Saturday, May31
31 May 08 - 09:34
Jim's trach is leaking air & they will be changing it, hopefully today. We were told they would change it last night, but it did not happen by 9:30 when I left. The leak enables Jim to talk around the trach, sounding as though he has been sucking helium. But also the noise from the leak is causing him to be anxious. Pray that the trach will be changed today.
The day nurse yesterday told me he was approved to transfer to Promise. I am asking that he not be transferred to a new facility on a weekend, but wait until Monday. Jim is sleeping most all the time. He has cut back on the pain meds, so it is not that.No one has a concrete answer as to why this is happening and I seem to be the only one concerned about it. Pray that I will not fret unnecessarily.
Also, pray that a small area of breakdown on his skin - bottom - will heal & not become a problem. Pray that these fevers - 102.9 - will go away . ... (more)
Thursday, May 29 - 2 Weeks Post Accident
29 May 08 - 09:24
They aggressively used diuretics yesterday as Jim was full of fluid. He was requiring 81% oxygen & rattling loudly. As the fluids came off, the rattle went away & I just spoke with the nurse & he is back to 50% oxygen. With packing in ice, his temp is 99.5. Thank You, Jesus!
He slept most of the day, but last night reminded me again, that God is in control of all. He said he is at peace & knows God is very near to him. Again, he was encouraging me!
He also said people are afraid to touch him & he needs the human touch. What is happening is people touch his hand or his foot & he can't feel it. He can only feel on the shoulders or head. How sad I didn't pick up on that earlier. So now, if anyone should visit Jim, they will be encouraged to touch his shoulders. These are the little things that break my heart.
If he remains stable I expect them to move him to Promise. ... (more)
Wednesday, May 28th
28 May 08 - 08:59
Yesterday was a roller coaster day. Although Jim was off the vent, I was concerned about his mental state. He was laying with his eyes closed & not communicating well. He would either forget he was talking or fall asleep in mid sentence. Then he was transferred to Telementry - a cardiac unit for monitoring his heart - about 2:30 in the afternoon. They said his heart was fine, just not ready to be off all monitors.
Around 4 he was in some respiratory distress. His oxygen level was dropping below 90% & he was requiring almost constant suctioning. He did not look good. They ended up transferring him back to the same room in ICU & he is back on the vent. His temp was over 102 again last night.
When I saw him at 8pm he looked much better; said he was tired & just wanted to sleep. AND - he thanked me for being there! As I told him, "Where else would I possibly be? ... (more)
Tuesady, May 27th OFF VENT!
27 May 08 - 10:47
I just spoke with the Nurse, & Jim remains off the vent! Praise God! They took him off yesterday around noon or so. No CPAP, just oxygen.
His temperatuire remains a concern. It never went down from Sunday, stayed at 102 all day yesterday & was up to 102.9 last night. The Nurse said they got it down to 99, which is betteer, of course, but we need to know what is causing this.
His spirits are great & his thoughts remain focused on the Lord. David's visit yesterday was very encouraging to Jim, as was Miles, who always reads scripture to him.
Primary prayer focus: The elevated temp, and return of some function.
God Bless & thanks to all for your words of encouragement & your prayers.
Marilyn
Sunday, May 25 Good News
25 May 08 - 11:03
All of your words of prayer, scripture, & hope continue to be a source of added strength to us. Joe, thatnks for sharing about your wife, that is very encouraging.
We had a visit from Wes Still, who has worked in Neuro ICU. Besides his spirit-filled words of encouragement, he had a lot of practical advice & suggestions for us. Wes, as usual, we left the visit with you encouraged in the Lord! We are going to get balls for Jim's hands and "poke" him regularly as you showed us.
Jim slept very good last night & in fact is still asleep. But, he is on CPAP right now & is doing great. This is a major step! If Jim can get off the vent he can go to rehab, as I have spoken about before. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Now I am thinking about the new spinal cord swelling - let us pray that as that swelling subsides, no matter how long it takes, that Jim will regain some function as that improves. ... (more)
Saturday, May 24 - Special Prayer Needs
24 May 08 - 09:01
This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice & be glad in it!
First, about Jim:
Jim had a swallow test yesterday & failed; he cannot swallow. This means he will need the PEG, a feeding tube through his skin into his stomach. We do not know for sure if this is permanent, but is most likely due to nerve damage to the spinal cord from the accident. This was a blow to me.
The CT Scan revealed new swelling of the spinal cord, presumably from the surgery, per the Radiologist. While this may be one of those things that happens, any new swelling is bound to have consequences.
He continues with nightly fevers of 102. He only slept a couple of hours last night, not good as he needs the rest.
