Friday November 28 Home
28 November 08 - 07:40
Jim was released late Wednesday, around 9 or so. Michael, Jim's youngest son, his wife Tomo, & Zumi, their 22 month old cutest ever son had arrived a bit earlier at the house. We were able to surprise them by Jim coming home. It was a very happy time for all.
What we learned: (1) Jim has had a catheter in his bladder ever since the accident. Even though it is changed monthly, it is always a potential source of infection. (2) You can have tiny little areas of collapsed "sticky" lung with pneumonia in these little areas that don't show up on regular xrays. It would have taken a CAT scan to identify them. Either one of these two can cause Jim's temperature to spike. We plan to get the catheter changed to a supra pubic catheter as soon as we can arrange a referral to a Urologist. They tried to do this in the hospital, but could not find a doctor there who would accept our insurance. The likelihood of infections will drop drastically when we get this done. And, Jim needs aggressive on-going respiratory therapy. He was able with help to clear a lot of "gunk" from his lungs while we were there. We hope to get a therapist to come to the house to help him. I know when the Long Term Care is finally approved & available, this can happen.
He was up in his chair for several hours yeasterday. He had some episodes of his blood pressure dropping, but by tilting his chair back as far as possible - which is close to lying flat - we were able to not have to put him back to bed. Maybe it is going to take a few days to get him used to being upright again. He will remain on an oral antibiotic for the next ten days. It was really good to be home and with family here it was a "new normal" for us. We had a time of thanksgiving sharing before dinner and Jim was most thankful for the family & friends that have stood by him throughout this adventure. It was pretty emotional, but in a happy, good way.
Continue to pray for those things listed above. God is our ever present help in trouble and our guide for each day.
Marilyn
two comments:
What a blessing to be home for Thanksgiving and to have family there when you got home. I am always uplifted by your blog and the strength that God gives both of you daily. I pray that the long term care will start soon and that it will bring relief to both of you. You are daily in my thoughts and prayers.
chris
chris daigle () - 28 11 08 - 19:40
Marilyn and Jim – Just a note to let you know that prayers are continuing from here in Washington! Every day! And every day God hears all of our prayers. Thank you for the “prayer points.” May ALTCS respond quickly and with just the right people! Love and prayers, Kaye
Kaye () - 10 12 08 - 10:22
