Grrr....

So, I'm starting to think that I should stay away from posts that give any kind of positive qualitative statement about how Daddy is doing. After I posted yesterday, Daddy ended up at the doctor where they determined that he still has the blood infection, and apparently has an infection in his lungs (mild pneumonia?) as well. He was continuing to have chills and a mild fever off and on, and generally felt miserable yesterday. They gave him a shot, added back an antibiotic and continued another. They also determined that his blood was too thin (he's been on blood thinner due concerns about the blood clot in his leg from his hospital stay) so they adjusted his medication. Today he said he felt "human" again. He has an appointment at the infectious disease doctor on Monday. He continues to eat regularly, even sending Mom out to get him ice cream at Chick-fil-a, and his digestive system seems to be working fairly normally. The physical therapist has been several times this week. We are glad that Daddy was feeling better today or else our "spa day" might not have been so relaxing. Mom, Wendi and I had a very fun time -- Mom really needed to be pampered!

Continuing to Move Forward

Not much has changed, hence no new posts recently. Daddy continues to work on eating and moving around. He had a follow up appointment at the doctor (his PCP) on Monday, and blood tests showed that his white cell count was dropping significantly, which we took as a good sign that the antibiotic is working. He did have some chills and a slight fever yesterday, but seemed ok by the end of the day. Pray that his body and the antibiotics can effectively fight this infection once and for all. He's still very weak but even had a couple of short outings this week and continues to move forward. Wendi and I are taking Mom for a "spa day" tomorrow to celebrate her birthday a little late, and Daddy surprised her and took her this week to pick up the ring he bought her for her birthday. So, slowly, we are returning to more normal activities, and hopeful that Daddy will continue to gain strength and stamina.

Hanging in There

Well, now we know what kind of infection he has -- it has a name but I can't remember it -- the blood cultures did grow some bacteria so hopefully they can treat this more specifically. Basically, they have confirmed that Daddy has a blood infection so they have added an antibiotic to hopefully knock it out. He has a follow up appointment at one doctor tomorrow, and likely will have more during the week. He's holding up ok (as of this afternoon), but is having a hard time sleeping. He has been diligent about eating and drinking though, and still takes laps around the house. And he finally got a much needed haircut today (thanks to Wendi!), so he's not looking quite as wild and woolly!

Still Fighting

Well, it appears that Daddy is still fighting the so-far unspecified infection. He has had chills and a fever off and on for the past 2 days so today he went in for some bloodwork and another chest X-ray. They started him on another antibiotic and agreed that as long as his temperature stays down, he's eating and drinking, and they stay in touch with the dr. about any changes, he can stay home. So far he's stable. I assume it will be early next week before we have the results of the bloodwork. Hopefully, since he's been off of antibiotics for most of the week, the cultures will be more conclusive and they can know what they are treating. Otherwise, he was doing well -- eating and drinking more every day and "taking laps" between the kitchen and the living room. Whatever is going on with this infection is making him weak, though, and it is discouraging to continue to watch him do well and then digress. I know he's weary of it, too. Will update as able...

Home Sweet Home

Daddy got to come home today! He sounded good when I talked to him on the phone tonight and, while tired, he is relieved to finally be home. He will have a home health nurse come in a couple of times to check on him and also he will have physical therapy at home until they transition him to outpatient. He is not on any IVs or tube feeds, and is eating normally. The challenge will be for him to keep up his food and liquid intake, and get moving slowly so that he can regain his strength. Right now, we are still figuring out what Mom and Dad's day-to-day will look like so we'll update as we know more and when they are ready for visitors. Pray that no infections pop back up, and that he will continue to move forward. I think we are all longing for some sense of normalcy, and are starting to feel like it's a possibility in the not-so-distant future.

Hope

One by one, IV's are being removed, medications are being discontinued and we're looking towards busting out of the hospital. (All according to medical advisement, of course.) The word on the street (or rather the hospital halls) is that there's a possibility Daddy may be able to come home on Wednesday. Yes folks, after two months, he might be able to be sleep in his own bed by the end of the week! Hallelujah!
Certainly one of the contingencies is that he have adequate intake and that he be up and moving. Mom reports Daddy did a great job of eating today and was up much more frequently than he has been. Although Daddy continues to have a slightly elevated white blood count, they have discontinued the antibiotics and are keeping a close eye on him with regard to that. They haven't been able to locate anything that would explain the white blood count and as I reported over the weekend, it appears that the infection around his abdomen is resolving. Sooo...that's what I know today.

Progressing

Hello all. We continue to move forward a little at a time and are thankful that it feels like we're moving in the right direction! Daddy had a CT scan last night to check on the status of the infection in his abdomen and to see if there was any fluid still on his lungs--apparently, there's a small area of residual infection and a small amount of fluid on the lungs still. However, the doctors don't seem concerned about the fluid on the lungs and feel that will resolve on its own. My understanding regarding the infection is that Daddy will continue on antibiotics through the weekend. (The infectious disease MD is monitoring the infection closely, but I don't currently know what his opinion of the CT results were. All I know is that they're going to continue the antibiotics for the time being.)

They have postponed the 24 hour stomach feeds for the immediate future to give Daddy's system a chance to kick in, but Mom reports that Daddy is eating. Our goal is to keep him eating and moving so that he can finally get out of that hospital and (hopefully) into rehab! (I'll add, albeit cautiously, that the goal seems like it's in sight! ) Keep praying for continued strengthening, endurance, a healthy appetite and protection from additional complications.

Lastly, I have to echo Alicia's last post...these last few months have been a rollercoaster ride to say the least and I don't know that there are words to adequately express the gratitude that our family feels for all of you who have literally come along side us and held us together. It's been a beautiful picture of true community and the body of Christ at work in such tangible and practical ways. We are so very thankful for the outpouring of love and support, the cards, the prayers, the meals, the hugs, the visits and the countless other ways that you have cared for us through this time...