He asked me what he needs to do to get off the respirator. I explained to him he needs to practice breathing & take the deepest breaths he can. ... (more)
Friday May 23
23 May 08 - 16:10
Jim's spirits continue to remain high and his thoughts are continually with the Lord. Today, the bank mgr. from M&I came to the hospital from AJ to notarize a POA - medical. It turned out, as she listened to our conversation, that she is a Christian and she shared scripture & uplifting thoughts with Jim in addition to the business she was there for. What a blessing she was!
Jim has no new sensations. They are doing cat scans today of his abdomen, pelvis, spine & lungs. His adbomen is hard & they want to make sure he does not have an obstruction. He continues to run a temp at night, high. Now it is just over 100.
Jim said he has Faith & Peace & spends a lot of time praying.
Please pray for the long hours - 10 PM to 10 AM - when we are not allowed to see him. This is the time he hates the most.
Thank you is so inadequate to express our gratitude for all you who are praying for Jim. ... (more)
No Visitors Please
22 May 08 - 15:13
Thursday
I am asking for no visitors to the hospital for a few days. There is a lot going on with Jim right now, & I need to rest when I can. What we really need are your continued prayers. Jim & I both know when you are praying.
Jim continues to have a temp, 102 last night. He is having his central line replaced right now as it came out. He is a bit discouraged this morning, so please pray for that.
Jim experienced tingling in his hands yesterday. He asked to get up in a chair & told the doctor he would not improve laying in the bed like he is. We, family, are doing therapy with his arms & legs. He really likes that.
There is no new movement or sensations other than the tingling.
Please continue to pray for Jim & all of our families.
Morning, April 21
21 May 08 - 11:59
Jim did get the trach yesterday, as well a change of the site of the central line. He has a fever, he has pneumonia, has an infection somewhere. That is why they changed the central line. In spite of all this, he looks great, his spirit is steadily on the Lord.
The doctor suggested starting him on an antidepressant. Earlier, Jim had asked for the CD's of the Bible we have. He told the doctor the scriptures are his antidepressant. He told Pastor Derek "Take my hand, Pray. I have peace" Also, "I have been stoned like Paul and left for dead, but I am not. I'm alive!"
When I was having a "melt-down, good old fashioned hissie fit" he reminded me that he & I will have an impact on others by the grace & love & peace we show, that this is part of His - God's - plan. Needless to say, I was pierced by God's Holy Spirit to straighten up & get my act together!
Earlier in ... (more)
20 May 08 - 09:25
Tuesday, May 20
Jim gets his trach today at 10am. He is wanting this so bad, as we all are. Yesterday he had a Greenfield Filter put in. This is a device in the Vena Cava that filters any blood clots from his legs from travelling to any vital organs. He did pretty good, but was a bit distressed when he retirned to his room.
WHAT THE DOCTORS ARE SAYING: This is at this time a temporary trach. If he needs one long term it can easily be replaced with a permanent one. One said he did not expect Jim to be able to get off the respirator because the phrenic nerve which plays an important role in breathing, is involved. He also explained to us in detail the injury, the mechanics of the injury & the surgery.
Jim's long-time friend & spiritual Mentor, David Maddox, visited us last evening. What a blessing & encouragement he is! Jim was so blessed by his visit. ... (more)
AM of May 19th
19 May 08 - 10:33
It is early of this day, not yet time to go to the hospital. As his wife my thoughts are always with Jim - did he rest last night? Is he in pain? What thoughts fill his mind as he lays there? Knowing Jim as I do, I believe his thoughts are with me, with all his children - mine & his, for he loves my kids as his own, with Miles & the house he was so proud of, but I believe his thoughts are primarily with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. He loves having Scripture read to him. Please pray for Jim to have the "Peace that passes all understanding" and the same for me.
Hopefully he gets the trach today, allowing him to more clearly communicate with us. He will not be able to speak, but he will be able to form the words with both lips, without the tube obstructing our vision. They had planned, without discussing yet with me or Jim, to insert a PEG tube at the same time sa the trach. I asked the doctor to hold off on this ... (more)
Update
18 May 08 - 22:47
Hello everyone. This is an update for everyone who is concerned for my Dad.
He was in a very traumatic car accident on Thursday evening, May 15th, which caused a severe neck injury.
Today May 18, 2008, he has feeling from just above the elbow up and upper chest area.
We are hoping that a tracheotomy will be performed on Monday, which will allow him to be able to communicate much better with all of us. Please pray that this will happen for all of us especially my Dad.
We have been shown exercises to do with his arms and feet and he really works hard at the arm exercises. It has been a very good day!
Please check this site and know that Marilyn and family are very thankful for all your thoughts and prayers.
Please add your comments to this blog. We will be checking this site and updating daily if able.
Blessings for all,
Joey Merritt
Jim’s daughter
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Sunday, May 18th
18 May 08 - 20:19
We are at the hospital and hopeful the tracheotomy will be done on Monday.
Setup
18 May 08 - 19:56
Just setup the blog. We will try to update as possible. Thanks Jim
