I am beginning to think Jim likes it at St. Lukes! I can say that because his most recent stay wasn't anything extremely serious. I feel like I need to make light of it all! He said he wanted to give me something to blog about! Funny Jim!
I haven't blogged lately because until Sunday no new was good news.
Throughout Sunday night and the wee hours of Monday morning were rough. Marie stayed up most of the night with Jim. He was having some trouble breathing regularly and was in a lot of pain. Because of the broken ribs Jim suffered during CPR last weekend, it is very painful for him to breathe deeply. That makes it pretty nerve racking for Marie, when his oxygen levels are already lower at night, and as she is laying next to him, she is constantly checking on him to make sure he is ok. If you have ever brought a new baby home from the hopital and stayed up and watched the baby breathe all night, you know exactly what Marie is going through.
Marie took Jim in to the doctor's office first thing Monday morning. They had concerns about yet more fluid in his lungs and decided to put Jim back into the hospital overnight for observation.
The staff got some advanced notice this time and they were prepared...not with medical supplies, but a poster welcoming him back. Jim is a bit of a legend these days at St. Lukes!
After the homecoming settled, the doctor examined him, and ran some tests. There is additional fluid building up in Jim's lungs. At this point they have decided to leave the fluid there and hope that it resolves itself. It would be too risky to drain it again as they would have to take him off of his blood thinners to do the procedure. The clots in his arms and legs are still fairly large and they do not want them to get any larger, or dislodge.
Luckily this was just an overnight visit and Jim was released today. They are struggling to manage his pain, because the pain medication slows Jim's breathing, and also could be the cause of his cardiac arrest last weekend. It has been a constant stuggle for the doctors to give him the right amount of pain meds to make him comfortable but not jeapordize his breathing. The solution for now is to put Jim on an oxygen saturation monitor that he has to wear all night. I hope that this will allow them both to sleep better. Good night to all! Kristy
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Home again
Jim finally got to come home today!
Not much new to report...he has just been resting and recovering. They have been keeping a close eye on him in the hospital. Their main concerns are watching his heart activity and his oxygen saturation levels. Unfortunatley he has to come home on oxygen but only at night.
I posted the donation information to the left...If you do make a donation, the family has asked that you email your address as they would like to send out a card to show their appreciation! Thanks you all for everything!
I will keep you all posted on his recovery process!
Not much new to report...he has just been resting and recovering. They have been keeping a close eye on him in the hospital. Their main concerns are watching his heart activity and his oxygen saturation levels. Unfortunatley he has to come home on oxygen but only at night.
I posted the donation information to the left...If you do make a donation, the family has asked that you email your address as they would like to send out a card to show their appreciation! Thanks you all for everything!
I will keep you all posted on his recovery process!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Long Weekend
Things have settled down a little bit for now, but it was a very eventful weekend. Friday night, Jim and Marie invited Pat over for sushi. Shortly after dinner, Jim was convulsing again and was having a hard time breathing. Marie was forced to call the paramedics. When the paramedics got there, his oxygen levels were in the 50's. He spent the evening in the ER while they did ANOTHER cat scan and ANOTHER chest xray and MORE lab work! You know, the usual routine. Jim is the only guy I know that would remotely consider these tests his "normal routine". By the time I got there, he was settled down and doing ok. His fever was way up there, but his oxygen levels had come up. The chest xray showed more pneumonia and the fever indicated infection, though they aren't sure where. They decided to keep him in the hospital to monitor his O2 saturation and get some IV antibiotics. Considering that that was all...that was a huge relief to us all. Just a speed bump...not a road block...right?
They moved him to a hospital room and Marie and I finally left at around 1 o'clock in the morning and left Jim to get some well needed rest.
An hour later, Marie got the call that Jim had gone into cardiac arrest and they had to resuscitate him! He had ripped out his IV's, and taken off his O2. He was scared. Terrified at what had just happened to him. So were we.
Marie got there immediately and helped the staff get him talked down and hooked back up to everything. By the time I got there around 3am, he was moved to an CCU room and somewhat calm.
He recalled all of the events to me...so vividly.
"I died." he said
"And I didn't want to be there. It was a bad place. I wasn't ready to be there."
He had thought all of the nurses and doctors that were performing CPR on him were trying to put him in the "bad place." Which is why he had ripped out his Iv's and such. He now realizes that that was not the case at all. He apologized to all of the staff, even though it was not necessary.
He is now out of CCU, but not out of the woods...still in the hospital...still with not definite answers as to why...It is frustrating for us all.
I for one am just glad after this weekend's events that Jim is still with us. Still hanging in there. Still fighting.
