Thursday Morning Update: Improvement!
By Kendra | July 3, 2008
Getting ready for the PICC line
Fletch Here: I called Kendra today and after a barrage of questions, she finally handed her cell phone to the doctor and let me talk with him. In general, his condition is the same. After the morning rundown of blood tests and lab cultures, he gave me today’s good news:
***Viral activity has slowed, so blood tests have all improved. (Liver numbers, clotting factors, etc…)
***He is able to eat out of a bottle and he is tolerating all of the food very well.
***They are able to place a PICC line today and replace his central line and his regular IV.
***The only things keeping him in PICU at this point are his non-functioning kidneys and some elevated blood pressure.
So, those who like to pray for specifics:
Pray for his kidneys to kick in today!
Pray for a successful PICC line placement (some risk)!
Pray for his blood pressure to be controlled!
Of course all this means that we merely transfer from one wing of the hospital to another, but we are so jazzed, because it means one step closer to home and one step away from critical care!
All along we have prayed for great things from our Mighty God, but in case you’re coming in late or you have missed seeing his hand in action, let me highlight a few of them for you…
ER in our hometown
1. We were greeted by staff that knew us personally and we were visited throughout the day by other hospital employees who heard we were there.
2. Quick decisions by the ER doctors and our family doctor to transfer him to a children’s hospital.
3. Super care from the ER nurses and support staff.
3. Readily available Critical Care Transport units.
Children’s Hospital
1. Of the five Children’s Hospitals available in Northern California, the one we were sent to is only 1.5 hours from our house, 20 minutes from Kendra’s parents, 10 minutes from her brothers family and her sister-in-law works at this specific hospital as an RN.
2. Our doctors were right on the money with their initial diagnosis and began treating Joe accordingly. They have been available personally to take phone calls and answer all of our questions.
3. Our first nurse, when asked if she liked Joe replied, “Like him? I love him…” - she wins the award for best answer!
4. The hospital has full hookups for RVs and my folks immediately parked their “wonderbus” for Kendra to use.
5. Kendra’s high school friend is an OB in the area and was able to examine her and prescribe the right medication for her to begin to feel better.
Mighty Joe’s Body
The doctors prepared us for the possibilities of multiple treatment scenarios, but Joe responded better than they hoped:
1. He has not needed dialysis.
2. He has not needed a ventilator.
3. He has not needed surgery.
Back at Home
1. Our kids have been cared for in loving environments.
2. Hot meals have been provided by a church that has wrapped its arms around us.
3. My office staff has gone above and beyond to make my work week peaceful.
These are the practical ways in which God has gone before us to answer prayer. There are many more relationships and situations where we have seen God’s hand and many others to come. Praise the Lord for His goodness to His people!
Thanks for praying for Mighty Joe!
Fletch
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 13 Comments »
Prayers for This Child
By Kendra | July 2, 2008
I am sitting here in Mighty Joe’s room today, catching up on some reading, answering emails, enjoying the quiet. Also enjoying Joe’s occasionally opened eyes and his always voracious suck on his pacifier. It must be really odd to have a tummy continuously full but never have anything go past your tongue and throat. As Andy/Fletch stated in the previous post, there may be a chance he can be fed by bottle soon but so far, no signs of doing so today.
I’ve been a tad melancholy today, doubtless the result of a somber mood in the PICU last night, then realizing (gee, where have I been???) that today is day six in the PICU for Mighty Joe. When you are in the midst of a trial such as this, you tend to ride the waves and lose track of time. Sort of like labor, when you look up at the clock and realize four hours have passed.
There are delightful things, too. In fact, just as I am typing this, Dr. Montes appeared and told the nurse we can feed him by bottle! I also am looking forward to spending my sister-in-law’s break with her when she gets a chance. The girls, my mom, and I got a quick peek at the post-op department where she works because there were no patients needing care at the moment. I love knowing that Laura is literally down the hall and around the corner.
A sweet woman appeared this afternoon- she is a friend of a man who attends our church with his brother’s family. Wow. The kindness of strangers. Thanks for coming, Janice. And certainly, the nurses have been wonderful. We have been so very blessed. And did I mention there’s a Starbucks in the hospital? I kid you not. If I worked here I would grow fat on chai.
Sara Groves is always a ministry to me. “Prayers for This Child” have been particularly poignant:
I do not know how I am to pray for this child
as a mother I don’t want my baby denied
but in the waiting in the waiting
I learned
Every instinct in me wants to shield him from pain
take the arrows of misery heartache and blame
but in the sorrow in the sorrow
I learned to hold on
I only have two eyes - be all seeing
I only have two hands - be everywhere
I do not know enough - to be all knowing
I give this baby up into your care
I do not know how, how to pray for this child
I want to guard him from everything wicked and wild
but in the trial in the trial
I learned to hold on
And in the trial, in the trial
I learned to hold on to the heart of God
Hold your babies tightly this afternoon-
Kendra
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 18 Comments »
Wednesday AM Update: Special Visitors!
