Prayers to be Strong

Andrea’s lung infection has not gotten better. She has decided not to
go to MD Anderson for physical or occupational therapy since she is
weaker. We continue to pray for strength, mercy and grace. Andrea is
reminded of how many people are praying for her daily and she really appreciates it.
We remember you in our prayers too.

Lung Infection Not Better

It's been 2 weeks since my last report and in the past that is how long it takes for the IV medicine to take affect and for Andrea to feel better from the lung infection. But, this time the lung infection continued to worsen and it is taking stronger and different IV meds to keep infection down. Andrea's spirits are not down, though. We continue to laugh at
Zeus and Tito's antics. Zeus is allowed in Andrea's bedroom and
Tito is not, so they play this game that Zeus can always win when he has had enough ---- after all Zeus is 5 yrs old and Tito is not quite 2 yrs old!

Our prayers are mighty strong as Andrea struggles, and you guys are remembered everyday as we praise God and ask for healing for each of you whether it is a physical, emotional or spiritual battle you are facing. Andrea sends her love to each of you for being such diligent prayer warriors.

New Pesky Lung Infection

Frustration....as soon as Andrea begins to gain strength and everyone tells her that it is so much easier to understand her, a new lung infection pops up that weakens her whole body. She started two new antibiotics/antifungals today that we hope will zap the culprits. Andrea still went to occupational therapy today before going to the apheresis clinic to receive the first antifungal. It was at OT she realized how weak she really did feel.
We really appreciate the prayers and please know that we think of you all daily, too.

Best Medicine Possible

Sorry for not updating sooner, but we have had extra appointments on top of Andrea's regular busy schedule. We are still looking for a source of continued lung infections that seem to keep her energy low.
The good news is that while her and J.'s bedroom was being painted last weekend, Andrea went to the Martin's ranch. Last Saturday was absolutely gorgeous and Andrea drove her wheelchair down the ranch road to see where they process the deer. It was a great weekend as she got to spend it with J.'s grandmother, too.
This weekend Andrea is out in Katy with us while the tile in their bathroom floor is being replaced.
Now that she is confident that I can pack up all the stuff she needs, Andrea may be planning our weekends now!
We continue to think of you all in our thoughts and prayers.

More Tests

The MRI showed results of needing more tests that need to be performed. Hopefully, these will take place within the next 2 weeks. In the meantime, Andrea will continue with the rigorous schedule of workouts, therapy and trying her best to heal. She is striving for the next level of improvement because I've noticed lately when people ask how she is she says "Could be better".
We are continuing to pray for each of you daily. Thanks for checking the blog.

Continuing to strive and stuggle

Andrea is a great trooper. She continues to try the best she can to gain strength every day. Dialysis continues Monday, Wednesday, Friday, with MDA Physical Therapy Tuesday, Thursday, MDA Occupational Therapy on Tuesday, and Speech Therapy on Thursday. However, she is still struggling to see improvement. In some areas, I can say she is stronger, but in others, it is difficult. I think the biggest obstacle is the recurring lung infection, which may be brought on by something else. Please pray that the MRI this Tuesday will bring some answers. We appreciate each comment on the blog as they give Andrea hope and encouragement through your prayers. She wishes so much that she can see and visit with each of you. We send our love to you all.

New Year and New Hopes

Andrea had an evaluation from the MD Anderson Rehab department that will focus on strengthening her lung capacity every Tuesday and Thursday. She still has dialysis on Mon, Wed, and Fri, so her work week is just like everyone else's now! Andrea amazes me for her drive and desire each day to get well.
We are wishing all of you a happy new year with goals and hopes of happiness.
p.s. Betty got Zeus and his friends Smokey, Tito and Juliet fun dog toys for Christmas that are so funny and amusing......

Successful Feeding Tube Replacement

The feeding tube was replaced with ease and no complications. Thank you for your prayers!

Andrea is starting a new routine of physical therapy and occupational therapy at home. Dialysis is at home, too, on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. She still goes to the Speech Therapist near Southwest Memorial Hospital, goes to MDA for blood draws on Sundays, and sees her MDA primary doctor there once a week. Antibiotics seem to be working and she sees that doctor next week for a change in medicines.

Andrea misses shopping this time of the year but at least we are out and about to enjoy the decorations everywhere. Betty and her friend, Missy, put up the tree and decorated J and Andrea's house. So sweet of them!
Have fun and be careful traveling and all during the holidays. We think of you all.

New Physical Therapist

Today a new Physical Therapist from Memorial Hermann came to the house since Andrea has been released from TIRR. Next appointment for her is Wednesday.
On Tuesday, plans are to change out the feeding tube in Andrea's tummy. Supposedly it is routine as the feeding tubes wear out often. She will need to go under anethesia, so please keep Andrea in your prayers at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday!
The antibiotics are making Andrea feel a bit better.
Thank you for your faithful prayers, and we remember your needs, too.

Meds Working

The internal medicine doctor prescribed one more antibiotic this past week, which means Andrea is taking 4 antibiotics to clear her lungs. We can see good improvement this past week and she is gaining some strength back. We worked out on the exercise mat for an hour and a half this afternoon and she stood in her wheelchair for 30 to 45 minutes. I really do not think I am biased when I say that I admire Andrea's spunk and tenacity.
Please keep the prayers coming as we pray for you all, too.

Close Call but Okay!

