Mike is doing much better this morning. He got up, cleaned up, changed into street clothes, and talks to me! His fever is gone and his vitals are good. His heart rate is down to 70 and it was around 125. The doctor that is over Mike while he is in the hospital has been by already. Mike's blood culture indicates that infection is not only in his PICC line (that was removed) but also in his blood stream. They take blood cultures from two different sites/veins and on opposite sides of the body if at all possible. That is how they tell the extent of infection. What all this means is that they will not put in another PICC line, feeding tube, or Port until the infection is gone. Any foreign object placed in the body during an infection can host the bacteria and cause recurrence.
Now the crutch is that Mike has a peripheral line and he needs IV antibiotics and nutrition. He can not leave the hospital with a peripheral line. So we may be here awhile (Friday maybe earlier).
Vacation? I don't know. I don't want to give up on it because it is so important to Elizabeth. She wants to go back to the beach to fish and see her dolphins. I also think there are some issues as far as leaving Florida so quickly that make her want to go more than usual. That is what makes the decision so hard. She could go without us, but I also know that she will be fine for a few days, but not for the 9 days she would be gone. I just need to keep praying that God will make the decision clear.
I keep thinking about my prayer requests on Thursday... I wonder if this is the roadblock....
Prayer needs:
Wisdom for the doctors
Wisdom as parents
Healing
Strength and nutrition for Mike
Esphogus to open and platelets and RBC to increase
Praise:
God answers prayers
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Latest update
Mike had an ok night. He was up a lot due to people coming in. His fever also spiked in the middle of the night. He still has one this morning. He is sleeping a lot too. As much as I hate to say it, this infection seems a little different than the last one. The last time (April) Mike was much more awake and verbal. This time he is just tired and sleeping. There are some concerns in the back of my head... his platelets in the ER were 57, down from 70 on Thursday and his White Blood cells were around 5, which is normal. With a 104 fever, you would think his WBC would be off the chart or at least high to indicate they were kicking in to fight an infection.
I also could kick myself for not cluing into this sooner. Friday, Elizabeth went to celebrate Alex's birthday from 1 - 8 pm. Mike and I rented a movie and watched it back in the bedroom. I looked over at Mike and thought he doesn't look right and I asked him how he felt. He said fine. We went to bed Friday night and he curled up next to me and said he was cold. His hands were cold but his legs were hot. But we both fell asleep pretty quickly. I think Mike had a fever for over 24 hours before I took his temperature. Things have been going so well that I think I forgot how to see small changes that add up.
We have yet to see any doctors since we left the ER. My gut is that they will probably pull his PICC line soon. The initial blood culture (first 24 hours) should be ready this afternoon.
Please continue to lift us up in prayer before Jesus, the true healer.
UPDATE: Mike's platelets are down to 45, his WBC is down to 4.0 and his Red Blood Cells are down to 9.5 --- please continue to pray something is going on......
I also could kick myself for not cluing into this sooner. Friday, Elizabeth went to celebrate Alex's birthday from 1 - 8 pm. Mike and I rented a movie and watched it back in the bedroom. I looked over at Mike and thought he doesn't look right and I asked him how he felt. He said fine. We went to bed Friday night and he curled up next to me and said he was cold. His hands were cold but his legs were hot. But we both fell asleep pretty quickly. I think Mike had a fever for over 24 hours before I took his temperature. Things have been going so well that I think I forgot how to see small changes that add up.
We have yet to see any doctors since we left the ER. My gut is that they will probably pull his PICC line soon. The initial blood culture (first 24 hours) should be ready this afternoon.
Please continue to lift us up in prayer before Jesus, the true healer.
UPDATE: Mike's platelets are down to 45, his WBC is down to 4.0 and his Red Blood Cells are down to 9.5 --- please continue to pray something is going on......
