Update on James Daniels

A long awaited update

2009-02-25T12:12:00.000-08:00

James is doing very well. He has been going to physical and occupational therapy three times per week. Physically, he has gained much of his strength back. He can transfer in and out of his wheelchair without assistance. This makes getting in and out of bed and in and out of the car much easier and a lot less painful. He can stand up using a walker and actually walk with the aid of a walker – an amazing sight! He won’t be running any marathons soon, but he jokes that he is in training for the Olympics in London in 2012! Occupational therapy works out his upper body and most significantly works on his hands and dexterity. As you may know, his hands and foot were the most severely affected by his long sedation. They are the last to come back to full strength and use. Even so, his hands are much stronger. He can, for the most part, dress himself, shave, brush his teeth, make a sandwich, open bottles, and other small tasks. His handwriting has improved tremendously as well. It’s still a long haul ahead, but he is making great progress.

You may recall that James’ complication in vision had been a mystery to the doctors. Everything was blurry. While James was still in the hospital, our optometrist friend made glasses for him, but to no success for clear vision. A new eye test was performed with another prescription and still no success. Visits with the eye doctors, an MRI, and test after test left no understanding of why James couldn’t see clearly, not even clear enough to read large print. The next course of action was a specialist at UCLA. The only problem was that James had to wait to see this new specialist until he was much stronger. About three weeks ago James found the glasses our optometrist friend made and put them on. He could see! What joy! He only needed a minor adjustment to that prescription and now he is seeing and reading clearly.

To watch James through this trial is a testimony of God’s grace. I am amazed at his heart of forgiveness and his determination to walk in God’s will. He recently began working with the Jr. High students at church. Some of you may already know of his heart for this age group and his ministry in the past. Well, I can tell you he is even more on fire today and excited to serve the Lord in the ministry. The Lord has blessed him so much in providing this opportunity to serve.

In all these things we give the Lord glory and praise. It is He who has accomplished these great things and He alone is to be praised. May the Lord’s greatness, His mercy and grace, His faithfulness, His sovereignty, and His great love minister to you through the testimony of James. All glory to God!

James's Homecoming at Copperhill

2008-11-03T13:11:00.002-08:00

On Sunday, 10/26, James visited Copperhill Community Church. Many people from Copperhill have been part of James's life before and after this incident, and it was an emotional and joyful homecoming. Enjoy the video!

Day 315 - October 28th

2008-10-28T21:34:00.000-07:00

After ten months and ten days, James was released from the hospital today. His trial run over this past weekend proved that he could get around safely. He was able to go to a wedding and attend church without any obstacles. He was blessed to be among so many friends and worship the Lord together. Now he is home and as you can imagine he is extremely happy! He thanks God for getting him through to this point and gives the Lord all the praise and glory for his life and recovery. For the next couple weeks James will not be going to the hospital for therapy, but will remain at home to enjoy his family. He has been given a routine of exercises until he begins formal outpatient rehabilitation therapy. Thank you all for your faithful prayers. God has done and continues to do an amazing work in James' life. All praise and glory to Him!

Day 311 - October 24th

2008-10-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

The results from James' eye tests did not fully explain the cause of his vision problems. The doctor stated that it is complicated and has ordered an MRI which will be performed today. Please continue to pray for wisdom to understand and resolve this issue. James gets a pass from the hospital to go home for the weekend. He will be attending a wedding on Saturday and going to church on Sunday. He is beaming with joy and can't wait to be back at home with his family and visit with friends! Please pray everything will go well for him this weekend so that when the doctors evaluate his practice trip home, they will be pleased with his progress and give the final okay for release on Tuesday, October 28th.

Day 304 - October 17th

2008-10-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

The doctors have pushed James' release date forward a few days to October 28th. This has nothing to do with his progress, but that they want him to have a "practice day" at home followed by an evaluation. James is not discouraged knowing that it is in his best interests. He continues his therapy and is doing very well. He had an eye doctor appointment earlier in the week for further testing. These results have not come back yet. The remodel at his home is moving along with great speed thanks to the efforts of many men that are helping out. Blessings to you all! Please continue to pray for healing and stability of the plastic surgery and for all the things that are coming together to bring James home.

