This is not his first rodeo...

Not even in Brian's worst nightmares would he have dreamed he would be back in room 507 at Zale Lipshy Hospital....

On Thursday evening Brian was relaxing in Florida when he felt that his hair was wet. He soon realized that it was a brown fluid that was coming from his incision. Brian knew what that meant.... infection. Brian called Dr. Mickey's emergency line, and left a message about what was going on. Well, Brian and Dr. Mickey are becoming pretty tight so shortly after 11:00 p.m. Dr. Mickey called Brian on his cell phone and told him that he needed to get to Dallas ASAP! Brian had been planning on flying into Oklahoma City to meet Greg and the gang for a drag race, but was detoured to Dallas.

Upon arriving at the hospital on Friday night, Dr. Mickey looked at Brian's head and confirmed that it was infection. Surgery for the 4th time was the only option for Brian. Surgery was scheduled for Monday afternoon, and Brian was put on an antibiotic to control the infection. On Saturday afternoon a few of Brian's friends came to spend the day with him. We were successful in escaping him from the hospital for a dinner out on the town. Besides the IV sticking out from his hand, it was almost as if we were just hanging out in Dallas with friends. Sunday was basically just a waiting game. It is pretty miserable waiting around knowing what is about to come. Although Brian was dreading the surgery he was so strong waiting.

Monday morning came and the Doctors came and said that the surgery would be around 4:00. God must have known that Brian was tired of waiting because at 12:00 they came to get him. Brian was in shock when they came and he did not have much time to get prepared. As they were taking him off he was so brave. He was just ready to get it done! We were told that the surgery would not last too long.

This surgery was different than the others in the fact that they were not only going to clean out the infection, but part of his skull would also be temporarily removed. Dr. mickey could tell from the MRI that the skull piece that was removed during original brain surgery was infected. He felt that the only way to get rid of the infection that Brian has been fighting was to remove the skill flap for 3-6 months. He will then go in and replace it with a plastic mold. Yes... that means surgery number 5 will be in the future.

The surgery lasted about 2 and a half hours. Dr. Mickey came out and said that Brian had done great! They cleaned out the infection, and removed two pieces of his skull. Dr. Mickey is very confident that this will take care of the infection. It was comforting to know that Brian was smiling when they woke him up. We were able to go into ICU and see him about 4:00. He looked great considering he had just had his 4th surgery! Brian had a great spirit and was handling the pain well. They ended up keeping him in ICU over night.

Today he is doing much better. He is back in his room on the 5th floor and all the nurses are catering to his every need! This trip Brian has found out that he is allergic to even more antibiotics. The list on his hospital bracelet is getting long! The doctors are working hard to find an antibiotic that works for him since he will have to come home on an IV. Please continue to keep Brian in your thoughts and prayers as he continues his battle. He is so thankful for the great friends and family that he has! He is so handling the situation very well and continues to have a positive attitude! I guess when you have been through this 4 times you learn how to handle it. God is good and He will get Brian through this! Thanks again!

shea