Hi Everyone,
They did take my PIC line out on Aug16 and it sure felt good not to have any tubes coming out of my body. This week, however, I noticed a lump in my armpit on the side that had the PIC line, and then my arm started swelling. The doctor thinks that I have a blood clot somewhere in that arm and is sending me for a test that will confirm it. He also put me on blood thinners to try to get rid of it. He said it's not uncommon to get one if you have had a PIC line. I have to try to keep my arm elevated as much as possible and so I couldn't go on a motorcycle trip we have been planning for today, tomorrow and Sunday. We were really disappointed but it's happened a lot already that we have had to cancel plans so we're getting used to it. Hope all is well with you.
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Aug 16 Day 113
Hi Everyone,
I did have a PIC line put into my left arm and have been taking the IV antibiotics. Today is my last dose and I have a doctor appointment so we're hoping he'll take out the PIC line today. The lines that come out are about a foot long and there are two of them. We have to wrap them in an ace bandage or a tube netting to keep from getting them caught on things. I got a stiff neck in the hospital and it is just now almost gone. Last Friday I got the flu and have been fighting it, but today I think I'm finally over it. It hasn't been a very good few weeks. I have been leaning on God more lately than earlier in my treatments, I guess because of how long it's been going on. It gets frustrating knowing that the treatments will last probably until next summer and I might be on some of the meds the rest of my life. Then God reminds me that things could be worse by letting me see some of the other patients at the doctors office and the hospitals. Hope all of you are well.
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
I did have a PIC line put into my left arm and have been taking the IV antibiotics. Today is my last dose and I have a doctor appointment so we're hoping he'll take out the PIC line today. The lines that come out are about a foot long and there are two of them. We have to wrap them in an ace bandage or a tube netting to keep from getting them caught on things. I got a stiff neck in the hospital and it is just now almost gone. Last Friday I got the flu and have been fighting it, but today I think I'm finally over it. It hasn't been a very good few weeks. I have been leaning on God more lately than earlier in my treatments, I guess because of how long it's been going on. It gets frustrating knowing that the treatments will last probably until next summer and I might be on some of the meds the rest of my life. Then God reminds me that things could be worse by letting me see some of the other patients at the doctors office and the hospitals. Hope all of you are well.
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Aug 7 Day 104
Hi Everyone,
Well, I'm out of the hospital, again!!! LOL! I had to stay in until my infection was gone and on Monday the cultures showed negative for infection. We have heard from nurses and doctors that it is common to get an infection from a Hickman catheter like I had. They showed us how to administer the IV antibiotics when we get home, and we got home about 5pm on Monday. I will have to take the antibiotics twice a day until Aug 16th. Until now they have given it thru the regular IV line but today I have to go and have a PIC line installed, which goes from your arm up into your heart area. They do this because the antibiotics I have to take are very strong and there are problems if you do it very long thru the regular IV lines. I have already had problems with the antibiotics getting out of the vein and into my skin (it forms a bubble under your skin). On a good note, the bone marrow biopsy that they did on July 27th (something fun to do on our anniversary!! LOL!) turned out good. The results were just what they were looking for and everything in that area is looking good! I have to admit that I am really ready for this to be all over, but understand that it will be quite a while for it to be over (if ever). I don't know what I would have done if God hadn't been there every step of the way and without all your prayers to encourage Him to be there. Thank you Lord, and thank you all for everthing you've done!!! God bless you all!
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
Well, I'm out of the hospital, again!!! LOL! I had to stay in until my infection was gone and on Monday the cultures showed negative for infection. We have heard from nurses and doctors that it is common to get an infection from a Hickman catheter like I had. They showed us how to administer the IV antibiotics when we get home, and we got home about 5pm on Monday. I will have to take the antibiotics twice a day until Aug 16th. Until now they have given it thru the regular IV line but today I have to go and have a PIC line installed, which goes from your arm up into your heart area. They do this because the antibiotics I have to take are very strong and there are problems if you do it very long thru the regular IV lines. I have already had problems with the antibiotics getting out of the vein and into my skin (it forms a bubble under your skin). On a good note, the bone marrow biopsy that they did on July 27th (something fun to do on our anniversary!! LOL!) turned out good. The results were just what they were looking for and everything in that area is looking good! I have to admit that I am really ready for this to be all over, but understand that it will be quite a while for it to be over (if ever). I don't know what I would have done if God hadn't been there every step of the way and without all your prayers to encourage Him to be there. Thank you Lord, and thank you all for everthing you've done!!! God bless you all!