O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah
to Him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, He sends out His voice, His mighty voice. Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. Awesome is God from His sanctuary; the God of Israel—He is the one who gives power and strength to His people. Blessed be God! Psalm 68:32 - 35

Day 298 - October 11th

2008-10-11T15:18:00.001-07:00

James had the angiogram of his eyes done yesterday. Unfortunately, the test did not reveal why his vision is blurry. More tests will be performed on Tuesday. Please continue to pray for this. James is working very hard in physical and occupational therapy and counting down the days as his release date approaches. Many things need to come together to get ready for James' return. In particular, please pray for construction that is underway at his home to make it more accessible. Many thanks to go out to everyone who are volunteering their time, talents and materials to make his home comfortable. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Day 294 - October 7th

2008-10-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

James' release date has been moved up to October 24th. He has been working very hard in physical and occupational therapy to meet and exceed the goals set for him. He continues to astonish the staff with his focus and determination. He is able to put weight on his right leg and stand for about a half a minute with assistance. He has feeling in his leg down to his ankle which is a big improvement. The dexterity in his hand is improving, too. Those small tasks we take for granted can be extremely difficult for James. Pulling a zipper used to be impossible, but now he can hold the small metal piece and pull it. This Friday he will have an angiogram of his eyes to help determine the cause of his blurred vision. We haven't talked about lab values in a while, but they are good. His white counts are well in the normal range and have been for quite some time. Please pray with thanksgiving for the continued healing of the plastic surgery work, for strength and endurance, and wisdom for the doctors for Friday's tests.

Day 287 - September 30th

2008-09-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

James was able to see the eye doctor on Monday. Testing showed that his reading vision needed a new prescription and glasses will be made for him this week. However, the problem with his distance vision will require further testing. The doctor says that he cannot see that there is a need for a prescription but that there may be a different issue altogether. It is possible that there was some vascular damage to his eyes. An angiogram will be performed within the next week. Please pray for this test and wisdom to the doctor to accurately determine the cause of his vision problem. Therapy is going very well for James and he is looking forward to becoming an outpatient by the end of October. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Day 284 - September 26th

2008-09-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

James is doing very well in Rehab. He was able to stand with the help of his therapists and put some weight on his right foot for a few seconds today. This is a major accomplishment. The nerves are still "sleeping" in his foot so he can't feel much, but hopefully they will "wake up" as he practices this more and more. He is able to perform more tasks on his own like brushing his teeth and helping to dress himself. The therapists set a goal for him to sit in a wheelchair for one hour so that he can go to the eye doctor. James is able to sit for three and a half hours! An appointment is set for Monday in the building next door to the hospital. The doctor and therapists have set a target date for release from Rehab on October 27th. This means he can go home and become an outpatient. It is amazing to begin seriously talking about his homecoming in the near future. Praise God for all that He has done. This has truly been a miracle! Please continue to pray for healing and for endurance and physical strength.

Psalm 96
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness.

Day 280 - September 22nd

2008-09-22T22:23:00.000-07:00

A visit from Gabe:

Hi Everyone,
I saw James this afternoon, and James asked if we could be praying for him in a couple of areas:
1. First, he wants to able to sit in a chair for one hour, by accomplishing this goal sooner that later he will be able to see an Eye doctor to help with his vision.
2. Second obviously, for his vision to be restored. James still is not able to see well, which contributes to making his days long.
3. Last, James wants to be able surpass the Physical Therapists expectations of his treatment and hope to be able to go home and perhaps become and outpatient. He is ready and willing to work hard and do what every it takes to get the job done.
The road is still going to be tough and long for James and Cathy. Continue to remember them in your prayers.

Day 277 - September 19th

2008-09-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

James is very busy with physical and occupational therapy. He is doing well and is getting stronger every day. Monday he will be able to sit and begin an even more rigorous routine. Please continue to pray for strength and endurance.

