Okay so I've had a rough couple of days and haven't had time to blog, but I'm going to try and update everyone now. The last thing I think I wrote about was Josh having to have so many procedures on Monday. He had a very long day, when they finally got done with all of the small bowel x-rays (it's a long process of having him drink stuff and then taking several pictures throughout the day) it was midnight and he hadn't eaten all day. He was a bit grouchy to say the least. Yesterday he had an okay day, the surgeon came in and set up the wound vacuum again luckily it stayed but as I am typing this they are trying to work on a leak. Ugh! Literally neverending with the silly wound vac, poor guy. He also started his chemo treatment yesterday evening and got through all of it really well. They gave him a drug yesterday as part of the chemo he has not had before and they warned us that there could be some pretty bad side effects while it was going in. Thank God he did not have a bad experience, he had a mild episode of the shakes and lightheadedness but other than that he did really good. The chemo treatment was not over until about 9:30pm last night and after they were finished they gave him 100mg of prednisone which made him wired so he was unable to go to sleep last night until about 2:30am. He woke up pretty groggy this morning and has had his breakfast and lunch and a good walk. Yesterday the doctors took him off of the nutrition through the IV and all the antibiotics because his liver enzymes were rising. They are hoping to give his liver a break and figure out if he has any infection from the fluid on Monday. If he does have some infection they will adjust the antibiotic and get him on the right one.
I have had a couple of long days too, not sleeping well and feeling pretty nauseous. Monday I waited around all day while he was getting his tests run and tried to eat as much as I could but was worried and upset about some things. Long story short I got really nauseous and threw up, I have not actually thrown up at all during this pregnancy and I thought I was getting over the morning sickness part of things. I guess I was wrong and should have eaten more and not stressed so much. And I know what all of you are going to say...take care of yourself, eat, rest, etc. I really am trying I promise, it's just that this is literally the most stressful, scary and unsettling experience I have ever been through.
I really want to say Thank You again to all of you and my family who come by, bring flowers, call, pray, and just think about Josh and what we are going through. I could not get through all of this without all the love and support and I am very very thankful!
Kalyn
8 comments:
Kalyn: I am praying for you, Josh and the family. I have known Josh for many years from St. Philips Church. He is the same age as my stepdaughter, Virginia, and they were in church youth together. I have kept in touch with Jenna over the years and came up to the hospital one day when you were not in the waiting room. Long story short, Jenna gave me the link to this blog, so I have been reading it each day. I wanted you to know that if you need anything please let me know. From my job, I know a lot of folks, including all the leadership there at the hospital. So, Jenna has my number if you need me. Please tell Josh that the Birkman family are all praying for him. In His Name, Lisa Birkman
Josh, I am glad to hear that you tolerated the chemo going in ok and that you were up and even walked! I know this is so very hard on you and Kalyn, but we are praying that God will help you thru this rough time and get you thru the darkness and into the good times again with your precious daughter Embyr and the baby to come. I know it is overwhelming at times, but God will see you thru it! Keep the faith and Kalyn, please do take care of yourself as well....I know you are in a very hard place right now, but God will take care of you!
Love to you all...
Gayle and family
Yes everyone of us want you take care of yourself so u can be strong for Josh and that little baby. Will be praying that Josh does well during this treatment and the ones to come . That prednisone is hell when you take it at night.
Kalyn....I know this is the hardest thing you've ever done in life, and I'm sorry you are having to go through this....Please know when you are too tired to walk, that God will will carry you through everything. It's hard to explain, but just when you think you can't do anything else....strength will be given to you.
Josh....Your patience is remarkable. Remember you have our prayers and the shield of God on your side protecting you!....We love you!
Kalyn you are so much stronger than you realize. The difficult experiences in life make us stronger and able to deal with whatever comes our way. Remember: God says he won't put on us more than we can bear. Have faith and stay strong and thank God for every minute of every day.
We love and support you always.
Mom
Kalyn/Josh:
Cathy and I are praying daily for Josh's recovery. I've informed several more people at TMLT about Josh's battle with his cancer and they are also pulling for him. Cathy and I plan on stopping by the hospital tomorrow to visit. If there's anything we can do for you, please ask. John & Cathy Southrey
Josh and Kalyn, we are hoping that things are going better for both of you today! Wayne and Linda are joining us in prayer that you both get the rest and healing you deserve. Keep the faith that God will carry you thru this dark time...because he will! He won't give you more than you can handle, though it may seem like you can't take anymore. We all send our love.
Gayle & Glenn, Wayne & Linda and family
Josh, please know that we are lifting you and your sweet family up in prayers night and day. We are praying for strength, healing and rest. You are in a full out war, but not alone. Kalyn, our prayers are for your strength to continually be renewed. Know that it may mean letting others help. Please know that we want to do what we can. The Schaefers
Post a Comment