5/10/10 --- Robin Update: Robin got home at 10:45

Just a quick note: Robin is back home. Arrived at home at 10:45. I finally got to bed at 1:30 AM.

It's a long story that I'll have to tell later.

                  --- Larry

05-09-10---Robin’s Progress as of 05-09-10

At least, for now, Robin is still at Clear Lake Regional Hospital (Room 524; phone is 281-316-8524). She has been doing fairly well, and her vital signs have been fairly stable, though there have been ups and downs. She has had physical therapy on most days, and each time was able to stand twice. The doctor said it is possible that she may get to go home tomorrow. If she does, home health care will need to come each day to give her the IV antibiotic.

Robin is allowed visitors, but she might get released tomorrow, so it would be prudent to call first, if you are considering a visit.

Please continue to keep Robin in your thoughts and prayers. It seems like things are getting better, but we cannot see the end. We do trust that God, who knows all things, will provide what we truly need (not necessarily what we ask).

Thank you all for your prayers and loving support,

God Bless You,

                  --- Larry & Robin

5-6-10---Robin is Out of ICU – Recovery Continues

I’ll try to keep it short.

I am happy (actually – overjoyed) to say that Robin is finally out of ICU! The care was great, but it was so frustrating and disrupting to see her for an hour, just four times a day, spread throughout the day. Travelling back and forth and trying to be productive for the short periods between – It was just plain tough. Several of our “Angels” helped to bridge the gaps and get me through this.

Once Robin got settled in her new room (524 – 1, by the way), she got to eat real food for the first time in a week. Her appetite was pretty good, considering all she has been through. Also (and most importantly), she received Physical Therapy (PT) today. During the PT (A.K.A., “pain and torture”), Robin sat up on the side of the bed for a while. She didn’t want to try to stand at first, but I reminded her that release from the hospital was dependent upon her ability to stand and transfer to and from her chair. All of a sudden, she wanted to try standing, and was actually able to stand up for a few seconds (twice, with assistance)!!!

I will try to send another message tomorrow. In the meantime, no news is good news!

Don’t stop now! Please continue keep Robin in your thoughts and prayers. It is really working!

                  --- Larry

5/5/10---Robin Continues to Improve (5/5/10)

I just got home and it is after 10:00 PM, so I PLAN to keep this short. We'll see if I can do it!

Last night (5/4/10), Robin was not doing as well as I reported earlier in the day. She was never as loopy as she was on May third, but she was not as lucid as earlier in the day, so I was beginning to worry.

I saw Robin at each of the opportunities I had today (5/4/10). (All four). Although she was tired, she seemed to be fine mentally.

The Infectioius Disease doctor came by while I was there, and he said that Robin's kidney was "inflamed" but it was not damaged! This was very good news. He discussed the treatment going foreward: 12 more days of IV antibiotics. He said Robin could be transferred back to a regular room as soon as one was available, and she could go home when she was strong enough (he estgimated 2-3 days). The room transfer is complicated by the infectious disease that Robin has. It requires her to be isolated, which means alone in a room, or with a roommate who has the same bug. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it doesn't appear to be an oncoming train!

We owe many people "THANKS" and I owe many email replys, but I'm fading fast. I'll try later, perhaps this weekend. Please know that Robin and I DO appreciate everyone's support during this

I just wanted to let you know that Robin continues to improve and may be out of ICU soon.

Love and Thanks to all!

                  --- Larry

5-4-10---Robin’s Condition is Improving, I Do Believe (Afternoon)

I visited Robin at 9:30 and again at 11:30, and the transformation between those two visits was amazing! At 9:30, Robin was just barely better than last night. She was a little more aware and alert, and able to communicate without drifting into sleep in mid-sentence. But by 11:30, she was fully awake, her blood pressure reasonable (perhaps even high), her temperature was not high, and she had finished three cups of apple juice and was working on a large cup of (what looked like) tropical punch (actually, radioactive dye).

The infectious disease doctor came by while I was there, and he was clearly pleased by her progress. He said that Robin had been in “Septic Shock.” If you want to really understand how sick Robin was, read one of the following:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septic_shock

      https://health.google.com/health/ref/Septic+shock.

“Septic Shock” explains all the symptoms that I was seeing including the wild “roller-coaster” temperatures, “loopieness,“ low blood pressure, etc. This Septic Shock is pretty scary stuff! The doctor explained that her improvement was due to the effect of the IV antibiotic (But I think we of Faith KNOW that there were other factors involved).

The reason for the radioactive tropical punch was to get CAT Scans of Robin’s abdomen, particularly her kidneys. Apparently, the bug that was causing all this trouble might have caused puss or other damage to the kidneys. (As I was writing this, they wheeled Rob in by the waiting room on her way to the CAT Scan.) I am not sure when we will get a response regarding the CAT Scans, but the Infectious Disease doctor said he would see us tomorrow.

