Monday, August 9, 2010

Jim Still In The ICU

Jim is still in the ICU. His pneumonia is improving but he is still having graft vs. host symptoms, and is very week. While transferring him from the chair to the bed today he passed out. His blood pressure is dropping when he stands again but I think it is due to the amount of fluids that are being taken off during dialysis. It seams it is one extreme or the other. He is either fluid overloaded or dehydrated. They are doing dialysis daily though because they are trying to keep his lungs dry. He has mostly slept yesterday and today. He says he feels very tired and weak. He is still very mentally aware and in good spirits. Although he is weak, as soon as Physical Therapy comes in, he is doing what he can to walk down the hall. He knows he needs to do it to get stronger. Today the man is walking down the hall with a therapist on each side, me pushing the wheelchair behind (just in case), pushing his walker, shaking like crazy and turning white as a ghost as he is ready to pass out. He still would not stop until we made him sit down. He keeps trekking through. He would have made a great Pioneer.

Today my heart is full and my emotions close to the surface. My brother Dave's wife is having a baby boy as I blog. I can't help but think of the irony as one soul is fighting to come to this world, one is also fighting to stay here. I feel full of love for this man who under no circumstances is throwing in the towel. He is the epitome of what it means to be strong and courageous. He is a great example to all around him of being steadfast and faithful. I truly hope my new nephew will get the opportunity to know and love his amazing Uncle Jim.

Today I AM THANKFUL FOR another new fresh spirit coming to bless our family. We Love You Dave and Cindy.

5 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the new addition. Best wishes to the family. We think of you all often and I pray that Jim will be home with you all again soon. We just wish there were something we could do to help you. I'm just glad that you have great kids and a good support system. Take care. Hold on to your love and strength.
    Jill

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  2. Suzanne, I just heard the news. I am so sorry! I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and will keep you and your family in my prayers. Love you!

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  3. Suzanne,
    We are all thinking of you and praying for you here at work. I am so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. I, too, lost my dad a few years ago to a similar cancer. I am amazed at your strength and still, through all this, feel that you have so much to be thankful for. You are amazing. We are thinking of you and your family.

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  4. Thank you for thinking of Cindy and I during this hard time. We will miss Jim greatly. Jim and you were the first family Cindy met and thats when she fell in love with my family... You, Jim, and your family have always been so wonderful to us. We'll keep Jim and your family in our thoughts & prayers, always... We love you all so much...

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  5. Suzanne and family... Sorry to hear of Jim's passing! He faught hard as well as his family! I will keep your family in thoughts and prayers!!!
    Love Kimberlee (Radiation Therapy)

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