We were told this morning that Ron was moving to Progressive Care (step-down unit)sometime this afternoon. But, when ICU nurse went to give report to PCU nurse and check to make sure they had everything to handle him; it turns out even though he is no longer critically ill, he is too complex for a step-down unit. Until they can get rid of some of the tubes, or at least get them off of wall suction, he will remain in ICU.
He is scheduled to go back to Interventional Radiology on Thursday so it looks like there will be no changes before then. When Dr. Shires was in this morning he was telling us that he just discharged a patient who had severe pancreatitis who had been here 5 months...not sure if he was trying to encourage us or what! He continues to be pleased with Ron's progress though and it's good to know Ron's illness is one he treats on a regular basis.
Don't know anything else to report. Hope you have a good weekend!
Love,
Christie, Ron, Ryan, Aaron & Kristin
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope..." Romans 15:13 NIV
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Waiting pattern
Fairly quiet the last couple of days....we are pretty much in a waiting pattern. Waiting for the cavities in the belly to dry out; waiting for the fistulas in the colon to heal after the belly dries out; waiting to begin tube feeds; and waiting for one day, way down the road, to be able to reconnect intestines.
This evening, Ron went back down to Interventional Radiology where he was able to watch everything on the screen. He said it was pretty interesting! Nothing new, just checking to see that everything was still in place and working properly. Dr. Parikh was happy to see that the hematoma is slowing getting smaller and the other cavity (up by the colonic fistula) is also shrinking. He will go back to IR first part of next week.
His white blood count is consistently staying around 12,000; hemoglobin around 10; no fever in the last 2 weeks. Blood sugar, heart rate and blood pressure still bounce around some...blood sugar is hard to regulate due to TPN (IV nutrition).
Word is, they are looking to move Ron out of ICU; probably to a step-down unit. We're hoping it won't be until sometime next week, his drainage tubes are complex and we feel much more comfortable in ICU.
Today, he was able to walk to the window and back two times with the walker (break in between the two, but that's ok! He hasn't walked since Dec. 8th or 9th). He also sat up in a chair for about 30 minutes afterwards.
Continue to pray...all the doctors say he's doing well but he will probably have more setbacks along the way. I'm praying he will continue to go forward with no setbacks!
"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act."
Psalm 37:7 NLT
This evening, Ron went back down to Interventional Radiology where he was able to watch everything on the screen. He said it was pretty interesting! Nothing new, just checking to see that everything was still in place and working properly. Dr. Parikh was happy to see that the hematoma is slowing getting smaller and the other cavity (up by the colonic fistula) is also shrinking. He will go back to IR first part of next week.
His white blood count is consistently staying around 12,000; hemoglobin around 10; no fever in the last 2 weeks. Blood sugar, heart rate and blood pressure still bounce around some...blood sugar is hard to regulate due to TPN (IV nutrition).
Word is, they are looking to move Ron out of ICU; probably to a step-down unit. We're hoping it won't be until sometime next week, his drainage tubes are complex and we feel much more comfortable in ICU.
Today, he was able to walk to the window and back two times with the walker (break in between the two, but that's ok! He hasn't walked since Dec. 8th or 9th). He also sat up in a chair for about 30 minutes afterwards.
Continue to pray...all the doctors say he's doing well but he will probably have more setbacks along the way. I'm praying he will continue to go forward with no setbacks!
"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act."
Psalm 37:7 NLT
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!!!
It's been a fairly quiet, restful Christmas Day, despite Ron's day starting at 8AM with PT and OT getting him up and going...no breaks here at Presby!
After spending the night at Debbie's and enjoying Christmas morning with all the family there, Ryan arrived mid-morning.
We had decided not to do presents this year, but Ryan surprised us with a couple. First, he had wrapped up his Bose CD player and our favorite Christmas CD so after opening these, we opened our presents (we each got a new "squishy" pillow, yeah!!!) while listening to our favorite Christmas song "You Gotta Get Up" by Rich Mullens, a traditional part of our Christmas mornings! Ron also received a gift basket from the Interventional Radiology department....that tells how much time he's spending with them!! His "new best friends" are very kind.
Ron and I spent a good part of the afternoon napping...pretty boring for Ryan, I'm sure. He returned to Deb's to have Christmas dinner late afternoon.
Aaron and Kristin have enjoyed the last couple of days celebrating Christmas with the Bailey's and their 10 new puppies!
As we celebrate our Saviour's birth, we also spend this day reflecting on the many miracles God has granted us this year, but especially in sparing Ron's life! As well as praising the Father for your faithfulness to minister to us in so many ways!
Blessings to you, dear family and friends!
Christie, Ron, Ryan, Aaron and Kristin
"... Lord...I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power..." Habakkuk 3:2 NLT
After spending the night at Debbie's and enjoying Christmas morning with all the family there, Ryan arrived mid-morning.
We had decided not to do presents this year, but Ryan surprised us with a couple. First, he had wrapped up his Bose CD player and our favorite Christmas CD so after opening these, we opened our presents (we each got a new "squishy" pillow, yeah!!!) while listening to our favorite Christmas song "You Gotta Get Up" by Rich Mullens, a traditional part of our Christmas mornings! Ron also received a gift basket from the Interventional Radiology department....that tells how much time he's spending with them!! His "new best friends" are very kind.
Ron and I spent a good part of the afternoon napping...pretty boring for Ryan, I'm sure. He returned to Deb's to have Christmas dinner late afternoon.
Aaron and Kristin have enjoyed the last couple of days celebrating Christmas with the Bailey's and their 10 new puppies!
As we celebrate our Saviour's birth, we also spend this day reflecting on the many miracles God has granted us this year, but especially in sparing Ron's life! As well as praising the Father for your faithfulness to minister to us in so many ways!
Blessings to you, dear family and friends!
Christie, Ron, Ryan, Aaron and Kristin
"... Lord...I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power..." Habakkuk 3:2 NLT
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve
Ron had his PICC line replaced this morning and while they had him down in IR they flushed out his belly. Drainage tubes seem to be in good place so nothing else was done there.
He had both OT and PT early this afternoon...OT is great about giving him a real hair washing! They can tell it's easier for him to move now that he's lost alot of that fluid. They had him do some leg exercises and stand by the bed then scooch himself higher up in the bed.
Nothing else to report for today!
Take some time these next couple of days, to reflect on God's grace in sending His one and only Son as a baby to grow up and experience this world that He might empathize with us, yet remain sinless, and provide us a bridge to the Father!
Glory to God in the highest...and peace on earth to all men...
Love, Christie, Ryan, Aaron and Kristin
"So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness." John 1:14
He had both OT and PT early this afternoon...OT is great about giving him a real hair washing! They can tell it's easier for him to move now that he's lost alot of that fluid. They had him do some leg exercises and stand by the bed then scooch himself higher up in the bed.
Nothing else to report for today!
Take some time these next couple of days, to reflect on God's grace in sending His one and only Son as a baby to grow up and experience this world that He might empathize with us, yet remain sinless, and provide us a bridge to the Father!
Glory to God in the highest...and peace on earth to all men...
Love, Christie, Ryan, Aaron and Kristin
"So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness." John 1:14
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Another restful Sunday
Ron was able to get in some much-needed napping today, and I was able to get caught up on some work! We also had a "group therapy" session...everyone did Ron's arm exercises together to encourage him! I'm sure the nurses thought we were crazy! Pretty funny, especially when we did one and turned it into "the wave"!
Sometime tomorrow he will go back to Interventional Radiology to have his PICC line replaced and they will probably flush out belly and make any adjustments needed with the drain tubes.
Aaron and Kristin left this evening to spend Christmas with her family in Tuscola (outside of Abilene). They will return Wednesday and he begins his new job Thursday.
Ryan and I will spend the day here with Ron. This will be a different Christmas for us, but that's ok...we've already received the best gift this year...Ron is here with us! And as we told Dr. Parikh when he sympathized that we would be spending Christmas in the hospital....we celebrate Christ every day....which is what Christmas is all about!!
Sometime tomorrow he will go back to Interventional Radiology to have his PICC line replaced and they will probably flush out belly and make any adjustments needed with the drain tubes.
Aaron and Kristin left this evening to spend Christmas with her family in Tuscola (outside of Abilene). They will return Wednesday and he begins his new job Thursday.
Ryan and I will spend the day here with Ron. This will be a different Christmas for us, but that's ok...we've already received the best gift this year...Ron is here with us! And as we told Dr. Parikh when he sympathized that we would be spending Christmas in the hospital....we celebrate Christ every day....which is what Christmas is all about!!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Complex Case? But, of course!
Yesterday (Friday) was rough...especially for Ron. He was very frustrated and disappointed. But he is in much better spirits today. This verse is reflective of thoughts and feeling from yesterday.
