Posted on 05/31/2010 6:45:46 AM PDT by Gail_Head
Another week, and we are seven days closer to going home! Jeff continues to have more good days. A lot of time he has a good day and then sort of crashes in the evening. For some reason, his body temp sporadically fluctuates giving him bad chills one moment and then almost a fever . (Makes it hard to keep his room temperature consistent!) Yesterday (Sunday) he actually had a fever of 101, so the doctor ordered blood cultures, urine culters, and x-rays. Tomorrow (tuesday) he will also have some sort of test to make sure he doesn't have any blood clots in his legs.
Overall, Jeff is in very good spirits. He was on the tilt table every day last week and is now up to 45 degrees....half way there! His physical therapy is the high point of his day because it gets him out of his bed and gives him an activity that shows measurable progress. Thursday they actually had his feet touching the ledge on the end and doing a little weight bearing. A CT scan is scheduled for tomorrow, and if it looks like the bone graft is growing, they will keep going with the tilt table and maybe even have him take a step next week.
He still has four drains in his back. We were hoping to get one or two out last week, but that didn't happen. Maybe this week? Jeff has started on the bowel management training. It basically trains his body into a predictable routine. It has been challenging, to say the least, but it takes time and he is working hard to get it figured out.
Probably the biggest challenge for Jeff right now is the neurogical pain associated with losing the nerve roots to his legs and feet. It was explained to us that the nerves in his legs and feet are searching for a connection that is no longer there, and it creates "pins & needles", burning, tingling, shooting pains, and the feeling of a muscle cramp coming on. We do therapy three times a day that helps to de-sensitize the nerves, and that helps. He is also taking Lyrica, which helps a lot. Eventually, the nerves will calm down and he will have permanent numbness in some areas. Hopefully not too much.
Jeff's spirits are pretty good. He is grateful for all the love and support he has received. I am putting the cards he receives up on the walls in his room. For those of you who have made a donation, I get a Get Well cards to represent it so that he can see your names as well. I think it helps for him to have a visual of the many people who are praying for him and wishing him well. Prayers are answered, and we look forward to more improvement this coming week!
What happened to him?
Wishing you both the best on this Memorial Day.
Thank you, Gail. Continue to surround yourselves with the love of your family and friends to sustain you!
I tried calling the hospital to have lunches sent up to you and they couldn’t manage the financial end of it.
But the gal in room service said it’s a good idea to allow outside people to do that and she was going to try to get it implemented.
Tell Jeff that Oilbamas’ approval rating in -13 today and hopefully plunging downward next week.
Prayers continue for you and Jeff, thanks for the update!
Jeff is in out prayers.
Thanks for the wonderful update. Praying that in 7 days you’re giving updates from HOME! May God continue to bless all of you.
Thanks for the update we’re all praying for you.
Thank you for the update, Gail
Prayers continued here for Jeff and all of you.
Tell Jeff we miss him and hope he’ll be back with us on FR soon.
Prayers continue for Jeff to fully recover his health and
strength. Good news that he’ll get to go home soon. God
bless him, you and your whole family.
Heads up for an update on how Jeff’s doing THIS WEEK!
God bless you both. Glad to hear of the progress. Will keep up the prayers.
Thank you for the update Gail.
We are praying for Jeff and you.
Nothing like going home soon.
(Made me smile when I read this as it reminds me of menopause. “Makes it hard to keep his room temperature consistent!”).
God bless you.
Cindy
I pray for Jeff, you and your family every day and am very happy that that they have been answered! Thank you for the updates and thank those doctors for their exceptional skill in repairing Jeff’s body. The Lord Jesus performs wondrous things for those who trust in Him and truly believe in His powers!
God Bless,
JC
Thank you so much for another very encouraging update! Prayers continuing for Jeff and for the whole family!
Good news update! ((((((((hugs!)))))))))
God love you, JH2! Thank you so much for the ping!
(((((hugs)))))
Now, I’m going to read the good news update!
Lordy! This is wonderful! You’re in my prayers, and in my heart!
Thanks for posting the news Gail.
Jeff is quite a man; he will come out on top!
(and a fever is a good thing for a cancer patient - cancer cells don’t tolerate fever)
You all continue to be in our prayers.
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