Let this be a reason to give your loved ones an extra kiss at night. Live everyday as if it were your last. Don't ever forget to tell the people that matter that you love them. Trust me, you can't say it enough.
They moved him to a hospital room and Marie and I finally left at around 1 o'clock in the morning and left Jim to get some well needed rest.
An hour later, Marie got the call that Jim had gone into cardiac arrest and they had to resuscitate him! He had ripped out his IV's, and taken off his O2. He was scared. Terrified at what had just happened to him. So were we.
Marie got there immediately and helped the staff get him talked down and hooked back up to everything. By the time I got there around 3am, he was moved to an CCU room and somewhat calm.
He recalled all of the events to me...so vividly.
"I died." he said
"And I didn't want to be there. It was a bad place. I wasn't ready to be there."
He had thought all of the nurses and doctors that were performing CPR on him were trying to put him in the "bad place." Which is why he had ripped out his Iv's and such. He now realizes that that was not the case at all. He apologized to all of the staff, even though it was not necessary.
He is now out of CCU, but not out of the woods...still in the hospital...still with not definite answers as to why...It is frustrating for us all.
I for one am just glad after this weekend's events that Jim is still with us. Still hanging in there. Still fighting.
Let this be a reason to give your loved ones an extra kiss at night. Live everyday as if it were your last. Don't ever forget to tell the people that matter that you love them. Trust me, you can't say it enough.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Donation Fund Repost
Hey all!
Many of you have asked me to repost the donation fund information.
Donations can be made at any Bank Of America location. The account name is Jim Weathers Donation Fund. If you are outside of Idaho or Washington you may need an account number to deposit funds. I won't post the account number as this website is not secure. If you would like the account number or routing number to wire funds, please call or email me and I will be more than happy to get you the information! Thank you so much for all of your support!
Kristy
208-283-6928
loveforjimweathers@gmail.com
Many of you have asked me to repost the donation fund information.
Donations can be made at any Bank Of America location. The account name is Jim Weathers Donation Fund. If you are outside of Idaho or Washington you may need an account number to deposit funds. I won't post the account number as this website is not secure. If you would like the account number or routing number to wire funds, please call or email me and I will be more than happy to get you the information! Thank you so much for all of your support!
Kristy
208-283-6928
loveforjimweathers@gmail.com
Good day!
Jim is doing good today! I got to see him and give him a big hug! He is up and about but moving pretty slow and wears out fast. Still much better than he has been in the last month! Huge improvements! He has come a long way!
Thought I would post a pic of the guy! This is when he was in the hospital...I will try to get a more recent pic posted soon. Needless to say, he doesn't care if he ever wears one of those sexy hospital gowns ever again! Let's pray he never needs to!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
He's HOME!
Woo hoo! Jim has finally made it home. He is feeling much better. Better than I have seen him in over a month now. His spirits are up and we are seeing him smile for the first time in a long time. You would never know that a week ago he was on a ventilator. If any of you have had the chance to talk to him, you can hear it in his voice. Jim is back...well almost! Still a long road ahead of him.
Thank goodness for Susan. She went to the hospital last night and cut his hair and trimmed his goatee! That is a dedicated hairstylist! What a girl! He looks like a brand new man!
Jim finally got to read the comments that everyone has posted on this blog. It means so much to him to know that you are all out there pulling for him and sending all your love, support and prayers.
He won't be able to travel for quite some time so most of you won't be seeing him anytime soon. But you can all call him if you want to chat. I will post the home address again for those of you who would like to send cards!
Jim Weathers
924 W Carmen Ave
Boise, ID 83704
Love,
Kristy
Thank goodness for Susan. She went to the hospital last night and cut his hair and trimmed his goatee! That is a dedicated hairstylist! What a girl! He looks like a brand new man!
Jim finally got to read the comments that everyone has posted on this blog. It means so much to him to know that you are all out there pulling for him and sending all your love, support and prayers.
He won't be able to travel for quite some time so most of you won't be seeing him anytime soon. But you can all call him if you want to chat. I will post the home address again for those of you who would like to send cards!
Jim Weathers
924 W Carmen Ave
Boise, ID 83704
Love,
Kristy
Monday, January 12, 2009
Bummer!
Jim unfortunately isn't coming home today. One more day of observation. They are changing a few of his medications to make it more affordable to come home. They are hoping to not have to send him home on the "$1000 every 5 day" medication. So it is not that he is not doing well, just that they want to be sure this time that he doesn't end up back in a few days like last time. Everyone say your prayers and keep your fingers crossed!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Great weekend!
Jim has had a really great weekend! His pain is becoming more and more manageable, the clots are dissolving, and the pneumonia is almost gone! If all goes well, he should be able to come home tomorrow! I will keep you posted!