By Kendra | July 2, 2008
“My Big Sisters came to see me today!”
Mighty Joe Fletcher
Caroline brought me buckets of smiles today!
Abigail kept good watch over me!
Update: It is way too early to say we are out of the woods, but while we are in the forest, it is getting easier to manage and there are more signs pointing to recovery. We are so thankful for what God has done in the past five days. Here is how He has moved in Mighty Joe’s body:
*All his blood numbers have continued to improve.
*He is no longer on fluids, just a nasal tube with formula.
*Today he slept on his belly (more on that below)
*They may even try a bottle today.
Prayer Requests:
His kidneys are still not functioning correctly!
His fluids are always a teeter-totter between too much and not enough!
They want to start a PIC line today to ward off infection from his central line.
He has a horrid diaper rash (that’s why he’s on his belly without a diaper)
They are trying to cure his bacterial infection with antibiotics.
General Prayers:
Remain the same…
*His immune system to start working against the virus.
*All the other PICU symptoms which will begin - rejection of catheters, skin rash, etc…
Parent’s Assessment
He looks a lot better today. He is not as swollen and he looks more like Joe. We are really hoping that we get to try a bottle for him today!
Thanks for praying for Mighty Joe!
Kendra
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 12 Comments »
Mighty Joe’s Tuesday Night Update
By Kendra | July 1, 2008
Hi everyone-
Today was a pretty steady day. Joe slept for most of it, but when he awoke he was irritated by diaper rash, bright-eyed, and sucking away on his pacifier. All good! He is still chubby from the fluids, and as a result they couldn’t replace his central line IV with a PIC line. Please pray for the swelling to subside so that we can move to a PIC line; the longer the central line stays in Mighty Joe’s groin, the more likely it will get infected. The PIC line will allow them to continue his fluids and antibiotics, but it is less likely to become infected. We can also take him home with a PIC line if we have to. A little scary for me, but God is stretching me in many new ways. I am so NOT a medical girl.
He is back on antibiotics because his culture came back positive for bacteria, and if I were a medical girl, I would remember the name. When Fletch updates next, you’ll get the technical info 
When you spend five days in the PICU, you see a lot of sadness. All day long we watched a vigil for a 17-year-old dying of cancer. That young lady lost her fight with cancer tonight and we were broken-hearted to hear her mama sobbing. You can pray for them, if you think of it.
Hold your babies tightly tonight-
Kendra
p.s. Fletch took a lot of photos tonight when he came after work, so stay tuned for some new views of Mighty Joe!
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 18 Comments »
Tuesday Morning Update
By Kendra | July 1, 2008
Sorry I don’t have a photo this morning. My photographer (Andy) went home to take care of the kids and his dental practice. I’ve wanted to get a few pictures of our little guy, so I will put a few pictures up later today when I get the chance.
Rejoice with us about what God has done in Mighty Joe:
*Liver enzymes have dropped and his liver is not as swollen!
*All his blood numbers are showing improvement!
*His food amount has increased five-fold without any side effects!
*I have been able to hold/rock him each day!
*I am feeling better too! (Thanks for praying for me!)
Prayer Requests:
His kidneys still aren’t working.
He is still making “stupid pee” and now he is making too much!
The ER sent a report that he tested positive for a nasty bacterial infection, so that means more antibiotics (filtered through liver and kidneys that aren’t fully functional).
General Prayers:
*His immune system to start working against the virus.
*All the other PICU symptoms which will begin - rejection of catheters, skin rash, etc…
Parent’s Assessment
He is still very swollen, but overall today is a better day and I see little improvements in his alertness and his ability to handle a pacifier.
Thanks for praying for Mighty Joe!
Kendra
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 19 Comments »
Monday Night Update
By Kendra | June 30, 2008
Hi everyone! This is Kendra, writing from my in-laws’ beautiful, comfortable motor home in the parking lot of the hospital. What a huge blessing! Tonight when I left Mighty Joe, my sister-in-law the nurse and my brother walked me out, so I felt very safe and loved. Isn’t it amazing that Mighty Joe’s auntie works here??? God is so, so good to us.
If I could figure out how to post a photo of Joe I took from my phone, I would love to show you how he was sucking a pacifier and looking so good tonight. His facial swelling has decreased significantly over the course of the day, and I felt he looked better even over the last several hours tonight. I love ending his day by singing into his ear and sneaking kisses on his cheek. Not sure if the infectious diseases doctor would approve, but boy do I love those cheeks!
In a reverse of things tonight, it looks as if Mighty Joe is producing too much pee. Not sure what that means for him over the course of the night or tomorrow, but it is something that can be prayed for further.
