Exciting news!

Mitch had a wonderful night, he hasn't had any pain medicine since 7 pm last night.  The Doctors were just in and told him not to be too tough and if he needed it he needed to ask for it but he said his head really doesn't hurt that bad.  He is going to go for a MRI and as long as everything is where it is suppose to be then we get outta ICU today! They will start theraphy on him today and get him up to walk and sit in a chair, this will be the first time he is up since we got here 9 days ago!!  If everything goes good then there is a slim chance we can go home tomorrow but a big chance that we can go home Monday for sure.  I just can't believe it!  My gosh I packed for a month and we haven't even been here two weeks!!!!  We are so thankful that everything is continuing to go so well. I must confess I was disappointed last night that Mitch's arm started in on his arm seizures but they said really it is way to early to even worry about that because his brain now needs time to heal.  He hasn't had any since so I pray that it will stop now!  Thanks you so much for the continued prayers, we are so very greatful and thankful to have you all helping us through this scary time. We are excited that Dave is on his way here now and we are sad to send Tiffany on her way home, but I know she needs to go home and hug MY oops Her babies. I really miss them so very much but have got to talk to them on the phone. I am so thankful with all the help everyone has given in taking care of them.  Love you all so much and Here's to another "Royal" day!!!  God Bless You all!!  Theresa

WOW!!!!

WOW is all I can say!! It has been an emotional day today! Surgery went great Dr. Tanaka was so please with how well it went! She took a 1 inch wide, 1  1/2 inch long and 1 inch deep piece of brain! She even showed us a picture of the piece she took out, Wow!! Mitch has quite a bit of healing to do, it can take up to a year for it to heal completely! We haven't really asked about his restrictions yet but I don't think it will be too much! He is the strongest, bravest man I know and I'm so proud to call him mine:)!! Last night we received pizza for dinner from the Randy and Lori Stoll family and today we recieved hot box cookies from the Untiedt family! They were warm and amazing, thank you sooo much! We are very humbled by all the prayer warriors and supporters out there! It's hard to put it into words how grateful we are for all our wonderful friends and family! It's truly amazing how Mitch's story has spread so quickly! It spread all the way to Surprise Stadium in Arizona! While we were waiting for Mitch to come back to his room from recovery, we received a video message from a friend who was at Royal Training camp. It was a video from Greg Holland (Royals #1 relieve pitcher) sending his prayers and support to Mitch! Thanks so MUCH Adam Wiederholt, Mitch LOVED IT! Although he was a bit jealous you saw him in person! We can't believe the day has FINALLY come, it has been a complete whirlwind but definitely worth the wait! They will not start taking him off his medicine for at least a year and maybe even two! We will continue to pray that the surgery worked and Mitch's seizure slowly decrease and are eventually gone for GOOD!  God is good, St. John Lucci is good and all our prayer warriors are good! Our prayers are continually being answered and we are so thankful! We ENJOYED all the pictures today, it helped pass the day today! It brought tears to MOM'S eyes on more than one occasion. I know she is completely overwhelmed and glad the journey for her baby boy is almost over! It has been a long road for her and I know she thought this day would never come. Thanks again for EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!! We love you all!


P.S. If everything continues to go as good as it has we may be home by the end of the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!

From Mom and Tiff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

St. John Licci

Blessed John Licci (Giovanni Liccio)
Feast day: November 14
(Patron of Head Injuries)

Blessed John Licci is one of the longest living holy men of the Church. His 111 years on this earth in a small town near Palermo, Sicily, were filled with miracles. Born in 1400 to a poor farmer, John's mother died in childbirth. His life from then on, all 111 years, was a tale of miracles. His father had to work the fields, and was forced to leave the infant alone. The baby began crying, and a neighbor woman took him to her home to feed him. She laid the infant on the bed next to her paralyzed husband - and the man was instantly cured. The woman told John's father of the miracle but he was more concerned that she was meddling, and had taken his son without his permission. He took the child home to feed him As soon as the child was removed from the house, the neighbor's paralysis returned; when John was brought back in, the man was healed. Even John's father took this as a sign, and allowed the neighbors to care for John.

