As it Began, it repeats.  But we pray it doesn’t end.  Shortly after typing the last post, I read my devotional and cried out to God.  As I ended my prayer and turned the bedroom light off, the phone rang.  It was LGH.

…Kevin is now on a ventilator due to his blood gas levels decreasing significantly.  We had no other choice but to put him on the vent due to his lung conditions and the massive infection growing in his body.

After being put on a ventilator, the cardio-thoracic surgeon made an emergency call to place a chest tube back in Kevin, as had at Hopkins.  It is draining the infected fluid out of his body.  Due to Kevin’s stomach distention, they stopped the tube feeding, and now are draining the G-tube from his stomach, which is putting out as much fluid as the chest tubes.

Kevin’s heart-rate continues to be high, but his blood pressure is going up (yea!).  However, his fever is also climbing, and when I left the hospital it was 103.8.  Unfortunately, they cannot give him anything to control the fever with his heart-rate being what it is.  The hope is that draining this infection will calm his heart allowing them to get the fever under control.  As this was happening, Kevin’s hemo levels dropped as expected, and he is currently getting a blood transfusion.

It is believed the infection was caused by possible leakage from the surgery site where the stomach was stapled off.  Whether the sutures didn’t hold, didn’t heal, or the tumor simply didn’t know its border (as the sarcoma phrase goes), it has created havoc in Kevin’s body.

Thankfully, Kevin is heavily medicated and sedated and shouldn’t remember ANY of this we pray.  I unfortunately will and do.  I feel as if this story is repeating itself from how it started.  Only this time, we know what else we have to factor in, and it leaves my hope dwindling.

I am pulling from God, from the Holy Spirit to provide a Divine Intervention, all the while knowing that I trust and will embrace his plan.  However, tears continue to flow.  My breakdown at the news of him needing to be intibated (sp?) as they told me over the phone was nothing short of catastrophic.  I just continued to flash in my brain the first time he was intibated, and I was also not there to say goodbye.  The days following that were terrifying, as are these.

Kevin’s mom is getting a medical flight here tomorrow.  I want you all to know that while we expect the ventilator to be a short term solution to this big problem, we also have to anticipate the worst outcome.  We are preparing for the worst, and praying for the best.  And this time, we’ll ALL BE TOGETHER in Lancaster, and I feel blessed for that.  My love to Ken who will still be in Winnipeg dealing with this.  I love you brother and my prayers are always with you.

To my family…thank you for your support through this unbelievable ordeal.  I am devastated, but not destroyed thanks to your support and prayer.

So….be with us.  Be devastated but not destroyed with us.  Because there is hope.  He is on the right track to get this nasty infection OUT OF HIM.  We are at the bottom, but we are not destroyed.  There is always hope, and we are taught not to fear because of the Lord.  God will provide in the way that is His Will.  He can do unimaginably more than any of us can ever hope or dream or pray for.  He is the Miracle Healer.  Through him, all miracles exist.  There are so little explanations of many of Kevin’s recoveries so far-he is already our Miracle.

Pray and be with us now.  Thank you.

First off, thank you all for your prayers.  I felt them throughout the day as we watched Kevin’s blood pressure and oxygen levels go up and down like a yo yo.  I am so thankful to report that Kevin is stable.  His blood pressure is holding an average of 100/50 ish which is still low, but stable.  His heartrate continues to be elevated, around 145, but again, is stable.  His oxygen level is holding between 92-96 at most times which is acceptable considering the level of fluid in his lungs.

Throughout the day, Kevin was mainly just sleeping or “out of it” from the medication and fever.  Unfortunately, his fever has continued to climb, and when I left the hospital was over 103 which is a bit scary for us.

As I left, the Pulmonary Dr. arrived, and it was agreed upon to tap Kevin’s lung.  I got the report that it was very painful, but he’s stable and fell asleep from the pain meds soon after.  So far, no improvement from the tap because of the pain that is already in the area.  However, hopefully the fluid will give us some results on what is going on in Kevin’s lungs.