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Room without a View
We are up in a room now. However, the room has a window that looks out over the roof and a big air conditioning unit! No fireworks for us this year. At this time of the year, I would much rather have air conditioning anyway:)
God continues to be here in very real ways. Mike's fever was normal at the last temperature check. He will be on IV antibiotics twice a day and will probably be here for a few days. Honestly not much will be done over the weekend due to the holiday. Monday is probably when everything will start happening. I don't know what this means for the procedures or for our vacation. When Mike is not sleeping, he continues to tell everyone that he is supposed to be dead and that Jesus has done remarkable things. He makes me smile every time. It is his blue ribbon that he is showing off to everyone!
So in the meantime, we will rest knowing that we have good care and that God is watching over us. Please pray for a restful night for Mike and that his body will continue to fight... Fight the infection and fight the cancer. It is 4th of July?? That is what we are celebrating, brave men that fought against all odds to break free.
Prayer needs:
rest for Mike
His Body to fight
Doctors to have Godly insight to diagnosis and care
Elizabeth to stand strong
Praising:
Insurance and medical care
A bed in this hospital
Friends and neighbors and family
God continues to be here in very real ways. Mike's fever was normal at the last temperature check. He will be on IV antibiotics twice a day and will probably be here for a few days. Honestly not much will be done over the weekend due to the holiday. Monday is probably when everything will start happening. I don't know what this means for the procedures or for our vacation. When Mike is not sleeping, he continues to tell everyone that he is supposed to be dead and that Jesus has done remarkable things. He makes me smile every time. It is his blue ribbon that he is showing off to everyone!
So in the meantime, we will rest knowing that we have good care and that God is watching over us. Please pray for a restful night for Mike and that his body will continue to fight... Fight the infection and fight the cancer. It is 4th of July?? That is what we are celebrating, brave men that fought against all odds to break free.
Prayer needs:
rest for Mike
His Body to fight
Doctors to have Godly insight to diagnosis and care
Elizabeth to stand strong
Praising:
Insurance and medical care
A bed in this hospital
Friends and neighbors and family
Update on Fever
We are in the ER waiting results of all tests. Mike has been poked, prodded, stuck, and had all the tests you can think of. We got here and his fever was 104. That freaked me out a little bit. He has never had it that high before.
Mike is confident that it feels like another staph infection. He has those uncontrollable chills and is extremely tired. He isn't in any pain other that from all the sticks and peripheral line they started in his hand.
We did praise Jesus that the first person we saw was Marty - our personal vampire. She does all the blood draws and takes tremendous care of us.
So we are waiting and praying. Please pray that we can find out what this is and that this is NOT MRSA.
Mike is confident that it feels like another staph infection. He has those uncontrollable chills and is extremely tired. He isn't in any pain other that from all the sticks and peripheral line they started in his hand.
We did praise Jesus that the first person we saw was Marty - our personal vampire. She does all the blood draws and takes tremendous care of us.
So we are waiting and praying. Please pray that we can find out what this is and that this is NOT MRSA.
Prayer needed - Fever
Mike didn't sleep well last night and has a fever of 100.4. We are now going into the clinic at 1:00 pm today and then we will see what happens from there. We could end up in the hospital. I am asking for prayers that the fever will leave and that Mike's body will fight off whatever is going on.
We are going to send Elizabeth up to the Lake with Melissa and hope that we can join her later on today. I praise God for friends, family and doctors that answer the phone!
I will post more as I know more... In His Hand!
We are going to send Elizabeth up to the Lake with Melissa and hope that we can join her later on today. I praise God for friends, family and doctors that answer the phone!
I will post more as I know more... In His Hand!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Throwing our whole being into winning
See? I told you I would post today.
We were able to make the doctor's appointment today and things are in motion. Mike told Dr. Khan we want to go to the Cleveland Clinic for a consult and second (or third or fourth? who is counting anymore) opinion. Dr. Khan was very agreeable and his office has started the process for that event. We need referrals in place and reports faxed over etc. We are hoping that we can go sometime in August if not before.
