When things are cruising along smoothly, one can get a little cocky, a feeling of we got this, everything is under control. Along comes the monkey wrench to remind you we're not out of the water yet. Last night Dennis and I were getting Jerry in the standing frame when Jerry got his first real case of A.D. (Autonomic Dysreflexia). Maybe we were a little prideful that Jerry hadn't gotten AD yet as it is common for his level of injury. Shortly after getting Jerry to a full stand he began to have spasms` which isn't entirely unusual. It became unusual however when he began to have full body spasms. It started with the left side of the body spasming and then the right and back and forth. Jerry's arms began to spasm and his fingers started to make a fist uncontrollably, he started to get a headache along with goose bumps and anxiety, all this took about 5 to 8 minutes. Jerry Suspected he was beginning to have AD so I took his blood pressure and sure enough it was dangerously high 166/111, normally he runs about 115/70. We immediately got him out of the standing frame and began searching for the cause. Unfortunately we didn't figure out what brought on the AD however we were able to get his blood pressure down to a normal range within 30 minutes. Another reminder he's more fragile then we think.
Jerry has had two sessions of acupuncture and has decided acupuncture is not for him. I was disappointed because I think acupuncture has many benefits and it was unfortunate Jerry didn't feel the same.
Jerry still is struggling with the nausea, Sunday was particularly bad. Jerry hates going to bed at night because he knows he will be waking up with nausea. I can't believe we are 8 months into this nightmare and are still struggling with nausea. AAARRRRGGGGG!!!!!!!!
We had a wonderful visit with my Aunt and cousins who were here over the weekend, we even managed to get out for a hike at Big Basin State park. Jerry's chair handled the terrain pretty good but he did feel a little beat up by the end of the day because it was somewhat gravely.
Please continue to keep Jerry in your prayers. We are beginning to research stem cell surgery in China and India. Pray for guidance in our search and as always pray that he will be healed and walk again.
I think that's all I got for now, much love,
Katie
23 comments:
Leah Potts has had great success with stem cell treatment in India. Please check out her website for more information.
Thinking of you all and praying for you - for strength, courage, peace, perseverance, determination and most of all Jerry's healing.
Love,
The Browns
OMGosh! Another scary episode in the life and times of Jerry MacCallister.
We're praying for complete healing and sending lot's of love your way.
Keep positive thoughts and a happy heart. You will be mended!
Love,
The Luboffs
P.S. Luke is heading off to Cal Poly on Friday so you two better get together soon.
Always remembering you, Jerry.
As always, your names are never far from my lips or prayers. Thanks for the update and specifics.
Love you lots!
Trish
Jerry
I'm sorry you have had some pretty rough times. I pray that things get easier for you.
Love
Grandma
I do remember you all and will keep praying. My heart skips a beat when I read about the scary episodes so I can only imagine what it must be like for all of you. May God give you strength, healing and answers to what treatment to follow. Bless you all.
Robin P.
Always praying for you Jerry, & your folks.
Today & tomorrow especially praying for you to stay cool.
Something in the news the other day about Craig(s?) Hospital in Colorado - quadriplegic, (C2 ?) who had been there since July & feels he has made 'leaps & bounds'...I was very impressed. I can email the piece, it's somewhere here on my hard drive.
SFerry
Shoot, Jerry, don't lose hope Seek strength from those around you.
12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Exodus
You are in my daily thoughts. I pray for your healing on many levels. Perseverance is not for the weak or faint of heart. Yours is awesome and strong. Keep your eyes on God as he performs miracles every day!
Best wishes to you today, Jerry, ..sorry about your muscles acting up all on their own, ..mine have done that too (pulled back muscles on a cold day) ..that has put me out on the ground at times, back twitching and me not able to get up.
But after some time, my control over those muscles comes back (..sometimes very slowly!) and I am then able to gingerly crawl over to a log to lay against and rest.
Life is hard sometimes, ..and you've got a great challenge before you, too. But you are a strong guy, and you're the guy who can beat this, okay?
Hey, ..I've also had ulcers (too much coffee and junk food on the road!) So I also know "nausea" (..something about "acids in the stomach"). Do you sleep in the same position every night? Maybe that makes the "acids" pool in the same spot, for 8 hours, every night. You probably already take a spoonful of Pepto Bismol, ..or a Pepcid pill, before bed, ..but is there any way you can vary your sleeping positions?