"My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me? Why do you remain so distant? Why do you ignore my cries for help? Every day I call to You, my God, but You do not answer. Every night You hear my voice, but I find no relief. YET YOU ARE HOLY!...Our ancestors trusted in You and You rescued theml You heard their cries for help and saved them. They put their trust in You and were never disappointed....You have been my God from the moment I was born...O Lord, do not stay away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!...He has not ignored the suffering of the needy. He has not turned and walked away. He has listened to their cries for help...I will praise You among all the people...All who seek the Lord will praise Him...The whold earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to Him...Our children will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those yet unborn. They will hear about everything He has done."
Psalm 22:1-5, 10, 19, 24, 26-27, 30-31 NLT
We've all been pretty tired after a very, very late night waiting for Ron to be finished with CT scans and IR procedures. About an hour of that time was spent waiting for an available anesthesiologist. One of the drains was moved in order to help drain the stuff coming out of his incision site...the tissue can't fully heal until this area is dry; same thing with the leak in the colon (colonic fistula). When we spoke with Dr. Parikh (Interventional Radiologist) today he was disappointed to tell us that when they put the gastric tube into his stomach they had alot of trouble. He says he has done over 100 of these in the last year and he has never encountered one has complex as Ron's (surprise, surprise! this seems to be his style, doesn't it?) Evidently his stomach is higher and more to the left up underneath ribs than the average stomach anatomy and is surrounded by his colon. During the insertion of the gastric tube, they went through the colon...not a great thing, a little set back for healing but the hope is it will not cause too much trouble. Fortunately, there are already drainage tubes in place so the hope is they will also collect anything that comes from this new leak. Ron says he hates that that happened but getting the NG out of his nose was well worth the trouble this has caused. He is so much more comfortable and less restricted in movement because of this removal.
Our main concern remains getting all the different pockets of fluid to dry out so these cavities can collapse and healing can begin. Because of the leaks, tube feeding has been postponed indefinitely. Not a great thing, he's back to just the TPN (IV nutrition) which is not as good as being able to feed his gut thus allowing better healing. Sometime in the near future they will have to do a procedure, similar to a colonoscopy, to see if there are any more leaks anywhere in the colon before they will begin tube feeding again.
Good news is...they searched and searched and could not find any leaks in the duodenum which they have thought all along was one of the main problems. This is HUGE!!! Dr. Shires says this would have been a difficult problem to take care of whereas the colon leaks are much easier to treat.
So, for now; we are kind of back where we were a week ago (minus the NG tube discomfort! and thought of duodenum leak).
Thanks for your continued support and encouragement
"My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me? Why do you remain so distant? Why do you ignore my cries for help? Every day I call to You, my God, but You do not answer. Every night You hear my voice, but I find no relief. YET YOU ARE HOLY!...Our ancestors trusted in You and You rescued theml You heard their cries for help and saved them. They put their trust in You and were never disappointed....You have been my God from the moment I was born...O Lord, do not stay away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!...He has not ignored the suffering of the needy. He has not turned and walked away. He has listened to their cries for help...I will praise You among all the people...All who seek the Lord will praise Him...The whold earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to Him...Our children will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those yet unborn. They will hear about everything He has done."
Psalm 22:1-5, 10, 19, 24, 26-27, 30-31 NLT
We've all been pretty tired after a very, very late night waiting for Ron to be finished with CT scans and IR procedures. About an hour of that time was spent waiting for an available anesthesiologist. One of the drains was moved in order to help drain the stuff coming out of his incision site...the tissue can't fully heal until this area is dry; same thing with the leak in the colon (colonic fistula). When we spoke with Dr. Parikh (Interventional Radiologist) today he was disappointed to tell us that when they put the gastric tube into his stomach they had alot of trouble. He says he has done over 100 of these in the last year and he has never encountered one has complex as Ron's (surprise, surprise! this seems to be his style, doesn't it?) Evidently his stomach is higher and more to the left up underneath ribs than the average stomach anatomy and is surrounded by his colon. During the insertion of the gastric tube, they went through the colon...not a great thing, a little set back for healing but the hope is it will not cause too much trouble. Fortunately, there are already drainage tubes in place so the hope is they will also collect anything that comes from this new leak. Ron says he hates that that happened but getting the NG out of his nose was well worth the trouble this has caused. He is so much more comfortable and less restricted in movement because of this removal.
Our main concern remains getting all the different pockets of fluid to dry out so these cavities can collapse and healing can begin. Because of the leaks, tube feeding has been postponed indefinitely. Not a great thing, he's back to just the TPN (IV nutrition) which is not as good as being able to feed his gut thus allowing better healing. Sometime in the near future they will have to do a procedure, similar to a colonoscopy, to see if there are any more leaks anywhere in the colon before they will begin tube feeding again.
Good news is...they searched and searched and could not find any leaks in the duodenum which they have thought all along was one of the main problems. This is HUGE!!! Dr. Shires says this would have been a difficult problem to take care of whereas the colon leaks are much easier to treat.
So, for now; we are kind of back where we were a week ago (minus the NG tube discomfort! and thought of duodenum leak).
Thanks for your continued support and encouragement
IR procedure results
It's been a very long wait but we finally were able to go see Ron. He went down for CT scan about 6:30 PM and got back to his room about 2 AM....long procedure (which most of the Interventional procedures are); they said after his CT scan they had to wait for an anesthesiologist to begin IR.
We have not spoken to a doctor but from what the nurses know, things went well and they were able to accomplish what needed to be done about the colonic fistula. They also adjusted some of the other drains AND, REMOVED THE NG TUBE...YEAH!!! They have another drain percutaneous (through skin) into stomach to drain instead. This will make him much more comfortable.
I'm sure we will all spend as much time possibe resting Saturday. I know he's pretty sore so will probably be on pain meds which will help him sleep, too.
Thanks for praying!
We have not spoken to a doctor but from what the nurses know, things went well and they were able to accomplish what needed to be done about the colonic fistula. They also adjusted some of the other drains AND, REMOVED THE NG TUBE...YEAH!!! They have another drain percutaneous (through skin) into stomach to drain instead. This will make him much more comfortable.
I'm sure we will all spend as much time possibe resting Saturday. I know he's pretty sore so will probably be on pain meds which will help him sleep, too.
Thanks for praying!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Still waiting...
Dr. Beecherl (Dr. Shires partner) came in and said Dr. Parikh will take Ron down early afternoon and see if he is able to contain the "colonic fistula" (leak in colon) through Interventional Radiology procedure. If not, Dr. Beecherel will talk to a gastroenterologist to see if they can go in and do something with a stent (never been done on this type of thing but routinely used for other similar problems) to buy some time and if they don't feel that can be done, then they will have to operate. This is definitely a last resort, no one wants to have to go in there but if needed....
Please join us in praying that this will be able to be handled without going into surgery!!! Also, please pray against infection from all this leakage!
Please join us in praying that this will be able to be handled without going into surgery!!! Also, please pray against infection from all this leakage!
Trouble in Paradise
Sorry for the lack of update last night...I stayed extra late with Ron to help with dressing changes, bed change, etc. and to be able to visit with him as well as his night nurse, Ashley.
Ron enjoyed a great evening at Spa Presby...he received a pedicure from Kristin, manicure from Aaron, much-needed shave from Ryan and bath from yours truly! Has he got a great family, or what????
Despite all the pampering, I arrived this morning to find they had called in the resident surgeons early, early this morning because he has begun leaking bowel out of his incision site. Not a good thing. They also had to stop his tube feeding yesterday evening because it was coming out of two of his drains. So, we are waiting to hear from Dr. Shires (pancreatic specialist) and Dr. Parikh (Interventional Radiologist) to see if things are still on for the IR (interventional radiology) procedure today. Ron is quite discouraged...I know it's very frustrating to him when things seem to finally be headed in the right direction and then something else crops up. Please pray that he would lean hard on his Heavenly Father and allow Him to bring peace, comfort and renewed hope.
White Blood Cell (WBC) count is now down to 13,000 and he continues to remain fever free! Especially encouraging signs in spite of all the other things going on.
Please pray:
for wisdom and discernment for the doctors as they determine the next step (they may already know the plan, but we have not heard as yet).
for Ron's nurses, techs and all those who tend to him...we have been so blessed by their care, compassion, gentleness, skill...may we be a blessing to them as well
for Ryan, Aaron & Kristin as they try to settle into their new lives here in the DFW area and make the long trek over here each day
Thanks faithful prayer warriors!
Christie
"For the LORD comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones. "
Isaiah 56:13
Ron enjoyed a great evening at Spa Presby...he received a pedicure from Kristin, manicure from Aaron, much-needed shave from Ryan and bath from yours truly! Has he got a great family, or what????
Despite all the pampering, I arrived this morning to find they had called in the resident surgeons early, early this morning because he has begun leaking bowel out of his incision site. Not a good thing. They also had to stop his tube feeding yesterday evening because it was coming out of two of his drains. So, we are waiting to hear from Dr. Shires (pancreatic specialist) and Dr. Parikh (Interventional Radiologist) to see if things are still on for the IR (interventional radiology) procedure today. Ron is quite discouraged...I know it's very frustrating to him when things seem to finally be headed in the right direction and then something else crops up. Please pray that he would lean hard on his Heavenly Father and allow Him to bring peace, comfort and renewed hope.
