Blake's Health Update 2009/09/19 (#2)

I am home a little earlier tonight than usual. Blake was really tired tonight, as was I.

He's been tired today, but generally feeling a bit better. He's still hooked up to the I.V. to receive Saline; still taking Cipro antibiotic orally. He has not had any hydromorphone today (morphine), but rather has been taking Tylenol #3's. He actually hasn't even had a lot of those! His pain has not been too bad today. Just before I left tonight, though, he took some more Tylenol #3's. Then he seemed to be in more pain. He said he had a bad pain in his back again. I waited a few more minutes and the pain started to subside. I told him if it got worse that he should buzz the nurse and ask for morphine, as Doctor C had suggested earlier.

He also received his last dose of Flagyl (antibiotic) via I.V. today. Sunday he will start taking it orally. He started taking the Prednizone orally today as well. Apparently the nurse said that the I.V. will come out tomorrow. (I had been told that this was all supposed to start occuring today (Saturday), but apparently plans changed somewhere along the way.)

Doctor C says Blake MIGHT go home tomorrow (Sunday) or maybe even Monday. I would feel better if he had one more day in the hospital and came home Monday or even Tuesday! He's still quite weak. He didn't have as high of an energy level today, but I'm assuming that's because of no morphine today.

He also was passing some blood again today and yesterday. Doctor C is not surprised; she says this won't be a problem once the ulcers in the intestines heal.

Doctor C is such a great lady. I am very thankful that she is our family doctor.... well, she is my doctor and the boys' doctor; Jon has Doctor F, who he really likes. It's wonderful when you have confidence in your doctor and really appreciate them. Not everyone can say that. I'm glad that we CAN!


Cousin Helen's husband, Don, who is across the hall from Blake, is still hangin' in there. Two of his four children arrived today at the hospital. That will be a big support for Helen, I'm sure. The other girl arrives tomorrow and their son arrives Monday. Helen needs someone here with her. She popped by to see Blake yesterday for a bit, and as we talked I noticed her begin to tear up. I just hugged her for a while and she let some of the stress go. Then just as quick as that, she pulled herself together and bid us adieu with a big smile. She's definitely got Fraser blood in her. I am not allowed to be in Don's isolated room and then return to Blake's room, so I can't go and sit with Helen; however, once Blake is home, I am hoping to go and sit with Helen for a bit. I don't want to intrude on the family, but I know it's comforting to have the support of loved ones when going through such a rough valley as this.

Today Helen said that, although Don didn't say any words, he followed her and the girls with his eyes. And he also let out a few moans.... not moans of pain, but rather moans like he was trying to say something. She said she could see the look in his eyes that he had something to say but just couldn't get it out. The fact that he can't talk is frustrating, but to know that he was more alert today was a wonderful thing. However, he will not be around much longer. Helen said he's losing weight now. To put him on an I.V. drip would be cruel, Helen said. It would just be prolonging the pain of what's to come. There is no cure for this terrible disease. Oh what a day that will be when we're free from all pain. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.


Got an email tonight from my sister, Wannett, who is in Africa. She's having a wonderful time. Says she is looking forward to some potato chips and some chocolate, and she doesn't want to see any chicken or rice when she walks in her house next weekend. hahaha. I'm looking forward to hearing her stories. She likely will not be able to send us any more emails; but I'm thankful that we heard from her today and that she is safe.


Well, my brain has just about gone into neutral, so I think I'd better sign off. Thank you for your prayers for Blake. I appreciate your prayers for Don & Helen, as well as for Wannett. I am currently reading a book on the importance of prayer. I know I, personally, don't pray near enough.... we should pray without ceasing and we should pray before we fret and worry and try to figure things out on our own. We try to fix the problems and when all else fails, THEN we think "well I guess I'd better pray about it". Nope. Not the way we should be doing it. It should be Prayer First. The author made a comment about how people are upset that prayer is being taken out of our schools. He says that we SHOULD be concerned over the fact that there's hardly any prayers any more even in our own CHURCHES! Guess we could carry that on to say "in our HOMES" as well! Prayer works, so why, then, don't we use it?

Good thought to focus on, eh?

'Til next time...... cheer-i-o.

