Aggie Basketball

New Year's Eve is a day for most to reflect on the past year and to look ahead to what the new year will bring.  Honestly, I don't want to think about what we have dealt with this past year and am fearful of what is to come.  When Jamie died my grandma told me that God had something wonderful for us in the future.  I sure am ready for it.  Are you making any new year resolutions?  I am making just one--to be present.  So often I miss out because I am thinking about the past or future instead of living in the present. 

Elizabeth spent the day with Daddy.  He slept a lot, but their did have some good conversation.  Elizabeth said he seemed more like himself than last week when she visited.  Elizabeth spoke with a doctor and he said Daddy's pressure was in the low 40s yesterday when they did the lumbar puncture (<20 is what we want).  Daddy had his 4th lumbar puncture today.  There has been some confusion about whether Daddy had meningitis or not.  The doctor Elizabeth spoke with said that the infection disease doctor has not diagnosed Daddy with meningitis, but all the numbers point to him having it.  Daddy is on very strong antibiotics and will continue them for seven days.  Since, none of Daddy's lumbar puncture results have been below 20% Elizabeth asked if that meant a shunt was to be placed.  The doctor said it was likely, but Dr. Day would make that decision and he is off for the holiday weekend. 

This afternoon we took the boys to there first Aggie men's basketball game.  Jackson refused to wear maroon, which is just like him.  We had a really good time.  I think the boys liked the big bucket of popcorn more than the game.  With about 7 minutes left in the game and the score very close Jackson says, "I need to potty."  So, me and the boys head to the bathroom, but luckily nothing to excited happened while we were gone.  I haven't been to college station in about 4 years and it has been longer since I was on campus--wow it has changed.  We went by the quad and showed the boys were Josh lived while in the Corp.  After the game we went to Wings N More for dinner--it is still the best place to get wings.  It was nice to be out as a family today.

New room

Daddy was moved to the intermediate ICU on the 5th floor last night.  Mom said he was so happy and in a great mood.  Daddy said he hated it up in the other room and didn't like the nurses.  Mom told him they were so of the best nurse he has ever had and they were only trying to help him get better.  Daddy said he still didn't like them.

Grandaddy (Daddy's father) and Diane (sister) came to visit this morning.  They were able to take Daddy outside in a wheelchair and got him a coke in the cafe.  They also has some fun.  Daddy laid flat on his back in bed well Granddaddy drop grapes into his mouth and Diane took pictures (if I can get the pic I will post them).  I sure am glad Daddy was able to play with his sister today. 

This afternoon a pick was placed in Daddy.  It is an IV that goes straight into an artery.  Daddy needs this because the medicine he is being given for the meningitis is so strong it would eat away his veins if given through a regular IV.  Another lumbar puncture was done today as well.  Mom thinks they will be doing one daily for a while.  A new doctor came by today to review all the medication Daddy is on in preparation for surgery.  So we are concluding from this that Daddy will be having a shunt place in his head to drain the CSF, however Mom has not be told that from Daddy's doctor.

Please keep praying.

Meningitis

This morning started with Daddy getting out of bed two times and trying to get water.  His nurse found him at the sink about to drink straight from the tap.  He is not supposed to drink water, because his sodium level is so low.  He can have all the powerade, coke and juice he wants, but no water.  When I called and talked to him this morning he in a low voice asked me to sneak in a water bottle.  He makes the nurse laugh:)

Mom talked with the doctor that performed the lumbar puncture yesterday and she said that Daddy's pressure was a little high, but that could be because he was is so pain right before the test.  She also told mom that Daddy now has meningitis. 

     "Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening infection of the meninges—the tough layer of tissue that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. If not treated, meningitis can lead to brain swelling and cause further disability, including coma and even death.  Meningitis can be caused by a variety of things, including bacteria (the most serious), viruses, fungi, reactions to medications, and environmental toxins such as heavy metals. Although bacterial and fungal meningitis require extended hospitalization, meningitis caused by viruses can often be treated at home and has a much better outcome." (webmd.com)

When one has a lumbar puncture there is a risk of getting meningitis.  The odd thing to me is that a lumbar puncture  is what is performed to also find out what type of meningitis one has.

