Not Today

I can't believe we are still here in the hospital, it's time to go home.  We are now looking at hopefully being released by Friday. Jerry's INR level needs to be between 2 and 3, yesterday his INR was 1.5, today 1.6 at this rate we're never getting out of here.  OK that's an exaggeration obviously, it just seems to be taking way to long to get the INR level up.  Pray for 2 tomorrow.

Good night,

Katie

Ballgame Update

I hope to see you all at the San Jose Giants vs. Modesto Nuts ballgame to benefit Jerry's therapy.  Just a quick reminder the game is this Sunday Aug 15th.  Tickets purchased at the box office will NOT benefit Jerry's assistance fund.  To benefit Jerry's assistance fund you can purchase your tickets online through this blog.  Tickets purchased online by Wednesday will be mailed, tickets purchased online after Wednesday can be picked up at will call at the stadium.  You can also pick up your tickets at the following locations:

Cycle Sport
245 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley

Video 9
12550 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek

Stanford Automotive
110 Stanford Ave, Santa Cruz

You can also send an email to katie@ihwy.com if you would like to make alternative arrangements to get your tickets. 

See you all there, GO GIANTS!!!!

Katie

Out of ICU

Jerry was moved out of ICU today up to the second floor, whoohoo, next move home.  Jerry has to be on a blood thinner for at least 6 months, he will be released from the hospital when his INR (International Normalized Ratio) is within a specified range.  Jerry's INR has to be stable for 2 days before they will release him, the simplified version of that means they have to be sure his blood is not to thick or to thin. Blood is drawn every morning to check Jerry's INR level and if it's not in the range it needs to be they adjust the dosage of his blood thinner. As of yet Jerry's INR is not where it needs to be, once they get it where they want it he has to stay at the hospital another two days to be monitored.  So if today's blood test shows Jerry's INR levels where they need to be then we get to come home on Tuesday. That's the update for the day, I'm headed back to the hospital.

xoxoxo
Katie

Good News / Bad News

I'll start with the bad news, it looks like Jerry has developed a small case of pneumonia in the lung that has the clots, he's being treated for it and they don't expect that it will get any worse.  The good news is it hasn't affected his breathing and it's not causing him any discomfort.  There's more good news, they're ready to move Jerry out of ICU, and more slightly less bad news, they have no where to move him to, at this point there are no available beds.  So we may or may not be moving out of ICU dependent upon the bed availability, the comforting factor is he no longer needs to be in ICU.  That's the update of the day we'll keep you posted if theres any changes.

Much love going out to y'all,

Katie

Quick Update

Thanks to all for the prayers and warm wishes of healing for Jerry.  I'm home for a short break, checking messages, returning calls as well as a much needed shower.  OK don't say yuck but yeah I've been in the same clothes and haven't had a shower since Jerry was admitted to ICU on Wednesday, I think I just heard someone say eewww, yeah that's about how it felt.  Any how, Jerry was admitted for a Pulmonary Embolism which is a fancy way of saying blood clots in the lungs. After speaking with his doctor this afternoon turns out Jerry had several small clots pass through his heart and distributed into his right lung. That's the bad news, the good news is now that the clots are in the lungs that's where they'll stay until they're dissolved with blood thinners. My understanding is the clots can't leave the lungs to reak havoc elsewhere.  It may take several weeks for the clots to fully dissolve however we are expecting that Jerry should be able to come home by Monday.  Jerry was in a great deal of pain and had moments of difficult breathing however I think they've finally found the right combo of meds to make him comfortable and he only had to be on oxygen for less then a day.  Jerry seems to be feeling a lot better and is a little more like himself, he even smiled a few times and was cuttin up on me.  I'll take a little razzing any day of the week, it kinda lets me know he's doing OK.  :-D
I better get back to the hospital and give Dennis a break.

Thanks again for the love and support,
xoxoxo
Katie Mac

P.S. We fully plan on Jerry being well enough for the SJ Giants game.  You can still order tickets online, don't panic if you don't get them in the mail right away. I promise as soon as Jerry's home I'll get the tickets in the mail.  See y'all there, Go Giants!!!

Friday Afternoon

Just talked with Dennis and here is the update.....

Jerry has been struggling with a lot of pain today, but his fever has subsided for now--which is great.   He is resting and taking it really easy, and is pretty much just waiting for the symptoms to subside and his body to fight things off.

Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts...it's appreciated.

Jerry Update

Just a quick update about Jerry....

You local folks might already know that Jerry is currently hospitalized, and will likely remain so the next 3-5 days.  He has two blood clots in his right lung, is experiencing a lot of pain, and is also running a fever.   Dennis and Katie feel like the medical team is getting a good handle on it, and Jerry has spent the day zonked out after a really rough night.

So, if you can pray for Jerry, and also for Dennis and Katie, that would be fantastic.

For the Macs,
Marci