The infection in Andrea's lungs is causing her oxygen levels to go down. Her doctor wanted to admit her into MDA from the emergency room, but Andrea convinced him to give her the medicine she needed and send her home because she likes the care she receives at home over the masses of nurses and doctors as in-patient who may have the flu. Her doctor reluctantly agreed, and the pulmonary doctor saw to it that she got an oxygen bottle to use at home should she need it again. So, with new medicine and as-needed oxygen, Andrea is up and trying to get better again. She is also receiving dialysis 3 times a week now which should help clear the lungs.
Your faithful prayers are soooo much appreciated.

Emergency Room

EMS took Andrea to the MDA Emergency Room last night because her oxygen levels kept dropping to an unsafe level. As soon as Andrea got oxygen from the EMS, she was okay, so hopefully she can get oxygen to bring home today and not have to be admitted.
Please pray.

Identified Secondary Infection

We got a call from MDA today that there is an infection in Andrea's lungs. Right now they are trying to see if they can send the medicine home or if she will have to go back into the hospital. For those of you who have been to Andrea and J's house, you know home is a better hospital than MDA, so it is just a question of getting the right medicine to treat the infection.
Please continue your steadfast and immediate prayers and remember that we pray for you all too.

Hanging in There

Andrea is enjoying the new wheelchair and the ability to stand up in it every day. I had to excuse myself as a "student driver" when trying to manuever tight spots at MD Anderson and that way I get to laugh at myself and everyone else can laugh too.
The doctors had Andrea take an MRI of the abodmen this past week hoping to find an infection that is causing her white blood cells to be elevated. They didn't find anything amiss. However, they do know there is an infection somewhere, but no fever, which is frustrating because it is hard to treat. Broad range antibiotics have such a hard affect on the liver and kidneys. Andrea was especially sad to miss one of her best friend's wedding because of this latest pesky problem.
Please pray for this nerve disruption to pass and the infection to be resolved.
We think of you all each day in our prayers.

Very Encouraged

Have you seen the cartoon movie "The Incredibles"? I really liked it because the leading man was a guy named Bob! Also one of the movie's highlights is most people's tortured feelings when it comes to actually using their insurance plans.
Well, we've gone through insurance trials during these past 4 years, but right now all I can say is that Andrea is driving a motorized wheelchair that also goes into a standing position when she wants or needs it to. It gives her independence in her own home, endurance in the standing position, and she can do so many of her physical therapy motions while she is in the wheelchair. She has been very encouraged by this new form of assistance and we are very pleased.
Thank you for your prayers, and please know that we pray for you too.

New Responses

This past week the TIRR physcial therapist applied nerve stimulation to Andrea's right leg (which has been pretty much numb) and got some really good response. Since then Andrea has been able to slightly kick it, move and bend it more. yeah! The therapist says it is a good indication that Andrea will be able to walk again.......however, we know that could take a long time. TIRR occupational therapist mainly works on Andrea's right arm and hand which is showing some movement. The speech therapist continues to work on Andrea's muscles in her mouth and speech even though the feeling has not returned.
In the mean time Zeus loves being in his new home and welcomes Smokey (Betty's dog) or Tito (Bob's dog) very often and they all provide plenty of entertainment for the weekends.
Andrea still requires dialysis which makes her fatigued and is a real drag that limits shopping time or going places.
We are still asking prayers for the kidneys to restart and the hypeintensity to go away so the numbness will dissapate in her face and lips.
You all are so kind to read this blog and we think of you all daily because we know you have ups and downs in your lives, too.

Healing, but slow

It has been a while since the last posting, but more of the same has been transpiring with doctor visits, dialysis, and TIRR rehabilitation physical and occupational therapy. We are so busy that the weeks fly by quickly.
Andrea is regaining strength but is still frustrated with the numbness in her lips and mouth. Still, she pushes on for healing each day and I am encouraged by her willingness to push forward in the midst of headaches or fatigue.
Thank you for your continued prayers. We think of you daily, too.

Stronger but continued frustration

Andrea is doing well at TIRR and has become strong enough that they arranged for her to try out a motorized wheelchair that also moves into the standing position. She is just now trying it out, so it will be a while before she decides on which one will be the right fit for her.
As she becomes stronger it is just so strange that Andrea's mouth has become numb. The neuro doctor said that even though the MRI showed improvement of the brain scan, the hyperintensity is resting over the sensory part so that would explain the numbness in the mouth and face.
We just keep on praying that this nerve disruption dissapates quickly, and thank you for yours.

Step by step

Andrea continues to try to improve each day with each doctor's, physical therapy or dialysis treatment. She can even con me or Betty into shopping for her and J's new house on the way home from these visits. Any distraction from these very difficult times is a treat as they build a more comfortable home for themsleves. We all admire her and J as they strive each day for a physical health.
The last MRI showed great improvement overall, but the hyperintensity over the part of the brain that controls motor skills is there, so we need to pray that it dissappates quickly. The neuro doctor said it may take 18 months or longer for all of this to occur, and it has been 7 months so far. Please pray for total healing......The TIRR therapists are so encouraging and rejoice at every improvement Andrea makes.
Your prayers are so important, as we pray for you all each day.

Busy Schedule

Andrea has her ups and downs but is continuing to get a little better overall. Her determination comes from faith, hope and prayer that she will be able to eat and walk again. She has appointments every day of the week. When the lungs get clear enough our first hope is that she can drop the Tuesday and Saturday dialysis. Even on Sundays we go to MDA for a blood test and lung x-rays, which are improving.
Thank you for your continued steadfast prayers.