Day 273 - September 15th

2008-09-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

A visit with Mark M. on September 15th:
I visited James this evening. Wow! What a turnaround. He was just coming back from a shower--his first in a very long time. He was refreshed and energized, even as he had some pain from all the movement.
I gave James some highlights from the Men's retreat...just a synopsis of the messages, and he was pleased to hear the men of Copperhill were being challenged to grow. He wanted to know if we had fun, so I ran down the activities for him. I also told him about the busted hoses near the firepits, and he cracked up that there's always some mishap.
We talked about his recovery, and he knows he still has a huge mountain to climb. Therapy and rehab will be gruelling and difficult work. He is incredibly determined to make rapid progress and be home for the holidays. I could see in his eyes that he wants this badly, for himself and his family. James expressed how he wants to care for himself and have some kind of fitting work. Please pray that James will remain strong and healthy as he retrains his body, and that God will provide him with an occupation after he is released.
James is deeply touched by the love, support, and prayers from the men at Copperhill. I told him that his struggle and example are bringing us together and helping us live out the Gospel. We are determined to love him not only in word, but in deed. James said that if his suffering is having that result, then he would go through it all again. Incredible.
James passes along his love and appreciation for all his brothers at Copperhill.
-Mark

Day 272 - September 14th

2008-09-14T23:16:00.000-07:00

James is settling into his new surroundings and is very excited about starting his new program. Please continue to pray for healing that is still necessary and for strength.

Day 270 - September 12th

2008-09-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

After nearly 9 months in ICU, James has been transferred to the Rehabilitation Department to further his progress in the physical strengthening and healing of his body. This was a great day for James. He sees this as the next step toward going home. Please pray with much thanksgiving that James will have great success in this new phase of treatment.
Here's a message for everyone....

Day 269 - September 11th

2008-09-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

Everything is set for James to transfer to the Rehabilitation Department tomorrow. He is very excited! Praise God! Please continue to pray.

Day 267 - September 9th

2008-09-09T23:16:00.000-07:00

James is doing well. Lab values show his white blood cell counts are in the normal range and that his kidneys are improving. Great news! Also, the lab values indicate improvement in his ability to make blood. This is another very good sign. Overall, he is doing very well. Thank you for continuing to pray for James. Here is a list of some things we can specifically pray for.
Healing that is necessary for the transfer to Rehab and patience to wait it out.
No delays in transfer - he has been disappointed by previous transfer dates that have failed to be realized.
Physical strength to endure 3 hours of daily physical and occupational (hand) therapy. Pray specifically for improvement to his hands - this is especially frustrating in trying to do the simplest tasks.
Pray for wisdom for the doctors and physical therapists.
Pray for the hospital to allow him an eye doctor visit. His infections have hindered this trip to the building next door.
Relief from phantom pain.
Spiritual strength.
Thank you for your faithful prayers!

Day 263 - September 5th

2008-09-05T23:25:00.000-07:00

No changes to report. Please keep praying that James' wounds will completely heal, that the anticipated date of transfer to Rehab will not be extended, and peace for James.

Day 261 - September 3rd

2008-09-04T02:00:00.000-07:00

It looks like James will move to Rehab on September 12th. Please pray that nothing will hinder this transfer date and patience for James. He is doing very well and looks forward to moving on from ICU. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 259 - September 1st

2008-09-01T22:28:00.000-07:00

James is doing well. No negative signs from the antibiotics being discontinued. The plastic surgeon says the wound is healing well, but still not completely stable and ready for James to go to Rehab. He is anticipating another 3 - 4 weeks. This is discouraging news for James, but he realizes the importance of the situation. Please pray for the wound to heal quickly and that he will be able to transfer to Rehab sooner than expected. Pray for James to have patience and peace during this long wait.
Psalm 57:1, 2, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me."
Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

Day 256 - August 29th

2008-08-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

James had his feeding tube removed today. He has been eating on his own for quite some time and it is no longer necessary to ensure he gets nutrition. It had also been used to administer medications that could not be done intravenously. Great strides in the recovery process. Praise God and continue to pray.

