Dad Update!

As many of you know, Dad has been back in the hospital since last Tuesday. The infection he had during his first stay is back. They thought they knew what it was and were treating it accordingly, however once he returned home, he started to get very sick again - just like in the days following surgery before he ended up in ICU.

He returned once to the ER with concern that it was just the picc line that was infected. The line was checked and he was sent home. They returned to the ER last Tuesday and were admitted. It seems that the picc line was infected and the original infection in the blood was still present.

They have done new cultures on the blood infection. They thought they had identified the infection and started to treat it with a new drug. Within 48 hours the culture had grown into something new, so they changed to yet another new drug today. Only time will tell if the culture will continue to grow.

We really do want him to come home, but not until the infection has been clearly identified and there is a clear course of treatment. Please continue to pray that these things will work out soon. He has been in the hospital 27 days total and he is a little stir crazy.

We all appreciate your prayers so much. I'm sorry I've been a little out of touch. I returned from New Orleans and went to Houston to be with Mom and Dad. I just got to their house in Nederland tonight and I'll be here or back and forth to Houston for a while. Dad has read all of your sweet facebook notes and we are still getting many of your cards in the mail. As I have said before, we have faith for Dad's complete healing. This has been quite a journey.

Sidenote: Great trip Amy and Christa - more NOLA pics soon.

More New Orleans and Dad Update

After our plantation tours we had to go back to the hotel to rest. Later we visited a New Orleans classic, Cafe Du Monde for coffee and beignets. They were wonderful!

After Cafe Du Monde we took a carriage ride. Our driver was named Louis and his horse was Onyx, both were characters. Onyx has a habit of stepping out in front of moving cars. Lets just say it was an interesting ride.

Tuesday we visited the National WWII Museum and then road the famous St, Charles Street Trolley through the Garden District. We ended the day with a seafood dinner at Bubba Gump, one of our favorite places.

Today we traveled to Avery Island to tour the Tabasco plant and drive through the Jungle Gardens. I'll post pictures of the past two days soon. We head back to Dallas tomorrow.

My dad is back in the hospital in Houston. He has more than one infection that they are treating. Mom is there with him. Please pray that they will be able to return home soon.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Christa, Amy and I arrived in New Orleans yesterday. We headed to Mulate's for dinner and to listen to the live band!

This morning we drove over to Oak Alley Plantation for a tour. The home has been featured in many movies and on a few TV shows.

This is the view from the veranda.


Cooling down with some Mint Juleps!

Next, we toured the Laura Plantation. This was a Creole plantation. Both Laura and Oak Alley were sugar cane plantations.


I love the glass bottles at the base of this tree. It's a cool idea for flower beds.

Ups and Downs.

Dad came home from MD Anderson last Wed. He will be on IV drug therapy for 3 weeks. He has a picc line in his arm for this. Mom as been trained to administer the drug twice daily. This morning my mom noticed that the line looked infected. They are now back in the ER at MD Anderson. Please pray that this can be resolved and that they can go back to Nederland tonight.

I just got back to Dallas yesterday afternoon. I have a trip planned for this week and then I will go back to Nederland and just plan to stay for the summer if I need to do so.

Pray for my mom and she is handling all of this herself. It's going to be a rough week for her.

Singing His Praises All The Day Long!

We are praising the Lord tonight. Dad is out of ICU and in a regular room. He is doing much better. We can't not thank you all enough for all of love and support and most of all for your heartfelt prayers.

I was reminded this week by one of Dad's doctors that "There has to be a test to have a testimony." What a great testimony our family has always had and even more so now.

Please continue to pray for complete healing. He is still very weak. He is having to adjust to real food seeing as he has been fed through IV for the last week. The infection is still draining from the abdomen and that situation will have to improve. He is also having to adjust to some new medications with several side effects.

I wanted to post earlier today, but I couldn't get a connection at the hospital today?? Sorry for this being so late.

With Love and Appreciation,
Betsy

News!

Dad had a good day today. The took him off the vent and took the breathing tube out. He woke up and stayed awake talking to us most of the day. His kidneys are still working and there will be more answers about the infection in the abdomen when we speak with his team of doctors in the morning. He is still a little confused about what all has occurred, but who wouldn't be? Please continue to pray for the doctors as they come up with a plan to treat this infection and it's cause. Please pray that the kidneys will continue to function and that his lungs will improve. Also pray that he will continue to rest and have peace of mind.

Thank you so much for your continued prayer and support of our family.

Weekend Update!

My has written a letter to the church family that is posted on the church website and Steffi also posted it on Facebook. We are not expecting any changes through the weekend. We are thankful that he is able to rest. We hope to see the team of doctors again Monday morning and move forward.

Please continue to share this blog site and the church website with those who are praying and wanting updates. Steffi and I are also trying to post on Facebook daily. If you are a member of a church please continue to ask your church family to pray as well. We love and appreciate each of you.

Procter Baptist Website
www.procterbaptisthome.org