thoughtful, selfless wendy

Wendy had a pretty good night. She is on a new anti-anxiety, mild sedative called Ativan. Her unfolding recovery and updates have been getting her worked up and anxious. The Ativan is helping her stay calm and rest. It has been confirmed that the NG tube will have to remain in her nose for at least a few more days. News of the NG tube having to stay in really upset Wendy. To help you better understand her disdain for the NG tube her oncologist said they referred to the NG tube as the "devil's tube" in medical school.

They will monitor her caloric intake carefully today. It is suspected that she is not getting enough calories. She was a bit anemic this morning and will receive 1 unit of blood. Her white blood cell count is down. It dropped from 20.4 to 18 over night. Wonderful news!

Her epidural will be turned off today. They want to see just how much pain relief the epidural delivers. If it doesn't help a significant amount they will remove it once and for all.

Wendy has been receiving Fentanyl in the form of a shot every hour for pain relief. Starting today she will be able to give herself drips of Fentanyl through a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) infusion system. 1/4 of the amount in the shot will be available for her to self dispense in a drip every 15 minutes. Their hope is that eventually she will be able to push past the 15 minutes, requiring less pain medicine overall.

After further analyzing of her CT scan the doctors have discovered an infected abscess outside of her stomach. There also seems to be fluid collecting near her groin. They will add a new antibiotic in addition to the two she is already taking in hopes that the antibiotics will kill the infectious organisms. If the antibiotics don't work they'll have to drain the abscess. If that doesn't work they mentioned surgery. Surgery is a last resort. The word "surgery" made Wendy's face drop and she was instantly filled with anxiety.

Wendy's physical therapy homework today is to walk to the double doors at the end of the ICU hall. She was resting so well last night that they let her sleep through walking or sitting up. It is imperative she be up today.

Wendy and Wade had a good conversation this morning. She was lucid and very present. Even in extreme pain she is still the thoughtful, selfless Wendy. She was brainstorming projects or things to do for the doctors and nurses once she is out of the hospital. She said it has to be something "really cool".

The Beckett family exchange is happening this afternoon. Wade flies out of Sacramento to L.A. at 3:30 pm. Wendy's dad, CB will take Wade to the airport and then return to the hospital to help care for Wendy through Wednesday. Grammy (Georgia) will be on grandma duty with the boys. Micah will be bouncing back and forth from Fresno, to Madera, and back to Sacramento trading off between wearing his husband and dad hats.
Pray...

• The "devil's tube" does its job without hurting Wendy.

• The abscess goes away with the help of antibiotics.

• Wendy gets great pain relief through the PCA.

• Safe travels for her family as they travel here, there, and everywhere.

• She doesn't need the epidural anymore.

The Lord is the everlasting God. He will not draw tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31