I have had the lyrics to The Love of God running through my brain today:
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
* Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
~Kendra
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 20 Comments »
Baby Joe Update: Monday Morning
By Kendra | June 30, 2008
“Your son is very strong!”
Dr. Jorge Montes, Joe’s Critical Care Doctor
Due to a blog friend and the above quote , we’ve now begun referring to him as “Mighty Joe.” Thank you for all of your prayers, visits, food, and help with our children, the house and Andy’s practice. You have made this first weekend very easy for us.
We met with Joe’s doctor this morning, overall we are still maintaining his systems and putting out fires where they start. Remember, there is no medical treatment to stop the virus, only to deal with the symptoms that the virus causes. So, overall there is not much change today in what we are doing, just monitoring him for changes. The best guess is another week in the ICU and even longer in the hospital. With that said, there have been some improvements with our little guy.
Here is what has improved:
*Liver enzymes have dropped!
*Blood clotting has improved!
*Seizures have stopped and the EEG has been removed!
*He is still peeing tons!
*He has tolerated food well since yesterday without a return of diarrhea
*He has tested negative for the bacteria “c. diff.”
Prayer Requests:
With all the good news, there is still a lot to pray for in this little guy’s life.
There is still the unknown:
*Kidneys to start working on their own.
*Heart damage
*Brain damage
*Liver damage
General Prayers:
*His immune system to start working against the virus.
*For Kendra to feel better
Parent’s Assessment
We were greeted with open eyes again this morning. He looks less swollen and much more responsive to touch. He is much more grumpy! Kendra got to hold him this morning!
For photos and commentary, you can read theMangoTimes!
Thanks for praying for Mighty Joe!
Kendra and Andy
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 19 Comments »
Sunday Morning
By Kendra | June 29, 2008
Psalm 29
Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The LORD is over many waters.
Today is the Lord’s Day, we miss the worship and fellowship of our home church (although there are several that have been texting us verses from the worship service!), we’ve chosen the above as our own call to worship while we sit here bedside with Baby Joe.
The picture that many of you have seen of Joseph was taken on Thursday in the ER at Modesto. That was before the virus took over in full force and he was alert. We thought it might be good to show you where he is today.
Baby Joe
In PICU with mom in background
We just met with the doctor and nephrologist, here is what has gotten better:
*He is peeing, but his kidneys have gotten worse. The doctor calls it “stupid pee” because the kidneys are supposed to save the good parts and filter the bad…his kidneys are dumping the good and the bad, so for today Joe will NOT need dialysis.
*He gets a feeding tube today to try to start some food in his belly.
We ask the doctor every morning what people can pray for, today he said to keep praying for the unknown:
*Kidneys to start working on their own.
*Heart damage
*Brain damage
*Liver damage
Pray also:
*His immune system to start working against the virus.
*For Dr. Kallas - he was here yesterday for 16 hours and back again this morning. He’s tired and he will be here for at least 12 hours today. He had one very critical patient (Yay! Joe was bumped off the top of his list).
*For Kendra to feel better
Parent’s Assessment
We think Joseph looks a little more swollen, but he’s definitely more active and irritated today. Eyes are swollen shut, he’s not looking around like yesterday morning. The mood of the doctors is still tense and when I ask how Joseph is doing they still shrug and say…”he hasn’t gotten any worse.”
If you want some comic relief…feel free to check out some photos and commentary at theMangoTimes!
Thanks for praying for Little Joe!
Kendra and Andy
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 31 Comments »
In My Inbox This Morning
By Kendra | June 29, 2008
The Terms
Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: A Lamp For My Feet
Scripture Reference: John 16:33
“The man who is challenged by Fate does not take umbrage at the terms,” wrote Dag Hammarskjold. So the man called by Christ. Any terms at all are acceptable if we may be permitted to walk with Him.
“But is this the path, Lord? Must we take this one in order to reach Home?”
“Trust Me.”
When the way to the house of the Lord leads through the “Valley of the Shadow,” we accept those terms, too. If we suffer loss, scorn, misunderstanding, false accusation, or any other form of trouble, it is what we agreed on to begin with. Compared with the rewards promised, it is nothing; so let us not take umbrage. Let us be quite clear and matter-of-fact about it: “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer [cheer up!] I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 2 Comments »
Sunday Morning, 6/29
By Kendra | June 29, 2008
A little update early Sunday morning…
Joe was neither worse nor better when we left him last night. When we go in today, we’ll hopefully have good news and nothing exciting. Exciting is not a good thing in his little life right now.
We have an incredible peace. The thing is, Joe is God’s baby, not ours, and particularly because he was a huge surprise to us, we are so assured of his life in God’s hands.
Please pray for me this morning as I am battling a b*east infection due to weaning. Not fun, and the last thing I need right now is mastitis, eh?
Thank you all for your prayers. We feel them!
~Kendra
Topics: Mighty Joe's Story | 13 Comments »
« Previous Entries