"Pneumonia"
September 9, 2011
(From Bob)
Unfortunately, this did not turn out to be such a good week. I am in the hospital AGAIN getting treated for pneumonia.
I felt well enough to go to church on Sunday but by Monday (while I was at dialysis) I started feeling miserable and was having difficulty breathing. I was put on oxygen and the nurses recommended that I go to the emergency room. When we arrived, my oxygen saturation level was 77% (should be at least 92% apparently.)
When my doctor came in, he told me I had pneumonia and said, "theoretically, we should be able to reverse this process." What do you mean "theoretically"? What do you mean "should" be able?
When the results from my arterial blood test came back, the nurse said, "your arterial blood gas is not that horrible". I was immediately concerned about what "not that horrible" meant. I didn't have long to contemplate her statement because she then said we are sending you to the Intensive Care Unit. So I spent Monday night in ICU.
In ICU, the pulmonary specialist ordered that I wear a "BiPap" mask. The "BiPap" is a machine that forces oxygen into your lungs. When the respiratory therapist came to fit the mask, he said that some people were unable to tolerate wearing it but the only alternative if I couldn't stand it would be to put me on "life support." I said, "Give me that mask." There was no way I wasn't going to make that work. Patra said it made my cheeks puff out like I had mumps and flattened my lips like I was riding a motorcycle going 100 MPH. We should have taken a picture to insert here.
Surprisingly, Patra and I both had a peace that everything would turn out OK. Such a peace could only come from God because we were not getting much encouragement from the doctors. Sure enough, Monday was a rough day, but Tuesday morning when they removed the mask, I was feeling so much better. God is good -- all the time.
As I write this blog note (Thursday afternoon) I am still in the hospital and I still have to wear the mask every night. I would like to go home. I don't even have to look at the food menu - I have it memorized again. The doctors are discussing when I can leave, so please pray it will be soon.
I appreciate your prayers more than I can express in words. I know that your prayers help to give us God's peace.
Dear God, thank you for your peace. I know that it could only come from you. What a blessing! I pray that I will be faithful to you every day.
Until next Friday. God willing.
Bob
September 9, 2011
(From Bob)
Unfortunately, this did not turn out to be such a good week. I am in the hospital AGAIN getting treated for pneumonia.
I felt well enough to go to church on Sunday but by Monday (while I was at dialysis) I started feeling miserable and was having difficulty breathing. I was put on oxygen and the nurses recommended that I go to the emergency room. When we arrived, my oxygen saturation level was 77% (should be at least 92% apparently.)
When my doctor came in, he told me I had pneumonia and said, "theoretically, we should be able to reverse this process." What do you mean "theoretically"? What do you mean "should" be able?
When the results from my arterial blood test came back, the nurse said, "your arterial blood gas is not that horrible". I was immediately concerned about what "not that horrible" meant. I didn't have long to contemplate her statement because she then said we are sending you to the Intensive Care Unit. So I spent Monday night in ICU.
In ICU, the pulmonary specialist ordered that I wear a "BiPap" mask. The "BiPap" is a machine that forces oxygen into your lungs. When the respiratory therapist came to fit the mask, he said that some people were unable to tolerate wearing it but the only alternative if I couldn't stand it would be to put me on "life support." I said, "Give me that mask." There was no way I wasn't going to make that work. Patra said it made my cheeks puff out like I had mumps and flattened my lips like I was riding a motorcycle going 100 MPH. We should have taken a picture to insert here.
Surprisingly, Patra and I both had a peace that everything would turn out OK. Such a peace could only come from God because we were not getting much encouragement from the doctors. Sure enough, Monday was a rough day, but Tuesday morning when they removed the mask, I was feeling so much better. God is good -- all the time.
As I write this blog note (Thursday afternoon) I am still in the hospital and I still have to wear the mask every night. I would like to go home. I don't even have to look at the food menu - I have it memorized again. The doctors are discussing when I can leave, so please pray it will be soon.
I appreciate your prayers more than I can express in words. I know that your prayers help to give us God's peace.
Dear God, thank you for your peace. I know that it could only come from you. What a blessing! I pray that I will be faithful to you every day.
Until next Friday. God willing.
Bob
Comments
Ted & Carol W
We add our "Ditto" and our "Amen" to what Pat Murphy Findlan said. Perfectly stated! We love you.
Love, Tom and Margie
Believe it or not, we forgot today is Friday earlier today. Then we did our run, run, here and there. A few minutes ago, we realized that we had not read the blog, our every FRIDAY habit.
Thanks for sharing with us, Bob. You are such a SUPER TROOPER. You really are looking good, and we are so blessed to continue learning from you about how God is working in your life. You and Patra LET YOUR LIGHTS SHINE in such a way that truly glorifies our LORD.
We continue to pray and praise on your behalf. We love you,
Lex and Linda
By the way, I just put your brownies into the oven. We will deliver either to your home or to the hospital.
Sending Hugs,
Linda Hyde
I've been following your blog for a while. I'm one of Emily's college students from TCU and heard about the blog from her. I just wanted to let you know that I've been praying for you and your family as you walk through these "tall weeds." I really admire how genuinely you share on this blog- it shows a lot of strength. I'll definitely keep praying :)
- Heather Robinson
This is one of your students from your mediation class at Stetson (circa 2006).
So sorry to hear about your struggles. I was wondering what was going on with you lately and found this blog. Needless to say, not happy to hear about your struggles.
I hope you are feeling better. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Jason
I e-mailed the anti amylose diet to Patra last night (Wed.)
Bob, I am sure you can relate to my feeling great today, because, with the Lord's hands guiding mine, I am still able to contribute.
Your blog has done much good for many. You have inspired me and rekindled my courage. Thank you for all the effort you expend in doing it. Thanks, too, to all family members who make this possible.
Love,
Dottie Carson, Patra's childhood friend, now in Ormond Beach, FL, with Lyme and other tick borne-disease.