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
Saturday, August 4, 2007
August 4, 2007 Day 101
Hi everyone,
Well day 100 wasn't such a good day for us. Wednesday Ernie developed a fever so we went to the ER. He was admitted for the night while they tried to determine the cause of the infection. We came home Thursday afternoon without knowing anything, but received a call from Kaiser that night saying one of his cultures was positive for an infection and he needed to be in the hospital. So Friday morning (day 100) he was admitted again. His catheter seemed to be the source of the infection so it was removed and he was given heavy doses of antibiotics. He will most likely spend the weekend in the hospital and then come home with some IV antibiotics. They will be sending a home health nurse to show us how to do the IVs at home. He's at Kaiser Panorama City. Dave, Dana and the kids have been here for the week which has been alot of fun me, but unfortunately for Ernie he has not felt well most of the week. They say now that the catheter is out he should begin to feel better as soon as today.
We'll keep you posted.
God Bless,
Debby
Well day 100 wasn't such a good day for us. Wednesday Ernie developed a fever so we went to the ER. He was admitted for the night while they tried to determine the cause of the infection. We came home Thursday afternoon without knowing anything, but received a call from Kaiser that night saying one of his cultures was positive for an infection and he needed to be in the hospital. So Friday morning (day 100) he was admitted again. His catheter seemed to be the source of the infection so it was removed and he was given heavy doses of antibiotics. He will most likely spend the weekend in the hospital and then come home with some IV antibiotics. They will be sending a home health nurse to show us how to do the IVs at home. He's at Kaiser Panorama City. Dave, Dana and the kids have been here for the week which has been alot of fun me, but unfortunately for Ernie he has not felt well most of the week. They say now that the catheter is out he should begin to feel better as soon as today.
We'll keep you posted.
God Bless,
Debby
Saturday, July 21, 2007
July 21 Day 87
Hi Everyone,
This week my doctor said everything still looks good, but on or about day 100 they will do another bone marrow biopsy to make sure. From next week on I will be going to the doctor only once a week and the following week they are talking about taking out the Hickman catheter in my chest. I feel good except for when I do something strenuous, well, strenuous for me. I put in 4 short drip irrigation tubes and had to dig about 10 feet of trench that was only about 4-5 inches deep and when I finished I had to sit on the couch to recuperate the rest of the day!!! I really felt it too! Hope all of you are well!
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
This week my doctor said everything still looks good, but on or about day 100 they will do another bone marrow biopsy to make sure. From next week on I will be going to the doctor only once a week and the following week they are talking about taking out the Hickman catheter in my chest. I feel good except for when I do something strenuous, well, strenuous for me. I put in 4 short drip irrigation tubes and had to dig about 10 feet of trench that was only about 4-5 inches deep and when I finished I had to sit on the couch to recuperate the rest of the day!!! I really felt it too! Hope all of you are well!
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
July 11 Day 77
Hi Everyone,
Did I get some great news last Monday at the doctor!!! We were told before that I would be on my low bacteria diet until day 100 which is a little over 3 weeks from now, but the doctor I saw told me that I could get off the diet last Monday. This means that I can eat fresh vegetables, lettuce, fruits, and most importantly we can eat out again. On the diet I couldn't eat at any restaurant or fast food, I could only eat what was cooked at home, but not any more! Since Monday we have eaten out quite a bit and I'm lovin' it! Tomorrow when I go to the doctor I'm going to ask if I can be around people again. I'd like to start seeing my friends and going to church, its been a long time since I've seen a lot of my friends. My doctor said that they would be taking out my Hickman catheter in about 2 to 3 weeks, and when that happens I'll be even happier. I have been limited in the things I can do because if you do something too strenuous the catheter might pull out, so I'll be able to exercise, play golf, and just be more free. Maybe I'll even start to feel like I'm retired!!! LOL! I'll probably back way off on my blog in a few weeks too. I am really starting to feel alive again, its been a very long six months for me. There are still some setbacks that could happen but the doctors seem confident that they will be able to handle anything that comes along. The road to gaining all of my strength and endurance back will be a long one, maybe even a year or so from now, but it will happen. Thank you for all of your prayers!!!
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
Did I get some great news last Monday at the doctor!!! We were told before that I would be on my low bacteria diet until day 100 which is a little over 3 weeks from now, but the doctor I saw told me that I could get off the diet last Monday. This means that I can eat fresh vegetables, lettuce, fruits, and most importantly we can eat out again. On the diet I couldn't eat at any restaurant or fast food, I could only eat what was cooked at home, but not any more! Since Monday we have eaten out quite a bit and I'm lovin' it! Tomorrow when I go to the doctor I'm going to ask if I can be around people again. I'd like to start seeing my friends and going to church, its been a long time since I've seen a lot of my friends. My doctor said that they would be taking out my Hickman catheter in about 2 to 3 weeks, and when that happens I'll be even happier. I have been limited in the things I can do because if you do something too strenuous the catheter might pull out, so I'll be able to exercise, play golf, and just be more free. Maybe I'll even start to feel like I'm retired!!! LOL! I'll probably back way off on my blog in a few weeks too. I am really starting to feel alive again, its been a very long six months for me. There are still some setbacks that could happen but the doctors seem confident that they will be able to handle anything that comes along. The road to gaining all of my strength and endurance back will be a long one, maybe even a year or so from now, but it will happen. Thank you for all of your prayers!!!
