Cassie celebrated her birthday yesterday showered with love and birthday wishes from friends, family and the hospital staff. 

Cassie underwent a procedure this morning focused on chest closure after clearing up the prior chest infection. The surgeon performed a cutting edge technique to salvage all muscle and utilize a superficial lining in the stomach (Greater Omentum) with a steel plate to securely approximate her chest wound. They removed the greater omentum through her abdomen and placed it over top the chest plate before closing her chest. The surgeons were very pleased with the work and stated that everything went according to plan.

Over the past week Cassie remained on daily night time dialysis and increased ventilatory support to maintain proper internal values before surgery. Over the past two days, she was able to spend some time on room air and speak with the family. 

PT/OT were limited over the past week in order to allow her body to rest and fight off the infection. However, they continue to work her hands, elbow and shoulders to regain her function. 

Through it all, she keeps fighting — not just for herself, but for all of us who love her: family, friends, prayer warriors, and anyone who has cheered her on. This past weekend, she even rallied enough strength to play euchre with her husband and two sons.