This afternoon, they also did a Cat scan of Kevin’s chest, and tomorrow will do a chest and abdomen xray.  Lots more stuff to happen, mainly getting ALL of the blood, urine, and mucus tests back to see what kind of infection(s) is going on in his body.

As usual, the unknown is the hardest and most exhaustable part.  I was able to nap here and there, and am looking forward to a LONG good sleep tonight.  I hate being away from the hospital, but sleeping on the pull out cot in the ICU is nearly impossible.  My body needs rest just as much as Kevin’s right now, so, let’s pray that my anxieties will pass tonight and allow me to sleep knowing he is in good/God’s hands.

I am drained of everything, including tears.  It’s been a very emotional day trying to push forward and see this as hopefully a minor setback in the scheme of things.  We are praying that there will be no need for the ventilator, and that it is MERELY an infection that is treatable, and not something more serious.

Pray with us tonight that Kevin stays stable and gets good rest throughout the night.  Pray for good decisions on the part of the LGH staff for Kevin’s recovery and the test and treatment results.  Pray for good rest for me.  Also lift up Kevin’s family that are so far away as they deal with these setbacks.  They need your prayers just as much!  Be with my family as well as they support us through this journey.

Thanks for everything, and I hope to have better news to report tomorrow.  God Bless.

At 2:30 am this morning, I dialed 911 for the first time ever for a loved one.  Not something I EVER want to have to do again.  Kevin called me on my cell from the other room to tell me his pain was a 10+ and we needed to get to the ER.  The pain was centralizing around his left ribcage.  When I went to get him ready and going, he told me he couldn’t stand.  We made the call to 911 for an ambulance transport to LGH.

When the paramedics arrived, Kevin’s blood pressure was around 70/60 which is very low, with a heart-rate of around 161.  Very scary.  He was still conscious and breathing, but very shallow breaths.

We were admitted to the ER, and within hours, to the Intensive Care Unit at LGH.  Kevin’s blood pressure has stabilized to around 80/65 which is still low.  His heart rate is lingering around 150.  He was also running a fever of around 102 which has now diminished.

He is receiving treatment for a possible infectious disease.  They have him on broad spectrum anti-biotics to combat any and all infections that may be occuring in his body.  The chest scan showed more fluid in both of his lungs, so they are considering tapping those to drain the fluid.

We met with both the oncologist on call and the infectious disease doctor.  They’ll be doing blood culture studies on him over the next two days to determine what and where the infection is to get it under control.

Kevin’s hemoglobin counts around 9.9, which is good, but most likely due to his dehydration.  They expect the counts to fall and him to need another blood transfusion within the next few days.

Needless to say, things were very scary, and are still a bit in that we don’t know what is causing this pain on his left side, as well as the blood pressure, heart rate, fluid in his lungs and the distention in his stomach.

Pray for guidance for the doctors and staff as they diagnose and care for Kevin.

Being that it is possible he has an infectious disease, we ask for NO visitors at the hospital at this time.  Cards can be sent to: 327 Tanyard Road Conestoga, Pa 17516.

I’ll update as I can, but please lift us up during this difficult and stressful situation.

Today was overall a good day for Kevin and I.  I got a refreshing massage this afternoon, and then an evening away to see an awesome concert.

Kevin felt good most of the day, but tonight some new pain kicked up around his left shoulder and back.  We’re putting bio-freeze on it right now to help ease it, but when he coughs, the pain is excruciating.  Tomorrow we’ll be calling into Dr. O’Connor to see about getting an appointment to not only address this issue, but Kevin’s lack of voice and stomach distention.  Pray it’s nothing big, and just the passing of the fluid and pneumonia!

Thanks for all your continued thoughts and prayers.  Thank you for being such a strong support to us!

This blog was just posted on cfhusband.blogspot.com, a blog I have been following since January.

