Post from Joe and Gin via Lisa--Sunday, Sept. 19, 2:11 Central

This is copy and pasted directly from email from Joe and Ginny with direction to post. I apologize for my earlier mistake in thinking Dr. Long did the surgery--Dr. Louis did this surgery yet Dr. Long will be doing a future surgery. It is all so confusing. Thank you so much for your prayers, cards and well wishes. The entire family is very grateful.

Blessings,

Lisa

So many people have asked for details of the surgery. I checked with Joe and he is fine with us posting the details of last Thursday's surgery. So here goes--

Slice of history--

We had told about a month ago that UAB physicians would likely be able to do several procedures at the same time, saving Joe from a "one thing at a time" situation with multiple surgeries and recoveries. However, as the doctors more closely examined his CT scans (no MRI can be done due to pins in his cheek), the recommendation was made to go back to the "one thing at a time" approach. Most of this is because they don't know what they will find until they are doing the work and the potential for swelling might change the approach.

So on Thursday, Dr. Louis', goal was to repair any holes in the upper right eye socket and determine, when in surgery, what other holes are present and either repair them or determine a strategy for next procedure. The upper right eye socket had to be repaired to in order to do anything with the right eye ball, which has sunken into the socket due to all the fractures.

The entry point was through an incision in the crease in the right eye lid. The incision is the length of the lid. From there Dr. Louis was able to determine with scopes, I suppose, the upper orbital (socket) defect (hole) and thereby determine the bone graft necessary to cover the hole. The graft was taken from Joe's left skull, obtained from an incision cut zig zag, deep in the hair line, starting above the left ear and going up. It is a long incision, closed with about 15 staples. Somehow the bone graft was obtained and implanted then over the orbital hole which was determined to be the somewhere between the size of a quarter and 50cent piece.

The surgery was a complete success. The hole was repaired. Dr. Louis also determined that the rest of the right eye socket is healing extremely well, including the bottom so no additional bone grafting or plastic surgery should be needed.

Dr. Fisher, a neurosurgeon, met with us the day before the surgery. He was available for Dr. Louis if any 'brain" issues came into play. When the surgery went over our expected two hours, and lasted four hours instead, we felt certain that issues had arisen and Dr. Fisher had to be called in. Much to our relief, when Dr. Louis spoke to us post-surgery, he said everything went great and there was no need for Dr. Fisher to join in. I must have had a look of alarm, or something, when asking about the duration, his comment was something like, "Well, we like to take things slowly". That I do appreciate!! When he explain the size of the hole, length of grafting incision, it all made sense. And we were sure relieved Dr. Fisher's expertise was not needed. Even minor movements of brain tissue is a scary thing. I did not want to give back any of Joe's recovery thus far. There was no brain herniation nor any cerebral spinal fluid leakage present so that was fabulous news too.

The next step will be repairing the defect (dent) in Joe's right forehead. (Unknown to us previously, Dr. Fisher showed us that the skull fracture extended a long way across the skull, like maybe 8 or so inches. This fracture has healed but is somewhat misaligned.) Dr. Fisher recommends that we go with a relatively small implant and simply repair the dent rather then go with a much larger one that would repair the misalignment given that Joe's hair is thick and completely hides the ridge. This seemed very practical and reasonable. We hope to have this surgery done in the next month or so.

Surgery was Thursday, finishing at 5:45 pm. Friday morning, at 7:30am, Joe was conversing, starving to death and asked Dr. Fisher when he could be released, have normal food, and most importantly if he could attend Stephen's cross country meet Saturday morning. Dr. Louis was surely willing to keep Joe in the hospital but Joe really wanted to leave, felt well enough and I knew I had Jackie and Phil to help with any issues and concerns. By noon, after both a wonderful breakfast and lunch, Joe was ready to go. It was a done deal.

The cross country meet was great. Joe is tired but we still made 5:30 Mass and saw Fr. Phil. Some things just seem right. Joe has some serious swelling on his right eye lid. (Think the first Rockie movie--ouch). The left skull incision looks great and is healing. No hair was shaved so it is like searching in a forest for the staples. Incredible what now can be done.

Today we are in resting mode. It is about 95 degrees here so a short walk this morning was plenty. Joe is helping Stephen with a genealogy project now so more normal is good. There is still a long road, but little things each day brighten my spirits. The boys, the company of Phil and Jackie, the support of my folks, our siblings, the kind words, friendly smiles, and prayers of so many who are on this journey with us. Words can not express the depth of our appreciation.

Joe and Ginny

Update from Dad Leahy regarding Joe via Lisa

Joe looking good this AM, Dr said if all stays OK he can go home at noon, so we are scrambling to pack etc. More info, if any, later.

Phil/Dad

Sept. 16, 2010 10:20 pm

Hi Everyone

The surgery was long--didn't actually start surgery until 1:45--finished around 5:30--
they were able to do the bone graft and repair the bones above the eye. At some point they thought we were going to have to make the repair from the top--which was more dangerous, time-consuming, and with a longer recovery--but fortunately were able to make the repairs from below the eyebrow. He went back to his room pretty quickly after surgery and was eating a cookie. Thank you so much for all of your prayers.Keep them coming!

