The surgeons and doctors visited Jeremy OFTEN today. They are elated with his status and progress and were most likely coming by often to see if his stamina was maintaining. Jeremy is 200% better than he was 48 hours ago. We have walked 3 strong walks today and the final one we just took experienced no nausea combined with a much faster pace. It was exciting as we walked to pass nurses and doctors that have worked with him earlier in the week and to see their smiles and hear their comments on how much better he looks. God is so good! Thank you for praying him through.
Today we have removed several sources of restraints. His oxygen has maintained at normal to high levels. He is still utilizing respiratory therapy, but the CPap is gone. So, yes Chester, he wore it out. :) He will probably return home performing the other breathing treatments in order to continue to strengthen the lungs. Tomorrow we are to move to a regular floor barring there are no complications in the ICU tonight. He will possibly have his local pain infusion removed tomorrow and begin with oral pain medication that we will eventually go home with. Pray for the adjustment to that as the pain will set in. Jeremy will also lose one of the two chest tubes tomorrow. The secondary tube might remain until the day we are released from the hospital. They want to leave it in place until the very last minute.
We have spoken with Dr. Malech and the infectious disease team and to our discouragement the fungal mass has not grown anything in a culture. We somewhat expected that, since NONE of Jeremy's biopsies in the past 3 years have grown. Nonetheless, it would be great if it would grow so they will know what it is and understand how to best prescribe medication and further treatment for us.
Jeremy has had a mild fever today (around 100), so we need to continue to keep that at bay. Continuing with breathing treatments and getting up and walking will force the lungs to work and not sit idle collecting infection and inflammation. Pray for wisdom as we push and yet remain cautious.
I will forward you the new room information tomorrow. I know that some of you have already sent cards and such, but I am sure there are not that many Jeremy Powells here, so I would hope it will get to him when he moves. I will have the ICU look for mail for him. :) My family got on a plane and I am still waiting to hear they have landed. Pray for Emma's adjustment tonight. I pray she goes right to sleep and never thinks twice about our absence. I too am headed to the Lodge as they will kick me out in 15 minutes. I cannot stay with Jeremy tonight, so pray for sleep for us both.
Lastly, thank you for praying for our caregivers. We have had some fantastic nurses - really love Barb, our current nurse who actually picked us up when our other nurse had to leave for an educational meeting. Jeremy will get another nurse at 11, so pray for the adjustment and one more grand person as we work through the remainder of this week. As you all know, great care in this facility and patience with the patients are wonderful aides to recovery. Thank you to the many of you who also work this very difficult job. Your often a thankless position, but God Bless you in your efforts to heal the wounded.
More in the morning...
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