Day 255 - August 28th

2008-08-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

James' white counts came down even more. He is feeling well. Please keep praying that he improves and that he will move to Rehab next week.

Day 253 - August 26th

2008-08-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

James' white counts came down to normal today. Praise God! He is feeling well and his appetite is back. Things are going well for him and he looks forward to being released by the plastic surgeon so that he can transfer to Rehab. It looks like this will happen next week. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for healing and strength and praise Him for all He has done.

Psalm 36:5 - 9. "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast You save, O Lord. How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light."

Day 252 - August 25th

2008-08-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

No changes. Please keep praying.

Day 250 - August 23rd

2008-08-23T21:56:00.000-07:00

James' white counts have increased significantly. Not a good sign. He has been off antibiotics for 72 hours now. The doctors will make a decision in the coming days on what course of action is to be taken. On a positive note, James was feeling good today and was able to enjoy some fresh air. The nurses wheeled his bed outside for a little while.
Please pray that James' body will be able to fight off the infections without the antibiotics.

Day 248 - August 21st

2008-08-21T23:20:00.000-07:00

No changes today. Please continue to pray as the antibiotics have been discontinued. Pray for healing.

Day 246 - August 19th

2008-08-19T22:42:00.000-07:00

The doctors have decided to take James off all of his antibiotics. As you know, James has been very nauseous and they believe the antibiotics may be the cause. Since he is doing so well and the wounds have healed to a point of being stable, the team believes it is time to remove the antibiotics. This is great news, but they are very cautious and will be monitoring his lab values and will be performing CT scans and MRI's to follow his progress. Please pray that James will do well in this process, that his body will demonstrate that he no longer needs these very potent antibiotics. They have always posed a possibility of side affects which James has never shown signs of - praise God - so we really need to pray that he no longer requires these medications and that he will continue to show signs of progress.

Day 245 - August 18th

2008-08-18T22:36:00.000-07:00

Today marks 8 months for James. It has been a very long trial and a difficult battle that is frankly, baffling at times. Yet we are always mindful to acknowledge that against all worldly logic James has survived. And not just survived, but is on a road of recovery that will restore his health and will return him to his home with his family, and to the fellowship of his friends. Through these months we have seen the mighty work of our great God: mercy, grace, faithfulness, healing, strength, ever present help. Thanks be to our Lord for all He has done and all that He will continue to do. He is worthy of all the glory and honor!

James had a rough day today. He was given some new medications that made him very sick for most of the day. By early evening he was doing much better and was able to get some food down. Also, he required two units of blood. Not sure why this is, other than the fact that when you are very sick your body sometimes just doesn't make enough blood. The last time he received blood (August 6th), it didn't seem to make a big difference and so the doctors waited to see if he would improve. Unfortunately, the lab values kept creeping down. The two units should help him feel better and help with his overall healing. His white counts have come down significantly to just slightly above normal. Praise God for this! A very good sign.
Thank you for faithfully praying for James and seeking the Lord on his behalf.

Day 244 - August 17th

2008-08-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 243 - August 16th

2008-08-16T23:58:00.000-07:00

No changes. Please keep praying.

Day 241 - August 14th

2008-08-14T23:22:00.000-07:00

The doctors removed James' tracheostomy this evening. This is great news. It means James is improving and there is NO SURGERY planned for the future. Praise God! The wounds are healing well and his white counts have come down some - still above normal, but down nonetheless. Please continue to pray for healing and for spiritual and emotional strength.

Day 240 - August 13th

2008-08-13T20:56:00.001-07:00

No changes today. Thank you for praying.

Day 239 - August 12th

2008-08-12T23:50:00.000-07:00

James is doing much better with the pain and his white counts are coming down. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Day 237 - August 10th

2008-08-10T22:44:00.001-07:00

No changes today. Please keep praying.

Day 236 - August 9th

2008-08-09T22:46:00.001-07:00

No changes today.