Mike's platelets are up to 70 and now we are going forth with making the arrangements for a new port and a feeding tube. I am nervous about the feeding tube. We are actually getting a G Tube which is inserted in Mike's stomach. We are trying to by pass the esophagus which keeps closing up like clock work every 3 weeks. The feeding tube is exciting on one hand. Mike will be able to take medicine and juices and so many other things that we have not been able to do. It is very scary on the other hand. There is a risk that the cancer can grow along the tube, even shutting off that tube. I am still asking if this is God's will for Mike. It is a new and untried thing in this road. We are both now very comfortable with PICC lines, IV's, and Ports. Feeding tubes, not so much. But Mike will be able to shower and he will now no longer need to carry around the IV bag 14 hours a day. Prayer is all I can think of with this one.
We will be getting a Port during the same procedure. This means that Mike will wean off the TPN and eventually get the PICC line pulled. Once all these procedures are in place, we will start hitting other therapies in this Cancer Journey. However, it is still one day at a time.
We have plans for the weekend that include a night at the lake. We are both looking forward to it and I am still amazed at God's hand.
Vacation?? Maybe... We are supposed to leave on Friday. It depends on the procedures. If we can get them done Monday or Tuesday, then Mike will probably be able to go. If they want to do them Thursday or Friday, we will just postpone until after our vacation. Again, prayer. Wait on God to answer.
I came across this great devotional that I had to share. It is our journey past, present and future. The message that went with this devotional is Psalms 30.
O My child, do not weep. I am doing a beautiful work. Stress and pressure and pain are often the path to victory and understanding. Penitence is a mother to purity and contrition a father to total consecration.
I am in the midst, and I am a strong deliverer. You need not be concerned. You must not be sad. Courage is the greatest contribution you can make at this point. To be strong now will make the part of recovery easier. Faith is an essential ingredient in every solution.. often it is the solution itself.
Never underestimate the power of FAITH. Faith is your ability to bring Divine Action to bear upon any given situation. Hold fast. Trust. Unseen angels assist you. Doors are opening to let you pass into safety.
Pour all the intensity of your soul into serving Me and you will receive great consolation. It is My way provided for you solace and preservation. I will bring you other mercies as I see you have need.
Be Strong! I will measure the trials according to your strength and My mercy, but I expect you to stand true. No one can do this FOR you.
It is your supreme hour of destiny. Throw your whole being into winning.
Prayer requests:
Protection and that God continues His healing in Mike
Wisdom with these medical procedures. We feel like this is the right step, but are nervous. We ask for confirmation or that God puts up road blocks.
Cleveland Clinic and or the next step in this journey. That doors open for truly miraculous results.
That glorifying God will be our focus in all the upcoming journeys.
Details.. God will handle all the details both medically and for our living situation.
Praises:
America - Happy Birthday and thank you to all those who stepped out in Faith so long ago.
Rest
Dear friends
Firework stands... Wow! The stuff is amazing
One more day
We were able to make the doctor's appointment today and things are in motion. Mike told Dr. Khan we want to go to the Cleveland Clinic for a consult and second (or third or fourth? who is counting anymore) opinion. Dr. Khan was very agreeable and his office has started the process for that event. We need referrals in place and reports faxed over etc. We are hoping that we can go sometime in August if not before.
Mike's platelets are up to 70 and now we are going forth with making the arrangements for a new port and a feeding tube. I am nervous about the feeding tube. We are actually getting a G Tube which is inserted in Mike's stomach. We are trying to by pass the esophagus which keeps closing up like clock work every 3 weeks. The feeding tube is exciting on one hand. Mike will be able to take medicine and juices and so many other things that we have not been able to do. It is very scary on the other hand. There is a risk that the cancer can grow along the tube, even shutting off that tube. I am still asking if this is God's will for Mike. It is a new and untried thing in this road. We are both now very comfortable with PICC lines, IV's, and Ports. Feeding tubes, not so much. But Mike will be able to shower and he will now no longer need to carry around the IV bag 14 hours a day. Prayer is all I can think of with this one.
