It’s Not ER or Urgent Care…Words Spoken Too Soon

I started writing this yesterday, and then things changed. We went back to the ER and back to being admitted to the hospital.

In a way, this reminds me of being on the mission field and how it is instilled in us to be flexible. Taylor and I were just about to leave to run errands yesterday (one being shopping for a power recliner at Art’s request).  Instead, we scheduled an unexpected trip to the infusion center for a blood draw and hydration. Art had a bloody nose for a few hours in the morning and was feeling lightheaded, so Dr. K wanted to check his blood count. I told Art, “you just want to visit the snack cart.” To which he responded, “Pirates Booty!”

I’m still not used to everything involved with this. The blood draw can be taken from the port, but we forgot to use the numbing cream (the nurse was great though, and Art said it didn’t hurt when the needle was inserted), and he wasn’t wearing his special chemo shirt with buttons near his port. So for ease of access to the port, the nurses had to cut the shirt (it was one of his USC shirts 😢). 

Art had a hydration session after the blood draw. The numbers from the blood draw came back out of whack so another draw was done to make sure the numbers were correct. Then Dr. K showed up at the infusion center and said that the results indicated that Art was severely anemic. He sent us to the ER immediately for a blood transfusion. 

The nurse at the infusion center loaded us up with snacks before heading to the ER. Along with Pirates Booty, Art selected Rice Krispie treats because there was no more Skinny Pop. Unbeknownst to Art, I had already taken the last Skinny Pop. [Taylor aside: I have created my own little snack crate to leave in the car just in case we run out of snacks and made sure to add Skinny Pop just for us, I mean Dad. We take snacks very seriously around here.] [Jannae aside: Taylor says “we,” but Neal has boldly claimed that he does NOT snack. I have seen him eat only Takis for lunch though, sooo…]

Blood transfusion was started in the ER while we waited for a room to become available; Art also had a transfusion of platelets. This morning’s lab results showed his numbers were still low so he got another round of blood and platelets. Dr. K made his rounds early this morning, and he thinks this stint will be a few days since Art’s numbers are so low. He wants to see an upward trend in numbers without transfusion before discharge. 

Art is currently on a clear liquid diet so there goes our plan to load up on eggs while at the hospital. However, he has managed to drink some vegetable broth.

There are times I feel like David as he cries out in Psalms 13, “How long, Lord?” But not only is it, “How long,” that I’m crying out, I’m also crying out, “How much, Lord?” I noticed a questionable charge on one of our accounts this morning and had to deal with filing a fraudulent loss – not something I wanted to deal with at this time. David ends Psalms 13 with (and may this be our prayer):

“But we trust in your unfailing love; our hearts rejoice in your salvation. We will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to us.” Psalms 13:5-6

Praises:

• Jannae and I got to test out the massage recliners at the infusion center 👍🏻👍🏻
• Taylor still managed to run some errands and did order a new recliner for Art, but it’s not a massager because we didn’t want to wait 6-8 weeks for delivery.
• We were at the right place at the right time to know it was time for another trip to the ER.
• Dr. K called the ER to let them know we were coming.
• While in the ER, we waited a time with an acquaintance who was there with her husband who had fallen. I also ran into a young gentleman who served on the sound ministry with Art and now works nights in the ER. It lifts the spirits to see familiar faces.
• I was praying that Art’s room would be in one of the towers, which are the newer wings of the hospital and have nicer and private rooms. When Jannae told us Art was being moved to the original part of the hospital, I admit I cried out, “Why, Lord? That’s not what I prayed for.” But the Lord did answer my prayer – although Art is in the original part of the hospital, he is in a private room.

Prayers:

• Swelling in Art’s right hand to subside. This  could be from the IV and has reduced since elevating his arm.
• No reactions from the transfusions and that the right numbers will go up.
• Rest so that Art can regain his strength as he’s very weak and sleeping most of the time. 
• That we can face whatever comes up, trusting in His  unfailing love. 

[Side story: when I put some items on the TV tray for Art yesterday morning, he commented, “I don’t have T-Rex arms.” Guess I placed them too close for his reach.]