Day 235 - August 8th

2008-08-08T23:10:00.000-07:00

James had to have another unit of blood today. Other than this, everthing is about the same. Please continue to pray.

Day 234 - August 7th

2008-08-07T23:25:00.000-07:00

James is still recovering from the surgery and is having more pain today. He is very sleepy due to pain meds. Even though he received a unit of blood yesterday it did not raise his lab values. His white counts are elevated and he has a low grade fever. Please pray for healing and strength to endure this very long trial.
Psalm 57:1, 2, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me."

Day 233 - August 6th

2008-08-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

James is recovering from yesterday's surgery. He has some pain, but not as much as last time. Praise God! He required a unit of blood today. This is not due to blood loss, but that his body is not producing enough. Please continue to pray.

Day 232 - August 5th

2008-08-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

Surgery went very well with no complications. The surgeon is pleased with the results and expects this to be the last surgery. James is resting comfortably. Thank you for your prayers and please continue as he recovers and deals with the pain that will follow for a few days.

Day 231 - August 4th

2008-08-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

James is scheduled for surgery tomorrow at 2:30pm. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and staff. Please pray that they will be able to successfully complete the necessary plastic surgery to finally close his wound. The doctors are always quick to remind us that every surgery is a risk to James. Pray that everything will go smoothly and quickly, and for healing and recovery.
Psalm 73:28, "But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works. "

Day 230 - August 3rd

2008-08-03T23:00:00.001-07:00

No changes to report. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 228 - August 1st

2008-08-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

We received news today that James will indeed have the third plastic surgery. This is scheduled for Tuesday at 2:30pm. The intent is to make some adjustments and attempt a final and complete closure of the wound in an small area that is troublesome. Rather than wait for his body to slowly do this on its own which could take weeks, the surgery will speed up the process and speed up his move to Rehab. James is not at all happy about having yet another surgery, but understands the necessity and hopes this will be the last one. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Day 227 - July 31st

2008-07-31T23:50:00.000-07:00

James will not have a biopsy after all. The doctors say that since he has had no fever and his white cell counts came down to the normal range today and that he is showing overall improvement, the test will not be required. After his wounds heal from the plastic surgery, the doctors will stop the antibiotics and see how James responds. This may be a couple weeks from now, but please pray that his body will continue to heal and that these antibiotics will accomplish everything that they are intended to do and will not be required any longer. The drugs are very, very strong and have always had a potential of side affects. Thankfully, because of the Lord's grace and mercy, James has not shown to have any side affects at all! Even so, the sooner he gets off them, the better. As you can imagine, James is very excited about this news. Praise God for His grace and His mercy and please continue to pray with thanksgiving.
Psalm 116:5, "Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful."

Day 226 - July 30th

2008-07-30T23:12:00.000-07:00

The MRI was performed today. Initial results indicate there is no collection of fluid in his pelvic cavity, which is great news. However, there is swelling and inflammation. Over the next few days his team of doctors will be discussing the possibility of a biopsy to determine if there is still infection in this area. Please continue to pray for wisdom and for healing.

Day 225 - July 29th

2008-07-29T22:39:00.000-07:00

James had a CT scan yesterday. The results show the size of the infection is smaller, but still large enough that the doctors feel it important to perform more thorough testing. He will have an MRI tomorrow (Wednesday) to get a better picture of the pelvic cavity. The doctors will then decide if he needs a biopsy that will determine if there is still infection in the site. If there will be a biopsy, it will be performed on Thursday or Friday. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and for James not to be discouraged during this frustrating process of testing. Pray for the renewing of his mind.
The plastic surgeon examined the surgical wounds today and is very pleased with the healing process. Thankfully, he is requiring less pain medication to keep him comfortable. Please pray these would continue to heal without infection.
Thank you for your faithfulness in seeking the Lord on behalf of James.