Kristy
Kristy
Friday, January 9, 2009
Out of CCU
Jim was moved out of CCU today! He is doing well and his pain has subsided somewhat. He says it is about a 3 or a 4 which is a LOT lower than it has been in the last month. What a huge relief!
Still no word on when he might be able to come home which is what he wants more than anything right now. He still faces a long recovery, but with all of your love and support it will make it so much easier.
Everyday continues to amaze me. I have realize just how many people are out there that Jim has touched their lives. Seeing all of your comments on the blog and the HUGE out-pouring of love is absolutely AMAZING!
Please remember you can send cards to their home address to show him you are all thinking of him. And if anyone would like to donate to the fund that is in place to help them through this difficult time, you can do so at Bank of America...Jim Weathers donation fund. If you are outside of Idaho or Washington, you may need an account number to complete the transaction. If you need that account number you may call me at 208-283-6928.
Love to all!
Kristy
Still no word on when he might be able to come home which is what he wants more than anything right now. He still faces a long recovery, but with all of your love and support it will make it so much easier.
Everyday continues to amaze me. I have realize just how many people are out there that Jim has touched their lives. Seeing all of your comments on the blog and the HUGE out-pouring of love is absolutely AMAZING!
Please remember you can send cards to their home address to show him you are all thinking of him. And if anyone would like to donate to the fund that is in place to help them through this difficult time, you can do so at Bank of America...Jim Weathers donation fund. If you are outside of Idaho or Washington, you may need an account number to complete the transaction. If you need that account number you may call me at 208-283-6928.
Love to all!
Kristy
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Back on Track
What a rough couple of days!
Today Jim is breathing on his own! After two days of being intubated, they were finally able to take his tube out. He doesn't remember much of the experience, which is a blessing. He is finally awake, alert and coherent and to all of you that I have spoken to in the last few days, I let him know what you asked me to tell him!
His pain has subsided considerably due largely in part to his surgery last night, in which they were able to remove most of the blood that surrounded his liver that had not yet absorbed. During the exploratory surgery, they also searched for an answer to mystery behind all of this, and still came up with nothing.
It has been absolutly heart-breaking to watch Jim helplessly go through all of this and to not have an answer is beyond frustrating. At this point we can only hope for a full and speedy recovery. We still don't know much about what is to come in the next couple of days, but I am sure you all feel the same relief that I do right now in knowing that he is doing well.
A heart-felt thank you goes out to all of you, because I know he is as well as he is right now because of ALL of you and your love and prayers!
Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible. - Mary McLeod Bethune
Today Jim is breathing on his own! After two days of being intubated, they were finally able to take his tube out. He doesn't remember much of the experience, which is a blessing. He is finally awake, alert and coherent and to all of you that I have spoken to in the last few days, I let him know what you asked me to tell him!
His pain has subsided considerably due largely in part to his surgery last night, in which they were able to remove most of the blood that surrounded his liver that had not yet absorbed. During the exploratory surgery, they also searched for an answer to mystery behind all of this, and still came up with nothing.
It has been absolutly heart-breaking to watch Jim helplessly go through all of this and to not have an answer is beyond frustrating. At this point we can only hope for a full and speedy recovery. We still don't know much about what is to come in the next couple of days, but I am sure you all feel the same relief that I do right now in knowing that he is doing well.
A heart-felt thank you goes out to all of you, because I know he is as well as he is right now because of ALL of you and your love and prayers!
Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible. - Mary McLeod Bethune
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
CCU
Last night Jim was admitted to CCU. His body was convulsing and shaking vigorously. He was stuggling to breathe and his oxygen saturation dropped into the 70s. They had to intubate him to help him breathe. They are unsure what the cause of all this is. They are continuing to run test after test, but still don't have any answers.
He is currently still intubated and hope to be able to take after 24 hours. They have him heavily sedated to insure his comfort and to give him the rest that he needs to heal. I wish I had better news to share. I will update as soon as I know anything new. As always, if anyone wants to call, you all know you can always call me!
Love to all,
Kristy
208-283-6928
He is currently still intubated and hope to be able to take after 24 hours. They have him heavily sedated to insure his comfort and to give him the rest that he needs to heal. I wish I had better news to share. I will update as soon as I know anything new. As always, if anyone wants to call, you all know you can always call me!
Love to all,
Kristy
208-283-6928
Monday, January 5, 2009
Hanging in There.
No news is good news today.
Jim is hanging in there. He is still in the hospital. Their main focus is to keep him as comfortable as possible. His condition remains about the same as yesterday.
