March 22, 2002 - Michelle was taken off antibiotics today and if all goes well the Groshong (tube) tied to her collar bone will be removed next week. Michelle is anxious to get off of this so she can interact with her birds again. The wound vacuum stays in for another two or three weeks.

Michelle is feeling much better being off the around the clock antibiotics. The nausea pills she had to take made her groggy.

She saw the Doctor on Tuesday and he reminded her that it is just like starting all over again, so she can only expect to feel like six weeks have passed, not the nearly a year it has been since her surgery April 23, 2001.

February 25, 2002 - The visiting nurse says that Michelle's incision is improving to the extent they may be able to take her off of the wound vacuum in two or three weeks. This will make it easier for Michelle to get around as she will then only be connected to the antibiotic pump. 

February 17, 2002 - Michelle is recovering at home. She is going to be tethered to a vacuum devise which helps drain the incision and aids in healing. She wears a device which injects antibiotics every four hours around the clock. A visiting nurse comes every three days to tend to the devices and change the dressings. Michelle is walking with a walker and has more mobility than in many months.

February 12, 2002 - Michelle left the hospital late Monday afternoon! There are still some issues to work with, but we are very hopeful that the operation itself was successful. She has been doing some walking and the nerve pain in her legs seems to be getting less intense. The Doctor feels the better part of the leg pain is caused by swelling at the incision site, which is getting better. There is quite a bit of visiting nurse care scheduled over the first few days, so Michelle is staying in a motel near the hospital for a short time before she comes home.

February 11, 2002 - Assuming all continues as planned, Michelle will be released from the Hospital Monday afternoon. She will be having a visiting nurse change the vacuum dressing three times a week for a while and then it will be done on an out patient basis. She and Daryl are being trained to use the antibiotic infusion pump, but since they both have experience treating the horses and working with technical equipment it's all pretty familiar. Michelle is going to the Sweet Briar Inn for a few days where the handicap room make things a little more convenient and she can have a little quiet.

February 9, 2002 - Michelle is doing better today. Last night she had a transfusion of her own blood she had set aside for the operation on January 23 rd which wasn't used. Fortunately, it is still good and came in handy after the unexpected surgery. Michelle walked the full length of the hall today. She is now off the morphine drip and on other strong pain killer pills. The surgeon thinks she might be able to leave Monday or Tuesday. She will be going to Sweet Briar Inn for a few days where a visiting nurse will come and take care of the drain pump and the antibiotic infusion pump she will have to wear. It appears she is making progress. If there are no further "bumps in the road", she should be fine. 

February 8, 2002 - The minor surgery to install at catheter attached to Michelle's collar bone was delayed until today (Friday) The procedure took less than hour and she came through it fine. The Doctors now have come to agreement that the rods and screws should remain and the risk from infection isn't as great as had been earlier guessed. Michelle will have to carry a pump for six weeks which will administer antibiotics every four hours. She will also carry a pump attached to the incision point for a few weeks. At first a visiting nurse will come to her to change the suction tube and dressing. Then it will become an out patient procedure. Michelle is very upbeat about the chances for recovery and the Doctors says it's about time a break went her way.

February 7, 2002 - Michelle came through the third surgery fine. The surgeon found infection in the incision from the operation on January 23rd. They took a culture to see what strain of bacteria has invaded the site, which will take three or four days to culture. She has had a fever off and on which they are dealing with. We are somewhat on the horns of a dilemma because one Doctor says the screws and rods should be removed, due to the infection, or else Michelle will be in dire danger. Our surgeon says otherwise. 

For all appearances, the surgery of January itself has been successful because Michelle is able to walk much straighter. She has had terrible leg pain, but that was getting better. Tuesday the Doctor installed a sponge like material cut to the shape of the incision wound which is then attached to a vacuum pump. Thus, the wound is sealed and the dressing is changed only every three days. The pump has relieved pressure and swelling. She will have to bring the pump home with her and use it for a few weeks. 