Day 221 - July 25

2008-07-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

The nuclear study showed improvement in the white cell activity. No white cells collected in the pelvic area or the area of his wounds. And blood tests show that James' white counts have decreased as well. This is a very good sign. Praise God! An ultrasound was also performed to try and identify a cause for his pain other than the surgical site. There were no findings of great concern and James' pain has decreased to some degree and is much more comfortable. Again, Praise be and glory be to our great God! Overall, James is improving and looking forward to a transfer to Rehab in a few weeks. Please pray with thanksgiving for continued healing and strength.
Psalm 18:28 -30, "For it is You who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him."

Day 219 - July 23rd

2008-07-23T23:37:00.000-07:00

James had another nuclear study today. His white blood cell count has been rising for the past week and because he has been experiencing so much pain the doctors felt it would be profitable to find out where his white cells are collecting. Even though his white count is rising, he has no fever which is a good sign. The results should be available tomorrow.

Day 218 - July 22nd

2008-07-22T23:41:00.001-07:00

No changes today.

Day 217 - July 21st

2008-07-21T23:19:00.000-07:00

James is still in pain from last weeks surgery, however it has lessened to some degree. He has been on fairly high doses of morphine to help alleviate the discomfort which also makes him quite sleepy. Although, when he is awake, he is in good spirits. James gives all glory to God for continuing to heal him and strengthen him. He recognizes that it is the Lord who is at work in him to help him come to terms with everything that has happened to him and the condition he is in. He is thankful for the Lord's incredible mercy and grace that has been poured out upon him and he is thankful to the many people who have prayed for him and encouraged him through this trial. He is blessed beyond words and sends his heartfelt gratitude to all of you. Please continue to pray with thankfulness for this work in James' heart and that he would continue to encouraged in the Lord. And, as always, for healing. Praise be to our great God! Psalm 115:1, "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!"

Thank you to all who came out for the blood drive today. It was a great showing. Fifty-three people donated blood, of which 42 units were successfully added to the blood bank. Thank you for supporting James and The American Red Cross.

Day 216 - July 20th

2008-07-20T23:53:00.000-07:00

James is feeling a little better today - a little less pain. Other than this, there are no changes to report. Please continue to pray for healing.

The blood drive is Monday, the 21st at the Hyatt in Valencia from 2pm - 8pm. Please donate if you can. Thank you!

Day 214 - July 18th

2008-07-18T23:48:00.000-07:00

Test results showed that James' PICC line was heavily infected. It was replaced today and James' temperature lowered significantly. He is feeling a little better than yesterday, but is still in much pain even with all the pain medication. White counts were elevated out of the normal range. Please continue to pray for healing.

Day 213 - July 17th

2008-07-17T23:25:00.000-07:00

One of the blood cultures has come back positive, meaning bacteria was found in James' blood and he is considered in sepsis. A new antibiotic was prescribed and the PICC Line (line for intravenous fluids) was changed today. James is still running a fever and in a lot of pain from the surgery. Please continue to pray for healing of the wounds and for relief from pain. Also, please pray for wisdom for the doctors as they try to determine the cause and treatment for the new infection. Please also pray that James will not become discouraged. Thank you.

Day 212 - July 16th

2008-07-16T23:16:00.000-07:00

James had a fever today of 102.6. Blood cultures were performed to check for new infections with results in 72 hours. He has been in a lot of pain following yesterday's surgery. Please pray for speedy healing and comfort from the pain. Thank you.

Day 211 - July 15th

2008-07-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

Surgery went very well. The plastic surgeon was able to completely close the wound and blood loss was minimal. Praise God! James will be in quite a bit of pain as he recovers and the newly closed wound heals so he will be on larger doses of pain medication. It will be at least three weeks before the surgical area will be stable enough that James can transfer to Rehabilitation. Please pray the healing will come quicker than expected, for freedom of pain, and that there will be no complications.
James' white blood cell counts were in the "normal" range for the first time ever! Another praise to our wonderful God. These may rise again following the surgery, but he is definitely moving in a positive direction of healing. Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for James. Praise God for all He is doing in James!

Day 210 - July 14th

2008-07-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

No changes today. Surgery is scheduled tomorrow at 2:30pm. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 209 - July 13th

2008-07-13T23:40:00.000-07:00

James will have the second plastic surgery procedure Tuesday at 2pm. Please pray this would be successful and that he would remain stable. There are no changes in his condition to report. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for James.