White Blood Cell (WBC) count is now down to 13,000 and he continues to remain fever free! Especially encouraging signs in spite of all the other things going on.
Please pray:
for wisdom and discernment for the doctors as they determine the next step (they may already know the plan, but we have not heard as yet).
for Ron's nurses, techs and all those who tend to him...we have been so blessed by their care, compassion, gentleness, skill...may we be a blessing to them as well
for Ryan, Aaron & Kristin as they try to settle into their new lives here in the DFW area and make the long trek over here each day
Thanks faithful prayer warriors!
Christie
"For the LORD comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones. "
Isaiah 56:13
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Stats
I haven't posted stats in a couple of days, they are all very good! For those intersted in numbers:
Hemoglobin: 11.5 (this is fantastic! he's typically been running in the 8's which is borderline for need of transfusion!)
White blood cell count: 18,000 (continuing to trend down)
Creatnine: 0.9 (very good given that he only has one kidney and they have done 3 CT scans with contrast--dye--since last Friday)
Heart rate is no longer on the low side (they attribute the low heart rate to the amount of fluid he had on as well as the low blood levels he had for a few days)
His fluid continues to decrease: Monday he was up to 108.6 kg (about 239 lbs), today he's down to 90.6. (about 199 lbs). What a weight loss plan!
We think today should be a quiet day; as far as we know, nothing is on the schedule until tomorrow when they do the next Interventional Radiology procedure. Good day for me to get alot of work done!!!
Love, Christie
PS: To our friends in BISD....enjoy your Christmas break; you deserve a restful one!!! You can keep up with progress by checking our website http://www.ronnordell.com/. Go to news and updates and click on specific date or month!
Hemoglobin: 11.5 (this is fantastic! he's typically been running in the 8's which is borderline for need of transfusion!)
White blood cell count: 18,000 (continuing to trend down)
Creatnine: 0.9 (very good given that he only has one kidney and they have done 3 CT scans with contrast--dye--since last Friday)
Heart rate is no longer on the low side (they attribute the low heart rate to the amount of fluid he had on as well as the low blood levels he had for a few days)
His fluid continues to decrease: Monday he was up to 108.6 kg (about 239 lbs), today he's down to 90.6. (about 199 lbs). What a weight loss plan!
We think today should be a quiet day; as far as we know, nothing is on the schedule until tomorrow when they do the next Interventional Radiology procedure. Good day for me to get alot of work done!!!
Love, Christie
PS: To our friends in BISD....enjoy your Christmas break; you deserve a restful one!!! You can keep up with progress by checking our website http://www.ronnordell.com/. Go to news and updates and click on specific date or month!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Finally some rest!
Not alot to report today. Ron has been sleeping a good deal of the day; making up for all the activity yesterday! They did start him on a diuretic to try to get some of the fluid to decrease. So far, he's lost 11 liters of fluid today. He also had both PT and OT today; it's very hard for him to get up with all the weight in his legs (along with his overall weakness) but it feels good once he's sitting up on the side of the bed.
He will go back to Interventional Radiology on Friday for another procedure...hopefully they will be able to get rid of the NG tube and replace with one directly into stomach through torso.
I've been reminded of the story in 1 Kings of the widow woman that God sent Elijah to. She was down to her last bit of oil and flour when Elijah told her that God wanted her to use it to make him something to eat and promised He would continue to provide for her and her son if she would only trust and be obedient. And, as always, God was faithful to His promise!
"...Elijah said to her, 'Don't be afraid...for this is what the Lord, God of Israel, says: There will always be plenty'...So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her son continued to eat from her supply of flour and oil....For no matter how much they used, there was always enough left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah." I Kings 17:13-16 (selected) NLT
In Ron's Bible is this footnote: "A simple act of faith produced a miracle...Faith is the step between promise and assurance. Miracles seem so out of reach for our feeble faith. But every miracle, large or small, begins with an act of obedience. We may not see the solution until we take the first step of faith. Even when God has done a miracle in our lives, our troubles may not be over. ...God's provision is never given in order to let us rest upon it. We need to depend on Him as each new trial faces us."
I can't begin to tell you how God has blessed us in this same way...As I paid bills yesterday, for both business and personal, I was once again amazed at God's provision! We have not drawn a paycheck from the business since early October and yet not only is there money available to pay our bills but it never runs dry! As you have responded to God's prompting to sacrificially share our financial burden, we have been blessed with all our needs being met! We are humbled by your generosity.
Thank you does not seem adequate...our hope is that you will know God's favor as you respond in obedience to His call.
Good night!
He will go back to Interventional Radiology on Friday for another procedure...hopefully they will be able to get rid of the NG tube and replace with one directly into stomach through torso.
I've been reminded of the story in 1 Kings of the widow woman that God sent Elijah to. She was down to her last bit of oil and flour when Elijah told her that God wanted her to use it to make him something to eat and promised He would continue to provide for her and her son if she would only trust and be obedient. And, as always, God was faithful to His promise!
"...Elijah said to her, 'Don't be afraid...for this is what the Lord, God of Israel, says: There will always be plenty'...So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her son continued to eat from her supply of flour and oil....For no matter how much they used, there was always enough left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah." I Kings 17:13-16 (selected) NLT
In Ron's Bible is this footnote: "A simple act of faith produced a miracle...Faith is the step between promise and assurance. Miracles seem so out of reach for our feeble faith. But every miracle, large or small, begins with an act of obedience. We may not see the solution until we take the first step of faith. Even when God has done a miracle in our lives, our troubles may not be over. ...God's provision is never given in order to let us rest upon it. We need to depend on Him as each new trial faces us."
I can't begin to tell you how God has blessed us in this same way...As I paid bills yesterday, for both business and personal, I was once again amazed at God's provision! We have not drawn a paycheck from the business since early October and yet not only is there money available to pay our bills but it never runs dry! As you have responded to God's prompting to sacrificially share our financial burden, we have been blessed with all our needs being met! We are humbled by your generosity.
Thank you does not seem adequate...our hope is that you will know God's favor as you respond in obedience to His call.
Good night!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
More Interventional Radiology
Ron's CT scan turned into another long afternoon in Interventional Radiology! Dr. Parikh (Interventional Radiologist) found the spot in the colon that is leaking (this is called a fistula). The way these are treated and the reason he has so many drains in place is that fistulas will typically heal on their own given time and once drain tubes are able to dry the area out. His tissue is such it would be disastrous to go in surgically unless there is no other option. Praise God the feeding tube is inserted far enough down in intestines that it is past this point; they are able to continue the tube feeds! Very important!
So, this afternoon, they inserted another tube behind the liver that should help control the hematoma so he shouldn't leak through incision site, and placed another in place to drain where the fistula is in colon. They also have set up a system of saline solution going into one of the tubes to irrigate the belly cavity to help break up and clean out the hematoma and the others are on suction to pull it out.
Ron's making new friends in IR (Interventional Radiology); evidently he gets quite chatty while on the "happy juice". He even received a Christmas card from the nurse anesthetist and it was signed from "your new best friend". Pretty funny!!! She also enclosed several encouraging scripture verses.
Continue to pray...every tube that goes in increases chance of infection but the good it does outweighs the risk at this point. And as always for his vitals: blood pressure, heart rate, temp, hemoglobin, white cell count, creatnine (kidney function), etc. That they will remain stable throughout all of this!
Ryan returned home this evening, tired, but glad to have everything taken care of in Florida. He said he is officially a Texan again who vacations in Florida!
This was the devotional I read today from Streams in the Desert....very fitting.
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Rom. 8:37).
The Gospel is so arranged and the gift of God so great that you may take the very enemies that fight you and the forces that are arrayed against you and make them steps up to the very gates of heaven and into the presence of God.
Like the eagle, who sits on a crag and watches the sky as it is filling with blackness, and the forked lightnings are playing up and down, and he is sitting perfectly still, turning one eye and then the other toward the storm. But he never moves until he begins to feel the burst of the breeze and knows that the hurricane has struck him; with a scream, he swings his breast to the storm, and uses the storm to go up to the sky; away he goes, borne upward upon it.
That is what God wants of every one of His children, to be more than conqueror, turning the storm-cloud into a chariot. You know when one army is more than conqueror it is likely to drive the other from the field, to get all the ammunition, the food and supplies, and to take possession of the whole. That is just what our text means. There are spoils to be taken!
Beloved, have you got them? When you went into that terrible valley of suffering did you come out of it with spoils? When that injury struck you and you thought everything was gone, did you so trust in God that you came out richer than you went in? To be more than conqueror is to take the spoils from the enemy and appropriate them to yourself. What he had arranged for your overthrow, take and appropriate for yourself.
May you take your spoils, as well!!!
So, this afternoon, they inserted another tube behind the liver that should help control the hematoma so he shouldn't leak through incision site, and placed another in place to drain where the fistula is in colon. They also have set up a system of saline solution going into one of the tubes to irrigate the belly cavity to help break up and clean out the hematoma and the others are on suction to pull it out.