A precocious child John began reciting the Daily Offices before age 10. While on a trip to Palmero, Italy at age 15, John went to Confession in the church of Saint Zita of Lucca where his confession was heard by Blessed Peter Geremia who suggested John consider a religious life. John considered himself unworthy, but Peter pressed the matter, and John joined the Dominicans in 1415, and wore the habit for 96 years, the longest period known for any priest. He founded the Convent of Saint Zita in Caccamo, Italy. During the construction, workmen ran out of materials; the next day at dawn a large ox -drawn wagon arrived at the site. The driver unloaded a large quantity of stone, lime and sand - then promptly disappeared, leaving the oxen and wagon behind for the use of the convent. If roof beams were cut too short, John prayed over them, and they would stretch to fit. There were days when John had to miraculously multiply bread and wine to feed the workers. He also provided perpetual food for a poor widow and her six children. It simply appeared in her bread box before every meal. Once a young boy came to the construction site to watch his uncle set stones; the boy fell from a wall, and was killed; John prayed over him, and restored him to life and health.

While he did plenty of preaching in his 90+ years in the habit, he was best known for his miracles and good works. He cured at least three people whose heads had been crushed in accidents. Consequently, he has been designated the patron saint of head injuries. He was the Dominican Provincial of Sicily, as well as prior of his abbey. He died in 1511 of natural causes. 

Saint's Prayer

Loving God, you made Blessed John illustrious by a complete self-denial and the utmost zeal for charity that he might reveal the mystery of your love to the poor. By following his example may we seek to please you and aid our brothers and sisters in Christ. Blessed John Licci, healer and friend to the community, we beseech you to pray for these wounds to mend. Restore to health this soul who has so much to give to the world. By the grace of the Lord, pray for the restoration of this injury and steady the doctor's hand through the healing process. With God's blessing, we implore your help. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Blessed John, pray for us!

Special Thanks to: Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate

Artwork information: Unknown

Data entered by: Ed McCoy on 2011-12-1

Mitch received a St. John Licci medal today! He is patron saint of head injuries! How come I never knew that?  Thank you so much Frank, Susan Grispino and boys! I have it on and will put it on Mitch after surgery tomorrow! Above is a story and a prayer about St John, it is a good read if you have time!! So tomorrow will be a big day! They are going to remove the skull and take out  a 1 inch by 1 1/2 inch piece of brain!  We have specific prayer for our warriors, please pray that the skull isn't infected! They will do a test on it as soon as they take it to see if it is, if it happens to be infected then they will have to "preserve" it some how and they will close Mitch up without his skull and send him home with a helmet and then come back 6-8 weeks later and put the skull back in! Dr. Tanka is really nervous because Mitch has had an infection in his skull before so she just thinks it could be a possibility!  I know with all of you praying this won't be a problem! I also want you to pray for all the Drs. Working on Mitch, please let their hands be steady and do there magic on my baby boys head!!  Mitch received more mail today, thanks so much for thinking of him! Remember, tomorrow is Royal Blue day, wear some blue if you can to support Mitch!! What a very cool idea! Thanks for coming up with it Checkers, it really did make me cry!!  Mark, Bull, Adam and Tiff have joined us today and will be here for surgery tomorrow! Thank you guys so much for being so brave to stay with this basket case! I can't thank everyone for all you have done for us! God Bless you all and let's do this and let the healing begin!!!!

#FOREVER ROYAL

In honor of Mitch, a dedicated KC ROYAL fan, please join us and wear Royals attire or Royal Blue Friday, February 27th. Mitch is scheduled for his final surgery. The surgeon plans to remove the sections of his Royal Brain that are causing his seizures! Let's have some fun with this you prayer warriors, so post your Royal pics on FB or the blogspot! Hugs to all! Thanks for the support!

Submitted by Mitch's Godmother

More ups and downs!

