JPeg---OUT!

Today was fairly quiet. Ron didn't get up until @11:30, so it was 12:30-1 before he got out of bed for his first round of exercises and bath. He's been weaker the last few days than he had for a while and lost weight each day this week until today. They weigh him in kilograms and he's been 71.7 (Mon), 71.4 (Tues), 70.4 (Wed) but I was very happy to see that today he's back up to 71.4 (multiply by 2.2 to get weight in pounds). Dr. Shires says his blood work is all good and his vitals are good so really he doesn't have an explanation for why Ron's feeling weaker and has continued to lose weight. Could be that his body just isn't able to build like it should because of only being on TPN; some people will reach a plateau. He continues to be fever-free and shows no other signs of infection.

They are hoping to try tube feeding again in the near future. He really needs this to be successful in order to start gaining more energy and hopefullly weight. Which leads me to our next bit of news; each of the "cavities" in his belly are virtually dried out and collapsed except for a small tunnelling in each where drainage tubes have been (or are) in place. Very good news!!! Even the cavity where the fistula (colon tear) is located is pretty much a couple of small tunnels. Now we are waiting for the incision site (holes in belly) to close up. They know his colon will continue to leak when they start to feed him but it will be a controlled leak that will be drained by his one existing JPeg. And the benefits of feeding directly to his intestines far outweigh the controlled leak.

When they came in yesterday afternoon to change the wound vac on the incition site, they found that the JPeg (drainage tube) that is in that area was right below the hole...we could all see it very clearly! They consulted with Dr. Parikh and he said take it out, the wound vac would pull out any fluid it would have drained. So, right then and there, they pulled it out! Thankfully, Ron starts hitting his morphine button as soon as he hears Wound Care is on his hall (they also goop up his belly with a lidocaine gel before they begin.) He says the only thing he feels is when they take the tape off...which is BAD!! His allergy to tape, combined with the tightness they have to use to adhere it with to keep a good seal, makes for some painful moments. What a blessing he can't feel all the digging around they do in there. They actually probe around then push a piece of foam cut to size into the cavity; cover it with a black sponge thing (it actually looks just like one of the filters in Ron's aquarium) before covering it with a special tape. Probably too much information for some of you but just wanted you to know we're getting quite a medical education here!

On another note, Kristin got word today that her Meme had passed. We're so thankful Aaron and Kristin were able to go to Abilene last weekend to see her one last time. They will leave Saturday evening after Aaron gets off work to travel down to Kingsville for the funeral on Monday (which is Aaron's 23rd birthday). Please pray for Kristin, Aaron and the Bailey family during this time.

Ryan and Kristin have both been sick this week and Aaron is still fighting the remnants of his cold. I'm sure a good part of it is lack of down time...their bodies need some rest but they want to come see their Daddy as much as they can. Making the trek over here several days a week on top of working full time is wearing on them. We are so blessed to have such great kids!

There's going to be a lot of activity at our house over the next few weeks. The boys and Kristin have been busy packing things up, moving & cleaning things out and getting Ron's beloved salt water tank ready to be temporarily moved. This weekend, our 12th grade Sunday School class along with Youth leadership under the supervision of Becky Levy, will be doing demo work in preparation for the accomodations to be made before Ron comes home. Our good friend, Jim Collier will add his expertise as well as Ron's brother-in-law, Tony and a whole slew of others. Ron's brother, Leonard, and his wife, Nancy, will be coming in from El Paso on the 9th and he'll stay here a week to help with the heavy duty work. We are incredibly blessed by all of these (as well as all of you)!!!!

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me." Matthew 25:40
Know that you are blessing the Father as you minister to our family!

Much love to each of you!