It has been a really long time since I updated this blog. My son has graduated from high school and is now in college on a Division I football scholarship at Norfolk State University. Pretty amazing, considering just four years ago he thought his football career was over.
In retrospect, I can't believe how close he actually came to death. I have heard about other healthy teenagers just falling over dead and it scares me to think about what those families are gong through. I am thankful that his condition was discovered early enough.
If you have some time on your hands, check out a small DB, #32, at Norfolk State for the next 4 years. We are expecting big things from our young man.
22 January, 2011
01 August, 2009
Dark days have ended
It has been quite a while since I posted anything to my blog. I figured I would update anyone reading this. My son turns 18 in four months and is entering his senior year. He will be a second year starter for the varsity football squat at O'Fallon Township High School.
Not only has he overcame his previous heart condition but he has also received several football honors and even has colleges looking at him for scholarship's.
Good luck in the future son.
Not only has he overcame his previous heart condition but he has also received several football honors and even has colleges looking at him for scholarship's.
Good luck in the future son.
30 November, 2007
Very Late Update
It has been quite a while since I posted anything so here is the latest and greatest. On Sept. 4th Dion was given clearance by his Cardiologist to play football again. After missing his first 3 games he finally stepped back onto the football field on Sept. 15th. He took over the starting wide receiver position and did quite well.
He finished the season with 7 touchdowns in 6 games and had an interception when put on defense.
Dion is training with a receiver/defensive back coach, Coach Dent, during the off season, so next year he should be a lot better.
You can check out his video on youtube. Just search for Dion Sullivan or Dionte Sullivan.
30 May, 2007
Up and Running.
The doctor has cleared Dion to go back to training and conditioning contingent on no chest exercises and no chest contact until September. This means that he is cleared to train with his football team as long as he doesn't make contact.
Now that Dion's heart ordeal is almost over I am going to be using my blog space for just random posting and thoughts. Many will be philosophical in nature since that is pretty much how my mind works.
Share this site with anyone what would just like some idle reading throughout the day.
Now that Dion's heart ordeal is almost over I am going to be using my blog space for just random posting and thoughts. Many will be philosophical in nature since that is pretty much how my mind works.
Share this site with anyone what would just like some idle reading throughout the day.
20 April, 2007
Back to School, Again.
Dion had been healing up very well, so we feel that he may be ready for school. Dion has been going stir crazy with not being able to go to school.
He has been playing basketball outside which leads us to further believe that he is healing faster then expected. He will start school on Monday 23 April.
He has been playing basketball outside which leads us to further believe that he is healing faster then expected. He will start school on Monday 23 April.
06 April, 2007
Tough Week in Review
2 April 2007
Nikki called me at work to tell me that Dion was having problems breathing and I needed to go home. I called Dion and he told me through some very labored breathing that he was hurting. I rushed home to meet Nikki and the chase was on.
We found a Sheriff's Deputy on the way to the hospital and he gave us the 75 mph escort to the hospital. We spent a couple of hours there and after many tests and X-Rays the final verdict was an anxiety attack caused by hyperventilation. Dion said he wasn't able to get a full breath and was breathing faster then normal; this is what caused his hyperventilation.
3 April 2007
Nikki took Dion to our family doctor and he confirmed what the E.R doctors found; nothing substantial.
4 April 2007
Nikki talked to the Cardiologist nurse about the incident and she urged us to bring him to Cardinal Glennon immediately in order to ensure that all tests had been ran. Apparently there was one blood test that would prove or disprove inflammation or bleeding from the coronary artery area. The good thing is that this test was negative.
The final verdict from all of the doctors is that he is healthy and healing normal. The pain in his side is being explained as part of the healing process. He is a growing kid so his sternum is trying to heal as it grows. The pain is radiating down the nerves from the sternum and manifesting in a pain on his side.
5-6 April 2007
He seems to be fine now. The pains are gone but we have meds to counter pain and anxiety attacks.
Nikki called me at work to tell me that Dion was having problems breathing and I needed to go home. I called Dion and he told me through some very labored breathing that he was hurting. I rushed home to meet Nikki and the chase was on.