Another complication is that Michelle has had some many needles in her arms and wrists that her veins have collapsed and they nurses have trouble getting medication into her. Last night, much her her morphine drip was wasted. (She had a very difficult night.) So today, Thursday she will be taken to surgery, again, where they will insert a catheter into her chest and attach it to her collar bone so it won't slip out. This catheter will have to stay in for about six weeks. So, when she comes home she will be attached to a drip tree and the wound site pump. 

February 5, 2002 - Michelle was admitted back into the Hospital at noon on today for a third surgery. The pain down her leg has increased and there seems  to be an infection at the surgery site. She is to have surgery this evening and is expected to be in the hospital for four or five days. Following the procedure, which includes examining the donor bone and the screws, she will be on a drip for six weeks, but that is something we should be able to handle at home.

February 4, 2002 - Michelle is back using the walker to get around. She might have overdone  walking with a cane and has to pull back a little bit. The pain level is high again, but so are her spirits. She has is working daily on the new Ideal stallion video matching her musical selections to foal footage and assisting in the editing of the "Then and Now" segment. Getting back to work has had a positive effect on her determination. Her greatest goal is to be able to teach again.

January 26, 2002 - The pain in Michelle's leg responded to the steroids which indicates it was not related to the surgery site. Also, even though physical therapy had been suspended, Michelle insisted on continuing to walk around the nurses station Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. When the Surgeon visited Sunday morning he had not seen the cat scan, but based on her improvement was satisfied that there were no complications. And, best news of all, Michelle convinced the Doctor to release her today! We have had a snow storm and there is about two inches of snow on the farm. We just might celebrate Christmas again! 

Again, thanks to those of you all over the Country for your prayers and good thoughts. We have passed on e-mail messages and cards which have been a great encouragement to Michelle. Knowing of your concern and support has strengthened us all.

January 26, 2002 - Today Michelle had a slight setback and physical therapy was temporarily suspended. Severe pain down her leg accompanied by some numbness is thought to be from her earlier complication and not from the recent implanted donor bone or screws and rods. She is being treated with steroids to reduce pressure on the nerves. A cat scan was taken this Saturday afternoon which the Doctor will discuss with us Sunday morning. If everything looks good physical therapy will resume.

January 25, 2002 - A little more pain and some nausea  this morning, but Michelle's blood levels are looking good and apparently the blood clot complication from the prior surgery has been averted. Michelle expects to work with the physical  therapists again today. The patient controlled pain pump has been removed and she is now on oral medication. (Thanks for the e-mail messages of encouragement.)

January 24, 2002 - Michelle's second surgery yesterday lasted five hours, but the Doctor reported that it went well. This time they went in from the back, instead of the front and he removed shavings from her pelvic bone to add to a large piece of donor bone. This time screws and rods were implanted. 

Michelle walked around the nurses station, with a walker, less than 24 hours after surgery. The nurses say she is "driven". They are right.

There are hopes for full recovery, but it could take three or four months to be sure.

Michelle is unable to have flowers and no visitors are allowed. Your prayers and appreciated. Your e-mail messages  are passed on to her.

Michelle has been confined to a wheel chair for the past 9 months as the pain from the nerves moving because the bones are not attached has been agonizing. She was ready for the surgery and is hopeful for a satisfactory outcome. 

September 13, 2001 Michelle was to undergo a second surgery on this date, but the surgery had to be delayed because she hasn't been able to get rid of a sinus infection she has suffered over the past five weeks and it was decided it would not be prudent to proceed with the surgery until this situation is resolved. 

We are uncertain when the surgery date will be rescheduled since it requires clearing the schedules of two surgeons and depends on the availability of the operating room facilities.

Michelle was able to attend portions of the mare and foal evaluation on last Sunday where she was greatly cheered by the results.

How Did It Happen? A number of friends have asked how Michelle's back became injured. Because of her profession it is assumed it was from a horse accident. However, the beginning of Michelle's back problems is believe to have started about 15 years ago when she was dragging some stall mats and her back 'went out'. She saw a Chiropractor and from time to time over the next few years had some painful episodes. A few years later she saw a sports medicine (the game must go on) Doctor just before an important show because she was experiencing pain. He injected her with something which deadened the pain which was probably not a good idea. (Pain is a messenger sent by your body.) We think she may have damaged her back further by riding with the pain signals deadened. Michelle was in nearly constant pain for the next ten years and her condition declined. A few years ago, a client's pony kicked her in the hip during an lesson. The fracture of the hip couldn't have helped her back condition.

