In and Out and In and Out and Back In again...

We were discharged Saturday morning.  We had a pretty good day.  Lots of rest and quality time with James' dad, sister, and our nephews.  For this, we are thankful.

Around nine thirty on Saturday night, I attempted to flush the line to the port to start his antibiotic.  As I pushed the saline into the line, James cried out in pain.  This is uncommon so I called Dr. C.  Due to the swelling around the line and the tenderness/pain, she sent us to the ER.  We were admitted at midnight, just fourteen hours after our discharge.

Blood cultures were drawn, lab work, and more antibiotics.  Today, we learned the cultures have come back positive.  The port needs to come out.  A new pic line will be placed.  This should be an uneventful procedure.  Our only hiccup would be James' low platelet count.  He will have a platelet transfusions pre-op, in the OR, and post-op.  

Prayer request - 

• Pray for an easy procedure without complication

• Pray for James' team of doctors

• Pray for those hurting and struggling to deal with James' health condition.  May the Lord become evident and real to them.  Ask Him to cover them with peace.

• Pray for patience for the patient's wife...they are trivial gripes but I am so tired.  Exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally.  This has been a long road.

• Pray for those along the east coast still struggling.

Praise God

• For sending His Son

• For unfailing, unconditional love

• For carrying James and I this far

• For every nurse, PCA, and doctor caring for James

• For our church family!  They brought Thanksgiving dinner to us since we were unable to attend yesterday afternoon.  So thoughtful, so kind.  It is a small church BIG on love.  We are so grateful for everyone there!!!

I will update again after the procedure!

Much love and appreciation to all!!!

James was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning around ten thirty.  We rested well during the afternoon but James grew increasingly uncomfortable as the day wore on.  His belly is distended and feels yuck.  He has been nauseous and vomiting since yesterday evening.  His port has still been sore and tender.

We went to MD for an Avastin treatment and Dr. C thought it best to treat his symptoms inpatient.  A blood transfusion is not needed at this time.  He had an abdominal xray to check for an obstruction of the bowel. 

For now, his nausea and vomiting are controlled with medicine and he's resting comfortably.  Dr. C and Dr. M (his inpatient doc) will continue to do all they can to keep him comfortable and pain free. 

On the upside, we were given our lake view room with our pet spider!  We appreciate your love and prayers.   I will update again tomorrow!

Day 4

Happy Monday, Friends!

It is day four here and we are getting a bit restless!  We are waiting to see his docs this morning.  He did get a second blood transfusion yesterday.  His counts are slowly trying to make it back up.  We had a great day yesterday visiting with Lauren most of the day and watching our spider friend.  

This guys lives outside out hospital window.  We've watched him keep house and catch his food.

I think he needs a name...what do you think?

I will update again 

Day 2 from our lake view room

Things are starting to look up today.  WBC and platelet counts are still low today but his hemoglobin has improved with the transfusion.  He's about to start his third dose of IV antibiotics so he should be up for well visitors tomorrow. He is still having waves of nausea and vomiting but we're trying to control it with meds. Praise the Lord the Doppler done on James' left leg is normal.  The swelling in his leg/foot is likely due to the long travel home on Thursday.  Dr. N, Dr. C's partner, says he'll likely keep him through the weekend then continue IV antibiotics at home with our home health nurse.  

Tonight, I am thankful for thirty minutes of smiles and laughter with my older sister.  I am thankful for a brother in-law willing to entertain two kiddos in the car so Carrie could visit us.  I am thankful for the innocent smiles and questions from Jefferson and Harper and the excitement when they got to wave to Uncle James at the window!  I am thankful the swelling has gone down in James' legs.  I am thankful we figured out how to change the input source on the hospital TV so he play games on his PS3 to pass the time.  I am thankful he is relaxing comfortably.  I am thankful we serve a mighty, mighty God!

A trip to KY...a trip to the hospital...

Dacus Baptist Transportation Ministry delivered James and I from Kentucky to our home Thursday evening.  A super huge thank you to Cory and Bro. Chris for making the long drive and an equally huge thanks to Uncle Paul and Aunt Cathy for taking in four crazy  Texans for the night.  We also appreciate Jon and Angie Young for offering up their     vehicle so James could be as comfortable as possible.  We enjoyed our time with James' family but we're thrilled tobe home after being gone for 13 days.  I thank you all for praying for us and helping us and loving us!  

James was admitted to St. Luke's yesterday.  We had blood work drawn and a visit with the nurse practitioner on    Friday afternoon.  Blood work revealed James to be critically anemic (low hemoglobin), neutropenic (low white blood cell count) and potassium/magnesium deficient.  We also think he has an infection in his port-o-cath.  We could        handle each of these situations individually but all at once is a challenge.  With the possibility of infection, the port   is off  limits so James is getting a blood transfusion through an IV in his arm.  I Vs in his arm usually last less than a day before blowing due to weak veins.  He was given to units of blood and a bag of magnesium and potassium           during the night.  His first round of antibiotic is dripping now.

We will likely be here all until Monday.  James is on neutropenic precaution.  He is allowed well visitors wearing      masks and gloves.    

Please prayer for comfort, rest, and strength.