It has been an ok day!  Mitch and I were very sad to tell my sister good bye but we knew she needed to get home and take care of our Godson who doesn't feel very good today:( Feel better soon Bo we love and miss you sooo much!  We were VERY excited to have a visit from Aunt Liz from St. Louis, and of course Trevor stoped to see us also, Thanks SO very much for coming and help us pass the time. Mitch also recieved some wonderful cards in the mail here today, We really appreciate it!!!  Poor Mitch showed many of his arm seizures today, they started at 1p.m. and They lasted about 4 hours and now he has his famous headache.  We also found out that we are about 99% sure that Mitch will have surgery on Friday, all four Doctors came in and said that surgery is Friday and Dr. Tanaka actually had him sign the consent so unless something really weird happens surgery will be Friday.  We are really hoping by this time next week we will be home but, there is alot of things that have to go just right for that to happen! Mitch's nurse told him tonight that he is very lucky, they have seen some be here up to three weeks without having a seizure and having to go back to operating room just because there is a big chance of infection in the skull since it isn't really all the way in place, so we have been thanking God that Mitch has showed them so many seizures in less than a week, and he is back on all of his seizure medicine.  I just can't wait for this to be over and I pray he feels like a new man! We have had many visitors and want to thank you all for stopping to see us! We miss Mary so much but know she is where she is needed! I plan to read everything on here tomorrow so thanks to all of you for the wonderful encourageing messages, we really do appreciate them all!  So tomorrow Dr. Lanigar will do the mapping of the brain to make sure that his motor functions aren't in the way where the seizures are coming from, if they are then Dr. Tanaka will have to do a disconnect instead of removal and she said it would be alittle more delicate. The mapping test takes about two hours and the surgery will be at least six hours, we will see, he has shocked them so far so I hope he keeps on shocking them.  Thanks again and God Bless you all!  Mitch and I really are doing great but wow we really miss Dave, Mark, Joel, Tiff, Gia and Quincy. We can't wait to get home and squeeze you all.  Love you all so much, Mimi or Theresa and Mitch

P.S. Big prayers and hugs to my cousins Darrell and Sheila and family as Sheila's mom passed away and to my cousins Brett and Dee and family as Brett's mom passed away. I wish I could be there to give you all hugs but please know that we are sending many prayers and hugs to you ALL!! Love ya

You gotta love this kid!

I've been struggling to face the fact I have to leave. It absolutely breaks my heart!

But,  look at the smile on that face! He's feeling so much better today and he's up to no good!  He cannot quit smiling...he just asked the neurosurgeon for a certificate to validate to a couple of his favorite cousins that he does NOT have a donkey brain! The doctor got so tickled and that was definitely a first for him!

You simply gotta love this kid! Submitted by Mitch's Godmother

What an emotional ride...

Hmmmm...today was seizure free as far as visible seizures are concerned (that's a good thing, right?!?).  Honestly, we are not sure that's so good.  Doctors are still looking for more seizure activity, so we pray they are getting all the activity they need.  Today, 2 of the 3 doctors indicated surgery is penciled in for Friday, this Friday, the 27th.  One doctor is still hesitant to make any promises about a surgery date and will make his final decision on Thursday.  He plans to do "mapping" on Thursday and look at all the documentation they have gathered from the brain grid.  We asked what the mapping would entail and he said it would be an interactive test with Mitch.  There is some concern that Mitch has motor function that is controlled in the same area of the brain as the areas causing the seizures.  The surgeon hopes to be able to remove the sections causing the seizures, but she voiced concern that she may only be able to "disconnect" those sections because of the risk of affecting his motor functionality.  There are no guarantees either way, but Mitch should experience more relief if the sections are removed instead of disconnected.  The doctors are also perplexed because some of Mitch's arm erections are not even registering on the brain grid as seizure activity. 

No visible seizures, but Mitch was very sleepy and lethargic today.  And let me tell you, he did not like it.  Yesterday, the doctors cut back on one (Kepra) of his four seizure meds and today they took all of the Kepra away. Mitch was begging to have his meds back so we know he was not feeling good at all.  Eventually, he was so sick to the point of nausea and vomiting.  It broke our hearts and we felt so bad for him...cannot even imagine how scary all of this is for him!  He definitely knows something is not right.

