Medicine 101

Dear Tanner,

Today, first thing in the morning, your father agreed to go on a walk. It was a little romantic, dragging a pole, holding a pillow against his stomach, wearing a girdle belt, and pausing for burps. Burps are good. Means we're one step closer to coming home! We're celebrating baby steps over here.

Amazing how many interesting things you can find to talk about just while doing loops around the med surgical floor. If you see a big sign, and it's only on one door, that says "neutropenic" - CAUTION, wouldn't you want to know what is going on in that room? Having Jarrod's computer is great - finish the walk and google. Means that patient has a rare form of white blood cells, and is susceptible to germs.

Sometimes doctors talk in big words, such as peritonitis, incarceration, neutropenic, ciprofloxacin, flagyl, or atelectasis, and when they leave I have to google again. Sometimes your aunts talk in big words too because they're nurses. And your uncle is a doctor. But they're all checking in, letting me know what to ask, concerned your father is getting the best care.

It was nice to have the doctor say they're trying to take extra care of your dad. Normal hernia repairs are stitch 'n hitch a ride home, but because he had an incarceration they want to make sure it really wasn't damaged. So we're here today and overnight. Hopefully we'll be done tomorrow! Hopefully his fevers are from the operation and trauma, perhaps general anesthesia and medicine. We'll see!

They didn't let him go home today as he spiked a 101.+ fever last night....so they spent a while trying to culture his blood to figure what was up, did chest xrays, etc. He's been on two alternating antibiotics, as a blanket cover. He's had allergic reactions to the i.v. (weird! - had potassium in it). Makes him very red in his skin, maybe the cause of the fever. So they just unhooked him. He also had an allergic reaction to the bandages on his stomach...blisters all around the edges that started oozing....so they had to remove his bandages. Weird! This is his first ever hospital visit so we know nothing about his allergies.

Dad wanted me to spend the night so we're having a sleepover. I won the cute pajama contest, hands down. We both know who wears the pants in the family tonight! And the cutest toes. Funnest party ever!






Hi Amy Jo,

Thanks for the updates on the e-mail and the blog. I love to read your writings. It is a gift that we don't all share, but you do have it.

Jarrod is so fortunate to have you by his side. This has always been the feeling I know that Janel and I have shared about you. I'm thankful that you are making the sacrifices to care for Jarrod. I'm sure he will have a new appreciation for the love you freely give to him. I know I glean from you so often.

Since I know he is in God's hand and you are also beside him, I have very little to worry. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask. Brad would most likely be your first source since his understanding is greater than mine in regards to medicines and treatments. Also, it's great that you do have your computer. What a blessing! You are smart to look up information to gain a better understanding. Just another great thing about you.

I will continue to pray for Jarrod and the family and will continue to look for your updates. Again, thanks for working so hard and sacrificing so much to care for Jarrod.

In His love,

Janeen