Ron's making new friends in IR (Interventional Radiology); evidently he gets quite chatty while on the "happy juice". He even received a Christmas card from the nurse anesthetist and it was signed from "your new best friend". Pretty funny!!! She also enclosed several encouraging scripture verses.
Continue to pray...every tube that goes in increases chance of infection but the good it does outweighs the risk at this point. And as always for his vitals: blood pressure, heart rate, temp, hemoglobin, white cell count, creatnine (kidney function), etc. That they will remain stable throughout all of this!
Ryan returned home this evening, tired, but glad to have everything taken care of in Florida. He said he is officially a Texan again who vacations in Florida!
This was the devotional I read today from Streams in the Desert....very fitting.
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Rom. 8:37).
The Gospel is so arranged and the gift of God so great that you may take the very enemies that fight you and the forces that are arrayed against you and make them steps up to the very gates of heaven and into the presence of God.
Like the eagle, who sits on a crag and watches the sky as it is filling with blackness, and the forked lightnings are playing up and down, and he is sitting perfectly still, turning one eye and then the other toward the storm. But he never moves until he begins to feel the burst of the breeze and knows that the hurricane has struck him; with a scream, he swings his breast to the storm, and uses the storm to go up to the sky; away he goes, borne upward upon it.
That is what God wants of every one of His children, to be more than conqueror, turning the storm-cloud into a chariot. You know when one army is more than conqueror it is likely to drive the other from the field, to get all the ammunition, the food and supplies, and to take possession of the whole. That is just what our text means. There are spoils to be taken!
Beloved, have you got them? When you went into that terrible valley of suffering did you come out of it with spoils? When that injury struck you and you thought everything was gone, did you so trust in God that you came out richer than you went in? To be more than conqueror is to take the spoils from the enemy and appropriate them to yourself. What he had arranged for your overthrow, take and appropriate for yourself.
May you take your spoils, as well!!!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Another busy day here at Presby!!
Ron has had a hematoma (basically an internal bruise or pocket of old blood) beneath his scar since his last surgery Dec 10. It has caused frequent oozing from his scar but we were told it would resolve on it's own over time. This morning (before 8AM) one of the surgeon's who works with Dr. Shires came in and immediately set about removing the staples; pressing on abdomen to get some of the dissolving hematoma to come out and then stitched it back up! Unfortunately, there was no warning for Ron and he didn't have much time to hit his pain button; they did numb it a little with lidocaine but it was still pretty painful. He's been sore all day! Getting rid of the extra fluid though has caused him to be able to breathe more easily.
Early afternoon both physical therapy and occupational therapy came in...they got Ron up on the side of the bed and even had him stand for a couple of minutes. He then sat on the side of the bed while he got a real hair washing!!! The whole experience was hard on him, very tiring but also felt good to be up some. (He hasn't been up since the day before last surgery, so Dec. 9). Since he had the little crash before his last surgery, they had to pump him up with lots of IV fluids; so again he is retaining alot and his legs are huge!!! This makes his legs so heavy and very difficult to move. Please pray that the swelling will decrease without the use of meds...they don't want him to be on any diuretics at this time and he's very uncomfortable! After all the activity, he slept quite a bit of the afternoon.
This evening they were changing out the dressings on both his PICC line and Central line. And preparing him for another CT scan early tomorrow morning. They will be doing CT scans and/or fistulograms every few days for a while.
His blood count has been good @9; white blood count staying in low 20,000's and creatnine was .09!!! Praise God!!!! Don't know I've ever heard his being this low! So many small things to be thankful for!
Blood pressure has been good but heart rate has been a little too low (although after PT and OT today it has remained more normal and steady). Please pray his heart rate will continue to stabilize; and blood pressure remain stable.
We've had phone calls checking on Ron from both Joy (our liason nurse with Harris HEB's ICU!) and Dr. Elieson...what a wonderfully caring group of people.
Thanks for your daily prayer support! We appreciate each of you!
Love,
Christie, Ryan, Aaron and Kristin
"So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for He will never fail you." I Peter 4:19 NLT
Early afternoon both physical therapy and occupational therapy came in...they got Ron up on the side of the bed and even had him stand for a couple of minutes. He then sat on the side of the bed while he got a real hair washing!!! The whole experience was hard on him, very tiring but also felt good to be up some. (He hasn't been up since the day before last surgery, so Dec. 9). Since he had the little crash before his last surgery, they had to pump him up with lots of IV fluids; so again he is retaining alot and his legs are huge!!! This makes his legs so heavy and very difficult to move. Please pray that the swelling will decrease without the use of meds...they don't want him to be on any diuretics at this time and he's very uncomfortable! After all the activity, he slept quite a bit of the afternoon.
This evening they were changing out the dressings on both his PICC line and Central line. And preparing him for another CT scan early tomorrow morning. They will be doing CT scans and/or fistulograms every few days for a while.
His blood count has been good @9; white blood count staying in low 20,000's and creatnine was .09!!! Praise God!!!! Don't know I've ever heard his being this low! So many small things to be thankful for!
Blood pressure has been good but heart rate has been a little too low (although after PT and OT today it has remained more normal and steady). Please pray his heart rate will continue to stabilize; and blood pressure remain stable.
We've had phone calls checking on Ron from both Joy (our liason nurse with Harris HEB's ICU!) and Dr. Elieson...what a wonderfully caring group of people.
Thanks for your daily prayer support! We appreciate each of you!
Love,
Christie, Ryan, Aaron and Kristin
"So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for He will never fail you." I Peter 4:19 NLT
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Day of Rest
Ahhhh....Sunday! A day to relax, catnap while watching football...makes life seem somewhat normal! After a busy couple of days, Ron is especially glad to have a slow one.
Dr. Shires was in around lunchtime and said he's please with how everything looks. Ron's white blood cell count has gone down from 32,000 yesterday to 20,000 today. He's had no fever the entire time here and his hemoglobin is holding steady at 8.4. They were having to monitor his blood sugar every hour; it dropped to 44 this morning so they had to give him glucose and are now able to monitor every 2 hours. On the whole he's been feeling pretty good. Dr. Shires is pleased enough to try to begin feeding him through the new tube they placed way down in his lower intestine, they started that tonight.
Next step is to get the NG tube out. They will do another Interventional Radiology procedure to place a tube exterior from skin into stomach, to drain gastric fluids from stomach...prolonged NG tubes can cause problems with sinus cavity, ears, and can be a source of infection and his has been in almost 2 months now.
Mom and Dad Nordell were able to come up today; it's been about 10 days since they've been able to see Ron so they were very happy to be here. It's been very difficult on them since they've been so used to his being at their house multiple times a week. Mom said "I always think of you on rubbish day!" Oh so nice to be loved and missed! haha!!
Ryan is getting all loose ends tied up in Florida..bittersweet time for him....anxious to get it behind him and back here to family but also will miss being in Florida and working with Beachside.
It's been wonderful to have a room here for me; I got a great night's sleep and actually took a nap in the room this afternoon while Aaron and Ron watched football. And it's especially nice to have a place to spread out all my stuff! While Ron is down having procedures done, I'll have a place to go and work where it's quiet! Fortunately, I'm flexible enough to be able to work wherever, but it's much more relaxing when it's quiet!
Nothing else to report. Hope you had an enjoyable, relaxing weekend!
Love,
Christie, Ryan, Aaron & Kristin
"Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you, he will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalm 55:22
Dr. Shires was in around lunchtime and said he's please with how everything looks. Ron's white blood cell count has gone down from 32,000 yesterday to 20,000 today. He's had no fever the entire time here and his hemoglobin is holding steady at 8.4. They were having to monitor his blood sugar every hour; it dropped to 44 this morning so they had to give him glucose and are now able to monitor every 2 hours. On the whole he's been feeling pretty good. Dr. Shires is pleased enough to try to begin feeding him through the new tube they placed way down in his lower intestine, they started that tonight.
Next step is to get the NG tube out. They will do another Interventional Radiology procedure to place a tube exterior from skin into stomach, to drain gastric fluids from stomach...prolonged NG tubes can cause problems with sinus cavity, ears, and can be a source of infection and his has been in almost 2 months now.
Mom and Dad Nordell were able to come up today; it's been about 10 days since they've been able to see Ron so they were very happy to be here. It's been very difficult on them since they've been so used to his being at their house multiple times a week. Mom said "I always think of you on rubbish day!" Oh so nice to be loved and missed! haha!!
Ryan is getting all loose ends tied up in Florida..bittersweet time for him....anxious to get it behind him and back here to family but also will miss being in Florida and working with Beachside.
It's been wonderful to have a room here for me; I got a great night's sleep and actually took a nap in the room this afternoon while Aaron and Ron watched football. And it's especially nice to have a place to spread out all my stuff! While Ron is down having procedures done, I'll have a place to go and work where it's quiet! Fortunately, I'm flexible enough to be able to work wherever, but it's much more relaxing when it's quiet!
Nothing else to report. Hope you had an enjoyable, relaxing weekend!
Love,
Christie, Ryan, Aaron & Kristin
"Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you, he will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalm 55:22
Saturday, December 15, 2007
WOW....