We will be getting a Port during the same procedure. This means that Mike will wean off the TPN and eventually get the PICC line pulled. Once all these procedures are in place, we will start hitting other therapies in this Cancer Journey. However, it is still one day at a time.
We have plans for the weekend that include a night at the lake. We are both looking forward to it and I am still amazed at God's hand.
Vacation?? Maybe... We are supposed to leave on Friday. It depends on the procedures. If we can get them done Monday or Tuesday, then Mike will probably be able to go. If they want to do them Thursday or Friday, we will just postpone until after our vacation. Again, prayer. Wait on God to answer.
I came across this great devotional that I had to share. It is our journey past, present and future. The message that went with this devotional is Psalms 30.
O My child, do not weep. I am doing a beautiful work. Stress and pressure and pain are often the path to victory and understanding. Penitence is a mother to purity and contrition a father to total consecration.
I am in the midst, and I am a strong deliverer. You need not be concerned. You must not be sad. Courage is the greatest contribution you can make at this point. To be strong now will make the part of recovery easier. Faith is an essential ingredient in every solution.. often it is the solution itself.
Never underestimate the power of FAITH. Faith is your ability to bring Divine Action to bear upon any given situation. Hold fast. Trust. Unseen angels assist you. Doors are opening to let you pass into safety.
Pour all the intensity of your soul into serving Me and you will receive great consolation. It is My way provided for you solace and preservation. I will bring you other mercies as I see you have need.
Be Strong! I will measure the trials according to your strength and My mercy, but I expect you to stand true. No one can do this FOR you.
It is your supreme hour of destiny. Throw your whole being into winning.
Prayer requests:
Protection and that God continues His healing in Mike
Wisdom with these medical procedures. We feel like this is the right step, but are nervous. We ask for confirmation or that God puts up road blocks.
Cleveland Clinic and or the next step in this journey. That doors open for truly miraculous results.
That glorifying God will be our focus in all the upcoming journeys.
Details.. God will handle all the details both medically and for our living situation.
Praises:
America - Happy Birthday and thank you to all those who stepped out in Faith so long ago.
Rest
Dear friends
Firework stands... Wow! The stuff is amazing
One more day
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Catch up blog
It has been almost a week since the last post and there is so much to report that it is overwhelming to start. It is always good to start with the very real and tangible answers to prayers.
1. Our house is sold in FL as of today. Done. Thank you God for answering that prayer.
2. Mike is hungry. I have always asked that we pray that Mike develop a hunger and actually want to eat. Thank you God for answering that prayer.
3. VA is done (for now). We were able to make all the appointments and now the Doctors will send the reports to Waco and we will probably here from the VA about those finding in September.
4. Mike's platelets are slowing improving. They are at 67. Thank you God.
5. Mike is up to 175 pounds now. Thank you God for giving him strength little by little.
It is funny though how ad mist all these incredible gifts, that there is still some pretty intense sadness. Selling our home is Florida is devastating both on a financial level and on a emotional level. When I called to tell the realtor we would accept the offer on the house, I broke down and cried. (I am tearing up writing this..). There is so much emotion wrapped up there and the fact that the last time I saw my house I thought I would be back. But I gladly sacrifice the house (and our financial investments) in exchange for Mike. I have prayed that the new owners will be blessed there and that they will experience great Joy and Life within those walls.
There is also the shock factor too. Maybe numbness. Maybe now what? Actually we wait. Wait first of all on the Lord to show us our next step. Wait on the official paperwork so we can reapply to the VA for another eligibly certificate. Wait on blood levels to improve. The best way to say it has already been said .... Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
The best thing about the past week have been the incredible angels that have visited us. Carol met us at Panera for lunch last week. I wish it could have lasted longer, but she needed to get back to Waco and we needed to deal with the house closing/documents. The Kiviojia came over Friday on their way to Eglin AFB. Again, it was a short stay but brought us so much joy.
