takes time for intestinal track to heal after a resection. Especially with what he went through.

Next appt is follow up with the surgeon where we will ask what happens with the mesh that was sewn in?

He has only put on 6 lbs so weight is 71. Again, his body is working hard to heal so weight gain will be slow.

We are very happy to see smiles and more energy every day!

God is gracious and merciful! 💚💜

Happy 28th birthday Austin!🎈

Fantastic news!
Austin no longer has the wound vac. It will still be awhile for the wound to heal but we will keep it clean and covered with dressings.
Also, he will start going back to his day program on Monday. Only part of the day at first but it’s a start.
We are moving in the right direction!! 💜💚

1st Team Run of the season! Austin enjoyed getting to see everyone and getting out there again. So grateful for Joe who ran with him today!

So good to hear him laugh!! 😂 We got outside this evening for some fresh air and Austin loved it!

We had a follow up appointment with the surgical team on Thursday. We had no idea how much he really had done.

They removed his right colon, 2 sections of intestines and his appendix. 🥺

We knew it would take awhile for him to heal and get his energy back, but had no idea. The Dr. said it was a mess and his body is working hard to heal so he’s going to be tired for awhile.

On a good note, he has gained 3 lbs this week bringing him to 68lbs. We are moving in the right direction!

The wound is also healing nicely even though it too, has a ways to go.

We are so happy the Lord still has a purpose for Austin here on earth. It’s been a tough week but his laughter brings joy that reminds us God is with us always. 💚💜

We got Austin out of the house today! Went to the Abilities Expo in Scottsdale and met up with his friend Rylee and her parents Tom and Linda. Afterwards, we all had lunch at The Thumb, a yummy BBQ place.

Rylee was also in the hospital for over 3 weeks (their stays overlapped) and both are working on recovery.

Saw a cool heart cloud on the way home. It was good day for all of us! 🧡

Recovery is going well overall and we are getting used to new routines.

Austin is walking small distances (with lots of support). Getting him up and moving is critical in helping him to heal. It’s a bit difficult since someone has to carry the wound vac so it takes two people. However, it’s not impossible and we do what we need to do!

These are going well, which is helping energy and strength. He is staying awake more and slowly getting his days and nights oriented the correct way.

We’ve increased calories and hope that that will help him put back on the 10 to 15 pounds that he needs.

Still not smiling much, but we are confident they will return soon. We know he misses his friends at DTA and being at home all the time is tough.

Prayers for his strength and energy are appreciated!

Much love and gratitude 💚💜

We were able to take Austin on a walk today to get some fresh air. 🏞️

Please continue to pray for his recovery. He is literally skin and bones. Thankful that feeds are going well and we know it will take some time but it’s hard to see him so frail.

Also, prayers he will get back to sleeping at night and being awake during the day. He is so mixed up right now.

We are happy to be home but can’t wait until we see more smiles and energy. We miss his spark and joy… 🥺

“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.”
‭‭Malachi‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/mal.4.2.NIV

Settling in and getting things figured out at home.

Hime health came today to put the wound VAC on. Feedings have been going well. And we’ve seen some glimpses of our sweet boy.

Happy to have a long weekend to adjust!

We will start working on a little therapy tomorrow. Austin is pretty weak so it will be little by little. Sadly, because Home Health would not come to do wound vac while he was getting PT, we had to postpone having a physical therapist come out to help. Insurance is frustrating and makes no sense sometimes…

In the meantime we will do our best! One day at a time. 💚💜

WOOHOO!! 🎉 🙌

We made it home! 🏠

There are not enough thank you’s for everybody’s prayers, love and support! We truly mean that from the bottom of our hearts.

This has been one heck of a roller coaster ride and one we never wanted on, but we are super happy to be off.

We will say that the overall care that we got at Mercy Gilbert was above and beyond. He had so many nurses that were checking in, even when they were not working with Austin. Same with the respiratory team and others who cared for him during his stay. I think with any long-term hospital situation there’s bound to be some frustrations and a few things to go wrong. However, they handled it well, apologized, and we all moved on. It is definitely a hospital we would take Austin back to if needed. But let’s pray that doesn’t happen for years to come!

Thank you so much for the calls, the texts, messages on socials, cards, coffee, meals, gifts for Austin, hugs and more!

There is no way I could name everybody that we need to thank. I pray that we told you thank you personally and let you know how much we meant it.

God was truly with us in every moment. We know he heard all the prayers. Even during the most difficult times, we had peace knowing Austin’s life was in His hands.

We are settling in and preparing for the second half of Austin‘s journey. I will update, just not daily. Once more, I ask you to continue to pray.

Prayers that the wound heals without infection or issues. Prayers for his strength and mobility to return. Prayers for patience as we adjust to feeding pumps and transfers, and all that his care will entail over the next eight weeks or so.

And lastly, prayer for my healing from gallbladder surgery. Overall, I’m OK, but the stress has not been a friend.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 💚💜

Day 20

We are so close to the finish line!

There are two things that need to be happen before week can go home…

1. We need the feeding pump and supplies.
2. We need Home health set up to manage the wound VAC.

Please be praying that these things happen today so that we can go home before the weekend.

It is all up to case management, and we still have not heard from them.

Austin is off all monitors and finally has the NG tube out. We are literally just hanging out until those two things above are done.

We do not want to be here over the weekend so pray specifically! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 💚💜

Day 19

We finally got the GJ tube placed this afternoon. When Austin has had four hours of feeding on it then we can remove the NG tube from his nose. That should take place sometime between 9 and 10 PM.

Discharge should happen tomorrow or Friday once we have everything in place!

We need to schedule Home health to come in and do the wound VAC and there’s some confusion on that so please pray for patience and communication.

We are also waiting for feeding pump supplies.

Once we have everything set, we can go home!

As we said before, it will be a long recovery at home, but we will be happy once we are all together again! 

💚💜