They really mean what they say that weekends are no different than weekdays around here! Today, Ron was in Interventional Radiology for about 5 hours. Docs feel everything went well!They downsized a couple of drainage tubes, took one out and moved the location of a couple plus added a new one; basically a tube within a tube. In the lower tube leading to intestines they placed a smaller tube in and threaded it way down into intestines with the plan to begin feeding again in the near future; anything that might leak out would be pulled out through the larger tube this is in. The main organs of the body can be fed with TPN but the intestines get their nourishment directly from food...so to keep the intestines healthy it's very important they be able to be fed. All of this was accomplished through watching on xray/CT and then inserting through skin to specific area...no opening him up.... it's amazing to me!
We feel very good about the way things are going. They are very proactive and it's good to know they deal with this kind of thing often. Don't get me wrong, we were in no way dissatisfied with Dr. Elieson, HEB or any of the care received. He made the right call in sending us to a bigger facility with more specialized doctors and departments. Dr. Shires reminded me today that they can't work magic; this disease will still take a very long time to get over. Ron will most likely have many other setbacks but they have the facilities and experience to handle them.
It's been rough on me and the fam as the waiting facilities are not great. But, they have a hotel on the 9th floor of Presbyterian so I decided to get a room there for a couple of nights. Problem is; they stay booked almost year round! I was put on the waiting list and a room became available starting tonight! YEAH!!! It will be well worth the cost to get a good night's sleep without being away from the hospital...not ready to do that as yet And it will be wonderful to not be dragging my bags all over the place with me!
I know you will join us in continued prayer for Ron and his complete helaing.
Love you all!
Christie, Ryan, Aaron and Kristin
"Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages." Eph 3:20-21 NLT
We feel very good about the way things are going. They are very proactive and it's good to know they deal with this kind of thing often. Don't get me wrong, we were in no way dissatisfied with Dr. Elieson, HEB or any of the care received. He made the right call in sending us to a bigger facility with more specialized doctors and departments. Dr. Shires reminded me today that they can't work magic; this disease will still take a very long time to get over. Ron will most likely have many other setbacks but they have the facilities and experience to handle them.
It's been rough on me and the fam as the waiting facilities are not great. But, they have a hotel on the 9th floor of Presbyterian so I decided to get a room there for a couple of nights. Problem is; they stay booked almost year round! I was put on the waiting list and a room became available starting tonight! YEAH!!! It will be well worth the cost to get a good night's sleep without being away from the hospital...not ready to do that as yet And it will be wonderful to not be dragging my bags all over the place with me!
I know you will join us in continued prayer for Ron and his complete helaing.
Love you all!
Christie, Ryan, Aaron and Kristin
"Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages." Eph 3:20-21 NLT
Friday, December 14, 2007
Transfer update
Sorry I haven't been able to update sooner.....it's been a busy day, not alot of down-time!
Since we got to "bed" @ 2AM, we're all pretty tired!!! The transfer went very smoothly...we fretted a little over moving in the middle of the night with only one day left in the week but as always, God had gone before us and prepared the way!!! I can't begin to tell how at peace we were and are. Change is always difficult; and it's hard getting out of our comfort zone. We hated to leave the doctor's, nurses, techs, and other staff members we've built relationships with as well as being further from home and our support system, but sometimes we have to give up the good in order to receive God's best!
The drive was great, no traffic due to the time. Harris HEB had one of our favorite night nurse's (Joy) ride in the the ambulance with Ron as part of the transport team. It was very comforting for us and she loved it!! We were imagining the bragging rights she'll have over this (similar to Grey's Anatomy??). And since it was the middle of the night, when we arrived at Presbyterian's ICU there were no other people around so many of the nurses' were able to pitch in to get him settled in. He was immediately seen by one of the resident doctor's, too.
The waiting room is definitely lacking....about a 10x10 room as opposed to the huge waiting area at HEB. Ryan and I slept on the floor there last night but it was difficult and definitely no place for us to keep all our belongings, so we'll see how all that plays out. Tonight, they are allowing me to sleep in Ron's room.
Dr. Shires was in @9 this morn. He was very pleased to see Ron is not on a ventilator or dialysis; his lungs and heart are in good shape, so other than what's going on in his belly he's a pretty healthy guy! He ordered a CT scan today which didn't show anything different than what he already knew. (Since Presby and Harris are both part of Texas Health Resources---THR--he's already been able to access all of Ron's information, tests, x-rays, etc., through their computerized medical records system and will be able to compare new tests to previous.) He also had an x-ray today and will have another test (fistul-o-gram? I think) that is something part of Interventional Radiology tomorrow. Dr. Shires says there really is no difference between weekends and weekdays here; as far as testing, treatments, procedures, etc. they are all equal. It was very reassuring to talk to him and see/hear first hand that this is something very routine for him. He exudes confidence but cautions it will take a long time before Ron is better, the nature of the beast---Pancreatitis!
Aaron & Kristin finished up at HSU yesterday; packed their U-haul and moved to Fort Worth. Aaron also accepted the position as Sports Director for the Airport-area YMCA, this is a very good fit for him. Please pray for them as they unpack and get settled in. And as they help me out during this time, too.
Ryan flies to Florida early this Saturday morn. He will spend Sat and Sun finishing out paperwork at Beachside Physical Therapy, meet with the director's Monday morning; get a hitch (to pull U-haul) on his car; pack up all his belongings and return Tuesday. Please pray that he will be at peace so he can be productive without distractions. And especially that there will be no need for any emergency phone calls from here telling him to get on the next flight! We've had too many of those!!! He has also accepted the job of Therapy Director at the facility on the Southwest side of Ft. Worth and is very excited about it.
We ask for NO VISITORS right now, Ron will be very busy with tests, etc and in between will need to get as much rest as possible!
Thanks so much for your support!
Love you all!
Since we got to "bed" @ 2AM, we're all pretty tired!!! The transfer went very smoothly...we fretted a little over moving in the middle of the night with only one day left in the week but as always, God had gone before us and prepared the way!!! I can't begin to tell how at peace we were and are. Change is always difficult; and it's hard getting out of our comfort zone. We hated to leave the doctor's, nurses, techs, and other staff members we've built relationships with as well as being further from home and our support system, but sometimes we have to give up the good in order to receive God's best!
The drive was great, no traffic due to the time. Harris HEB had one of our favorite night nurse's (Joy) ride in the the ambulance with Ron as part of the transport team. It was very comforting for us and she loved it!! We were imagining the bragging rights she'll have over this (similar to Grey's Anatomy??). And since it was the middle of the night, when we arrived at Presbyterian's ICU there were no other people around so many of the nurses' were able to pitch in to get him settled in. He was immediately seen by one of the resident doctor's, too.
The waiting room is definitely lacking....about a 10x10 room as opposed to the huge waiting area at HEB. Ryan and I slept on the floor there last night but it was difficult and definitely no place for us to keep all our belongings, so we'll see how all that plays out. Tonight, they are allowing me to sleep in Ron's room.
Dr. Shires was in @9 this morn. He was very pleased to see Ron is not on a ventilator or dialysis; his lungs and heart are in good shape, so other than what's going on in his belly he's a pretty healthy guy! He ordered a CT scan today which didn't show anything different than what he already knew. (Since Presby and Harris are both part of Texas Health Resources---THR--he's already been able to access all of Ron's information, tests, x-rays, etc., through their computerized medical records system and will be able to compare new tests to previous.) He also had an x-ray today and will have another test (fistul-o-gram? I think) that is something part of Interventional Radiology tomorrow. Dr. Shires says there really is no difference between weekends and weekdays here; as far as testing, treatments, procedures, etc. they are all equal. It was very reassuring to talk to him and see/hear first hand that this is something very routine for him. He exudes confidence but cautions it will take a long time before Ron is better, the nature of the beast---Pancreatitis!
Aaron & Kristin finished up at HSU yesterday; packed their U-haul and moved to Fort Worth. Aaron also accepted the position as Sports Director for the Airport-area YMCA, this is a very good fit for him. Please pray for them as they unpack and get settled in. And as they help me out during this time, too.
Ryan flies to Florida early this Saturday morn. He will spend Sat and Sun finishing out paperwork at Beachside Physical Therapy, meet with the director's Monday morning; get a hitch (to pull U-haul) on his car; pack up all his belongings and return Tuesday. Please pray that he will be at peace so he can be productive without distractions. And especially that there will be no need for any emergency phone calls from here telling him to get on the next flight! We've had too many of those!!! He has also accepted the job of Therapy Director at the facility on the Southwest side of Ft. Worth and is very excited about it.
We ask for NO VISITORS right now, Ron will be very busy with tests, etc and in between will need to get as much rest as possible!
Thanks so much for your support!
Love you all!
Presbyterian Hospital
It looks like we're not in Kansas, I mean, Harris HEB, any more!
We've moved to Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas (arrived here at 12:30 this morning!!!).
I'll update later when we've had a little rest and get settled in!
Please pray for an easy transition, as we "get the lay of the (new) land" and as Dr. Shires takes over the case!
