Well today was MUCH better than yesterday. Yesterday I couldn't even post a message on this blog for fear of being too negative! Yesterday (Tuesday) Jim ran a very high fever (103--104) the whole day, had diarrhea big time, was dehydrated, and could not eat or drink a thing due to the terrible sores in his mouth from the chemo. Also his IV infiltrated and his right arm blew up like a balloon. After several attempts they finally got an IV started to get his electrolytes under control. I came home depressed and wondering if it was all worth it.
But today he was so much better, both in body and spirit. His temp never went over 101.5, he was able to nap, and best of all he is able to eat and drink again, although he has no appetite. He did say that Shirley Marvin's chicken soup tasted so good to him! Thanks, Shirley. He is on just about every kind of antibiotic, antiviral and anti fungal drug and his neutrophils are at 50 (I guess this is the nadir all the nurses and doctors have been predicting!). Since he is neutopenic everyone who goes in the room must wear gown and gloves. His spirits are amazingly good, considering.
I want to thank Carol and Erin for saving my sanity last night, giving me a shoulder to cry on, and share that much needed bourbon with me (although Erin only had hot chocalate!) You have no idea how that support has lifted me up. Also want to thank Joachim for writing all the way from India and also for the prayers. And Val, we would just love it if you and Ethan would visit us when you're down here this weekend as long as you don't mind donning gowns and gloves.
Again, thank you all for your love, prayers, comments (we love reading them), concerns, etc. How very blessed we are to have so many wonderful friends and family. Love, Barbara
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Wow! Just going to bed and decided to check the blog one more time.What a day yesterday-can't even begin to imagine how you must have felt, Jim- and Barb, what a helpless feeling for you. Makes me so sad- glad you had those shoulders to lean on ( and the bourbon, of course!)So glad today brought some sunshine- Jim, keep up the fight- keep the boxing gloves on! We love you! Blowing many prayers your way! Hope you sleep well tonight- both of you.
ReplyDeleteLove,hugs,prayers,
Jeanne and Frank
Glad to hear Jim's comeback today. Lot's of people are praying for him. East coast west coast and now India.Since I put the counter on, 158 people have visited the site. (Though many are checking 2-3 times a day (like me)). I worried yesterday when there was no post, but now understand why.We'll keep praying (warm prayers from Phoenix).
ReplyDeleteandy
I knew something was up. So glad things are looking up Just take one day at a time. Everyone here is storming heaven with prayers. God Bless you both. Bailey and Andrew -so cute. Love from Jeanie and the AZ Matthews
ReplyDeleteBarbara...I hope you shared more than a little airplane bottle of bourbon with Carol! (remember our weekend in NJ) You are a real trooper and I'm sure Jim knows he's blessed having an angel such as yourself. Jim, keep it up and I hope you have many more good days than bad.
ReplyDeleteLove, thoughts and prayers,
Joanne
Dear Jim,Barbara, and all, I am sending you thoughts and prayers of love, strength, friendship and healing. You mean more (to all of us) than electronic words on a blog could ever convey. The network of love, now stretching around the world, includes friends in North Carolina as well. I would love to share an anecdote.
ReplyDeleteOne summer morning at Spray Beach, NJ, a ragtag, flip-flopped parade of adults and children practicing a peculiar esoteric stream of Christianity called "The Group" made their way toward the beach and another day of fun in the surf. Racing ahead, Groupkids hit the beach, dropped their gear, and dashed right into the tumbling waves. Almost immediately a powerful riptide pulled them outward, even as they swam with all their might to return to the shore. With no life guards yet on duty to respond, the scene quickly became frightening for the struggling swimmers. Every effort to simply swim to shore only left them further out. Reaching the beach, groggy from a night of irreverent skits and unauthorized prayer, Groupdads saw the flailing swimmers and raced into action. Forming a human chain at the edge of the surf they plucked the exhausted kids out of the waves. I can still remember the feeling of the large,strong hand that pulled me out of the surf and up onto the beach. Jim, now you have all of our hands stretching out toward you, pulling you back to us. I think there is another hand there too, big and strong, ready to also pull you to safety. We're not ready for you to let go of our hands yet, but when it is time for you to reach for that other hand, ours will bear you up.
I love you all.
Stephen Beck
Powerfull story Stephan!
ReplyDeleteandy
Dear Jim and Barbara,
ReplyDeleteThank God things are looking up a bit for you. It is good to have your blog to keep us close. I have checked it every day. Know that you have our love and prayers.
Blessings!
Peggy and Fred