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The Latest

Tricia’s PET Scan (Monday morning) shows that the chemo has done very little to affect her PTLD, and, in fact, some of the spots in her lungs have grown, and the lymphoma has possibly spread to a lymph node in her chest (outside of her lungs). They are stopping the current R-CHOP treatment, since it is obviously not doing her any good, and performed another biopsy on Tuesday morning.

That is literally all we know at this point. We arrived home late last night. We should hear back from Duke later this week about what the biopsy shows and what they recommend next.

We are very discouraged as we very distinctly recall the cancer doc telling us a few months ago, “If this treatment doesn’t work, Tricia is in serious trouble…”

Nate

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Please lift them up in special prayer as they have already been through so much and need God’s miracle to shine upon them!

God is able to do superabundantly, far over and above all that we ask or think-Ephesians 3:20

Just spoke with Roxanne at our health insurance.  Some delay most likely due to us changing addresses.  But we were assured everything WILL be payed retro-actively!!  Big relief there.  Just fighting through getting things right now until we get the paperwork and send in the first payment for Cobra.

Thanks for all your prayers!

…ps…big thanks to our great friends Cally and Andrea for all you have done for us today!

Kevin is doing a bit better today.  Still not sleeping well though and has started to get sores in his mouth from the chemo.  Pray that it goes away quickly!

Having major issues with EVERYTHING being denied from the insurance and I am not having any luck getting a hold of our case manager with Amerihealth.  Pray this gets resolved soon as we need these prescriptions and cannot wait until Cobra kicks in.  It is so frustrating to not have this transition go smoothly, as I was under the impression it would be a direct transfer.

…just thinking of the things we need to do for ourselves, not for the cancer.  Cancer is the main issue in our life right now, but it doesn’t mean it has be the MAIN focus of our lives.  In fact, it shouldn’t be.  Yes, Kevin should focus on positive, faith, and curing this thing.  But we also need to focus on LIVING.

Thanks for the reminder of that friends.

So, tomorrow, I’m getting myself a much needed massage that will hopefully relieve my horrible back and feet issues right now.  And, tomorrow night, after waiting about 5 years to finally see her in concert, I’ll be going with a girlfriend to see Susan Tedeschi, an amazing, inspiring soul/blues singer.  Kevin was originally going to go, but isn’t up to it, so I’m taking a great friend and REALLY looking forward to it.

As for Kevin, his main euphoria right now is drinking.  Turkey Hill Milk, Green Tea, Fanta Grape, Mug Rootbeer, Sierra Mist-these are just a FEW of his absolute favorite drinks right now.  So, if you get ANY ANY ANY coupons for these, or just want to stock us up, let me know!

In the meantime, I’m going to remind him to LIVE besides the cancer and come up with some stuff he really really wants to do right now.

Thanks for the encouragement!

..PS-Pray for a GOOD night sleep.  Kevin couldn’t sleep in the bed again last night due to the distention/nausea.  Nausea seems controlled tonight, so hopefully it stays that way!

Please pray in particular for Kevin’s stomach distention.  Dr. O’connor looked at the CT scan yesterday and said the pockets of fluid should diminish, however, Kevin’s stomach seems to be even larger today.  This may be due to him just sitting most of the time, other than when he’s running for more ice or drinks 🙂  Please lift him up and pray that this will go away quickly and ease him into comfort!

Just not sure how to feel today.  Kevin is not having a great day with his nausea.  We’re not sure if the meds aren’t working, or if it’s just from the chemotherapy.  Needless to say, his spirits are low and he could definitely use a pick me up.

Unfortunately, just with how I’m feeling mentally and physically, I’ve not been the best friend.  My patience is thin, and I’m tired most of the day.  I imagine this is definitely effects of some depression.  What’s very frustrating is that right now I can’t even go to the doctor until this Cobra thing is straightened out with our insurance.

The absense of the Cobra (our temporary health insurance) being in place right now is definitely laying a huge burden on me.  Things are being denied left and right, and I just have this overwhelming fear that something is not going to go through right.  Our bills should be covered retro-actively, but until that happens, it adds enormous pressure to an already frustrating life.

Please lift us up in your prayers as we battle on…