We've moved to Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas (arrived here at 12:30 this morning!!!).
I'll update later when we've had a little rest and get settled in!
Please pray for an easy transition, as we "get the lay of the (new) land" and as Dr. Shires takes over the case!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Trust in all things
Quick update, since we're all tired tonight!
Ron is doing well all things considered. His spirits are good and he is not experiencing much pain. He is still "oozing" blood internally so they continue to give him blood products (pack cells and plasma). This is from the incision site; and is a reminder that things are still very fragile internally. He does have a hematoma (pocket of blood) just underneath the incision site which is too thick to drain yet but will break down over the next couple of days and drain out through one of the existing drains. CT scan shows there is no pocket of fluid that needs to be dealt with at this point; it looks like everything is being handled well with the drains that are in place. And once again, because of the amount of fluids they are putting in him, he is swelling up.
He is still on meds (vasopressors) to keep his blood pressure in check but his heart rate looks great! They continue to monitor his blood sugar level...it's still bouncing around a bit. They will resume TPN (IV nutrition) tonight.
We've had this verse on Ron's wall (in whichever room he is in at the time!)
"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." James 1:2-3 The MessageAnd all night long God kept bringing to mind this particular part of the verse "So don't try to get out of anything prematurely". A reminder that He is not finished with us yet...we are to be faithful and continue to trust Him in all things!
Please pray for Aaron & Kristin...they traveled back to Abilene tonight (profs graciously allowed them to move tests) and will be taking their finals tomorrow and Thursday. Please pray their minds will be focused and God will allow them to recall all the information they've learned this semester. That He will remove all distractions from their hearts and minds as they are away.
For Ryan: He postponed going to shadow at the site on Monday so will go Wednesday afternoon instead.
And continue to pray for the young man we are trying to minister to. He's getting a lot of flack at work for missing during this tragic time and will spend the night here tonight but leave around 2AM to go work til visiting hours at 8:30 AM. They think she may either go to a floor or home tomorrow.
We are blessed because of each of you!
Ron is doing well all things considered. His spirits are good and he is not experiencing much pain. He is still "oozing" blood internally so they continue to give him blood products (pack cells and plasma). This is from the incision site; and is a reminder that things are still very fragile internally. He does have a hematoma (pocket of blood) just underneath the incision site which is too thick to drain yet but will break down over the next couple of days and drain out through one of the existing drains. CT scan shows there is no pocket of fluid that needs to be dealt with at this point; it looks like everything is being handled well with the drains that are in place. And once again, because of the amount of fluids they are putting in him, he is swelling up.
He is still on meds (vasopressors) to keep his blood pressure in check but his heart rate looks great! They continue to monitor his blood sugar level...it's still bouncing around a bit. They will resume TPN (IV nutrition) tonight.
We've had this verse on Ron's wall (in whichever room he is in at the time!)
"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." James 1:2-3 The MessageAnd all night long God kept bringing to mind this particular part of the verse "So don't try to get out of anything prematurely". A reminder that He is not finished with us yet...we are to be faithful and continue to trust Him in all things!
Please pray for Aaron & Kristin...they traveled back to Abilene tonight (profs graciously allowed them to move tests) and will be taking their finals tomorrow and Thursday. Please pray their minds will be focused and God will allow them to recall all the information they've learned this semester. That He will remove all distractions from their hearts and minds as they are away.
For Ryan: He postponed going to shadow at the site on Monday so will go Wednesday afternoon instead.
And continue to pray for the young man we are trying to minister to. He's getting a lot of flack at work for missing during this tragic time and will spend the night here tonight but leave around 2AM to go work til visiting hours at 8:30 AM. They think she may either go to a floor or home tomorrow.
We are blessed because of each of you!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Surgery report
Quite a day we've had! Ron's blood pressure continued to drop and heart rate continued to rise so the decision was made to take him back to Critical Care Unit (CCU), around 1PM, before the surgery, to stabilize him. They gave him a bunch of fluids plus Albumin to help boost his blood pressure. He also had 2 episodes where his blood sugar got extremely low so they had to inject glucose (sugar).
They took him to surgery at about 3:15 but it actually started late (about 4:40). Dr. Elieson spoke with us afterwards (about 7:00) and confirmed they really had a hostile environment to deal with. They basically did "damage control" ...cleaned out a pocket of fluid in upper midsection and some fluid in the upper left quadrant but didn't want to do any digging into the "angry" inflamed tissue to search out any of the leaks, or try to get a look at the pancreas; they felt this would cause more harm. They believe there is perforation in the colon (as well as the leak in the duodenum). They did put in another drainage tube to help control the pocket of fluid. Basically, he again has sepsis (infection throughout bloodstream).
He will have a CT scan tomorrow to determine if there are any other pockets of fluid that need to be addressed. If there are, the plan is to handle it with Interventional Radiology (the procedure where they place a drainage tube guided by CT scan/x-ray). Please pray if there are other pockets of fluid they will be in areas where they could safely place tubes in this way.
Tonight, his blood pressure is still low and heart rate is still high and they are working to adjust meds to stabilize; as well as IV fluids and pain meds. Good news is, he was able to come off the ventilator in the OR right after surgery!
What does all of this mean? - we are still playing the waiting game. We do still have some pancreatitis issues to deal with but this continues to be more of a surgical situation. He will still require surgery sometime down the road but the further we can get away from previous surgeries the more his belly heals; the better. We are still praying the perforations/leaks will heal on their own and when the time is right they will only have to deal with reconnecting the intestines at that time. He will not have any more of the tube feedings and is back on the TPN (IV fluids only). Dr. Elieson has said that he is in a minimal septic shock state right now secondary to all the bad fluids leaking into his abdominal cavity.
Dr. Elieson is in contact with another doctor who specializes in pancreatic surgeries at Presbyterian in Dallas to see if there is anything he would do differently or if a larger hospital with more resources and a larger number of these types of cases would be a better place for Ron. We have mixed emotions...obviously we want the best care possible for Ron. However, it is very comforting to be close to home, family and friends; as well as having the intimate knowledge Doctor's Elieson and Pollard have of Ron's insides. Nothing would happen quickly; and obviously, the main thing right now is to stabilize him and let him recover from this surgery. The next 24-48 hours are critical. Please pray for wisdom and discernment in this area.
Also, please pray for a young man here in the waiting area with us tonight. His girlfriend is in CCU following a drug overdose. Don't know either name, but have been able to offer comfort by trying to meet some of his needs tonight: buying him a soft drink, sharing our pillows, blankets and "tricks of the trade" of staying the night in CCU waiting area.
Many prayer requests tonight! Thanks for continually holding us up and bringing our requests to the Father!
"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord. "and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
They took him to surgery at about 3:15 but it actually started late (about 4:40). Dr. Elieson spoke with us afterwards (about 7:00) and confirmed they really had a hostile environment to deal with. They basically did "damage control" ...cleaned out a pocket of fluid in upper midsection and some fluid in the upper left quadrant but didn't want to do any digging into the "angry" inflamed tissue to search out any of the leaks, or try to get a look at the pancreas; they felt this would cause more harm. They believe there is perforation in the colon (as well as the leak in the duodenum). They did put in another drainage tube to help control the pocket of fluid. Basically, he again has sepsis (infection throughout bloodstream).
He will have a CT scan tomorrow to determine if there are any other pockets of fluid that need to be addressed. If there are, the plan is to handle it with Interventional Radiology (the procedure where they place a drainage tube guided by CT scan/x-ray). Please pray if there are other pockets of fluid they will be in areas where they could safely place tubes in this way.
Tonight, his blood pressure is still low and heart rate is still high and they are working to adjust meds to stabilize; as well as IV fluids and pain meds. Good news is, he was able to come off the ventilator in the OR right after surgery!
What does all of this mean? - we are still playing the waiting game. We do still have some pancreatitis issues to deal with but this continues to be more of a surgical situation. He will still require surgery sometime down the road but the further we can get away from previous surgeries the more his belly heals; the better. We are still praying the perforations/leaks will heal on their own and when the time is right they will only have to deal with reconnecting the intestines at that time. He will not have any more of the tube feedings and is back on the TPN (IV fluids only). Dr. Elieson has said that he is in a minimal septic shock state right now secondary to all the bad fluids leaking into his abdominal cavity.
Dr. Elieson is in contact with another doctor who specializes in pancreatic surgeries at Presbyterian in Dallas to see if there is anything he would do differently or if a larger hospital with more resources and a larger number of these types of cases would be a better place for Ron. We have mixed emotions...obviously we want the best care possible for Ron. However, it is very comforting to be close to home, family and friends; as well as having the intimate knowledge Doctor's Elieson and Pollard have of Ron's insides. Nothing would happen quickly; and obviously, the main thing right now is to stabilize him and let him recover from this surgery. The next 24-48 hours are critical. Please pray for wisdom and discernment in this area.