Blake's Health Update 2009/09/17

I can't believe it's already Thursday. By the time you all will be reading this, it will be Friday (currently ten seconds until midnight!). Where did the week go? Seems like yesterday that I was rushing Blake to the emergency department!

Blake has had another fairly good day. He made it through the night on his own without Momma Hen hovering over him. I got to the hospital about mid morning and then the nurse came to take him to the shower. She came back to his room and we changed his bedding, then she went to retrieve him. She came back without him and said that he wasn't finished yet. I laughed. I said, "Oh, I'm SURE he'll be a while longer! You'll have to tell him to hurry it up!". She said, "Well, I told him FIVE more minutes!" I thought to myself, "Yaaaahhh... good luck with THAT!"

It wasn't too much longer and along came Blake, definitely ready to crawl back into bed. Something as simple as taking a shower can really drain what little energy you have. Later in the afternoon, we went for a walk down the hall. I said, "Let's take the maternity hall! Maybe someone's had a baby!" There was a young gentleman and lady, but she hadn't had the baby yet..... I so badly wanted to spot a little newborn.

Blake is still on the hydromorphone for pain relief. He is still on the two antibiotics (Cipro and Flagyl) to fight any bacterial infection and also on the Solumedrol (Cortisone/Prednisone) which is attempting to settle down those ulcers in his intestines. Looks like he'll continue on these meds through the I.V. (Cipro is oral) until Saturday. Then they'll switch him to oral meds. I believe at this point he'll be in the hospital over the weekend, but that's always subject to change. Pretty sure he'll be there until Saturday at least.

He's really a big fan of the hydromorphone (the synthetic morphine). He's trying not to abuse it. He'll say to the nurse, "Can I have a half dose of painkiller? I'm starting to get some pain,"; to which they reply, "Are you sure you only want half a dose? Don't lay there in pain if you need more...."; to which BLAKE replies, "WELL, OK! IF YOU'RE OFFERING!" hahahahahha. Yah, that's my kid.



I am home tonight in my own bed again. I'll head back to the hospital in the morning. There's NO WAY to get internet there because they've got the connection secured. Our church is down the road a few hundred feet, just far enough that I can't pick up the internet signal. Otherwise, I'd be driving y'all crazy with posts!

Today I got the photos out of Blake's hospital file that Doctor B took during the colonoscopy so that I could show my Mom and another visitor. The nurses are telling me there is no coloured scanner or photocopier available. So I took pics with my camera! Not sure that they'll copy well; and I'm not sure that you'll want to see them anyways. But for those of you who graduated from The School of Grossology, I'll be happy to post them for you to check out, along with a warning for those of you with weak stomachs. hahaha.

Sounds like this Crohn's Disease is gonna be tough to figure out. Doctors and nurses differ on their opinions as to whether foods affect you or not once things are healed up. Some feel you'll always have to watch what you eat; some feel you'll lead a pretty normal life by eating as you always have; some feel we'll be journalling to keep track of foods that cause pain or diahrea; some feel that won't be an issue...... sounds like it's different for each person.

Well, I wish I had something interesting and witty to say type, but I am so drained. I just finished two loads of laundry and I want to go to bed.


But before I go off to la-la-land, I want to say a BIG HUGE THANK YOU to my friend Gudrun who is "la chef perfecto". (I made that up for anyone who plans to critique my French, or Italian, or whatever it is.) Last night she delivered a yummy breakfast lasagna, and tonight she brought supper consisting of a delicious pork roast topped with spices and bacon; roasted potatoes with onions and carrots; and a tomato salad with croutons. It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Everyone came to the conclusion that Blake should remain in the hospital a while longer so that Gudrun could continue the fabulous meals. hahha. I said to Jared, "NO WONDER you like going to Matthew's house.... Mrs. G is a FABULOUS cook!!!"


So, thank you Gudrun. I appreciate your kindness.


Please continue to pray for Don, who is slowly dying from Jakob's Disease (see yesterday's post). Also remember Wannett in your prayers; she should have arrived in Africa by now.


Thank you to everyone for their comments on the blogs, phone calls, visits, cards, messages, food, etc. We are so unconditionally loved by so many. Please know that it is so much appreciated.


G'night.