Love,
Lisa

Sept. 16 3:00 pm Lisa

Hi Everyone

Quick note to let you know that Joe didn't go into surgery until 12:30. Will let you know how it went as soon as I hear. Love, Lisa

From Ginny Through Lisa

Dear Family and Friends,

Please pray that Joe's surgery today goes smoothly. I've copied an excerpt from Ginny's email to the family here. Love to all, Lisa

The timing for the surgery was today at 5:30am, which got moved to 10 am. No food from midnight on. Ugh. The duration depends on what they find. If the repair can be done from below, just under the brow, it will be 1.5 to 2.00 hours long. If brain or brain fluid has seeped into the opening, then the entrance has to be made from above, though the forehead, and the duration extends to as much as 5 hours. The latter will mean a much longer stay here too. I only have under clothes for 3 days so I am optimistic!! But Walmart is close too, if necessary. Joe really wants to make the XC meet Saturday. Now that is optimistic.

Love, Gin

Sunday Sept. 12, 2010 Lisa

Hi Everyone

We are very happy to report that Mel Warnecke, Ginny's dad is out of the hospital and recovering quite well at home. Thank you so much for your prayers! Please keep them coming as Joe's surgery is this Thursday, Sept. 16 at University of Alabama-Birmingham. The goal of this surgery is to repair the orbital

Dr. John Long, an Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (originally from Iowa--where the Leahy extended family harken from--so you know he's got to be awesome!)will be working to repair the orbital region, particularly the upper part (roof?). There is a gap in the bones under the eyebrow and I believe they are planning a bone graft to plug the gap. As they can't do an MRI due to everything in Joe's skull already, they don't know the whole story of what is going on. Another surgeon, Dr. Lewis, will be present to lift the brain out of the way if it has fallen down into the orbital region (Again, my apologies to the medical people out there--it's something like that).

Phil and Jackie Leahy (Joe, Paul, and my parents), are heading down to Alabama to help out. Last we heard is that Joe may not be in hospital for as long as once projected given that he's having one procedure rather than three. Joe is even hoping to get to Stephen's cross country meet next weekend! Gotta love the great attitude!

Congrats to Stephen who did a great job in the last cross country meet (5K or 3.1 miles). He ran it in 19 minutes 33 seconds and finished 21st place out of 3326 runners!

Love to all,

Lisa

Prayers Needed For Ginny's Dad!!!!!!!!!!! Labor Day 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

Brother Joe just called to request that I blog that Ginny's dad, Mel Warnecke, is seriously ill in Lima Hospital (Lima, Ohio) with a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. By definition this bacterium is difficult to treat. As I recall I think Joe said it started with a simple infection of a hair follicle on Mel's arm. We ask for your prayers for Mel, his wife Kate, poor Ginny who has been through the ringger this year, and the entire family.

I will keep you posted as I hear updates.

God's Peace to all of you,

Lisa

Dear Family and Friends,

Please continue to pray for Joe and all of us. Everythng keeps changing regarding surgeries and it is very unsettling. The surgeries are not trivial and carry with them risk. Wanted to share this wonderful tribute to Joe-the St. John's 2009-2010 yearbook was dedicated to him as you can see from the picture above.

Love to all,

Lisa

8-28-2010 From Ginny posted by Lisa

Dear all,

UAB Oral Maxillofacial called yesterday to let us know that Joe's first surgery, which will be done at UAB, is scheduled for Sept 16, 5:30 am. We also need to be in Birmingham all day on the 15th for pre-op and not less than two doctors appointments. Two or three surgeons will be attending, including Dr. Fisher, Oral Max, a Neuro-surgeon (Dr. Fisher) and possibly a Ocular Plastics physician (Dr. Long). The work, to my limited understanding, will be limited to Joe's right orbital and possibly include some work on Joe's right eye ball.

The staff explained to me that most folks stay at the Marriott connected to the hospital. The hospital stay will be a minimum of 3-4 days, with possible extension depending on Joe's recovery. Joe parent's Phil and Jackie will be with me and Joe for the surgery and be staying in Birmingham for the duration of Joe's stay in the hospital.

After a period of observation and recovery, a prosthetic will be installed on Joe's right frontal lobe in a separate surgical procedure. We had hoped to combine these two items but the physicians recommend a period of observation between the two procedures. These are the two major surgeries to my understanding. Additional work will follow though I do not know the time frame.

Love, Ginny

Aug. 3, 2010 Lisa

Hello Everyone

We all had a great visit. The Omaha clan is the last to leave Ohio. Joe, Ginny, and Stephen left yesterday for Alabama and got there with no problems. Joe and Ginny's last day was very busy. Joe was interviewed by a reporter for the Circleville Herald and the story and Joe and Ginny's pictures were on the front page of the paper. This was followed by a gathering of some members of Joe's high school class (1978), and that was very enjoyable for Joe. Memorable line from Joe was: "Surely we can get together as a class more often and not wait for someone to get shot." I think efforts are underway to meet more often and start a class of 78 facebook group. Later that evening, everyone came out to Gary and Deb Scherer's farm for a cookout. Great night. Everyone really enjoyed it and appreciate Deb and Gary's continued hospitality.

I must also mention before closing that I was in such a hurry in writing the last post that I mistakenly said my younger brother Paul had a son named Keith. This is not accurate. Paul and wife Lisa have 2 kids, Nick and Devon. Joe and Ginny have 2 kids, Keith (19) and Stephen (15).

Lastly, some of us went skydiving in Xenia Ohio and it was amazing! Ginny texted me as they were traveling back to Alabama that their family would like to do that.

Maybe next year....??

Take care all. More pix to be posted soon.

Blessings,
Lisa Leahy Scherer