Also, please pray for a young man here in the waiting area with us tonight. His girlfriend is in CCU following a drug overdose. Don't know either name, but have been able to offer comfort by trying to meet some of his needs tonight: buying him a soft drink, sharing our pillows, blankets and "tricks of the trade" of staying the night in CCU waiting area.
Many prayer requests tonight! Thanks for continually holding us up and bringing our requests to the Father!
"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord. "and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
More surgery
Well another road bump today and we're asking that you all pray fervently!! Not that you've ever stopped! Ron has been running a fever (up to 102.3) all night and this morning when his surgeon Dr. Elieson came in and says there is evidence that there is a leak in his lower intestines, small bowel area. He is leaking bowel and intestinal fluids into his abdominal cavity and after consulting with the rest of the team, Dr. Elieson feels that it is necessary to go back in surgically. He is scheduled for 3pm this afternoon.
The major goal will be to clean out the abdominal cavity. They would love to be able to find the leak in his intestines and fix that while they are in there and they may look at other areas ie: pancreas, small intestine. But, the only thing they are sure of, is cleaning out the belly....all the rest will be dependent on how fragile things are at this point.... how hostile the environment is...they don't want to fix one thing and create two more.
We have been praying for the last couple of weeks James 1:5-6 "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach. But he must ask in faith without any doubting". We've prayed specifically that God would give his Doctors wisdom on the right time to go back in surgically, and obviously God has answered that prayer! Psalm 46:1 says "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear!!"
We will be moving back down to the CCU after his surgery
The major goal will be to clean out the abdominal cavity. They would love to be able to find the leak in his intestines and fix that while they are in there and they may look at other areas ie: pancreas, small intestine. But, the only thing they are sure of, is cleaning out the belly....all the rest will be dependent on how fragile things are at this point.... how hostile the environment is...they don't want to fix one thing and create two more.
We have been praying for the last couple of weeks James 1:5-6 "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach. But he must ask in faith without any doubting". We've prayed specifically that God would give his Doctors wisdom on the right time to go back in surgically, and obviously God has answered that prayer! Psalm 46:1 says "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear!!"
We will be moving back down to the CCU after his surgery
Busy, busy
Yeah! My night to spend the night with Ron...and it's been a busy one! I understand why he doesn't get much sleep! The nurse and tech have been in and out changing dressing; replacing binder & gown since tube feed leaked all over his other one; taking stats; changing out antibiotics; taking temp again (his temp has gotten up to 102.2 tonight and they finally gave me a thermometer so I could take his temp more often so they wouldn't keep disturbing him...I guess he handles it better when I wake him up to take the temp??) I confess, I've been tempted to be anxious but REFUSE to allow Satan any foothold here!!!!!
Sunday was busy as well...they've been keeping a close eye on him since his blood pressure has been a little low and heart rate has been increased over the last 24 hours. His temp has been up and down since Saturday night as well. So, they ran a couple of x-rays (chest and belly); did blood cultures and also did a urinalysis and stool culture. Stool culture shows some blood (not sure if it's old or new) and urinalysis shows infection. They are also considering changing out his PICC line, again. They are always an open port for infection and change sites often (this one has been in since Nov 25). Haven't heard results on x-rays.
He says he doesn't really feel any worse; other than a little weaker than usual.
Please pray for all of the above issues. And also:
Aaron and Kristin as they travel back to Abilene and finish up their semester with finals on Tues, Wed & Thurs. They will then pack up their apartment Thursday afternoon and move here Friday. For Aaron as he seeks employment; that God would firmly close those doors He does not want him to take and open those he is to walk through. And Kristin as she seeks to get school issues handled and looks for a part-time job, too.
Ryan--is going back to one of the locations (Southwest side of Ft. Worth in Cityview area) where he interviewed and shadow one of the employees for a couple of hours and meet with management...he has been offered a job and thinks he will probably take it (unless things are not what he is expecting after tomorrow). He will then kind of scope out the area to see where he might possibly want to live. (He will continue to live at home for the next few months, though). And as he goes back to Florida on Saturday (15th) through Tuesday (18th) to finish up paperwork at his old clinic and get all his stuff ready to be moved. (My sister Tami's husband, Ron, will fly to Florida and drive Ryan's car and pull U-haul with all his belongings so Ryan doesn't have to be away those 2 extra days driving...Thanks so much, Ron!!!!).
That we would each seek God's guidance as big changes come about!!!
Much love, faithful ones!!! Good night and Sweet dreams!
"I have created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." Isaiah 46:3-4 NLT
Sunday was busy as well...they've been keeping a close eye on him since his blood pressure has been a little low and heart rate has been increased over the last 24 hours. His temp has been up and down since Saturday night as well. So, they ran a couple of x-rays (chest and belly); did blood cultures and also did a urinalysis and stool culture. Stool culture shows some blood (not sure if it's old or new) and urinalysis shows infection. They are also considering changing out his PICC line, again. They are always an open port for infection and change sites often (this one has been in since Nov 25). Haven't heard results on x-rays.
He says he doesn't really feel any worse; other than a little weaker than usual.
Please pray for all of the above issues. And also:
Aaron and Kristin as they travel back to Abilene and finish up their semester with finals on Tues, Wed & Thurs. They will then pack up their apartment Thursday afternoon and move here Friday. For Aaron as he seeks employment; that God would firmly close those doors He does not want him to take and open those he is to walk through. And Kristin as she seeks to get school issues handled and looks for a part-time job, too.
Ryan--is going back to one of the locations (Southwest side of Ft. Worth in Cityview area) where he interviewed and shadow one of the employees for a couple of hours and meet with management...he has been offered a job and thinks he will probably take it (unless things are not what he is expecting after tomorrow). He will then kind of scope out the area to see where he might possibly want to live. (He will continue to live at home for the next few months, though). And as he goes back to Florida on Saturday (15th) through Tuesday (18th) to finish up paperwork at his old clinic and get all his stuff ready to be moved. (My sister Tami's husband, Ron, will fly to Florida and drive Ryan's car and pull U-haul with all his belongings so Ryan doesn't have to be away those 2 extra days driving...Thanks so much, Ron!!!!).
That we would each seek God's guidance as big changes come about!!!
Much love, faithful ones!!! Good night and Sweet dreams!
"I have created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." Isaiah 46:3-4 NLT
Friday, December 7, 2007
I love Fridays!
Yeah!!! It's Friday!!! And it's been a good one around here!
Ron has done well over the last 36 hours with his tube feed so they have increased the amount. He started with 10 cc per hour (24 hours a day) and they have now doubled it to 20 cc per hour.
Last night was a rough night...different nurse who was a little unorganized so didn't get much sleep; he was able to sleep in a little this morning but is pretty tired this evening. He was able to walk about 20 feet today with his physical therapist; sat up in the chair while I bathed him and washed his hair and then stayed there about an hour. He was definitely ready for a nap afterwards, but could only catnap as they came in and out.
God continues to bless! White blood count is still trickling down (17,000 today); hemoglobin has stayed at 8.7, creatnine (kidney function) is down to 1.1 (I don't think it has ever been that low throughout his entire hospital stay), he's had no fever in over a week, and his blood sugar is only needing to be checked every 6 hours!
AND when Dr. Elieson came in this evening he was pleased there has been no output in over a week from the drain behind the kidney, so he was able to remove the tube that we think is the culprit of the groin pain!!! WOO HOO!!!!!
Aaron brought his XBox and hooked it up to the TV in Ron's room so we have enjoyed a family movie night (watched a Christmas movie, Elf) and now the guys are playing Tiger Woods Golf while Ron caddies! Watch out Cronies!!!!
We cannot begin to thank you for your prayer support, emotional and physical support and your financial support as well! Don't know why it surprises us (God is always faithful to fulfill His promises!) but we are continually amazed and humbled at how God provides for our needs through you, our faithful family and friends! You all are incredible!
Enjoy your weekend!
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Philippians 4:19-20
Ron has done well over the last 36 hours with his tube feed so they have increased the amount. He started with 10 cc per hour (24 hours a day) and they have now doubled it to 20 cc per hour.
Last night was a rough night...different nurse who was a little unorganized so didn't get much sleep; he was able to sleep in a little this morning but is pretty tired this evening. He was able to walk about 20 feet today with his physical therapist; sat up in the chair while I bathed him and washed his hair and then stayed there about an hour. He was definitely ready for a nap afterwards, but could only catnap as they came in and out.
God continues to bless! White blood count is still trickling down (17,000 today); hemoglobin has stayed at 8.7, creatnine (kidney function) is down to 1.1 (I don't think it has ever been that low throughout his entire hospital stay), he's had no fever in over a week, and his blood sugar is only needing to be checked every 6 hours!
AND when Dr. Elieson came in this evening he was pleased there has been no output in over a week from the drain behind the kidney, so he was able to remove the tube that we think is the culprit of the groin pain!!! WOO HOO!!!!!
Aaron brought his XBox and hooked it up to the TV in Ron's room so we have enjoyed a family movie night (watched a Christmas movie, Elf) and now the guys are playing Tiger Woods Golf while Ron caddies! Watch out Cronies!!!!
