#6

Hello all... I'm so sorry for the delay in getting this to you. It was a long day yesterday, and I was just able to get up about 30 minutes ago. His mother, Vicky, was down to see him from 11 a.m. to 5 yesterday, and we got there @ 4:45 p.m. and stayed til about 8:15 p.m. When Vicky arrived in the morning, his temperature was 105 degrees, probably from the pneumonia. His body had really swollen (a lot of edema), which was expected from the effects of the shock on his system and the spinal injury, but his mom said he just looked horrible, which was hard for her. They gave him Tylenol (a liquid form) and his temp came down to 99 degrees (but I don't think it was right away) and his color improved. Then they checked him every hour. For awhile it was down, and then it began to creep up again. 101.5, 102.1, 102.4... that was the readings while we were there, and then they were trying to keep it down, but the pneumonia is pretty bad. That was the nurses term, I'm not sure exactly what that means. I do know that I'm glad he's at U of Pennsylvania Medical Center. They have such extensive experience with this type of severe trauma, and the AACN (American Assoc. of Critical Care Nurses) named the m the Unit of the Year in 2006. Pretty impressive to me. Anyway, back to Jerry, Jr.... Jerry Sr. spoke this a.m. to Vicky, who is down there, and his temperature was 104 degrees this a.m. They gave him more Tylenol to bring it down. He is still heavily sedated, which is a blessing. It seems that they are going to put the feeding tube in anyway, since he needs the calories to fight the disease, but they are still hesitating right now about the tracheotomy. His dad is concerned that they'll wake him up before the trach is in, and Jr. will get frustrated again about not being able to communicate with us and the staff, but they will get to the point, even with infection, where they'll need to do the trach regardless of the risk. A tube can only stay in so long without its' own complications. This is all a tedious balance between risk and benefit, so please pray that the nursing staff and the doctors will have God's wisdom through it all. Please pray that his family and friends also have patience with this whole process, and that, as always, God's grace will be with us all. Please pray that He will, in His goodness, turn His face towards Jerry, Jr. and us, that we would have all we need to get through this, in every way, especially financially, since his mom and his dad are paid job to job, day to day. Any time missed is money missed. Anyway, God will provide and we know that. Finances are the one area that Jerry, Sr. has perfect peace about, and that is totally God's grace, because his normal stance would be to be stressing about money right now (a guy thing, I think). But he's commented many times that he can't really believe how calm he's feeling. God is at work. I was praying for Jr., laying hands on him yesterday when we were there, and I really had a strong sense of the Holy Spirit there in the room with him. It was comforting and calming. The next big challenge, according to the neurologist, would be if he develops sepsis, which is an infection in the blood, and can be very life-threatening. Please pray against any and all infection, especially the ones brought into the room by staff and family. Please pray protection over him in that regard. Please pray he stablizes so that they can place the tracheotomy, although I'm aware that that being in place has its' own risks. Right now, Tiger (our male cat and Jerry Jr.'s buddy) is in his room sleeping on his bed. I think he's wondering where Jr. is. He always spoiled him with so many treats!! :o) Audrey is doing well, and has been doing a good job of holding down the fort for us. I have to finish laundry I started yesterday, and there's another load to do. We are taking today off from Philly to make the trip to York to see our 6 day old new baby granddaughter, Olivia Leigh Baker. She cried for the first time yesterday! She seems like a very content little girl, which we pray to be the case, for her mom and dad's sake. Jen, (Jr's very close sister) hasn't been down to see him yet due to Olivia's arrival 7 days late, and she is a bit anxious about it. Please pray that our presence with her will be a comfort, and that she'll feel our love for her, Jared, and Olivia, in spite of our 6 day absence. I would have loved to make the trip ove r by myself last week, but I just needed to rest my body. Can't push it too much right now, with all the mental stress.

But, God is good, and I'm - so far - doing fine. Continue to praise God on our behalf for all He has done so far, and for carrying us through this valley. Life is so tedious and fragile, and yet the body can take so much! Let's all ready ourselves and our hearts for Jesus' return, 'cause I believe it's close.

With much love, Linda and Jerry, Sr. Hambleton