Day 208 - July 12th

2008-07-12T22:37:00.000-07:00

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 207 - July 11th

2008-07-11T22:02:00.001-07:00

James is doing well after yesterday's surgery. However, he is now experiencing a lot of phantom pain. The pain doctor has prescribed a particular medication that treats this and James found relief for a few hours. The dispensing of this drug is scheduled in a specific course and the next dose isn't until tomorrow. Please pray that this pain would end. Other than this, he is doing very well considering the surgery he just had. No fever and no increase in his already high white blood cell counts. This is often the case, but not this time. Praise God!
Psalm 9: 1 & 2, "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."

Day 206 - July 10th

2008-07-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

The surgery went very well. The plastic surgeon was able to close part of the wound and prepare the rest for next week. No complications and no excessive bleeding. James is resting quietly. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 205 - July 9th

2008-07-09T23:44:00.000-07:00

James will be having surgery tomorrow (Thursday) at 5:00pm. This is a preliminary procedure by the plastic surgeon to prepare for the surgery to cover his wound next week. Please pray for wisdom for this surgeon and that all will go well. Pray that there will be no excessive bleeding. There shouldn't be, but they are prepared just in case. Pray that James would not be discouraged. This is not a setback, but a necessary procedure to help him heal faster. Unfortunately, because of this surgery and the one to follow next week, his transfer to Rehab and the removal of the trach are put on hold for now.
Please remember the blood drive is coming up. You can set up an appointment by clicking on the link on this site or go to:
https://www.givelife.org/index.cfm?hlc=copperhillchurch

Day 204 - July 8th

2008-07-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

No changes today.

Day 203 - July 7th

2008-07-07T23:21:00.001-07:00

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 202 - July 6th

2008-07-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

One of James' wounds is not progressing in the healing process any longer and the doctors are discussing the need for plastic surgery. This would close the wound and help it to heal faster. A specialist will be called in this week to make an evaluation. Unfortunately, this will delay his transfer to the Rehabilitation Department. This will also delay the removal of the tracheostomy since they will need this if the surgery is a go. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and for James not to be discouraged over this recent news.

Yesterday, 9 bicyclists from Copperhill made an astonishing 33 mile round trip ride from Valencia to the hospital in Northridge to visit and pray for James. Thank you Steve, April, Nigel, Brian, Miguel, Sam, Christian, Nick, and Kieran. James was amazed at your incredible efforts and was blessed by your kindness and ministry.

Day 201 - July 5th

2008-07-06T21:44:00.000-07:00

No changes today.

Day 200 - July 4th

2008-07-04T23:14:00.000-07:00

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 199 - July 3rd

2008-07-03T23:28:00.000-07:00

An eye doctor performed an initial examination on James' eyes today. From what he can see, there is nothing critically wrong with his eyes. It is hopefully just a change in prescription, however, these tests can not be immediately performed. His isolation condition prohibits him from being transported to the appropriate facility for testing. Pray that this will change soon. The doctors on the critical care team have agreed it is time to remove James' tracheostomy. This will be done within the next few days. They believe it to be contributing to his gagging and because they see no need for surgery in the immediate future, it is not necessary anymore. This is good news, not only that James gets the trach out, but that they are not discussing a possible surgery happening anytime soon. Please pray for James' eyes - especially the dizziness and double vision. This makes him nauseous and in turn makes it difficult to eat. Also, please continue to pray for healing of all the infections.

