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