Blake's Health Update 2009/09/16

Ohhh I hope I can stay awake to do a post! I'm very sleepy tonight. I am looking forward to a good night's sleep in my very own bed.

Tonight Blake is on his own at the hospital. He was bugging me about not sleeping with him tonight because of a sore arm, and he didn't want me to hit it. (They put a line in his arm to administer the morphine so they didn't have to jab his arm so much). He told me to sleep in the empty bed next to him. I explained that I couldn't do that because if someone else was admitted through the night, they would need that bed. And I told him I was NOT sleeping in the chair again, like I did on Sunday night!

It's funny how he kept commenting on how I could go home; however, once he needed something, it was, "Oh Mom, could you do this? could you get me that?". I laughed and said, "How are you gonna do all that if I go home?". So after some more razzin', I thought maybe I might come home tonight and let him experience things on his own. THAT way, he MIGHT be a LITTLE more appreciative of his Momma and what she does for him! hahahhaa. It'll probably backfire on me, but... oh well. At least I'll get a good night's sleep out of it.

OK, you didn't sign in here to read my silliness.... you wanna hear about Blake's condition today.


Well, basically, in a nutshell, he's higher than a kite!

He is taking Dilaudid for pain, which is a synthetic morphine. They call it hydromorphone, and apparently Dilaudid is one of the manufacturer's names. They gave him Tylenol #3's yesterday, but they weren't quite powerful enough for the pain that he's in. The hydromorphone is giving him quite a 'buzz' and he wants to somehow have it readily available for when he comes home as well. hahhaha. He's truly my son! (When I was having trouble with kidney stones a number of years ago and needed surgery, Demerol was my very very best friend. And that made me ROBERT's best friend, because I had a few Demerol pills in my purse! hahaha He thought family should share!)

Anyways, Blake is having some distorted dreams, things are spinning when he shuts his eyes, he's in a rather happy mood most of the time, although his Aunt Danielle and I got in trouble last night because he thought we were eavesdropping on his phone conversation with his sweetie-pie in Brazil. Little did he realize we were in our own little completely disturbed world and only teased him a few times during our conversation of the children's show "Arthur". We were laughing at the name Binky Barnes; we were chanting A-A-R-D-V-A-R-K; and we were singing "Hey! It's a wonderful kind of day... HEY!" Sometimes, Blake, it's NOT all about YOU! :O)

I really have not much more NEW stuff to report to you other than Blake is very much appreciating the fact that the painkillers are keeping him from the terrible pain he's been experiencing for months. He is still weak, but happy. And I MUST tell you (because this is MY blog and I can say whatever I want!)... Blake went to the potty yesterday all by himself once; and he did that again tonight. I'm so proud! Just like the toddler years all over again. haha.

He has been receiving a few visitors as well as phone calls. He gets pretty tired after things settle down, but he doesn't like the dizzy feeling when he shuts his eyes to rest.

He is QUITE sure that he will be ready for school in January. I have firmly, yet politely, reminded him that we will see how his health improves. I probably shouldn't have told him that Doctor B thought things would probably be ok for him to start in January. Every Crohn's patient seems to be different, so we'll see what happens. I appreciate the calls from people giving me names of authors of books regarding Crohn's Disease. I also am looking forward to having chats with the people I know who suffer from this disease to see how they cope. Thank you also to strangers who are offering advice. Stacey, you are one that I am referring to here. I appreciate the comments you are forwarding. Unfortunately, I am not able to respond to you because every time I leave you a comment on your food blog, it gets deleted. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or if the blog just doesn't like Canadian Comments. haha. I will check out that book that you referenced.

Sorry I don't have pictures downloaded for y'all to see. We got a good one of Blake drooling tonight on a bib. hahaha. Yes, he was clowning around. My batteries in the camera are dying, but I really am too tired to download anyways.

So it looks like Crohn's could be a battle for us for a while. Apparently he is advised to keep a journal and record what foods bother him, etc. As for now, he is advised to not eat any dairy until his intestines are a little more healed from all the ulcers. I have lots of research to do on this, but the more I say Crohn's, the more I hear of people I know of who live with it daily.



Folks, it's late. I'm tired. I have a load of laundry to throw in the dryer and I want to go to bed and sleep the night away.