     "A spinal tap, or lumbar puncture, is necessary to diagnose meningitis. The results of the spinal tap are essential to help the doctor determine first the presence of meningitis and then the type of meningitis. Correctly diagnosing meningitis is absolutely essential to guide treatment. If you are too sick for a spinal tap, you will be treated with antibiotics on the assumption that you have meningitis. The spinal tap will be done when your condition improves. Cerebrospinal fluid is obtained through a spinal tap. This fluid surrounds and cushions the brain and the spinal cord. The fluid is checked in the lab for things like white and red blood cells and protein and glucose (sugar) levels. The doctor then interprets the test results to determine if meningitis is present. The test results can also indicate if the meningitis is due to a bacterial infection or a virus. " (webmd.com)

So, add this to your prayers for Daddy.  I feel like Daddy and our family just can't get a break.  I am thankful for the miracle that Daddy is still with us and overall doing well, but it is hard to not get down and I'm not even the one that has been in ICU for 16 days now.  Daddy should be moved to immediate ICU soon--hopefully this evening or tomorrow morning. 

The doctor is currently or it may be done by now doing another lumbar puncture on Daddy.  I just assume we will not get results till the morning. 

Pressure

Daddy's nurse was able to pull up his lumbar results on the computer and his pressure was around 24%.  The doctors usually want it to be 20% or lower.  Mom was not able to speak to the doctor today hopefully he will come by tomorrow and they will talk about putting in a permanent shunt.  This is still undecided.  I don't know much about the shunt, but basically it would drain fluid from the brain into the stomach.

On KSBJ (I love KSBJ check it out @ ksbj.com) today I listened to a song about a husband/father asking God to lead him to be strong for his wife and kids.  It made me think that we all need God's help when it comes to family and friends.  Please pray for our family and that we will let God lead us to help Daddy through this time and to have the wisdom to plan for the future correctly. 

Lumbar Puncture

Yesterday Daddy had a CT scan and everything looked fine.  His drain has been out for 48 hours now and thus far he is doing well.  This morning the doctors will be preforming a lumbar puncture on Daddy.  The lumbar puncture will check his fluid levels (CSF).  Please pray that the levels are good so a permanent shunt is not needed.  Also, pray for Daddy's pain this puncture will not feel good.  I don't know when they will start or how long it takes, but I will give y'all an update as soon as I get the results.  Mom is at the hospital today and me and the boys are headed this morning to Mom and Daddy's house to wait for the repair man.  Their fridge went out:(  Please pray for my Mom as she has to deal with all these other daily issues that are not wanted at a time like this. 

On another note, pray for every mom that is at home with her kids over this holiday break--it is tough entertaining the kids when they are used to so much activity at school and seeing their friends.  We have had a rough morning:(

Christmas Photos

Jackson and Jeffrey just finished decorating the tree.

Grammie gave the boys Christmas jammies in Nov. and they have wore them ever night since including tonight.

Jackson and Grammie Christmas Eve in Granddad's ICU room.

Jeffrey put out cookies for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer.

Aunt Liz and Uncle Matt gave the boys Aggie football helmets.

Jeffrey Christmas morning on his new skateboard.

Removal of drain

Yesterday, Sunday Dec. 26, 2010 Daddy's drain was removed.  We had thought it would come out sooner, but that was not the case.  So, Daddy was in ICU on Christmas, but we did get approved to take the boys back to see Daddy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  However, now the boys must wait till Granddad is in a regular room to visit again.  Hopefully things will go well and the drain will stay out and Daddy can start focusing on getting stronger.  This morning when I spoke with the nurse she said Daddy had been doing fine and the doctor would check later today to see if Daddy's body was responding the way it should and absorbing the CSF correctly.

The prayers that are needed now are that the drain will not have to be reinserted, that Daddy will eat (he has only taken a bit here and there for the last 14 days), that all his bodily functions will continue to improve,  that his mental ability will fully return (he knows things, but is confused) and that he will have a positive attitude and be happy (he has been unkind and had a I don't care mind set the pass few days).