Elizabeth got to go to a Swim Clinic on Saturday. The instructors where Josh Davis and Jason Lezak. Check out this picture:
1. Our house is sold in FL as of today. Done. Thank you God for answering that prayer.
2. Mike is hungry. I have always asked that we pray that Mike develop a hunger and actually want to eat. Thank you God for answering that prayer.
3. VA is done (for now). We were able to make all the appointments and now the Doctors will send the reports to Waco and we will probably here from the VA about those finding in September.
4. Mike's platelets are slowing improving. They are at 67. Thank you God.
5. Mike is up to 175 pounds now. Thank you God for giving him strength little by little.
It is funny though how ad mist all these incredible gifts, that there is still some pretty intense sadness. Selling our home is Florida is devastating both on a financial level and on a emotional level. When I called to tell the realtor we would accept the offer on the house, I broke down and cried. (I am tearing up writing this..). There is so much emotion wrapped up there and the fact that the last time I saw my house I thought I would be back. But I gladly sacrifice the house (and our financial investments) in exchange for Mike. I have prayed that the new owners will be blessed there and that they will experience great Joy and Life within those walls.
There is also the shock factor too. Maybe numbness. Maybe now what? Actually we wait. Wait first of all on the Lord to show us our next step. Wait on the official paperwork so we can reapply to the VA for another eligibly certificate. Wait on blood levels to improve. The best way to say it has already been said .... Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
The best thing about the past week have been the incredible angels that have visited us. Carol met us at Panera for lunch last week. I wish it could have lasted longer, but she needed to get back to Waco and we needed to deal with the house closing/documents. The Kiviojia came over Friday on their way to Eglin AFB. Again, it was a short stay but brought us so much joy.
Elizabeth got to go to a Swim Clinic on Saturday. The instructors where Josh Davis and Jason Lezak. Check out this picture:
That is Elizabeth with 3 Gold Medals around her neck. She said they were heavy. It was an incredible opportunity to spend a few hours in the pool with these athletes (and Christians) and she even raced them at one point... and LOST just in case you are wondering.
Mike. He continues to amaze me everyday. One thing in particular I want to blog about tonight. On our first trip to the VA, Mike was meeting with the doctor. The doctor asked how he was and Mike responds, " I am blessed. You are looking at a person that was supposed to be dead a month ago and I am still here. God is so faithful and done miraculous things." Of course I tear up (not in the good way). I still hate hearing that and just roll through a million emotions and thoughts. So we get in the car and our on the way home and I finally ask him, " Mike, how can you do that? How can you be so joyful, enthusiastic and just announce things so confidently." He responds, "That is what God wants me to do. Remember that we will live to declare the miraculous works of God. " (Doug's Mom - remember??) That really humbled me yet again. He is so right. Since that conversation, it has helped me tremendously. When we went back to the VA yesterday, he declared it over and over and I didn't tear up. The best thing is the response we get. We get encouragement. One doctor said that only He knows the number of our days. One doctor told us that he has a friend still alive 8 years later that had pancreatic cancer that had spread to his liver.
There is so much more to tell. Mike was asked to give his testimony at church this weekend. We are going to Lake for the 4th, so we can't. BUT I look forward to the day when he will. I will try to record it and post it somehow. I will try to blog more often. We go to the doctor tomorrow and basically find out if we are able to go on our beach trip next week. We also need to make some decisions about the feeding tube, esophageal stretch, port and a visit to Cleveland Clinic.
Prayer needs:
Pray that we will be able to hear God's audible voice for the next step in our journey in regards to a home and to medical needs.
Mike's esphogus to open up. It is very tight again and he can only do liquids.
Insurance issues - medical bills and the pain that they can be when they are not billed right
Our vacation. I really want to go, Elizabeth wants to go, Mike wants to be with us. We need divine guidance and protection and wisdom
Praise:
That He is faithful to answer our prayers!
It is July 1, 2009 and Mike not only still here, but doing well!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)