We cannot begin to thank you for your prayer support, emotional and physical support and your financial support as well! Don't know why it surprises us (God is always faithful to fulfill His promises!) but we are continually amazed and humbled at how God provides for our needs through you, our faithful family and friends! You all are incredible!
Enjoy your weekend!
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Philippians 4:19-20
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Good stuff to report!
Ron has been feeling pretty good for several days now...no fevers, and white cell count hovering around 20,000-22,000. Good enough that the docs have decided to only draw blood every other day! Yeah!!! He's only requiring one or two little catnaps...even after Physical Therapy, which is exhausting for him. Results from test yesterday show there is still a leak (in the duodenum area, not where the tube joins intestine which is where they originally thought) so they still cannot remove drain. Even though they know there is a leak, they are pleased that they are being able to control it with the drains. Continue to pray that this leak will heal on it's own, they do not want to do surgery unless absolutely necessary. I would love for you to join us in asking God to knit back together those intricate parts of his body just as He knit Ron together in his mother's womb. He is our Great Physician!
Dr. Elieson feels since the lower portion of the intestines show no signs of problems, they will try to begin feeding him in his "gut" tomorrow (feed directly into the tube in the lower intestine). This is a huge step forward so PLEASE PRAY FERVENTLY that his intestines will "wake up" and tolerate the feeding.
All in all, he's doing pretty well for a guy with 3 drain tubes coming out of his belly, 1 drain tube out of his back, 2 tubes connected to his intestines, NG tube, PICC line and catheter; who's been in the hospital 7 weeks (2nd stay); hasn't had food by mouth in all this time (TPN..IV nutrition... just doesn't cut it), and shouldn't even be alive! Our God is an awesome God!!!
And, please continue to pray for Ron's doctors: Elieson (surgeon), Hall (gastro), Chakraborty (internist), Bell (kidney), P (infectious disease...no one knows how to pronounce or spell his name), as well as their partners who treat Ron at times...foremost, that they may see Jesus in us and secondly, that they may have wisdom and discernment as to how best to treat him.
Thanks for your continued support! We can feel God answering your prayers on our behalf!
Love, Christie, Ryan, Aaron & Kristin
"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him" Psalm 37:7
Dr. Elieson feels since the lower portion of the intestines show no signs of problems, they will try to begin feeding him in his "gut" tomorrow (feed directly into the tube in the lower intestine). This is a huge step forward so PLEASE PRAY FERVENTLY that his intestines will "wake up" and tolerate the feeding.
All in all, he's doing pretty well for a guy with 3 drain tubes coming out of his belly, 1 drain tube out of his back, 2 tubes connected to his intestines, NG tube, PICC line and catheter; who's been in the hospital 7 weeks (2nd stay); hasn't had food by mouth in all this time (TPN..IV nutrition... just doesn't cut it), and shouldn't even be alive! Our God is an awesome God!!!
And, please continue to pray for Ron's doctors: Elieson (surgeon), Hall (gastro), Chakraborty (internist), Bell (kidney), P (infectious disease...no one knows how to pronounce or spell his name), as well as their partners who treat Ron at times...foremost, that they may see Jesus in us and secondly, that they may have wisdom and discernment as to how best to treat him.
Thanks for your continued support! We can feel God answering your prayers on our behalf!
Love, Christie, Ryan, Aaron & Kristin
"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him" Psalm 37:7
Monday, December 3, 2007
Keeping busy!
Sorry it's been a couple of days since we've updated! Now that Ron is out of CCU we are keeping busy doing a lot of his care. Weekend was pretty quiet as we got settled in to new room and nursing routines. We're taking turns sleeping up here at night and I stay with him all day as well. It's been awful trying to get any sleep at night, they've been coming in every hour on the hour. Ryan finally pulled the nurses aside and asked them to please do as much as possible at the same time instead of little things so often through the night. The nurse Ron's had the last couple of days has been great to let him sleep in (usually 'til 9-9:30) so he's finally getting some rest!
Positive point of being out of CCU is I'm able to get alot of work done, which is great! I have been trying to cram as much in nights and weekends but this should help the pace. It's also good I can work from Ron's room since Ryan and I are sharing one vehicle (until he gets his here from Florida). We decided to sell mine for several reasons...we need to get rid of as many extra expenses as possible...this will relieve us of a car payment and added insurance; and it was beginning to show signs of a problem that would have been very costly to repair.
Yesterday was a long day.....we always try to be here when docs come around and they came starting at 10 AM and last one arrived at 9:30 PM! Good to hear his hemoglobin is staying stable; white cell count is slightly down, he's had no fever in several days and his creatnine (kidney function) has stayed around 1.2. He resumed physical therapy Sat and has now progressed to taking a couple of steps with the walker. He was even able to help me work on some business issues on the computer yesterday evening.
Please pray for:
Ron has another test this afternoon (Tuesday) to see if they can remove the drainage tube that is causing pain to his groin; please pray this cavity has resolved itself. They are also looking to see if they can begin feeding him in his "gut" through the tube that leads to his lower intestines...this would be a huge step forward! It would really help in the healing process to get better nutrition in a more normal way!!!
Ryan as he begins interviewing this week. And still tries to decide the best time to return to Florida.
Aaron & Kristin...last week of their semester and then finals next week. Aaron has decided not to walk at graduation. He thinks it would just be too emotional for him to not have his Daddy there. He also doesn't want us to be away from Ron any more than absolutely necessary. He spoke to the University and, due to the extenuating circumstances, they have agreed to make an exception and allow him to walk in May when, hopefully, Ron will be able to be there. He also has an interview this week.
I'll try to do better at keep everyone updated, but no promises!
Love, Christie & gang
"The Lord surrounds and protects His people, both now and forever." Psalm 125:2b NLT
Positive point of being out of CCU is I'm able to get alot of work done, which is great! I have been trying to cram as much in nights and weekends but this should help the pace. It's also good I can work from Ron's room since Ryan and I are sharing one vehicle (until he gets his here from Florida). We decided to sell mine for several reasons...we need to get rid of as many extra expenses as possible...this will relieve us of a car payment and added insurance; and it was beginning to show signs of a problem that would have been very costly to repair.
Yesterday was a long day.....we always try to be here when docs come around and they came starting at 10 AM and last one arrived at 9:30 PM! Good to hear his hemoglobin is staying stable; white cell count is slightly down, he's had no fever in several days and his creatnine (kidney function) has stayed around 1.2. He resumed physical therapy Sat and has now progressed to taking a couple of steps with the walker. He was even able to help me work on some business issues on the computer yesterday evening.
Please pray for:
Ron has another test this afternoon (Tuesday) to see if they can remove the drainage tube that is causing pain to his groin; please pray this cavity has resolved itself. They are also looking to see if they can begin feeding him in his "gut" through the tube that leads to his lower intestines...this would be a huge step forward! It would really help in the healing process to get better nutrition in a more normal way!!!
Ryan as he begins interviewing this week. And still tries to decide the best time to return to Florida.
Aaron & Kristin...last week of their semester and then finals next week. Aaron has decided not to walk at graduation. He thinks it would just be too emotional for him to not have his Daddy there. He also doesn't want us to be away from Ron any more than absolutely necessary. He spoke to the University and, due to the extenuating circumstances, they have agreed to make an exception and allow him to walk in May when, hopefully, Ron will be able to be there. He also has an interview this week.
I'll try to do better at keep everyone updated, but no promises!
Love, Christie & gang
"The Lord surrounds and protects His people, both now and forever." Psalm 125:2b NLT
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Settling in
Not much to report today, just trying to get settled in to our new surroundings! It's hard to go from having a 1:1 or 2:1 patient to nurse ratio to now being 6:1. And especially makes us a little more anxious since the 3 nurses we've had thus far have never dealt with some of the types of drains he has! Now that he's out of CCU; they no longer have the monitors we can watch so it's hard not being able to keep an eye on his heart rate, blood pressure and respiration ourselves. But we're trying to remember that moving him here means he's not as critical, which is a good thing. They still have him on a heart monitor but one that displays at the nurse's station.
It is nice that we are able to have one of us here in the room with him at all times. It's comforting to know we can keep an eye on things and help the nurse's figure out all his complicated issues.
Ron is now able to work with PT again. They had him sitting up on the side of the bed for a while and then actually had him stand and do some side steps!!! WOO HOO!!! They are hoping to get him walking a couple of feet tomorrow.
Thanks for holding us up! Your intercession and God's grace is the only reason we're able to deal with this crazy ride we're on!
Love, Christie & gang
"When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."
Psalm 94:19 NLT
It is nice that we are able to have one of us here in the room with him at all times. It's comforting to know we can keep an eye on things and help the nurse's figure out all his complicated issues.
Ron is now able to work with PT again. They had him sitting up on the side of the bed for a while and then actually had him stand and do some side steps!!! WOO HOO!!! They are hoping to get him walking a couple of feet tomorrow.
Thanks for holding us up! Your intercession and God's grace is the only reason we're able to deal with this crazy ride we're on!
Love, Christie & gang
"When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."
Psalm 94:19 NLT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)