It ended up being today that Barbara had the procedure to implant a filter that will prevent other clots from moving into the lungs.
The nurses tell me that this procedure will actually be a help to getting Barbara into RIC, as they will want to make sure that the clot in her leg won't be an issue in the future. So, we once again believe that we're on track to move her next week. Time will tell.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Feburary 9 - The Third Step
Two steps forward, three steps back.
Actually, it has been quite a while since Barbara has had a setback of any kind. The problem is that she needs to get out of the hospital so that these hospital related things will quit popping up. However, she can't get out of the hospital until they fix the hospital related problems! Make sense?
So now the deal is that Barbara's move to RIC (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) is on indefinite hold pending getting her through the present setback. They have discovered yet another blood clot in her leg, and one in her lung. While the blood clot in the lung is a VERY serious matter, the doctor believes that it is small enough that medical treatment should take care of it. On Monday, they will do a short procedure where they install a filter that will prevent future blood clots from entering the lungs. So for now, we are in a holding pattern and praying for healing of a serious situation.
Finding the clots was precipitated by a sporadic high heart rate and low blood pressure. As of yesterday, her blood pressure was still low, but her heart rate was good.
Barbara has been in a room by herself, but due to the fact that the hospital had a rush of new patients, she was moved to a private room. This is an answer to prayer, because we were concerned about the stress that dealing with a roommate, their TV viewing habits, and potential desire to keep the room too hot for Barbara. The hospital took the impetus to move her because they were concerned about those things, as well as the potential for infection due to her immuno-suppressed condition. We are thankful for this level of attentiveness.
So, please pray for the blood clot situation,
Pray that Barbara will soon be able to move to rehab, and that RIC will take her,
Pray for both of us as this is yet another challenge to our emotional well-being!
Thanks to all of you who kept me in your prayers as I traveled to Southern Illinois this week to keep my promise to Mary Robinson. She is the former parishioner who died in a house fire last week-end. She asked me on several occasions to perform her funeral, and I was determined to keep that promise despite road conditions that were a bit dicey at times. Thanks to Karen and Merle for housing me so that I wouldn't have to drive back in the dark (a bit concerned about hitting icy patches unaware). It was like a family reunion seeing so many of my dear friends from our years at Birds. They are all so very dear to Barbara and I, and we pray for them regularly. Our prayers continue to go out to Gene Robinson and the family. They are all very fine people. Gene is such a sweet, godly man. It breaks my heart for him to have lost everything like this. In saying "everything", I realize that there is one thing that no earthly tragedy can steal away; he still has faith in Christ that will sustain him. Praise God for our hope in Him!
Actually, it has been quite a while since Barbara has had a setback of any kind. The problem is that she needs to get out of the hospital so that these hospital related things will quit popping up. However, she can't get out of the hospital until they fix the hospital related problems! Make sense?
So now the deal is that Barbara's move to RIC (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) is on indefinite hold pending getting her through the present setback. They have discovered yet another blood clot in her leg, and one in her lung. While the blood clot in the lung is a VERY serious matter, the doctor believes that it is small enough that medical treatment should take care of it. On Monday, they will do a short procedure where they install a filter that will prevent future blood clots from entering the lungs. So for now, we are in a holding pattern and praying for healing of a serious situation.
Finding the clots was precipitated by a sporadic high heart rate and low blood pressure. As of yesterday, her blood pressure was still low, but her heart rate was good.
Barbara has been in a room by herself, but due to the fact that the hospital had a rush of new patients, she was moved to a private room. This is an answer to prayer, because we were concerned about the stress that dealing with a roommate, their TV viewing habits, and potential desire to keep the room too hot for Barbara. The hospital took the impetus to move her because they were concerned about those things, as well as the potential for infection due to her immuno-suppressed condition. We are thankful for this level of attentiveness.
So, please pray for the blood clot situation,
Pray that Barbara will soon be able to move to rehab, and that RIC will take her,
Pray for both of us as this is yet another challenge to our emotional well-being!
