Saturday, May 24 - Special Prayer Needs
24 May 08 - 05:50
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. At this point he is on 50% oxygen, almost 30% more than you or I need. He requires PEEP - pressure to keep his lungs open - of 10 to 12. We require none. His volume of a breath is less than one third of what he needs.
The Social Worker, Linda, has been talking to me about future placement for Jim. To be in a Spinal Rehab facility, he must be off the vent (respirator) & tolerate 3 hours of therapy per day. The next option is a Specialized Hospital called Promise, that our insurance has an aggreement with. Promise is at 7th Ave & Buckeye. To go there, his PEEP must be at 6 or less.
When he is medically stable - no cardiac or blood pressure drugs, PEEP at 6, stable airway (trach) and feeding tube, he can go there if I agree . He cannot go to the Neuro FLoor at Osborn, where he is, on a Vent. If he cannot wean off the Vent, the other option is one of a few Nursing Homes (called SNF's) in Mesa that accept patients on a Vent. She also mentioned Hospice.
This was all hard for me to take. I had thought: Neuro Floor at Osborne, Spinal Rehab & then home.
Everything hinges on breathing on his own. Listening to her yesterday my heart hurt so for Jim & for myself. I want him home, but at this point that is an impossibility as he will require 24 hour care when he leaves wherever.
Then there is the issue of our Insurance. They only pay for 30 days of a SNF & 24 home health visits. This is literally nothing.
I will need to start visiting facilities next week in preparation for him leaving Osborne.
I think you can get an idea of what I am dealing with. This part is breaking my heart. Please pray.
Marilyn
seven comments:
I don’t know Jim and only heard about his story from the Arizona Virtual Jeep Club (AZVJC). I wish Jim the best and will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.
My wife Tracy, a physician, had her C2 broken in a car accident and was in a situation similar to Jim’s… the good news is that she slowly pulled out of it and today has absolutely no issues except for a minor amount of neck pain.
I relay this story because there is always hope… try to keep your spirits up and if there is anything that a large group of Arizona 4-wheelers can do to help you… please let us know by emailing me or posting on the forum.
Kind Regards,
Joe
Joe West () - 24 05 08 - 07:45
Jim and Marilyn,
Thank you so much for the updates. We will pray for wisdom for you in this time. We will continue to pray for healing.
We love you,
Jim Green () - 24 05 08 - 08:37
Marilyn,
We love you both & will continue to pray for you.
Stacy, Scott, and Chance - 24 05 08 - 08:46
Jim—
You are in my thoughts and prayers every single day. I miss you .
Sasha
Sasha - 24 05 08 - 11:20
I just did a search for verses about God’s sheltering wing, as a means of comfort and encouragement to you both. BOY, DID I FIND ONE! Psalms 57:1 reads, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” WOW, WHAT A GOD!! Jim, I think He put this prayer in there JUST FOR YOU! It will be my constant prayer for you “until these calamities be overpast.” We LOVE you guys!!!
Penny & Bob () - 24 05 08 - 11:24
Jim and Marilyn,
We are praying for you, and asking for extra grace during this especially trying time. The church e-mail server is down and should be up by Tuesday, and I will ask for focused prayer on currently blogged concerns. I was not able to update everyone on the corrected blog site yet, but will update everyone as soon as possible. I understand your wishes for no vistors, and we will pass that along.
I am still holding onto what Jim shared with me, and am anxious to see God use this for HIs glory. Karla,the boys, and I love your family. We are hurting with you! You are looking for answers, grieving, and hanging on to any glimmer of hope. Remember you are not forgotten, and very much loved by God Our Father, and your church family. We don’t have many answers to offfer but we offer our shoulders and our tears. We love you and long to hear good things for you soon!
Pastor Derek and Karla Boyd
Karla and Derek () - 24 05 08 - 13:31
Jim and Marilyn,
Praise the believers for they will recieve the mercy of God , our Father.
Prayers are being answered as we are told you have come off
the vent.
God’s blessing, Tom and Lynn
lynn - 27 05 08 - 17:23