Could you do me a favour while I have your attention? Across the hall from Blake's room at the hospital lies a family member who is dying. My Dad's cousin, Helen, is literally watching her husband slip from this world. His health suddenly started to go downhill six short weeks ago and more rapidly this past week. He has been diagnosed with Jakob's Disease. Please pray for Helen as she goes through this battle. She has children flying in this week from Germany, Las Vegas, Vancouver, and one child driving in from Brampton. She's being very strong, but it's hard to watch your 'never-sick-a-day-in-his-life' husband slip away so quickly with such a terrible disease. He might not make it through the weekend. Please lift Helen (and Don!) up in prayer. There is no known cause nor cure for Jakob's Disease. I don't know if Don knows the Lord. I will check on this with Helen; but in the meantime, please pray for that family. Thank you.

And thanks from Blake (& me, Jon, Jake, & Jared) for all your support and prayers. He is blessed to have so many people care.

God bless.

(OK, beddy-bye, heeeere I cooooome!!!!!!)

Oh sorry.... one last thing: Please pray for my sister Wannett who is now, as I type, flying to Africa on a missions trip. She is so excited!!!!! And I am excited for her. Pray God uses her in a mighty way (and also that he keeps my little sis safe!!!!) Thanks. That's it. No more. I'm signing off. G'night.

Blake's Health Update 2009/09/15

This is supposed to be a major quick, short update because I've been home too long and want to get back to "m'baby" at the hospital. But y'all know me.... it'll be too long!

Jon is with Blake now and said that my Mom & Dad just popped in for a visit. I'm thrilled with this, because Dad, due to poor health, doesn't get out too often anymore. Blake will appreciate their visit.

I have the names of the meds at the hospital, so I'll just quickly tell you he's on Prednisone (a.k.a. Cortisone) and on two antibiotics. Prednisone is a VERY intense med and Blake will be weaned off of it over a period of months. Then he'll take a milder drug once the intestines have a chance to heal from the Prednisone.

Richard stopped in to visit him last night. Blake had a coherent conversation with him. Then this morning he says, "Was RICHARD here last night???" hahahhahaa. He was obviously stilled looped from the painkillers he'd had, along with the demerol from the colonoscopy.

So last night I spent the night with him... and, since there's hardly any meat on that kid, we were able to share the bed! (although I was quite crowded! but that's ok... it sure beats the wheelchair I 'slept' on Sunday night!).

Anyways, as I was dozing off, he said, "Why is the bed moving?" I said, "It isn't." He was SURE that it was moving back and forth a bit. Then I realized the problem. I said, "Blake, you're high on morphine.... the bed's not moving... go to sleep!" hahahaha. He has no recollection of it this morning.

His spirits are better (well who WOULDN'T be happier on morphine and demerol!). Today it's a Tylenol #3 day. Hopefully that will keep the pain at bay.

His sweetheart in Brazil is terribly worried about him, but I just talked to Blake on the phone and he said she had called him around lunch time. Anelyse, do not worry! He's doing very well now. I'm sorry I couldn't answer your emails... no access from the hospital. Keep corresponding with Danielle. She is copying your messages and giving them to Blake, so keep them coming.

OK, folks, I will update a.s.a.p. We have been fortunate to have wonderful doctors. I saw Doctor J this morning in the hall at the hospital. He was the doctor who initially saw Blake Sunday night at emerg. I thanked him very much for putting Blake on the I.V. and not just shuffling us home. I told him I really appreciated him doing that. I think the doctors need encouragement because they get razzed quite a bit from folks. I'm not saying some of them don't need the odd tongue-lashing, but I will tell you that our experience with Doctor C, Doctor B, Doctor J, Doctor R, as well as the countless nurses, has been WONDERFUL. We have been blessed by their care.

Thank your doctor lately? Go do it.

Will update soon. My "secretary" Wannett (who is apparently my 'favourite sister'?) is leaving for Kenya Wednesday. Please pray for safe travels as well as a wonderful missions trip. She hasn't even left yet and ALREADY doesn't want to come home! hahhaa. Have fun, Wannettie!

And last post should've read "few days", not "view days". Secretary Wannett: your cheque is NOT in the mail! You're fired. You might as well leave the country!

Blake's Health Update 2009/09/08

....and the questions have already started to roll in!