Over the past several years Michelle was seen by nearly 20 Doctors most of which told her that she either had to live with the paid or find a new profession. One Doctor told her that the MRI didn't reveal any more serious condition than he had and got my on a couple of aspirin a day. 

Eventually, the extent of damage to her back was revealed when her her disks were injected under pressure with dye.  A healthy disk can take quite a bit of pressure measured in PSI like an automobile tire. Michelle's disk collapsed at about 11 PSI . As I recall, normal would be more like 60 PSI.

From this the Doctor documented the degree of damage and told her the damage would never have revealed itself employing any other diagnosis  technique. He was amazed that she had the willpower to undergo 11 months of physical therapy because the pain must have been so intense. Her response was, "If I hadn't undergone the therapy regardless of the pain, I would have had another Doctor give up on me and I wouldn't be in your office."

WHY IS ANOTHER SURGERY REQUIRED

The operation Michelle had is usually only repeated in 5% of the cases. Never in the Doctor's experience had he had to redo a surgery because the disk had slipped so badly.

It's one of those things we may never know for sure, but our belief is that the reason the disk slipped can be traced to about the third day after the surgery when one of the nurses insisted she get up on her own (for the first time) without any help. The Doctor had left instruction she was always to use a walker or a cane. Also, she had been fitted for a brace because she was to wear it if she went anywhere. 

Michelle overheard the Nurse telling a student, "Don't help them ... they aren't babies. The Doctor wants them to do it on their own. If you help them they will never leave here." 

When Michelle became faint from the pain and began to lose her balance the Nurse, using a 'hip roll' literally body slammed Michelle into the bed to keep her from landing on the floor. From that incident on, whenever Michelle moved she (and anyone standing near her) could her the donor bone disk 'pop'.

The first x-ray showed the disk had moved, but not so much that the Surgeon didn't have hope it might fuse. Each subsequent x-ray showed the disk had slipped further. After three months the x-ray revealed there had been no fusing and that the lower disk had slipped so far out of place that it would cause extreme pain and would never heal.

Michelle has determined that when she is able to write an article she will chronicle the experience so others might benefit. One thing she feels it is very important to know is that the patients has rights and you need to express them. Also, that patients need advocates on hand as much as possible to keep mistakes from happening. An example is one afternoon a student nurse came in to announce it was time for injection of a blood thinning medication the Doctor had taken her off of because of the diagnosis of blood clots in the lungs. We insisted the Doctor be contacted before she be given the medication. They reached him by speaker phone in surgery and he confirmed she was not to have the medication the nurse had named. (The Head Nurse said the student had just called it by the wrong name and there was no mistake ... which might be the case.)

As time permits, we will tell more of the story in the hopes it can help someone else avoid the pain.

August 13, 2001 Michelle's second surgery was  set for September 12th, just after our annual mare and foal evaluation on September 9th. We are not quite sure how we are going to get through the evaluation without Michelle's participation, but she is working ahead of time behind the scenes. Michelle is now wheelchair bound which she resisted as long as she could, but the paid of the 'new' disks slipping is too intense. As worried as we are naturally are, Michelle is doing her best to keep up OUR spirits. Thanks for all the recent e-mail messages and offers of prayer and support.

August 3, 2001 We are devastated to report that the surgeon has concluded that Michelle will have to undergo a second surgery, in a few weeks. One of the disks has moved out of place and it will be necessary for her to have a second surgery to fuse the disks, put in plates and screws. The Doctor says a follow up surgery in necessary in only five percent of the cases and this is the first time the disk has moved out of place. He would not confirm our suspicion that the root of this problem came about from an incident a few days after the operation. At any rate, this is not a time to try to fix blame, but rather to help Michelle become stronger so she can endure another surgery. They are starting to build up her blood so she can deposit reserves before the surgery.

