Full House

We’re back to having a full house today! My aunt spent a few days with us while Jannae and Neal were in Seattle. She helped around the house so Mom and I could focus on Dad’s care, but she also helped check in on Dad during the night. She went back to San Diego today, and Jannae and Neal arrived this evening.

Over the past few days, Dad’s been experiencing some muscle pain on his right shoulder blade that fluctuates on the pain scale between a 2 and 7 (out of 10) mostly at night. Thankfully, we’ve been able to treat it fairly quickly with pain meds and a massage wand. Dad’s still quite bloated so food intake has been very limited since he feels like eating too much food fills up his stomach and there isn’t enough room for fluids. It’s been a struggle to try and coerce him to eat a little something or at least try to drink some sort of drink that has protein (i.e. bone broth, Fairlife Core Power milk, etc).

We saw Dad’s PCP, Dr. E, today; she has been such a blessing to us. We originally had an appointment to see a nurse practitioner but Mom had reached out to Dr. E to let her know that we would be in the office to see what’s going on with Dad’s ears and if Dad had another infection. Dr. E rearranged her schedule to see him. During the appointment, Dr. E did a finger prick to check Dad’s blood levels. Dad’s hemoglobin levels dropped slightly since he was discharged from the hospital, but it’s still a good number. Dr. E also ordered an ultrasound of Dad’s whole abdomen to see if there was any fluid that could be drained to help relieve some of the pressure that Dad’s feeling. Her office helped schedule an ultrasound at a hospital nearby for today (a blessing as the hospital was just down the street and on the way home for us). We are still waiting for the ultrasound results and are hoping for good news at Dad’s appointment on Wednesday with Dr. C at HOPE, which will determine if he will get another round of treatment.

Praises:

• My aunt took good care of us. Dad even asked when she could come back to help out again too.
• Dr. E was able to rearrange her appointments to see us in the office and helped us schedule an ultrasound for the same day. She now also texts Mom with the status of things. 
• Dad’s hemoglobin levels are still in a good range despite the slight dip, and there’s no sign of a UTI, just some bilirubin in Dad’s urine which would explain the discoloration. 
• A nurse and a PT from a home health service have been able to stop by and do evaluations and make some recommendations. (The PT even stopped by over the weekend and is going to help follow up on some referrals for us.)
• Dad has been graced with dear friends singing songs to him and sharing stories of how Dad has blessed them, both in person and via video messages.
• Grateful for the outpouring of support from everyone. 

Prayers:

• Dad will continue to gain his strength and appetite. 
• Rest. Dad will wake up soon after he goes to sleep due to the pain in his shoulder blade. 
• Pain to subside.
• Blood draw on Wednesday followed by appointment with Dr. C, that there be options and that our hope will remain in Him and His promises for Dad.