Day 196 - June 30th

The results of the nuclear study came in. This test evaluated James' pelvic bone. You may remember a test was done quite some time ago and it was determined that the bone showed signs of infection. This same test was repeated last Friday and shows that there has been no change. James will continue on antibiotics and have future studies to determine any progress. James' vision has not been clear for several weeks. He sometimes has double vision and is always struggling with blurriness. When he focuses on things relatively close, he often becomes dizzy which in turn makes him nauseous. It is even difficult to look people in the eye for any length of time. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors to discover what the cause is. Pray for strength and endurance for James during this lengthy process of healing. And, as always, please continue to pray for healing.

Day 195 - June 29th

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 194 - June 28th

No changes today. We are still waiting for results of the nuclear study. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 193 - June 27th

James had a nuclear study performed today. We will get the results over the weekend. Overall, his condition has remained the same. His diet was approved for all foods and he is looking forward to his favorites. Please continue to pray for healing of the various infections in his body, wisdom for the doctors, and for physical and spiritual strength.

Day 192 - June 26th

James' condition is unchanged over the past few days. He was moved to another room that has a window but he is still in ICU. He works hard every day with his physical therapists and is looking forward to moving to the Rehabilitation Department. Pray this will be soon.

Day 191 - June 25th

No changes to report today.

Day 190 - June 24th

James did not have a fever today and his white count came down slightly. The doctors continue to monitor the infection. No other changes today.

Day 189 - June 23rd

James has a low grade fever and his white blood cell count has risen higher again. The doctors believe it to be related to the infection in the pelvic area. James is very discouraged. Please pray for wisdom and healing.

Day 188 - June 22nd

James has been working hard at getting strong enough to be transferred to the Rehabilitation Department. Hopefully this will be soon - within the next couple weeks. He continues to fight the infections in his body and will be monitored by CT scans. His white counts are still high. Thank you for faithfully praying for James.

Day 187- June 21st

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 186 - June 20th

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 185 - June 19th

James is participating in a lot of physical therapy which is preparing him for the eventual move to the Rehabilitation Department. The issues that hindered his eating, drinking and talking have been resolved and he is doing well. His lab values still indicate infection (high white blood cells), however the levels that determine the need for dialysis have been decreasing slightly every day. Please pray for physical and emotional strength, and also for his spiritual strength to trust in God's plan for him. Many people have asked about the video that was recently taken of James. You can still view this short clip by going back to the older posts for June 11th.

Day 184 - June 18th

No changes to report. Today marks 6 months for James in ICU. Please continue to pray.

Day 183 - June 17th

No changes in James' condition, however it was very encouraging today in that the ventilator is not even in his room anymore! His doctors are working on changing his room to one that has a view. He will still be in ICU but he will at least be able to look outside and know the difference between day and night. Please continue to pray for healing and praise our amazing God who does wondrous things. We know that He works all things to our good and we are only beginning to see this in James.

Day 182 - June 16th

James is responding very well to reverting back to his old pain medication. He is no longer nauseous and is more willing to eat and speak. He is still fighting a variety of infections, including what remains in the pelvic area. The rehabilitation department is anxious to receive him and get him moving again. He can transfer to this department even with the infections, but he must be stable. Please pray this will come quickly.

Day 181 - June 15th

The results of the CT scan performed on Friday are in. After review, the doctors feel the infection appears smaller in size. This is the first time there has been a true decrease in size. Praise God! James is not doing so well on the new pain drug he was transitioned to. He will have to go back to the old medication but it will be administered differently. He is breathing on his own without assistance from the ventilator and is breathing room air instead of oxygen. This is a great improvement. Please continue to pray with thanksgiving.

Day 180 - June 14th

No changes today.

Day 179 - June 13th

James had another CT scan today. The results will come in a few days after several doctor's have an opportunity to review and then discuss together. Other than this, everything is about the same. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 178 - June 12th

James is resting from yesterday's big adventure to the outdoors. He was awake enough to watch the end of the Lakers' game and was sorely disappointed! His white counts are still elevated and his lab values are gradually increasing again that indicate he may require dialysis in the near future. This will require a surgical procedure to put in a new catheter. As you may recall, the one he had was recently removed and tests showed it was infected. Please continue to pray for healing.

