Prayers for Mr Sageofages

[navane]

Pam, I have prayed that you would receive strength day by day and that your husband would receive top quality care so that he may return to health. We *are* thinking of you.

.....Kelly

[sageofages]

First I need to express how completely overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love I have received over the 5 darkest days of my life.

I am home to sleep for the first time since Monday night in "our bed".

Jon is still alive...I believe greatly due the prayers and love of all who have sent it to us. He is hanging by the thinnest thread and really fighting.

After I had Adrienne update my Phi Mu sisters via email.

Things became even worse. I see Adrienne mentioned the ARDS starting. At 2:07 am on Thursday, I thought my world was ending. I got a phone call that Jon had degraded and was being placed on a ventilator. Thursday morning around 6:00 am he was taken back to the Cath lab to attempt to figure out *why* the ARDS was developing. The initial thought was he had a valve go bad as well. During the next 3 hours, the "dream team" of Iowa Heart Center saw my husband. 5 Cardiologist, 3 pulmonary drs, 2 infectious disease drs, radiologist and internal medicine. They could NOT find a reason for this happening. His heart is performing very well. (They also stented the 3rd of the 4 blockages...4th will be done when he is stronger...god willing)

The only explanation that seemed plausible was aspiration pneumonia. Jon had projectiled vomited on the cath lab table during the first procedure and as one dr said to me "he must have inhaled in clear to the bottom of his lungs". Antibodics were started Thursday AM at this time as well.

If on the scale of life, perfect health is a 100 and death is a zero...my husband was sitting at .5 ...(that is one-half of one) on Thursday. I asked the doctor "Am I going to lose my husband" The doctors told me "there was a greater chance he is going die than there is a chance he is going to live". The doctors told me it was time to bring our children up to to the hospital say good bye to their father (they hadn't been there because he didn't want them to see him as sick as he was up to that point). I called my father-in-law and sister-in-law in San Diego to tell them "if you are going to come, you need to get on a plane right *now*." (They flew out about 4 hours later).

Thursday night, he had his "crisis". Even intubated and on a ventilator, he was degrading. He was sedated, but at that time it was decided to put him in a paralytic state. I can not describe the desperation I felt. I could not leave his side...I could not breathe even. I leaned into his ear and said "Joni, if you are standing somewhere where you have to choose between the light and me....please please please, choose me and our family." At that point, all was being done that could be done. It was up to God and Jon.

Friday morning, there was a tinsy infinitesimal (did I spell that right) IMPROVEMENT!!!!! Through out the day there was more little little movements in the direction toward me and our family. I was able to greet my father-in-law and sister-in-law when they arrived with this news.

This morning the respiratory therapist told me, that on Thursday morning listening to his lungs was like putting the stethescope up to a brick wall, today there were actually sounds...really bad sounds, but sounds nonetheless. He is still heavily sedated, and being ventilated. His lungs are clearing SLOWLY. He is still in extremely critical condition. It is like having only the toes on one foot out of the woods but ...at least they are out of the woods. Today even the most discouraging of his drs said "improvement" for the very first time.

PLEASE continue to pray for us. He can backslide...and right now every emotion I could feel I do.

My GC friends, your prayers are helping...thank you from all that I am.

I will post more later...I am exhausted and I really need to regain some strength.

[Jill1228]

Pam, hugs coming your way! Glad to see there is some improvement. Sending good vibes your way!

Love to you and your family

[winnieb]

You all are in my thoughts!!!

[navane]

Oh Pam, my heart goes out to you.


.....Kelly

[trojangal]

Pam,

Continuing to pray daily for you and your husband.

[AOIIalum]

Pam, rest when you can because it's so very important. We're still out here sending so much positive energy Jon's way!

[ragtimerose]

Continued thoughts and prayers to you, Pam.

[Xylochick216]

Pam, I'm continuing to pray for you and your family. Stay strong in these difficult times!

[FSUZeta]

dear pam,i am so sorry that you , your husband and your family are having to go through all this-i know that i annot begin to imagine how terrible it all must be for you. i am greatly encouraged by the good news that the doctors, respiratory therapist and other medical personnel are seeing improvement. they usually err on the side of caution when sharing any medical info, so there must be improvement or they would not say so.please know that your family, jon and you will continue to be in my family's thought and prayers.lisa

[moe.ron]

Sending good vibes to you and your husband.

[JennRN]

Pam, continuing to send healing vibes and prayers your husbands way. I'm thinking of you guys-continue to be strong!

[honeychile]

Pam, thank you SO much for the update! I will continue to lift Jon, you, and your family in prayer - miracles are out there, and I pray that Jon is one of them!

[greeklawgirl]

Pam, I am redoubling my prayers for your husband, you, and your family.

My husband spent the better part of a week in the CICU in April. I was out-of-state at the time and had to fly home on an emergency basis. It was the most terrifying experience of my entire life. Reading your updates is making my throat close and my eyes sting. That fear is something that no one should ever have to go through and I am so sorry that your family is in the middle of it right now.

I am particularly thinking of you and wishing you strength, honey.

[NutBrnHair]

Pam, I have had you on my mind all weekend. Thanks so much for taking the time to update us. Prayers are continuing!