This morning was Blake's abdomenal ultrasound.




And the answer is........





....I DON'T KNOW THE RESULTS YET.





The technician did not share anything with Blake as to whether she found anything of any interest or not. At this point, test results will go to our Doctor C and she will let us know. And since her office is closed on Wednesdays, I'm bettin' (IF, of course, I was a betting kind of gal) that I won't hear anything until Thursday.





That's the latest scoop, folks. You now know all that I know.





So.... please keep praying. He's had a rough last few days with some pain and weakness. He says if he can lay still and not move, then the pain subsides somewhat. But as soon as he gets up to visit the Little Boys Room or gets up to grab something to eat, he experiences pain.





I am not, for the most part, delivering his food to him as he lays sprawled out on the couch because I am not wanting him to get NO exercise! I figure he needs to be SOMEWHAT mobile or else he's gonna seize up.


He said sometimes he feels so weak that there is pain shooting down his legs when he starts walking. I'm wondering if that's just a matter of not enough physical activity; however, we will mention that to Doctor C on our next visit.





In the meantime, I will let you know as soon as I get the ultrasound results. Please be in prayer for the upcoming colonoscopy on September 14th.
'


And I'm bettin' (IF, again of course, I was a betting kind of gal) that you're all wondering WHAT kind of picture I'll be posting on Colonoscopy Day. Well.... won't THAT be.... ummmm...... keeping you at the edge of your seat. HAHAHAHAAHAHA ~ Oh, I'm so sorry... I just couldn't resist that pun. HAHAHA
'
'





Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Blake's Health Update 2009/09/03

There are many things I appreciate about the blogging world. It's a channel to keep you updated in someone's life, to view some amazing photos, to read some amazing testimonies and Scripture references....

...and the one thing I've noticed it's most used for is keeping people posted on the health of a loved one.



With Blake's health going downhill lately, it seems there are some days that the phone just doesn't stop ringing, and I find myself repeating the same old story over and over to caring loved ones who are calling to find out how our dear little fella is feeling.

Don't get me wrong, folks... I am most appreciative of your care and concern and am glad that you care enough to stay informed and up-to-date on his 'progress'....

However, I thought it might be easier for those of you with computers, or those of you who must dial long distance, to check in here at our family blog and get updates.

However, that being said typed, don't think that you can't ever call. We know you care and we know you're concerned, and we ask for your prayers as Blake goes through this valley..... 'through' being the key word.... there WILL be a diagnosis and treatment, and we WILL get THROUGH this and come out on the other side! I have such peace about that.




Now to get y'all up to speed.....

You might recall this post, Praying For My Blake, where I gave a bit of information to you. Right now, I'd like to just give a quick review of where things started and where things stand now. Then as more appointments and progress are made, I can keep you informed on a regular basis via this blog.

Blake - July 4th, 2009

Here's a review of the past year and a half:



Late Winter/early Spring 2008 I noticed Blake just not feeling himself, not wanting to eat much, a little thin (but nothing alarming), a little bit of moodiness (a.k.a. giving Momma attitude!), fatigued. Blake was planning on going to Brazil on a missions trip July 2008, and I was concerned that his health was going downhill and he wouldn't be well enough to go. As it turned out, he went. All was well.

Same symptoms happening over the next few months. Made appointments with Doctor W. She suggested he get more sleep and eat better. [insert something-not-sitting-right-in-Momma's-gut here!]. Oh well, what do "I" know... she's the doctor, right?


Things still not getting better. Blake is now planning missions trip to New Orleans, USA for March 2009. Hmmm.... Momma still concerned about his travelling with health slowly going downhill. Son ignores Momma and continues with 'attitude'. Momma told by other parents "it's a teen thing... you're lucky you're experiencing it at 18 years old, most parents go through this when their child is 14". Hmmm.... this is just not sitting right with Momma's gut.


Blake goes to New Orleans, but comes back feeling worse. Small rash started before departing to New Orleans, but is worse upon his return. Go to doctor. Betaderm fixes up the rash over time; however, other symptoms are still getting worse. "Get to bed earlier and choose healthy foods, [Insert Mom's under-her-breath-growling here] and, let's get some bloodwork done again."