We are in the middle of hoping the second surgery could be scheduled for this Friday so this can be over soon, but praying they have the comprehensive results they need to get Mitch relief.  Another week and a half of watching Mitch go through this would be somewhat torturous for his Mom.  Hoping and praying for positive results! 

Mother Theresa is strong as always and remains positive (maybe even a little excited to think her baby may have surgery on Friday and get relief from the seizure activity he has endured for so many years).

I just have to throw in a little throw-back moment...As the nurse was checking Mitch's eyes today with the flashlight, I reminded him of the moment at Children's Mercy when his Dad and I were sitting with him and Mitch showed his first sign of responsiveness to a flashlight after nearly a week in a coma.  My heart leaped at that very moment! My heart leaped today...so very proud of my Godson!

Submitted by Mitch's Godmother

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!  THE SUPPORT IS WONDERFUL! 

WE LOVE YOU!

Amazing man! Amazing technology!

These pics depict Mitch's spirit and his awesomeness to handle adversity! You can see the 5 leads coming out of his head that explode to 70 wires to monitor several sections of Mitch's brain. Finally you can see the monitor that shows the activity from the 70 wires and a perpetual video of Mitch they monitor 24/7.

So very thankful as we await results! 

Submitted by Mitch's Godmother

Not just yet...

OK, so we may have been a little excited to hear the message of possible surgery on Tuesday.  BUT...not just yet!  Both doctors (surgeon and neurologist) came in this morning and shared they are waiting for more comprehensive test results of the seizure activity before the second surgery.  Initially, feelings of disappointment, but we do see the blessing in disguise.  Thank God they will do everything in their power to ensure they know all the brain spots initiating the seizures before they perform the second surgery to remove those spots.  The doctors are getting consistent information for some of the seizure activity, but not all the seizure activity.  I don't know if any of you have witnessed Mitch's arm erections, but those are actually a type of seizure and the neurologist is awaiting more documentation from the arm seizures and other types.  The doctors do plan to take some of his seizure medicine away from him tonight (now that may change by tonight, but for now that is the plan).

At the end of the conversation, Theresa asked the doctor, "So, we are back to Friday for surgery?"  The doctor responded, "I cannot even promise Friday!"

Mitch and Sashy are resting now after a long night.

Pray for comprehensive test results!  Pray for Mitch!  Pray for Sashy (Theresa) to continue to support Mitch during those scary seizures this week.

Hug your loved ones!  Submitted by Mitch's Godmother

Seizures:(!

Wow, it has been an interesting night!! Dave, Joel and Tiff left at 4 this afternoon, at about 7:45 Mitch started in with a seizure, it scared me to death:(! We were just talking and all of a sudden I heard alarms going off and four nurses came running in and they were going back and forth trying to get him medicine, he just wouldn't come out of it! They gave him 6 mg of Ativan and that should knock him out but no he just kept seizing! Finally after 28 minutes he came out of it! I had text a classmate of mine from Texas who just happens to be in town visiting her son and she came right over, thanks Julie and also Vince and Joan were here and Dave had them come over because yes I was a basket case, thanks Joan and Vince!  The Dr on call came and talked to me and we discussed adding more medicine if it happened again, he said it probably wouldn't because of all the Ativan they had given him it should knock him out, I was like yea right do you know us very well? Ha ha and wouldn't you know it about 30 minutes later he had a seizure that last 18 minutes and then he had another that lasted 6 minutes! They haven't added more medicine yet and don't plan to unless he seizures last for longer than 30 minutes!  The Dr called in and said they already can see where all the seizures are coming from and the reason he started them tonight is because his brain has finally woke up after surgery, and there is no need to wait til Friday to do surgery so now we are going to meet with the team in the morning and surgery will be on Tuesday! They have never seen anyone have this much activity so soon after putting the grid in place, usually it takes two to three weeks to map out where they are coming from and then they take medicine away to make them have a seizure, but not my Mitch, they think he has seizures all the time and we just don't know it:(! Dave is coming back first thing in morning and I think Mary will come with him. I hate to do that to him but I need him here to make sure I am making all the right decisions!  We appreciate all the prayers and ask you to please continue them! I will let you know for sure the game plan after meeting tomorrow! I guess this is exactly what we wanted to happen I just was hoping it wouldn't be so scary! I try to remind myself that he is a grown man now but when I look at him and watch him go through this he looks just like my little baby:(! I pray he, and I, can get some rest tonight but who knows:(!  Love to you all,  Theresa

Doing good!