Thanks to all of you who kept me in your prayers as I traveled to Southern Illinois this week to keep my promise to Mary Robinson. She is the former parishioner who died in a house fire last week-end. She asked me on several occasions to perform her funeral, and I was determined to keep that promise despite road conditions that were a bit dicey at times. Thanks to Karen and Merle for housing me so that I wouldn't have to drive back in the dark (a bit concerned about hitting icy patches unaware). It was like a family reunion seeing so many of my dear friends from our years at Birds. They are all so very dear to Barbara and I, and we pray for them regularly. Our prayers continue to go out to Gene Robinson and the family. They are all very fine people. Gene is such a sweet, godly man. It breaks my heart for him to have lost everything like this. In saying "everything", I realize that there is one thing that no earthly tragedy can steal away; he still has faith in Christ that will sustain him. Praise God for our hope in Him!
Monday, February 5, 2007
Feburary 5 - News from the arctic north
Sorry that I've not been as good about posting here. Not having internet access at the hospital, and my late night arrivals at home have made it difficult to keep you up to date!
First, I want to request your prayers for a tragedy that took the life of a very dear friend and former parishioner over the weekend. A fire destroyed the house and took the life of Mary Robinson, who was a member of my former church in Birds Illinois. Her husband Gene survived the blaze. These are two very, very dear people. They were godly influences to Barbara and I, as well as many others. Mary will be sadly missed, and my prayers are with Gene, the family, and all my friends from Birds FM. I'm also praying that God will strengthen my good friend, Pastor Roger Boyd, as he seeks to minister to this congregation in the aftermath of such a horrible event. That being said, I am overflowing with joy at the thought of Mary at home in Heaven with our Father tonight! Wow, what a victory!
Many of you have wondered if Barbara has been transferred to RIC (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) yet. No, she hasn't. It might happen tomorrow, but we don't know that for sure. They wanted some new blood tests done. I'm not sure what the hold-up is all about.
Barbara is now back to her old dosage level of steroid for the arthritis, and her pain is driving her crazy again. Also, her fibro myalgia has flared up.
Barbara underwent a test today concerning a possible complication, but I have no details to pass along yet. No need to be alarmed; it was done more as a precaution. However, pray that the results come back negative.
Please also pray that Barbara's head wound will heal quickly,
Pray that her pain will subside,
Pray for a safe and smooth transfer to rehab,
Pray for my safety on the road as I'll be driving all over the place in the days ahead.
Oh, also keep her in prayers that her heart rate and blood pressure will normalize.
And boy, is it cold!
First, I want to request your prayers for a tragedy that took the life of a very dear friend and former parishioner over the weekend. A fire destroyed the house and took the life of Mary Robinson, who was a member of my former church in Birds Illinois. Her husband Gene survived the blaze. These are two very, very dear people. They were godly influences to Barbara and I, as well as many others. Mary will be sadly missed, and my prayers are with Gene, the family, and all my friends from Birds FM. I'm also praying that God will strengthen my good friend, Pastor Roger Boyd, as he seeks to minister to this congregation in the aftermath of such a horrible event. That being said, I am overflowing with joy at the thought of Mary at home in Heaven with our Father tonight! Wow, what a victory!
Many of you have wondered if Barbara has been transferred to RIC (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) yet. No, she hasn't. It might happen tomorrow, but we don't know that for sure. They wanted some new blood tests done. I'm not sure what the hold-up is all about.
Barbara is now back to her old dosage level of steroid for the arthritis, and her pain is driving her crazy again. Also, her fibro myalgia has flared up.
Barbara underwent a test today concerning a possible complication, but I have no details to pass along yet. No need to be alarmed; it was done more as a precaution. However, pray that the results come back negative.
Please also pray that Barbara's head wound will heal quickly,
Pray that her pain will subside,
Pray for a safe and smooth transfer to rehab,
Pray for my safety on the road as I'll be driving all over the place in the days ahead.
Oh, also keep her in prayers that her heart rate and blood pressure will normalize.
And boy, is it cold!
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