Over the balance of the Spring, his health is going downhill at Whistler-Mountain-speed. Going to take him to Doctor C, who is our main doctor. She suggests more bloodwork and is concerned, knowing she is not looking at a normal Blake, who she has known since his birth.



Fast forward a bit to approximately July 2009. Food, or even water, goes in Blake's mouth and comes out the other end in practically minutes. A lot more weight loss. A lot more fatigue. A lot more weakness. A lot of stabbing stomach pain. A lot of back pain.


More bloodwork.


Then more bloodwork and stool samples.

(and don't think THAT wasn't fun! The kids were all "grossed out" at the thoughts of THAT! hahahaha. Then to top it off, the nurse at the doc's office didn't indicate to me that it was time sensitive and had to be at the lab within 24 hours! We FINALLY got the MANY samples done on a Friday afternoon and took to the lab on a Monday....... "No, no, no," said the technician, "I hate to tell you this, but you'll have to do it again!" oh joy. oh bliss. Blake-Not-Impressed. (Trust me, neither am "I"!) I said to the technician, "BUT I KEPT IT COLD over the weekend!". "Doesn't matter... you'll need to do it again... sorry!"


Results of bloodwork are showing some "goings-on" with rheumatoid. Nothing to panic about; however, Doctor C wants to ensure that things are checked out a little more carefully by a rheumatologist. She feels we are possibly dealing with more than one scenario here, but is confident we will get a diagnosis.


The problem? No one is doing operative procedures/testing because it's summer time. Everyone is on holidays. Doctor can't get response from rheumatologist's office. Uhhhhh.... we're trying to beat the clock here for college in Eastern Canada, folks!


So, I make appointment at doc's office because Blake is having major pain in his stomach and is extremely weak. We see Doctor C at 6:30pm in her office and she's getting concerned. She gets on the phone herself calling all hospitals in the area and asking to speak to radiologists on call. She's gonna get somebody movin' on this! (Thank you, Doc)


It was kind of funny because one person that our doctor spoke with was very abrupt and rude to her. She firmly said "THANK YOU!" and somewhat slammed the phone receiver down and let out a HUGE frustrating sigh. I started laughing, and she looked up at me and laughed. Then she said, "Sometimes I really don't like people in the medical profession!" hahahaha. God bless her.


She said, "Leave it with me. Tomorrow I will make some more calls myself and get SOMEONE to check out this boy!" This lady is a "mover and a shaker" in this community and I knew that things would now begin to roll along.


The doctor DOES suggest to Blake that he reconsider starting school in September. (Oh, my prayers are answered! I'm thinkin' the same thing but worrying that Blake and others will just think I'm an over-reacting Mom who just doesn't want to accept the fact that one of her little birdies is ready to leave the nest! Of course I hate to see my son go away, but right now it's a concern over his health! I don't need a call from the college telling me they found my son unconscious in bed or, worse yet, DEAD!)

So, as it turns out, my doctor IS a "mover and a shaker"; she called me the next day and said she'd arranged an appointment for him to see Doctor B and their office would be calling us with an appointment for a gastroscopy. Sure enough, a paper showed up in the mail indicating a date had been set. Problem was, it was scheduled for later in September.... when Blake would be a couple of provinces away! Obviously Doctor C became aware of this and the appointment was moved up to the very next week! Then a second hospital called to confirm the same procedure.... we had been booked twice for the same appointment on different days. The kind lady on the phone said, "Pick which date you'd like!" haha. I LOVE it. We chose the earliest appointment for August 25th.

Blake - 2007




On the morning of August 24th, Jon's and my stomachs dropped to our feet as Blake told us how he had just been to the bathroom and passed a significant amount of blood in his bowels. He had experienced this the night before, as well, when Jon and I were at our "adopted son" Justin's house; but Blake was in bed when we got home, so we didn't know. I realized we had just "reached a new level of severity" and I could tell Blake now realized how serious this was becoming.


Doctor C had instructed us in the past that if he ever found blood in his stools, we should let her know. Well, she wasn't in the office that day, so I made the decision to take him to the emergency department. I figured at this point, visiting emerg. wouldn't be such a bad idea. Maybe they'd do more tests while we're there.