Apparently, if Robin’s blood pressure remains good after the removal of the medication, she might be moved back into a regular room.

THANK YOU to everyone who has been mobilizing the “Prayer Force” on Robin’s behalf. When we prayed together this morning, we were remembering the Gospel of the cure of the Centurion’s servant (Mt.8, 5-13) when the Centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” We could clearly identify with the man who felt so undeserving, yet had such strong faith.

I apologize, in advance for not responding to each individual who has offered so much more than just words of support, concern, and empathy. Robin and I feel truly BLESSED to be surrounded by a family of loving and caring people (or “Angels,” as Robin calls you).

I will try to send another message if/when something changes. Until then, please continue the good work that you have started by keeping Robin in your thoughts and prayers.

                  --- Larry

5-4-10---ESBL - The Latest on Robin (5-4-10)

The infectious disease doctor came to see us in the late afternoon and explained that Robin’s Urinary Tract Infection is an antibiotic resistant variety. Furthermore, the bacteria are in her blood, as well (which means it is throughout her system, as I understand what he said). The bug is a member of a group called ESBL, which stands for “extended-spectrum beta lactamase.” ESBL bacteria are different from other superbugs, because “ESBL” does not refer to one specific kind of bacteria. (For instance, MRSA refers specifically to methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus.) Instead, it refers to an antibiotic-busting enzyme that many different kinds of bacteria can produce. Because of this antibiotic-busting ability, this particular bug only responds to one type of antibiotic, which is only available by IV. The treatment will involve two weeks of IV infusion of this antibiotic. The plan is to get Robin started and get her stabilized, then continue treatments by way of a daily visit from a home healthcare nurse. At the time, it appeared that Robin was going to be moved into the room next door, by herself.

Things seemed to take a turn for the worse after the shift change at 7:00 PM. At 7:00, we heard that the new room was ready, and we could start moving Robin's stuff. Not wanting to leave her stuff in an empty room, I waited… And waited… AND WAITED… About 11:00 PM, the nurses checked Robin’s vital signs, and her blood pressure was too low. They also said that there was also a problem with her orders for insulin, and she needed insulin because her blood sugar was still too high (though it was half of Sunday's readings). The nurses were concerned, so they called the infectious disease doctor and obtained orders to transfer Robin to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Around 1:00 AM they started preparing Robin for the move, and she was in ICU before 2:00 AM. The good news about ICU is that Robin will be monitored closely and will have a dedicated nurse. The bad part is that visitors are limited (no more than two) and only allowed for four hours a day (8:30-9:30, 11:30-12:30, 4:30-5:30, and 8:00-9:00).

So, about 2:00 AM or so, they threw me out (in a very nice way, but I was still thrown out). I'm going to back at 8:30, when they will let me see her again.

I will try to send another message when we know more.

Please keep Robin in your thoughts and prayers.

                  --- Larry

05-03-10---Minor update on Robin

I guess in my sleep-deprived state, I left out a minor detail. Thanks to Phylis and Shannon for asking. Robin is at Clear Lake Regional Hospital. She is pretty-much constantly sleeping, and has not been able to stay awake and answer questions for more than a half-minute or so. So I'll probably stay with her until she can fend for herself.

The doctor stopped by a few minutes ago and said that Robin has a raging urinary tract infection (she has been fighting it for months, on and off), and he's calling in an infectious disease specialist to try to resolve it once and for all.

Thanks again for your prayers and support,

                  --- Larry

05-03-10---Robin is back in the Hospital Again

Just a short message to let Robin’s friends and family know that she is back in the hospital. Since the last blog status last Tuesday, Robin started running an intermittent fever. Once it got as high as 104 (of course , at 3:00 AM), but I generally could get her fever down with Ibuprofen and cold compresses. While she had a fever, Robin was “loopy”, talking crazy and doing weird things, not remembering things that happened or were said, etc. She also became weak, barely able to transfer from bed to chair or back again. Robin’s doctor had her come in to get blood tests and have cultures taken. On Saturday, the weekend doctor called to say that there was bacteria in Robin’s blood, and he prescribed an antibiotic. On Sunday, Robin started the day fairly lucid and moving pretty well. But about 3:00 PM, I tried to get Robin to the bathroom, but she could no longer stand up. I tried to change her in the bed, and found blood in her urine. So we called the doctor and he told us to get her to the hospital. Since I couldn’t move Robin, we called an ambulance.

She got to the Emergency Room by 5:00 AM and in a room (535-2) by 8:00 PM. We finally finished getting checked in by about 1:00AM. The only problem that they have identified so far is that Robin’s blood sugar was WAY out-of-wack. They have gotten it down quite a bit, but it is still not good.

I will try to send another message when we know more.

Please keep Robin in your thoughts and prayers.

                  --- Larry