And more...

Sorry for cut-and-paste again ... someday I'll feel like typing more.
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Marty is not doing so well. He had a respiratory emergency on Saturday night and the Dr simply said that they "lost a lot of ground" because of it. They put a line into his heart through the groin (like a cardiac catheter) with a sensor to monitor things better there. They also have him on a paralytic (a medicine that keeps him paralyzed) to give his lungs a better chance to heal. It sounded rather horrific to me, but he is also on Ativan and Fentanyl, so there really isn't any way he would know anything.

They checked yesterday for DVT's (blood clots) in his extremities and they were finishing up when it was time for me to leave, so I haven't hear yet if he was clear or not. He is too critical to move at this point, they are unable to do CAT scans or x-rays to check for clotting elsewhere. I contacted his regular Drs so they could fill in the Hahnemann team on what tests were done when he had the last clot. They would like to put an IV line in his chest, but can't do that either until they feel it's safe from clotting.

The fever broke and the cultures should be back today. They will treat him regardless--and act as if he still had the fever--just to be safe. It may be from the wrist surgery and the still-open wound where the external fixator is, or something else.

They gave him blood yesterday since his hemoglobin was low, his potassium is too high and they don't know why that is, either. He has a long way to go. I was beside myself not being able to talk to him, wondering if he will ever come home. I can't imagine that happening, but God knows my heart anyway, so I'm just going to put that concern out there and ask for prayers on that end.

The kids are OK, not fully understanding what is going on--Megan saw daddy for about 5 minutes and was very upset. Cassidy didn't want to go in at all, and I can understand that. The other kids are too young and so far I've only taken the baby and one older girl with me. It's such a long drive for such a short visit. It's very emotionally trying.

I'm calling this morning to see how he is doing, and if I can get there (I need to return the jeep I was borrowing today) I will go and see him again. I've still not been able to see the films of his many fractures, or talk to social services about the compensation etc. but hope to do that if I can get down there.

For now, please pray that he will stabilize so that they can operate and he can begin to heal. I'm trying to lean on God and finding that difficult at best with so much to do.