Saturday, December 11, 2010

Ready Or Not Here We Go!

Jim was moved out of the ICU and up to the transplant floor today. He had three IV's pulled and oxygen discontinued which is helping him feel less like a pin cushion and more like a human being. He continues to have an IV in his neck and an NG tube (tube going in his nose and down into his stomach). This tube is the culprit of significant discomfort and has quickly turned into Jim's nemesis. Jim has an easily provoked gag reflex therefore any movement or speaking makes him gag or vomit. Needless to say it is very uncomfortable and I think he is losing his patience with it!! Another source of discomfort would be the constant nausea he is experiencing. Due to the surgery it has slowed his bowels down considerably so he is experiencing significant nausea. These both were doing a little better this morning but after all the commotion of moving up here and changing beds they both came back with a vengeance.

Regarding his numbers and labs: his creatinine level (kidney number that was 7.1 on admission-very bad) is consistently dropping and this morning was down to 3.3!! Normal is 1. They have decreased his finger sticks to every 4 hours instead of every 2 since his sugar is remaining stable. These are both wonderful signs of properly working and accepted organs.

Although the above labs are wonderful we are having some difficulty with Jim's blood pressure behaving itself. I spoke with the nephrologist today who is monitoring it and he would like to slowly introduce the medications to try and find something that works without over doing it. I like the idea for the hope of reducing the number of medications he has to be one but I hate seeing him get a headache and not feel well. I know these are all bumps in the road and that they will be remedied in time, but, knowing me and my patience motto (fast food should be fast!) I do not handle waiting well.

All of these above areas of discomfort are temporary and small in the grand scheme of things. He is very blessed to be progressing this quickly. So on one of the many positive notes we are consistently amazed and overwhelmed by the support we have in all of you and in the Lord! We can not thank you enough for your prayers. Nationwide prayers are being sent up to the Lord and I know He is protecting and blessing Jim daily.

Prayer Requests: Creatinine level continues to drop, nausea decreases, blood pressure begins to level out, NG tube comes out soon give Kris patience.

Bible Verse: "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience" Colossians 1:11 (for Kris)

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12 (for Kris)

"Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked" John 5:8 (for Jim)

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