#8

Hi all.
Jerry, Sr. returned home tonight just slightly before 10:00 p.m. After I spoke with him earlier, I didn't want to be alone, so I phoned my sister Joanne and she came over and spent the evening keeping me company. I thank God for her presence here. It was comforting, rather than being here alone.

Like I said earlier, at 12 noon today his temp was 103.4 degrees. The physician is concerned that the pulmonary embolism (blood clot) killed part of his lung and that's a good environment for germs to germinate and multiply. They are also concerned about infection in his neck. Dead tissue could cause absess either in his neck or lungs. A CT scan would show any bad areas, but he's not stable enough to move for the test because of the blood clots in his legs. His pneumonia remains "bad". At 2:00 p.m. his temp was 104.1 degrees. They wanted to move him to neurological critical care, but were unable to, so that team of caregivers is going to him. At 5:30 p.m. his temp was up to 105.7 degrees. At 6:00 p.m. they put him on a cooling blanket (set to 41 degrees) to assist bringing his temp down. He is in a bed that rotates slowly and gently from side to side (slight angles only). On his left side his oxygen level would read 89-91 %, and on his right side it decreases to 86-88 %. Jerry, Sr. pointed this out to the nurse, so he reset the bed so that Jr. wouldn't roll as often to the right (would remain on his left side longer to keep oxygen levels up). At 7:00 p.m., his temp was 106.4 degrees (wow, that's hard for me to even type!).

In spite of the cooling blanket, his temp hadn't decreased much by 8:00 p.m. when visiting hours were over. His critical care team for the night is Michael and Kelly.&nbs p; His respiratory rate has been running 9-11 all day, which basically means the ventilator is doing the breathing for him at this time. That is to be expected with the drug-induced coma, His heart rate is high (most likely from fever) at 112-125 beats per minute. For you medical folks, his CVP was 12-14 all week and today is reading 20. (That's central venous pressure for the rest of you. His blood pressure remains stable (126/47, mean pressure 74). At least that's something. With a fever that high, seizures are a concern. Pray against those.

We are so encouraged and blessed by the responses we are getting from you out there. Please don't hesitate to share anything that you feel God has laid on your heart. We are trusting Him, and want His will to be done above all else, because He only wants what is best for us. We've been told by some family members to "not share too much". How do I do that when 'Jr.' is in a fight for his life? Tell you he's okay and then suddenly drop a bomb shell? Not my style. I believe specific prayers are most beneficial, and prayers from the soul/spirit are even better. Please keep lifting Jerry, Jr. (and Sr. for that matter) up to God's capable hands, and ask for God's will to be done. We love each of you, and are praying God's loving care over each of you. Please feel free to ask questions as you have them. ' Jr.' couldn't be at a better place in terms of hospital care. They are doing an awesome job overall. We are so blessed in so many ways.
In Christs' love, Linda and Jerry, Sr. Hambleton