(Hopefully) Final Evening Post

TJ has another transesophageal echocardiogram* (TEE) scheduled for tomorrow MdT (doctor time), and Mary Ann has specifically asked that we pray for peace for her during this time.

Currently his heart rate is hovering in the upper 70's, perfect, and his temperature is 99.7, still dropping from 103.2.

To answer Jeff's questions, TJ was put on an antibiotic for fungal infections, then taken off of it after they cultured the MRSA. There are some pretty bad side effects of whatever that antibiotic was (Jon doesn't remember what it was called), so he won't be put back on it.

The first TEE showed a leaking mitral valve, which seems to be getting better.

If I have time I'll get the night nurse to explain how they are keeping TJ's heart rate in check with some medications, if not, well, you won't know!

So in addition to peace for Mary Ann for tomorrow pray that:

• TJ's temp continues it's downward trend (it took quite a bit to get him into the 99 range, including ice baths and a cold jacket [it's called something like that]**)
• TJ's heart rate stays in 70's to 80's.
  
• TJ's mitral valve does not show a secondary infection, but has healed completely.
  

We'll try to do regular updates like this in the morning by 9:00am and at night by 9:00pm-10:00pm, and a noonish update if needed.

*An echocardiogram done through the stomach. The advantage of it over a regular echocardiogram is that you can get closer to the heart.

See this post for a correction on what a TEE is.

Edit (10:48pm): I forgot to mention this, but the temperature and high heart rate with a dropping white blood cell count suggest the possibility of a secondary infection. That is, an infection that developed during the hospital stay.

I might do a short update again if I am up and the vitals have changed.

**Correction: It is called a cooling jacket

Prayer Results

TJ's fever is down to 101.3 and his heart rate is in the 90's. Good signs! Thank you for your prayers, and please continue the fight...

Temp

Currently, TJ's hemodynamic status is stable (see the previous post), but his fever is the enemy at 103.2. We *NEED* our armies praying that fever down now.

Phew!

TJ's heart rate has come back down to 110 and is in a normal rhythm. The doctors honestly don't know whether it was the medication or prayer that brought it down!

Thank you warriors!

New Trials

The doctors have tried two electric shocks so far, and TJ's heart rate has not converted back to normal. At this point they are going to try medications to achieve the same end.

Jon Adds: More meds are not what we need right now. The more that are added the higher the chance that some interact poorly, or have side effects that we just don't need right now.

235, NOT a Good Number

TJ's heart rate has increased further to 235. His approximate maximum target heart rate (the rate you want more or less while exercising) is 170. Right now he is in atrial fibrillation. They are going to administer an electric shock to convert him to a normal heart rhythm.

This is the same thing that happened to vice president Cheney earlier this year.

It ought to be a low risk procedure. (IMHO: "Low risk" is always a bad phrase when dealing with the heart...)

New Wrinkles, Progress and Prayer Requests

TJ is having pre-atrial contractions, which are premature beats in the atrial. In addition to this, his heart rate has been high again, as high as 175 bpm (remember, it should be around 80).

His temperature also reversed the downward trend and has come up to 102.8.

On the better side of things his chest x-ray is looking slightly better (and is a lagging indicator) and his lungs sound better. His kidneys are not functioning at 100%, but are also trending towards better.

Prayer Requests

• That he continues his trend downward on depending on the vent
• That his temperature trend goes back to this morning, going down
• That his heart rate comes back down
• That the mitral valve miraculously heals

We still don't have room for margin.

Finally, a note not specific to TJ, but the comments received on the post Comments on Comments are worth reading, to see how many people are getting the same thing from the Lord, around the same time.

Early Morning Update 2.0

In the last two hours TJ's heartrate has improved to 114 and temp to 100.7. The Infectious Disease Doctor just made his morning rounds and is quite encouraged by the steady progress of the last 48 hours. He said a number of key indicators are improving including white blood count (now at 20K, down from 26K yesterday and 32K Friday).

Early Morning Update

The night has gone quite well. Since reducing oxygen intake to 60% at 12:30 am his oxygen sats level has maintained at 96. Blood pressure is 109/57. Heartrate is a bit high (124) as is his temp (102.0).

Make That Five

Some comments from the post Comments on Comments let us know that at least four five people were led to pray between 3:00-4:00am on Friday night.

Strong spritual aspect anyone? (See Daniel chapter 10)

(Edited 3:56am CST)