Lung Update #9 - Pros and Cons

Happy Thursday, or at least I think it's Thursday! :) I hope that you all had an enjoyable Tax Day yesterday. I know that some of you experienced your own discomfort on the dreaded day we set as a deadline for income tax, but know that of all the negative hoo ha we spend tax dollars on, one of the good things is the incredible minds and research that go into the wellness of patients here at the National Institute of Health. So when you pay, think of Jeremy, along with the 3-4 VHL patients we have met this week, along with the parents who brought their son with Brittle Bone disease, along with the numerous types of cancer, and sickle cell anemia and various other ailments that are plaguing our society. The research it here and they choose special patients, like Jeremy, to study and seek to improve and eventually cure - if God allows them the knowledge and ability.

Now, where we are in terms of Jeremy's progression today, we are moving like a turtle and your cheetah-like pastor and friend is now discouraged and unhappy. So pray for his demeanor and stamina. The surgeon was pleased with a very restful and positive day overall yesterday. However, he now wants to move quite slowly since Jeremy had a set back on Tuesday. Jeremy's fever presented a slow decline instead of an immediate drop. An immediate drop would reveal to them that the trauma from the pain was the primary cause of the fever. The slow decline tends to lend more towards an infection, which is not entirely uncommon either. He most likely had an area or two of infection post-op that was caused by the body trying to purge itself of any lose fungal infection or any other foreign antibody that might have moved more freely during the surgical process.

So, he will be in IMC for at least 2-3 more days. From there he will move to a regular room. The first proposed outlook is that we are here for at least another week from today. As you know, this is murder to Jeremy. I looked at the doctor and at Jeremy and reminded them both that we are going to take each day individually. The doctor doesn't want to take two steps forward and one back every other day. I agree, but he doesn't entirely know Jeremy either as a long term patient. The man in the chair he sees today will not be the same man he sees on Sunday - you can be assured of that. Jeremy and I will get up and walk today some, based on his tolerance. He says his pain is at a ZERO today. PTL! He is still on a local pain medicine release as well as the pain pump. He will be weened off of the local pain medicine in the next few days. It can only be infused for a certain amount of time. So begin praying for the pain that may arise when that is removed (both by the removal process and from the lack of it's presence once it is gone). Pray for Jeremy's pain tolerance when they eventually remove the drainage tubes from his lungs in the next few days. Those of you who have experienced this before are aware of the excruciating pain it can cause or the immediate relief it can cause. Pray that he experiences relief and not pain.

Pray for patience for Jeremy as they have ordered that he remain on the CPap machine for at least another day. He will be doing 3 hours on/3hours off today. He also has a breathing treatment every 4 hours of zopomax (another type of Albuterol) and some other bronchialdialator to assist with opening up his air ways in his lungs. Jeremy still feels like there is a pressure on his chest, so taking a sizable breath is still somewhat strenuous. Each day it is getting better though. He will go to IV pain medicine as needed after the pump is removed and/or oral pain meds as needed. They also want to keep him for an extended period of time to push the full dosage of 10 days of antibiotics and completely eliminate any threat of infection setting in somewhere and roosting. He is still receiving his 2 antifungal drugs along with antibiotics through the PICC line. We will most likely go home with those.

Jason, Dad, Rachel, & Emma have ventured off into the wild of Washington, D.C. today. We are so excited for them. They will come back with some grand stories I am sure. Emma is very excited and I think the rest of the gang is as well too. The rain has slacked off and the day is warm (in the sunshine). Pray for their safety and for Emma's behavior. :) I was asked why I wasn't giving more antics of the family over our adventure. I am just forgetting.

There is a gentleman that is a part of the cleaning crew here at the hospital that my father has befriended. If you have ever seen the movie Pretty Woman, he is the epitome of the man in the beginning of the movie walking the streets saying "Welcome to Hollywood! What's your dream?" He is a hoot. Last night he gave us a bible that he walks around with and apparently gives as gifts of comfort to awaiting families. Pray we find a family to pass it on to. :)