Words of Wilbert

Got up early and took an Easter Lily and put it on JR,s Grave and also put one on Mom & Dads Grave. Thought I would get to see sunrise from there but it got cloudy and hid the rising sun.Went to church and then had Easter lunch at Beckys and Michaels with Wil and Kristen,Kyla and one of their friends along with Seth,Les,Micah,Annagrace,and Ester.Rocky would not come down to Michaels .Had a great lunch.

Its been a long day and a sad one!

I went to the Doctor earlier this week and the test that he had done to see if I still had any Bacterial infection came back negative. That was a boost to my confidence,finally something seems to have been cured.BUT ALAS!!!!

Today I discovered that I again have some internal bleeding. I dont know what that is.I have an appointment with a Specialist in Gastrointestinal problems next week.

I still miss J.R. More than you can imagine.Everything reminds me of her.

Right now I dont know of anyone in our immediate family that is not sick.Cancer, Diabeties,Flu,Colds,heart problems,Sore throat ,etc. Seems like we got it all!

But I know it could be worse,So we will just continue to pray and trust in the Lord!

Today is sunday and Michael,Wil and I are going to church.

The snow was so pretty falling and JR and I always liked to get out and play in it.It was so lonesome without her here to see its Beauty. But I know she saw it ,just not with me.Winter days are hard and lonesome.I wonder if spring will be any better.

WR

I am getting better . Appetite is good and I think I have turned the corner.

Thanks for all of your prayers!!!!!!

WR

Went back to the Heart Doctor today and he said things were going fine .No more Blood thinners at least for now.

Every thing seems to be ok with my heart.

Thanks for everyones PRAYERS!!!!!!

WR

Dad was released from the hospital today around 2:00 p.m. He is still weak, but he is looking better and has a little bit of his appetite back.

Dad has to continue taking a couple of antibiotics for the next 2 weeks or so. He has follow-up visits with the heart doctor and his primary physician next week.

Dad is glad to be home again. Thank you for your visits at the hospital, your telephone calls and emails, and most of all your prayers.

Dad had a fair night and today he said he felt some better. Breakfast wasn’t much to talk about. A few minutes after he ate the “issues” started again. However, at lunch time he ate some of his food which consisted of turkey and dressing - and for the first time in a long time he was able to taste his food. Dad has not been able to taste food for a very long time. In fact it stayed with him longer than the other meals have stayed.

He has been given a second antibiotic which is designed specifically for C-diff. This afternoon Dad’s countenance was remarkably better than it has been over the past two weeks. The heart doctor said his heart was looking good and for right now he will remain off the blood thinners; at least until his appointment next week.

So, maybe - just maybe this is the beginning of better days for Dad.

Again, thank you for your prayers and support.

Today we were told that one of the tests came back positive for Clostridium difficile infection referred to in the medical field as C - diff.  This infection occurs when bacteria, called Clostridium difficile, affect the colon. Risks factors are age (Dad likes it when he is told “at your age…”), antacids, antibiotics, dormant infection, hospital stay, etc. Most likely Dad’s came from taking a lot of antibiotics several weeks ago.

He is being treated with a specific antibiotic that is used to fight this type of infection, and he is still receiving fluids through an IV to keep him from getting dehydrated.

Dad looked a little better tonight, but the stomach/colon issues continue.

Please pray the antibiotic will fight the infection. Surgery is an alternative if the C - diff is very bad.

Last night was not one of Dad’s best nights. His blood pressure was low most of the night and his stomach issues continued. This morning around 5:30 a.m. blood was drawn to see if it had thickened enough for him to experience an endoscopy. It had and he did. This afternoon he underwent the procedure and the diagnosis: angiodysplasia. This is a condition which can be defined as the abnormal or enlarged blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract which can be a source of gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia. The most likely culprits - too many blood thinners.

The heart doctor came by and is currently taking Dad off all blood thinners - he was on three. We are not sure at this time if this is temporary or permanent. They are still waiting on more test results and they should be available tomorrow or Thursday. His blood count was low and he is getting 2 units of blood. He may have to have another heart cath to check and see if the blood clot found several weeks ago has dissolved.

This evening they started allowing Dad to eat jello and drink juices. Hopefully he will begin to get his strength back.

This is not the way he wanted to start his new year; but some news - in this case - is better than no news.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008

Dad received two units of plasma last night. His blood was checked and it was too thin. He was given two more units of plasma today and his blood was still too thin. Dad is going to get two more units of plasma this evening and through the night (this will make 6). Hopefully his blood will be thick enough to have one of the tests in the morning. The doctors want to use a scope and look in his stomach first to see if there is any bleeding in that area.

Dad has been taken off all blood thinners. The heart doctor said this normally is risky due to the stint; however, he has had it in over 30 days which is the window they need. Depending on how the tests go tomorrow, he will have to go through another heart cath (this was scheduled for next week as a follow-up, but may be moved up due to current issues). They will be checking to see if the clot has dissolved and how to proceed with putting him back on blood thinners, if necessary.

Thank you for your prayers.