Mitch is doing better all the time! He really isn't very swollen and he seems to be more alert today! The Dr thinks he is doing great and they say usually patients that have this surgery would be more swollen and black and blue and he hardly has any! The next surgery shouldn't be as bad they said, so I guess we will see! David, Joel and Tiff will be going home today and we will sure miss them but we have had a lot of company which is fabulous!!! Thanks so much for all continued prayers, I just know that our angels are working hard to get them answered!! Mitch's neurologist will be here tomorrow and he should have a game plan for us! Mitch continue to show seizure activity which doesn't surprise them at all! There is a good chance that Mitch could have surgery Friday instead of waiting til March 6:)! The sooner the better!!! Thanks again and I will post more as I know it! God bless you all !!! Theresa

All hooked up and resting!!! Let the seizures begin!!!

Rough Night...better morning!

He had a pretty rough night last night, not much rest. He does seem more comfortable today. He has rested quite a bit this morning..finally!!! They are getting him all hooked up right now. It is very interesting watching them set it all up! Thanks for all the messages and the prayers we appreciate them and know they are working!! Love you all!!!

Will post another picture as soon as everything is hooked up!!!

God is great!!

God is GREAT, We are all cozy in NSICU room 20 with Mitch! He is pretty tired but darn he looks so good! He is a little swollen but he is his ornery self!  His address is University of Missouri Hospital 1 hospital road  Columbia, Missouri 65212 Mitchell Schmitz NSICU Rm. 20. There is 6 of us in the room now and they said wow you have a big family:) if they only knew!!! They haven't kicked any of us out yet and no temperature or gowns! We are beyond thrilled! I know the next surgery is the BIG one but I really thought this one would be more rough, I guess we will see what tomorrow brings:)! Again thanks
So much and I probably won't update this until tomorrow but I do hope to put a picture on soon! Love you all. Theresa

Prayers at work!!!

Wow, you all are amazing, prayers are answered!! He is all done, and she was so happy with how easy it ended up being! He has three different sections of grids on his brain and there are five leads coming out! The seizure activity won't show until tomorrow, that is when they hook it all up! So now the wait is on and she did say that if the activity goes like Dr. Lanigar thinks it will go then he will have surgery next Friday instead of waiting two weeks!! This all just amazes me and I thank God for all you smart doctors and nurses out there!!!  Thank you so much for all the distractions during surgery, if any of you need a good laffy taffy joke my wonder cousin, Vicki Adams, has sent us one every 15 minutes, I told her I hope she has a plenty for us all month!! Thanks also to my nephew Gilbert and his girlfriend Shanon for spending the day with us and getting us food!!! Love you all so much and we are so anxious to see Mitch and Joel and Tiff are on their way too!!!  God bless you all!!!! Theresa

Surgey has started!

We made it to the hospital at 5 and they quickly got us to the prep area where they had a little trouble getting IV in:(! They took him back at 5:30, we have a screen to watch and that is all the updates we will get!  I ask you all to pray hard for Mitch's Dr. We know she will do great and take very good care of him but we just want her to be get this done without any complications! I thought maybe this wouldn't be as hard as when he was so little but let me tell you....I have cried more last night and today than I have in a long time, dang it he is still my baby! Thanks so much for all the continued support! I will update when I can! God bless you all and please dear God and all of our special angels help guide Dr. Taunaka's steady hand as she does her magic on our baby!!! Theresa

P.S. we are on the fourth floor waiting room, take the orange elevators, Mitch is on 3rd floor and then he goes to recovery there and we won't see him til he gets to ICU:(!