This is an especially difficult time for Darrel and Michelle and they are in much need of your prayers.

July 24, 2001 Sometimes no news is good news and we had hoped that the next time we reported to you on Michelle's progress would be good news. Unfortunately, the result of Michelle's latest x-rays shows that her back does not appear to be healing properly. One of the discs shows minimal fusing and the second (lower) disc shows no healing what so ever and it appears the disc may have slipped slightly out of position. The Surgeon has prepared us for the possibility of a follow up surgery. (This time from the back.) 

Michelle's pain has been more intense the past three weeks than at any time since the surgery, which was three months ago. The Doctor has ordered follow up CT Scans and more x-rays to gather enough information to determine when and if to go forward with a second surgery. We were told that a follow up surgery usually only occurs in only 5% of the cases. 

Michelle is trying to be positive about this turn of events. Although, she is frightened by the prospects of a second surgery. Frankly, she is worrying about losing touch with her clients and is concerned they will forget her. We have shown her e-mail messages from friends and students which should convince her otherwise. We were glad to have them to show to her. For those of you who are so inclined, I know she will appreciate your prayers.

While we are waiting for word on the Doctor's decision we are undertaking a regimen of stepped up vitamin supplements, antioxidants and nutritional approaches to try to energize her system. 

July 5, 2001 No new developments. Michelle is still dealing with intense pain, but has been able to help out by monitoring the foaling stall TV monitors on the birthing of the last couple of foals here. This gives the rest of us a little more sleep time. We have made it through the foaling (so far) with no problems, but it is more stressful not having Michelle on hand. (We try to keep in mind what she has taught us since she is an old hand at it and our most devote researchers.)  She has made it down to the foaling stall via her golf cart and watches riders in the arena. Darrel has been able to pick up lots of Michelle's lesson which helps keep people in training using Michelle's techniques. (And, keeping up a portion of their income during this period.)

June 24, since our last report, Michelle has made a couple of walks (using a walker) to the front pasture to see a couple of this years foals. The first few times she rode back in the golf cart, but has since made the walk both ways. Her pain level does not seem to have improved. We are on the winning side with the incision issues and those complications have been overcome!

Recently, the Doctor had an electro magnetic therapy device delivered which Michelle is to wear 4 hours a day. The system was first tested in the 1970's on horses. It was later approved by the FDA for use on people. The first units were for arms and legs and not long ago a transmitter for use on the spine was approved. This device costs nearly $5,000 and has a record of being effective on cases like Michelle's. 

June 4, Michelle is starting to get stronger and her color is coming back. She still isn't getting around very much. She takes small turns around her place and has short visits with the parrots in her and Darrel's living room. But, that's about the extent. The Surgeon reminded her that, because of the pain she could expect, he predicted she would ... "curse him everyday for three months and would wonder why she even considered the operation". There are times she becomes depressed and frustrated by the seeming lack of progress. But, she has nothing but praise for the Back Surgeon, as did the General Surgeon who also attended. The latter had never seen this particular kind of back surgery and was thoroughly impressed.

May 22, Update Michelle had x-rays today for the first time since her hospital stay, and the Surgeon who performed the operation on the discs was very pleased with the results. One of the discs has slipped slightly, but the Doctor was not alarmed. 

The day before she was seen by the General Surgeon who did the two incisions said that she was doing much better. He has confirmed she has an incision hernia which will have to be operated on when she is stronger.

The incision rupture is getting better and it is no longer necessary to change the dressings every two hours. Which is good news for Michelle as well as Carol and Darrel who are getting a little more uninterrupted sleep. The Doctor commended both Carol and Darrel for their nursing skills. 

Michelle refuses a wheelchair when she goes to see the Doctor and uses a walker instead because it makes her feel more independent.

May 15th Update Michelle was able to go to the Doctor's office in Oregon City today. While her recovery continues to be slower than expected, the surgeon she saw today says that it is to be expected based on some of the things that happened. 

