A fungus among us!

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

WiFi is down AGAIN and has been since Friday evening! Sorry...I'm trying to get in bits and pieces as I'm able to use Presby's computer.

I spoke too soon! Late Saturday afternoon Ron started running a fever and felt really lousy all night. Interventional Radiologist stopped in Sunday morning to check on him and said sometimes when the "clot buster" hits the bloodstream, it can cause a fever. They are surprised it took so long, typically he'll start having fever several hours after the procedure but this time it was about 36 hours before it hit. They did blood cultures Saturday night and will watch to see if anything grows. Still felt a little puny Sunday as well.

Before all of that started, tho, we were able to have a long-awaited visit with our very dear friends Randy and Ashley and their precious 3 1/2 month old Kendall. She is such a good baby and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and catching up with R&A! Thanks for sharing your sweet girl with us! It was great to get some Kendall lovin'! Many thanks to your family for allowing us to take up some of their grandbaby time while you guys were here for the weekend! We love you guys and are honored to be considered extended family!

Our 29th anniversary was Monday. We've been trying to go to Hawaii since our 25th and since we weren't going to make it again this year, I decided to bring Hawaii to Presby! While Ron was sleeping, I put an Aloha sign on the exterior of his door, decorated the interior of his room with a 6 ft inflatable palm tree, "Welcome to Paradise" sign, window scene looking out onto the ocean with dolphins jumping out of the water in the background, hula girls, fish, Hawaiian decorated stemware (to serve his ice in!), beachball, sunbathing mat, and various other decorations! And I dressed up in grass skirt, lei and orchind in my hair. You should have seen the look on the faces of staff members as I came walking down 6 West arms overflowing with decorations! They got a big kick out of the surprise.

When the kids arrived for lunch and games I pulled out the beach ball, inflated fish inner tube ring with lion fish, ball and football to try to throw thrrough it, fish-shaped cards (to play go fish, of course!), frisbee and other little hand held games. Stacee brought a large, gorgeous fruit tray that we were able to share with the staff. We had a great time but can't wait to celebrate our 30th in Hawaii!!

We found out "there's a fungus among us!!!" Yep, Ron has a fungal infection somewhere. Very common in people on long-term TPN. They started him on an anti-fungal and will change out his PICC line today, (Wednesday). He will have to be on the antifungal for 2 weeks. Thus, the reason he's been feeling a little puny.

Yesterday, (Tuesday), he went to CT and IR. Praise the Lord they were able to remove the upper drain (one in hematoma)! They also took the lower drain off of the bulb suction and it is now draining to gravity. One step closer to getting everything to close down and scar over. He'll go back to IR next Tuesday.

They also did an echocardiogram (heart) yesterday. Evidently, fungal infections can be detected most easily in the heart. We had not gotten word this was going to be done...they just showed up to do it and when they entered his room saying they were there to do an echo of his heart he and I both freaked out a little, thoughts screaming through our heads....something's wrong with his heart????. Fortunately, Janelle (physician assistant) was in the hallway and heard us questioning them so she came in and explained what was going on and why. His heart looks fine, no sign of fungus there and muscle wall and valves are in great shape.

This is probably pretty choppy....like I said I've been adding bits and pieces over a couple of days but wanted to get some information out to everyone.

Will update again as I can. If things are unclear, please respond and I will try to clear things up as best as I can!

Love, Christie

"I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus"
2 Timothy 2:10 NLT

We never know the trials that await us. And at times we may not be able to see the light through our struggles; but we can know that those days will be the most significant we are called upon to live! Our most sorrowful days are often our best!

Only those who have known sorrow can fully appreciate the "man of sorrows".

from Streams in the Desert