We found a Sheriff's Deputy on the way to the hospital and he gave us the 75 mph escort to the hospital. We spent a couple of hours there and after many tests and X-Rays the final verdict was an anxiety attack caused by hyperventilation. Dion said he wasn't able to get a full breath and was breathing faster then normal; this is what caused his hyperventilation.
3 April 2007
Nikki took Dion to our family doctor and he confirmed what the E.R doctors found; nothing substantial.
4 April 2007
Nikki talked to the Cardiologist nurse about the incident and she urged us to bring him to Cardinal Glennon immediately in order to ensure that all tests had been ran. Apparently there was one blood test that would prove or disprove inflammation or bleeding from the coronary artery area. The good thing is that this test was negative.
The final verdict from all of the doctors is that he is healthy and healing normal. The pain in his side is being explained as part of the healing process. He is a growing kid so his sternum is trying to heal as it grows. The pain is radiating down the nerves from the sternum and manifesting in a pain on his side.
5-6 April 2007
He seems to be fine now. The pains are gone but we have meds to counter pain and anxiety attacks.
01 April, 2007
One Step Backwards
Dion went outside today with the dogs. After playing with them for about 45 minutes and pulling a tree branch to the back of the property he became very tired. I think he over did it because now he is very tired and having some problems breathing.
We have him stretched out and taking it easy for a while. He also had to take a Vicodin, the first in almost a week.
We have him stretched out and taking it easy for a while. He also had to take a Vicodin, the first in almost a week.
27 March, 2007
First Day of School - Again
Dion went to school again for the second time. He hasn't taken any pain meds in a few days which is good since the stuff that our doctor prescribed is highly addictive if abused. He is using the chest shield to protect him while walking through the hallways.
I had to take Ashley to the doctor today because she was bit by a spider and it got infected. While I was gone Dion took it upon himself to run Brett's football training; Tevin was sick.
I have some great kids.
I had to take Ashley to the doctor today because she was bit by a spider and it got infected. While I was gone Dion took it upon himself to run Brett's football training; Tevin was sick.
I have some great kids.
22 March, 2007
More Drugs
The doctor prescribed Vicodin for Dion and this stuff is making him loopy. If I didn't know any better I would swear he was on X. Needless to say Dion has decided to only take it when the pain is too much to bear which is good since the stuff is highly addictive.
More later.
More later.
20 March, 2007
First Day of School
It has been a few days since I posted last so time to catch up.
Mar 17th
On Saturday O'Fallon High School played in the Basketball State Championship game and came in 2nd place. Obviously teams and players want to win but considering OTHS has never made it to the Elite Eight let alone the Championship game, we think they did well. I needed to remind Dion to calm down a few times because we didn't need him to hurt himself watching a game.
Mar 19th
Dion returned to school yesterday for the first time since surgery. I ordered a protective chest shield for him but it didn't come in the mail until after he was home. He was fairing off at school okay; classmates carried his books for him to take the load off. Suddenly a student charging out of a classroom slammed into him and made his chest hurt.
I took Dion to his surgon and X-Rays were taken, after reviewing the X-Ray's and pressing hard on his chest he determined that nothing was wrong. This diagnosis didn't make Dion's chest feel any better since the doctor had pressed on it.
Mar 20th
Dion is home resting. I called his doctors office and they are going to write an order to give him a couple extra days of rest from school. I think he will be okay after this.
Mar 17th
On Saturday O'Fallon High School played in the Basketball State Championship game and came in 2nd place. Obviously teams and players want to win but considering OTHS has never made it to the Elite Eight let alone the Championship game, we think they did well. I needed to remind Dion to calm down a few times because we didn't need him to hurt himself watching a game.
Mar 19th
Dion returned to school yesterday for the first time since surgery. I ordered a protective chest shield for him but it didn't come in the mail until after he was home. He was fairing off at school okay; classmates carried his books for him to take the load off. Suddenly a student charging out of a classroom slammed into him and made his chest hurt.
I took Dion to his surgon and X-Rays were taken, after reviewing the X-Ray's and pressing hard on his chest he determined that nothing was wrong. This diagnosis didn't make Dion's chest feel any better since the doctor had pressed on it.
Mar 20th
Dion is home resting. I called his doctors office and they are going to write an order to give him a couple extra days of rest from school. I think he will be okay after this.
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