One of the major challenges now is that one of the stitches on the primary incision broke and there is quite a bit of drainage. As a result her bandages need to be changed every two hours around the clock, so Carol and Darrel have honed some pretty fair nursing skills. As you can imagine this being the height of the breeding season and having a couple of mares about to foal, and the Sandy Howard Clinic is this week ... the old farm is jumping and Carol and Darrel's sleep time is somewhat rationed. 

The Doctor said today that all the drainage and swelling is from a blood clot which had formed under the incision. The fluid can either be assimilated or find it's way out. Ever since Michelle coughed and opened the incision, it's taken that exit option. 

We have about emptied all the drug stores in a twenty mile parameter of the farm of their supply of sponge dressings and paper non allergic tape. 

Michelle refused a wheelchair and used her walker to go to Doctor. On the way back to the farm she promised herself and us that this was all going to work out and that she would ride again. We believe her.

Michelle was released from the Hospital Friday May 4th.

Michelle's back surgery on Thursday April 26th. The surgery was four and a half hours. She was released Friday May 4th and went to a motel suite near the hospital for a couple of days quite recovery before coming home. Care was easier in the handicapped room. Michelle came home Monday afternoon. She will have to use a walker for a a month and then can graduate to a cane.

The surgery involved an incision in the front from which the Doctor removed two discs. In their place he inserted to pieces of bone from a donor. A hole was drilled in the donor bone and slivers pealed from Michelle's own hip were placed in the hole in the donor bone. The bone inserted is polished to be smooth on all sides except the back which is crosshatched to be nerve channels. 

In time her own bone will take over the donor bone. This surgery requires two incisions, one in the lower abdomen and a second one to remove the slivers from the hip.

Michelle continues to be very week. As we reported earlier, two of the nurses were alarmed and urged her to ask her surgeon for a transfusion and strongly suggested she not press to be released. Her blood count was actually down a little the morning of her release, but, her Doctor says her heart and lungs are strong and her system will kick in to raise those levels over the next few weeks. Again, the surgeon told us that Michelle had great resolve and that as her strength returned to match that resolve, she will recover.

We have all wondered when we will know why kind of results to expect. Going in Michelle knew the operation had 20% of failure and 20% for high success. (The rest in between) We asked the Doctor when we would know which category she would fall into, he replied, "I'll let you know a year from now."

Michelle feels certain the Lord would not have allowed her to go through such horrible pain and permitted her to overcome the set backs, unless there was a good chance for recovery.

We are still worried because her color is off and the blood count so low. But we are thankful that she survived the surgery, the blood clots in her lungs dissipated, there were no problems with the pulmonary angiogram which was necessary because of the clots which showed up and that she is now home.

Micelle had provided two liters of blood in advance of the surgery. Unfortunatelty, about half a kiter was spilled when a tube came out in the middle of the night. The surgeon explained the reason he tries  to avoid transfusions using other than the patients blood is the incidence of Hepatitis C which results from 1 out of 500 transfusions in Oregon. (1 in 100 average in the rest of the nation.) With all the things that couldn't go wrong that did go wrong, we think he didn't want to take the chance.  

There were two heart wrenching incidents in Michelle's ward during the time of her  hospital stay that make us so thankful she is doing as well as she is. On the night of Michelle's surgery a young lady was admitted who had fallen from a horse and separated her shoulder. After surgery on the shoulder, the girl suddenly suffered seizures and died. Also, an elderly woman was  given a clean bill of health and her daughter told to come take her home. On arrival, the patient had a heart attack and efforts to revive her failed. These two tragic incidents are reminders of just how fragile this thing called life really is. It also is a wake up reminder of how thankful we should be for the joy of our loved ones and appreciative of what degree of health we have.

We continue to marvel to learn how many friends and supporters Michelle has out there. We are all very appreciative of the well wishes of all of you folks. Join us in praying that the day comes Michelle can trade in her walker for a mounting block. She has gone through a lot to, as Michelle says, "Get her life back". Let's trust this is the first day of that new life.

Thank you and God bless all of you.

The Ives

Michelle's Scrap Book

Now it can be told ...

Michelle's Other Loves!

Besides Darrel, Ideal and William, not necessarily always in that order, two loves of her life are...

Aries (left) and Hercules (right)