During triage, the nurse indicated that Doctor C was the one on emerg. that morning anyways, so I was pleased I would not have to go through the long ordeal of what Blake had been experiencing the last year. Doctor C ordered more bloodwork and an x-ray of his back, due to severe pain he was experiencing in that area.



Back x-rays = no problems.



Bloodwork = no problems.




I indicated to Doctor C that Jon was very concerned of the possibility of cancer, due to the painful endurance of multiple myeloma that Jon's late Mom experienced from 2000-2002; and also the leukemia that Jon's late cousin Bobby experienced when Jon & Bobby were around 14 years old. Jon is getting very worried at this point. Doctor C confirmed that his white cell levels are perfect. In the all-is-good range of between 4 & 11, Blake was smack-dab in the middle at 7.7. Good News! Hemoglobin is really good as well, so those little red cells are doing what THEY're supposed to be doing. [insert sigh of relief]


Doctor C suggests we will get more answers from the gastroscopy, which is the following day.


Guess what.......?


No answers from the gastroscopy. Doctor B talks with me after the procedure and indicates that everything looked really good. He has taken a few biopsies anyways, but doesn't expect to find anything. He suggests because of the previous days' bleeding that we get a colonoscopy done. He said his office would call to arrange the procedure within the next week or two.


Fast forward a week. Blake wants to spend a few days with Grandpa & Grandma who live just up the road. Blake arrives there Monday night. I remind him on Tuesday that either his Grandma or I need to get him into town for bloodwork to be done for Doctor B before the colonoscopy. My Mom pulls in my driveway Wednesday morning (I'm assuming to pick up the bloodwork requisition) and she's worried that Blake is very weak and that I should come and look at him and possibly make another trip to emerg.

We get him up and dressed and head to town, after calling the doctor's office to tell them what we're doing.


In triage they weigh him. He's lost three more pounds over the last week.


Doctor N is on duty and suggests...... (any guesses, anyone?....)


......more bloodwork.


Now I'm curious, because I'm bettin' his hemoglobin is down due to last week's bleeding.

After a couple of hours, Doctor N returns to indicate hemoglobin IS down.... probably from bleeding last week as well as being malnourished. (Even though Blake is able to get food down, it doesn't stay very long in his system before he visits the Little Boys Room).

I question whether an I.V. would give him a boost, but she said he is not dehydrated, so she recommends getting him on Ensure, those protein drinks. She said it might help until we get a diagnosis. She also said she wants to schedule him for an abdomenal ultrasound (yeah! Blake has been wanting one of those! My sister experienced same symptoms as Blake when she had problems with her gall bladder, so Blake has been wanting one of these tests! I don't think, however, the doctors feel it's a gall bladder scenario, but his symptoms sure do match Danielle's before she had the gall bladder removal.)


Doctor N will send a report to Doctor C and also she'll ask Doctor C to push harder for that appointment with the rheumatologist, Doctor T. She said there could be a tie between Blake's symptoms and rheumatoid, so she suggests we get in to see this specialist a.s.a.p.


And so, as it stands right now, I have purchased some Strawberry Protein Drink for Blake to "wolf down". He said it doesn't taste good. I told him to just not breathe, then to wolf it down. He said, "CLEARLY, Mother, you do NOT understand that part of my stomach problem is that I CANNOT wolf ANYTHING down!!!!".


Well!


Sorry!




CLEARLY I am out in left field. [wink, wink]



As of today, we have an ultrasound scheduled for September 8th and a colonoscopy scheduled for September 14th.

THAT should bring y'all up to speed. Sorry it's a long post, but many are asking for details. Future posts regarding Blake's health will be shorter, I promise. Remember I'm trying to cram one and a half years into this one post!




I would covet your prayers for Blake as he walks through this valley. I think, deep down, he understands that God must have a reason. Perhaps this will be a time of learning to trust in our Saviour. All the days were ordained for Blake before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16), so we rest assured in knowing that the Lord is still in control and knows what He's doing!



Also please pray that the Lord helps me retain this sense of peace I am experiencing. I don't understand it one bit because I am definitely a worrier and a fretter. But God has not given us a spirit of fear (Romans 8:15). So I must continue to trust in Him.

