Saturday June 21
21 June 08 - 06:55
Jime was doing pretty good yesterday. Two concerns: He had a positive blood culture, which means he has infection in the bloodstream. Ordinarily this would be a BIG problem, but Jim is already on two very powerful antibiotics. We do not yet know what bacteria is in the blood as this takes a few days. Pray that the meds he is already on are effective against whatever bacteria is in the blood. His temp remained down yesterday, but he had a hard chill in the early evening. I put 5 heavy blankets on him & he was still cold. (It was 113 outside.)
Second concern are the spasms he has. Until a couple of days ago the spasms were usually in response to moving his legs or another part of his body. Since Thursday morning he is having spontaneous spasms all over & when he is touched, by hand or even the sheet he has severe spasms. These make positioning him a bit harder. He grimaces & sometimes says "ouch" or "Oooh" when they hit, yet he says they do not hurt. I hate them! They increased the antispasmotic meds yesterday to the max.
Lungs were good yesterday, coughing fair. The heel looks about the same.
We have had an ongoing issue with the hard cervical collar he wears. It extends down several inches onto the sternum in the front & the same on his back. He hates this collar & thinks it is a detriment to his recovery. We left Osborn with no directions on how long it has to be worn. To make a long story short, we got films made & had them sent to his Neurosurgeon's office. Now his surgeon has moved to Cleveland & turned Jim's case over to another doc. This doc wants Jim to wear the collar two more weeks & then come to his office! This means getting a Critical Care ambulance with an RN & the whole set-up. I can't see him doing this; he is too sick yet. The case manager is going to tell them he has an infection & hopefully the doc will come to him. It costs over $1000 to transport him. Even though we have insurance, we do have a lifetime maximum.
Please continue to pray for Jim & me. Jim for all the physical needs he has, me for wisdom & strength.
Psalms 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Marilyn
one comment:
Jim and Marilyn,
Hospice is not only for those that are dying it is for times like this. Jim may be able to get this assistance
based on any one of his conditions.
Please just talk with them even if they are not connected to the hospital. Often hospice is just waiting for someone
in need to connect to a hospital. Unfortunately sometimes
you must make this contact.
We continue to pray for you daily.
a friend - 21 06 08 - 13:18