We're off!!

Well we are loading the car and plan to leave here at 3!  We just can't believe that the time has come. We are very ready to get this behind us, Dave said it is time to do it, Mitch continues to have more and more seizures:(!  We know it will be a very long recovery but we also know we will have tons of help and prayers to get us through this!  I need to thank so many people, thanks to the methodist church in Albany-Stanberry for the beautiful "Royal" prayer shawl!  Mitch LOVES it and so do I, I will keep it with me tomorrow:) Thanks to so many for the movies, magazines, lip balm, all the donations and all the thoughts and prayers, even the silent ones I know we are getting!! We really appreciate them all and it seems so weird to have everything done that NEEDS done for the next month!  I told Dave I'm not really sure how we did it the day of Mitch's accident 13 and 1/2 years ago. We left on a moments notice and we were gone over a month so we both know we can do this because we have such wonder family and friends to help us.  I really appreciate all of you thinking we are Super Parents but believe me you would be too if the table was turned, I pray noone has to live this nightmare we are living!  Alot of you have asked for the address so I will post it tomorrow, I will also know more tomorrow about visitors, they have told us that he can have visitors but I didn't ask if there was a certain age you have to be or how many at a time can be back to see him, I do think that for Mitch's safety we will have to be gowned because of the chance of infection, I also think they may do your temperature to make sure you aren't sick.  Please feel free to facebook, call or text me anytime!!  Thanks so much for continuing on this journey with us, you will never know how much this means to all of us!  Love you all,  David, Theresa and Mitchell Schmitz   

P.S. If you see  my kids and grandbabies, give them a BIG hug and kiss from Mom or Mimi!  I will miss them soooo much, Thanks a Bunch Mary, Granny, Trude and anyone else that are helping with them while I'm away.  Love you all!!!!!!!!!!  

Home Again!!

Well we are home again!  Dr. Tanaka was just checking to make sure that Mitch's scalp had enough blood supply and skin to be able to close up after surgery.  She did have us go see a plastic surgeon and he thought there would be no problem with closing up for her but if she does have problems then he is on board to go help her close up.  We always learn something new each visit so now today she said they will take part of his skull out and after the grid is in place they will put the skull back over, screw it in and then close, that leaves less of a chance of infection.  She went over all his surgeries with us and I got pretty teary, I guess I have kinda shut out all he has been through up to now but with his first surgery he did get an infection and they had to remove his skull and replace with a prosthesis piece so she just thinks it will be best to go ahead and put his skull back in place!  She also told us that usually this kind of surgery would take 4 hours but she has blocked the whole day for Mitch because of all his prior surgeries, I told her take as long as she needs!!!  So in 11 days from now this will all be over, we just can't believe that the time is finally here!!  Dave did ask her if she could go ahead and do the surgery now so we didn't have to think about it anymore, if only that could of happened!!     Thanks so much for all the prayers, I know right now I am a basket case and I know your prayers are helping us all!! Love and Hugs to you all!!!

Quick trip back to Columbia!

Well since I can't sleep I thought I would get on here and let you know that we had an interesting call from Mitch's Dr.s nurse, that will do the surgery!  She wants to see him tomorrow and wanted us to have his head shaved;)! Hum, I told her nurse his head is always shaved and it was when she seen him last.  Her nurse also told us that she was going to call and see if she could get plastic surgeon to see us also and then she would call us right back and explain to us what was going on! Well........we haven't heard a thing from them since except for a phone call to confirm his appointment on Monday, so we are going tomorrow and see what the heck is going on!  I'm trying to think Good Thoughts but I must confess my mind is going all over the place and I'm just worried that something isn't right:(!  Mitch is starting to have some sleepless nights, he finally admitted that he is thinking about this procedure a lot, Well I totally understand because we are too! I hope tomorrow will give us some positive answers and more peace of mind so we are sure we are doing the right thing!  I will update this tomorrow so you will know what is going on!  Thanks for all the continued prayers, we sure need them!