Their concern right now is to get him breathing as deeply as possible. His lungs are not able to work as well as they would like right now. He has breathing exercises that they are having him do every hour to break up the fluid that has settled in the bottom of his lungs. Pray that tonight will be a GREAT night for Jim and tomorrow will be an even BETTER day!
Jim is hanging in there. He is still in the hospital. Their main focus is to keep him as comfortable as possible. His condition remains about the same as yesterday.
Their concern right now is to get him breathing as deeply as possible. His lungs are not able to work as well as they would like right now. He has breathing exercises that they are having him do every hour to break up the fluid that has settled in the bottom of his lungs. Pray that tonight will be a GREAT night for Jim and tomorrow will be an even BETTER day!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back...
Jim was admitted to the hospital again tonight.
Since Jim has been home, his condition has continued to worsen. Today the pain was no longer managable and Marie was forced to take him back to the ER this afternoon.
There is good news and bad news.
Good news first: The doctor's original presumption was that his liver was bleeding out again. His CT showed that this was not the case. Apparently however, the process that the liver takes to heal itself and absorb the blood that was previously in his liver cavity, is a VERY painful one. Jim was in excruciating pain. It hurt me to watch him hurt. Especially because it was Jim. The man who heals everyone elses pain.
Now the bad news: His chest xray showed that his pneumonia has gotten worse. There is more fluid now in both lungs...before it was just his right lung. His right lung has accumulated all the fluid back that they drained out of it on the 30th. His left lung is now infected as well. Because of the pneumonia, his lungs are getting weaker and weaker. He can only take short, shallow breaths.
The treatment for this is somewhat complicated. If they don't treat it right the first time, he will only get worse. They want to drain the fluid in his lungs again to make sure that they know what they are up against. If they are able to do a culture on the fluid, they would know better how to treat it. The problem being that he is on a blood thinner still to manage the blood clots that are still in his lungs and in his arm and legs. They can't do the procedure until he has been off the blood thinner for 24 hours. Not sure yet what decision they will make...I will be sure to post when I know more.
For now, they have his pain managed and he was comfortable when I left tonight.
As always, keep Jim in your prayers and close to your heart.
Love to all,
Kristy
Since Jim has been home, his condition has continued to worsen. Today the pain was no longer managable and Marie was forced to take him back to the ER this afternoon.
There is good news and bad news.
Good news first: The doctor's original presumption was that his liver was bleeding out again. His CT showed that this was not the case. Apparently however, the process that the liver takes to heal itself and absorb the blood that was previously in his liver cavity, is a VERY painful one. Jim was in excruciating pain. It hurt me to watch him hurt. Especially because it was Jim. The man who heals everyone elses pain.
Now the bad news: His chest xray showed that his pneumonia has gotten worse. There is more fluid now in both lungs...before it was just his right lung. His right lung has accumulated all the fluid back that they drained out of it on the 30th. His left lung is now infected as well. Because of the pneumonia, his lungs are getting weaker and weaker. He can only take short, shallow breaths.
The treatment for this is somewhat complicated. If they don't treat it right the first time, he will only get worse. They want to drain the fluid in his lungs again to make sure that they know what they are up against. If they are able to do a culture on the fluid, they would know better how to treat it. The problem being that he is on a blood thinner still to manage the blood clots that are still in his lungs and in his arm and legs. They can't do the procedure until he has been off the blood thinner for 24 hours. Not sure yet what decision they will make...I will be sure to post when I know more.
For now, they have his pain managed and he was comfortable when I left tonight.
As always, keep Jim in your prayers and close to your heart.
Love to all,
Kristy
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A New Year!
Finally! Late last night Jim got to come home! What a great way to start the new year! We all know it doesn't stop here, but it sure makes the light at the end of the tunnel a lot brighter.
Jim came home on 10 different medications, one of them costing $1000 for only a 10 day supply. He has applied for an assistance program to help him with the cost of these medications and are still waiting to hear back on what help if any he can get. If anyone know of any programs out there, please let us know. If Jim is unable to afford these medications, his condition will inevitably worsen.
He still faces a long recovery and still needs all of your thoughts and prayers. He has gotten this far with all of our love and support so keep it coming!
LOVE TO ALL AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Jim came home on 10 different medications, one of them costing $1000 for only a 10 day supply. He has applied for an assistance program to help him with the cost of these medications and are still waiting to hear back on what help if any he can get. If anyone know of any programs out there, please let us know. If Jim is unable to afford these medications, his condition will inevitably worsen.
He still faces a long recovery and still needs all of your thoughts and prayers. He has gotten this far with all of our love and support so keep it coming!
LOVE TO ALL AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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