Hey, ..today is Saturday, ..hope you get to have something that makes you smile or laugh today. You're a great guy, and you deserve it!
You're the leader Jerry, ..show us the way!
Seems I check in on days when things are not so good. Am praying for you Jerry~ that God would give you emotional strength to get through these rough times. For you and Katie, too, Dennis, and all the family, that He would strengthen your hearts and encourage you in a unique way today. You guys are amazing.
Katie & Dennis,
I chatted w/Jessica last evening and am reminded that your road continues to be a rough one. Your whole family has had to adjust to this new course. My thoughts and prayers are with you as each day presents new challenges, along with the same old ones. I hope for renewed strength to come your way, as well as the blessings that reveal themselves with each sunrise.
With warm regards,
Theresa
Hey Jer, thought I'd drop you a quick note. Just got back from Irvine. Got to cheer for Mitchel as Fresno was there - oh, got a hug too! :) Picture this, an apartment with six people subletting two rooms for two+ months, five of them young men, two bathroom sinks, one kitchen with counter space comfortable for four at the bar/table and no cleanser or glass cleaner. Yep, that's what Chris walked into, not to mention all their stuff. Glad it was him and not me.
Mary is settling in to Chico. She loves her anatomy class, though it is really hard. Her teacher reminds her of X. She's really wanting to get more active. The PT is going well, it's just going too slowly - something I'm sure you can appreciate more than others.
Anyway, just wanted to drop you a line and say Hey! You and your recovery remain priorities in my daily prayers as do your family. Give your mom a kiss for me.
See you soonly.
Trish
Hi Jerry and Family. We have never met but I have been praying for Jerrys recovery. You are all blessed to have such a supportive and loving family and a strong group of friends. I hope you will continue blogging to keep the world updated because I want to know when Jerry makes his strides to a full recovery.
Keep on keeping on Jerry!
Hi, just dropping in to say stay cool these next several days during heat wave - nights aren't expected to cool down much, and houses can get "heat soaked" ....
Is your air conditioner installed yet? anything anyone can do to help?
sorry the heat is so very hard on you Jerry. Sounds like you are going to be needing a dip in the pool!
Each night praying for no nausea for you in the mornings. Wishing for you sweet dreams each night!
still have small airshow poster I had signed for you....keep missing Laura to take it to work & drop off.
Stay cool, Sunday the heat begins and it is expected to be dangerously hot.
:) SFerry
Hi MacCallisters,
Sorry I haven't been writing much lately but that doesn't mean your not on my mind or in my heart.
Ed and I are trying to get used to life without kids (have not had an empty house in 32 years).
Jer, let me know when you want to go visit Luke. Like Chris, he's got 4 roomates but 5 bedrooms, a big kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Oh and he's on the 5th floor with an elevator. Pretty cool. Mom and me can hang out together if you want. There is tons to do in SLO plus it's a hop skip and a jump from Pismo Beach.
Praying for healing and sending you lot's of love!
Gretchen
Keep up the good work Jerry.
keep working hard.
I hope all is well.
Hey guys, we're still here with you! Daily praise and thanksgiving for Jerry, for Katie and Dennis, for Josh, for Jenea and for Jess. Our prayers continue to hold you securely in the love of Christ, for restoration and encouragement.
Having been one of the loudest parents cheering you on in XC - couldn't hold a candle to Gretchen - I continue to cheer through my prayers. Often I'll recall that night at VMC when Mary brought you the eclair and there were two more bites left, but you'd had your fill. Your dad goaded, "You can do ittttt!" It's everyday, one day at a time. We do it with you!
See you soonly - oh and Mentos Mary is at it again.
Much love,
Trish and Buel
Dear Dennis, Katie and Jerry:
I have been praying for Jerry and following the blog. I know that God has a good purpose in all of the pain and struggle. He never wastes pain.
Have you considered a legal action against the ATV manufacturer? If so, I have a Christian attorney friend who handles those types of case. I think it is worth considering. You only have two years from the date of the injury to file suit. Please call me or email me with any questions.
In Christ,
Tim Smith (Loretta Belgum's nephew)
916-201-6964
timsmithlaw@gmail.com
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