Day 177 - June 11th

James took a trip outside for 30 minutes today to enjoy the fresh air. What an incredible encouragement to his spirits! Cathy was able to get a video of a few minutes of the trip. Click on the link below - James has a message to all of you. Enjoy the video and see what our amazing God has done and is doing in the life of James. You may want to turn up the volume a little. He is regaining the strength back in his voice, but it's still a little slurred and quiet. Please continue to pray for James as he is still very sick. Also, praise our God for His grace and mercy.

Day 176 - June 10th

James is still in the process of being transitioned to a new pain medication which is making him very sleepy. He should level out within the next few days and be alert for longer periods of time. He was taken off the ventilator for most of the day today and was able to eat and drink a little. His white blood cell counts are high and the doctor's are not sure why. Please pray for healing.

Day 175 - June 9th

James is basically unchanged today  thank you for your prayers.  

Day 174 - June 8th

James is doing a little better today. His fever has lowered and his blood pressure is stable without medication. He spirits were a little better today and he even watched some of the Lakers game this evening. Please continue to pray for healing from the infections in his body.

Day 173 - June 7th

James had a very difficult day. A blood culture came back positive for staph infection and he had a fever of 101. His blood pressure needed to be maintained through medication and he received 3 units of blood. The doctors decided to put him on dialysis this evening and immediately following the procedure (which takes three hours) the dialysis catheter will be surgically removed because they suspect it to be infected. He is still adjusting to the new pain medication and was quite sleepy for the majority of the day accompanied by some minor withdrawal symptoms. Please pray for healing from this new staph infection and for his blood pressure to become stable.

Day 172 - June 6th

James was transitioned to a different pain medication yesterday. Unfortunately, this new medication is making him very sleepy today which affects his breathing. As a precaution the doctor has put him back on the ventilator for a couple days. This is not to be considered a setback as James will come right off the ventilator once the appropriate dosage is determined. The doctors are being careful to give him just the right amount so that he will not experience any pain, while at the same time avoiding any possible withdrawals from the previous medication. Also, James had dialysis today. This was the first time since April 28th. His lab values had been gradually increasing over the last couple weeks and the kidney doctor felt it was time. Fortunately for James, he won't remember any of it because he was asleep. Please pray that the pain medication will transition quickly and that James will be comfortable in the process.

Day 171 - June 5th

James' condition is unchanged from yesterday. He is doing well with physical therapy in regaining his strength and jokes around with the therapists. Praise God that we see joy returning to his demeanor. Thank you for praying and please continue.

Day 170 - June 4th

James was able to eat and drink today. On the menu were watermelon, cranberry juice, butterscotch pudding, cherry jello and water. He was excited to be able to eat and drink and this really boosted his spirits. His white counts are still high and being monitored closely. Please remember that James is still very sick and needs our constant prayers for healing.

Day 169 - June 3rd

The results of the nuclear study came in today. The pelvic area is the most significant indication of white cell activity. This was expected by the doctors and they will continue to monitor James' healing in this area by CT scan every week or so. The PICC line showed signs of infection and was changed today. James has not had dialysis since April 28th which is great, however his lab values have been gradually increasing. Please pray that the infection that remains in the pelvic area is eradicated, that his lab values will stabilize and he will not require dialysis, and for his emotional/spiritual health.

Day 168 - June 2nd

James' white blood cell counts rose even higher today. The indium study was performed today and the results will be in tomorrow. A blood culture has come back positive indicating a possible infection in his PICC line. This will be confirmed tomorrow, and if it is positive, the PICC line will be changed. James is feeling a little better than yesterday, but his spirits are low. Please continue to pray for comfort, healing and strength.

Day 167 – June 1st

James had a difficult day. His white blood cell count is very high and he feels very sick. Several cultures were performed today with results that will come over the next few days. On Monday he will have another indium study where some of his blood will be drawn and the white cells will be made radioactive. These will then be injected back into his body and will illuminate where infection is. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and healing for James