Day 198 - July 2nd

2008-07-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

James' medical condition is unchanged. A specialist will be evaluating his eyes in hopes of determining what is causing his dizziness, blurred and double vision. It could possibly be a change in prescription, but they need to assess if it is a condition which is related to other issues. Please pray for wisdom.
Some facts about the upcoming Blood Drive you may be interested to know:
James has received 275 units of blood products to date. Astonishing!
Northridge Hospital used approximately 10,000 units last year for all their patients.
Normally, summer months are the lowest turnout for donations.
During the summer California relies on approximately 40% of product being imported from the Midwest states.
This year, due to the horrible and tragic flooding in the Midwest (please remember those affected in your prayers as well), donations are down significantly and there is concern about the availability of blood.
Please consider donating blood if you can. It will be a wonderful gesture of honoring James, and you will be helping others in need. We realize that not everyone is able to donate so for those who can not, your love for James is so greatly appreciated and know that you are serving your brother in Christ by bearing his burdens and seeking our great and wonderful Lord through your prayers. Thank you and may the Lord bless you all for your faithfulness.

Day 197 - July 1st

2008-07-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

James had a nice birthday today, at least as best as can be expected. He enjoyed all the birthday wishes and his favorite German Chocolate Cake. The nursing staff gathered at his room to sing to him as well. His medical condition is unchanged and he continues to get stronger each day with physical therapy. Please continue to pray for him. There will be a blood drive on July 21st in honor of James held at the Hyatt in Valencia from 2pm - 8pm. Please mark your calendars for this date.

Day 196 - June 30th

2008-06-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-30T00:12:00.001-07:00

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 194 - June 28th

2008-06-28T23:53:00.001-07:00

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

Day 193 - June 27th

2008-06-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-25T21:53:00.000-07:00

No changes to report today.

Day 190 - June 24th

2008-06-24T23:31:00.001-07:00

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

2008-06-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-21T20:55:00.001-07:00

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 186 - June 20th

2008-06-20T20:53:00.000-07:00

No changes today. Thank you for your prayers.

Day 185 - June 19th

2008-06-19T22:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-18T23:19:00.000-07:00

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

Day 183 - June 17th

2008-06-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-16T21:55:00.001-07:00

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

2008-06-15T23:12:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-14T23:12:00.000-07:00

No changes today.

Day 179 - June 13th

2008-06-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-12T22:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-11T23:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

James is basically unchanged today thank you for your prayers.

Day 174 - June 8th

2008-06-08T23:24:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-06T23:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-05T23:50:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-03T23:27:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

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

Day 166 - May 31st

2008-05-31T21:37:00.000-07:00

James has been off the ventilator for two days. He was able to speak today with a special attachment to his new trach called a Passy-Muir Valve. This speaking valve allows air to pass over the vocal chords making speech audible. He did very well, much better than a couple of weeks ago when this was attempted in a different manner. Even so, it takes great effort on his part to speak and will need to exercise these muscles back to full strength. The doctor plans for James to drink and eat on Monday or Tuesday. While he passed the swallowing test on May 15th, the trach he had at that time was too large and made it too difficult. This new smaller size should make it easier for him. His first requests are a drink of water, cantaloupe and watermelon (the fruit may have to come in puree form, but at least he’ll be able to taste it). Please continue to pray for James, especially for his mind & his spiritual health.

Day 165 - May 30th

2008-05-30T22:57:00.000-07:00

James has been off the ventilator since yesterday. Praise God. The doctor's recommendation is for him to stay off the ventilator as long as he is comfortable, and he is doing great. He will still have the trach for another week, but will be changed to a smaller size which will make it easier for him to swallow and get his much desired drink of water. The CT scan results indicated no changes from the previous test and treatment is being continued in the same manner. James has not required dialysis in over a month which is amazing. He still has quite a road to complete recovery, but he has overcome huge obstacles. James has amazed the staff at the hospital. Nurses stop by his room just to comment on his recovery and get a smile from him. All the praise and glory belongs to our great God. Please continue to intercede before the Lord for wisdom to the doctors and staff, and for healing, peace and strength for James.

Day 164 - May 29th

2008-05-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

James was off the ventilator for twenty hours yesterday and the goal is twenty-two for today. The results of the CT scan are not available yet and will hopefully be ready tomorrow. His wounds are continuing to heal. Overall, there has not been much change in his physical condition. As expected, James has to process things a few times before it registers and had to be told what happened to him over these past five months all over again. Please continue to pray for him to know the peace of Christ in all of this.