Also, before I sign off here, I want you to know that our doctors are WONDERFUL. Absolutely WONDERFUL. I've heard of some pretty uncaring docs out there, but they're not here, thank Goodness. We have always been treated wonderfully and with great care and respect. Hats off and three cheers to our medical profession. And that goes for the AMAZING nurses and technicians out there too! Yes, things are sometimes at a snail's pace, but it helps when they truly care about you... and they do. We also have the Great Physician watching over us. You remember Him, right? The One who never slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). We are well cared for!


"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the Lord (Jeremiah 30:17)



Thank you for your concern. Thank you for your prayers.


I'll update as things go along. Please leave Blake a comment. Click on the Comments button at the bottom of each post and enter your message. It's that simple. He'll appreciate your words, encouragement, and prayers, I'm sure.



Blake - July 2009

Praying for my Blake

Ooopsie... my apologies.....

I have fallen just a tad behind on the Scripture memorization. I should have posted verses for yesterday and today, which would have completed our whole chapter of Psalm 121.


.....BUT.......


Sometimes life has a way of changing directions unexpectedly.


Jon and I had a wonderful weekend away with our "adopted son" Justin and his family. It was a well-deserved relaxed weekend for us, and it wasn't NEAR long enough!



We arrived home around 1am on Monday and my week started off with a "bang". I ended up spending the afternoon with Blake in the emergency department of our local hospital. His health has been "not so good" the last year, but rapidly taking a turn for the worse in the last month or so.


A particular symptom caused me some concern, and I felt it needed to be attended to..... so, since our own doctor was not in her office, off to the emergency department we went. Then we found out why she wasn't in her office.... she was on duty at the hospital. That was a blessing because we did not need to explain everything to a different doctor.



She ordered MORE bloodwork (Blake has been poked with a needle too many times to count in the last year!) and also ordered an x-ray for some back pain that Blake was experiencing. The bloodwork came back fine and the x-ray came back fine. She said the symptom that he was having could possibly be addressed with a test being completed the following day.




.... which brings us to today.


Today Blake had an appointment for a gastroscopy in a city about 45 mintues away from our home. My poor little boy looked so sick laying on that gurney.




The set up at today's hospital was similar to the above photo that I pulled from the internet.




I spoke with the specialist after the scope was completed, and he indicated all looked well. However, he'd like to set up an appointment to do another scope..... in the other end.


You can imagine Blake's enthusiasm with that announcement! Actually, he was still suffering from the anesthetic and was basically stoned, so I don't think it really completely dawned on him at that point. haha Poor kid has been loopy all afternoon! He told me the story about the I.V. four times! At least it was accurate each time. haha.


So, please pray for my firstborn! Yesterday he finally realized that he is NOT healthy enough to travel to the east coast for school in September. The look on his face nearly broke my heart. My eyes welled up with tears, and I called Jon into the room. I explained the situation and the new symptom Blake was experiencing, and Jon started to well-up, too. It's a very scary time, that's for sure.




The doctor has confirmed that white cell counts are perfect; he is right in the middle of the range. Thank you, Lord. Hemoglobin is just fine as well.


Blake is frustrated that they just can't take an x-ray or an ultrasound and find the problem. I've tried to tell him that it just doesn't work like that. I have faith in our doctor (yes, I have faith in our Lord as well); our doctor is aware that Blake's health is not good. A 19-year-old boy should not lose over 40 pounds unexplainably. He had no extra weight to lose in the first place!





Please pray for my Blakey.

*Pray that tests will move along at a quick rate of time.

*Pray that he is able to keep eating.

*Pray that the pain in his stomach and back are less intense.

*Pray that this new symptom will not get worse.

*Pray that he gets more energy and is not so fatigued.

*Pray that he is not too disappointed about starting college a few months later than planned.



Blake is trusting in our Lord and Saviour to heal him. He's frustrated with tests and medications, but he knows that God is Sovereign and is our Healer.

Remember our Scripture of Psalm 121? It tells us that our help comes from the Lord. He's made heaven and earth; He won't let our foot slip; He watches over us and doesn't slumber; He'll keep us from all harm; He will watch over our life.

Guess He directed me to just the right chapter at just the right time, eh?

We'll get back on track here soon, folks, with the memorizing. Until then, review! Keep going! Keep memorizing!

And pray for my boy. Thanks.