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
Saturday, June 30, 2007
June 30 Day 66
Hi Everyone,
My doctor is out of town so I saw one of the other doctors, but he said that things are progressing well. He also cut the dosage on one of my meds, a good sign. Today I have something that has been on my heart that is extremely important to me.
An opportunity has come up that I would like to share with all of you. My family has been on several short term mission trips to Mexico and have been blessed by each one of them. They usually require a lot of work, preparation and dedication, but they have all been great! I don't think God is calling me to do long term mission work, but He has called someone I have known and loved for a very long time. I first met Robert when he was a little boy as his dad and I played softball against each other and then together on the same team. Our kids would come to the park and play together during our games since the mid 1980's. My family became Christians on Feb 19, 1991 and a few years later I was privileged to lead Tom and Kate (Robert's dad and mom) to the Lord, and they said they would like me to share the same message of salvation with their four children. I was so excited I could hardly stand it that God would use me to help them all understand His plan and they all received Jesus Christ that day! It is awesome to see God work in people's lives after they give their lives to Him, and that's just what this family did at church, on short term mission trips and wherever they went in their daily lives. Robert began feeling that God was calling him to something more, however, and in 2001 he gave in to God's calling to serve him long term in a foreign country. I was really excited, I mean really excited to hear this news!!! Robert has been in training for 5 years to do long term missions in Asia with a well known organization. While in training he met his wife Heather who also has an awesome love for the Lord. They now have 3 boys and are gearing up for their departure as I write this. To see their bio, you can contact me for more information. As I said, I don't think God has called me to serve him in a foreign land (not yet anyway!! LOL!!!) but I feel an exceptional gratitude to God for being able to be a part of His sending work by helping out Robert and Heather. Deb and I are able to pray for them and support them right now, and when they go it's as if we will be going with them. We will be a part of God's plan!! If you would like to be a part of this awesome family's team you can email me and I can pass on your interest to them so they can contact you personally. Some of you have been thinking about supporting God’s plan in this special way before and if so I encourage you to help Robert and Heather with whatever you can give (even $10 or $25 per month would be really helpful!). I know them personally to love God above all else and you can be a part of God's team as well.
Thank you very much for considering this!!! God bless you all.
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
My doctor is out of town so I saw one of the other doctors, but he said that things are progressing well. He also cut the dosage on one of my meds, a good sign. Today I have something that has been on my heart that is extremely important to me.
An opportunity has come up that I would like to share with all of you. My family has been on several short term mission trips to Mexico and have been blessed by each one of them. They usually require a lot of work, preparation and dedication, but they have all been great! I don't think God is calling me to do long term mission work, but He has called someone I have known and loved for a very long time. I first met Robert when he was a little boy as his dad and I played softball against each other and then together on the same team. Our kids would come to the park and play together during our games since the mid 1980's. My family became Christians on Feb 19, 1991 and a few years later I was privileged to lead Tom and Kate (Robert's dad and mom) to the Lord, and they said they would like me to share the same message of salvation with their four children. I was so excited I could hardly stand it that God would use me to help them all understand His plan and they all received Jesus Christ that day! It is awesome to see God work in people's lives after they give their lives to Him, and that's just what this family did at church, on short term mission trips and wherever they went in their daily lives. Robert began feeling that God was calling him to something more, however, and in 2001 he gave in to God's calling to serve him long term in a foreign country. I was really excited, I mean really excited to hear this news!!! Robert has been in training for 5 years to do long term missions in Asia with a well known organization. While in training he met his wife Heather who also has an awesome love for the Lord. They now have 3 boys and are gearing up for their departure as I write this. To see their bio, you can contact me for more information. As I said, I don't think God has called me to serve him in a foreign land (not yet anyway!! LOL!!!) but I feel an exceptional gratitude to God for being able to be a part of His sending work by helping out Robert and Heather. Deb and I are able to pray for them and support them right now, and when they go it's as if we will be going with them. We will be a part of God's plan!! If you would like to be a part of this awesome family's team you can email me and I can pass on your interest to them so they can contact you personally. Some of you have been thinking about supporting God’s plan in this special way before and if so I encourage you to help Robert and Heather with whatever you can give (even $10 or $25 per month would be really helpful!). I know them personally to love God above all else and you can be a part of God's team as well.
Thank you very much for considering this!!! God bless you all.
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie
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