February 22, 2010

Following Paula's hip sugery, she spent some time at LifeCare Center in Winter Haven in order to build her strength and to do some physical and occupational therapy. Finally, last Friday, February 19, Paul was able to bring her home, and it was a welcome trip. After being away for over two weeks, it was great to have her home. Last Wednesday, Paula had some post-op x-rays and an evalutation from the hip surgeon. The results showed that everything was in good order for healing. Paula is having a lot of pain, but the surgeon said that is normal and to be expected. This could continue for the several months. This week she is continuing her home rehabilitative therapy and they are hoping that she will being to so the physical therapy on an out-patient basis starting next week. This therapy will be more strenuous and rigorous. We are hoping she will also be doing some water therapy soon. It has been a tough time for Paula, going through this hip surgery, but progress with having her able to walk is continuing to encourage her to be more mobile.
The next step will come next week when Paula will return to Moffitt for her PET and CAT scans to check the status of the cancer. It will take approximately two weeks for the results of those tests to come back. This will be a trying time, so your prayers for peace and strength would be so much appreciated.
The good news is, although there was a lot of effort needed, and great pain endured, Paula was able to attend church the last two Sundays, and is she is so thankful for that! A little dose of God's word delivered through Pastor Bob always seems to make her feel a little better!
Once again, and without wanting to sound redundant, your thoughts and prayers are coveted greatly and are the life line for our family at this time. We all our love!

February 4, 2010

Monday Paula had her hip surgery at Florida Hospital at Celebration Health. The surgery went well and took less time than expected. As of today she is still in Florida Hospital. She was scheduled to come home today, however, due to her condition recovery hasn't been as easy as expected. She has been extremely tired and lethargic, and virtually unable to speak. She began having diarrhea Wednesday, and because of it has not been able to keep her potassium up. They will be checking for infection also due to this abnormal bowel activity. Needless to say, she will not be able to come home today. In fact, if everything continues the same in the next 24 hours she will be released from Florida Hospital Friday, Feb. 5 and sent to LifeCare Center in Winter Haven where she will stay and receive rehabilitation and care. Paula has been with her around the clock since she arrived and has been functioning with virtually no sleep. He is a little fatigued, although won't admit it. Shelli will be heading up again today, but this time will stay and allow Paul to come home and try to catch up on some sleep at home in a bed tonight. Hopefully we will be taking her to Winter Haven tomorrow if the potassium levels can be stabilized and there is no positive infection results. Florida Hospital is a wonderful facility but we are not sure they knew what to expect in a patient in Paula's condition receiving a hip replacement. Please continue to pray for strength and energy for Paula. Also for renewing of her blood and other counts. There is a long way for her to go to recover, but hopefully the worst of it is passes. God Bless!

January 31, 2010

By the time most of you read this, Paula will be on her way to Celebration, FL for her hip surgery. What a blessing this will be! With this in mind, that is the biggest area of concern right now, and the main prayer request we have at this time. Please pray for God to guide the surgeon, nurses, hospital workers and everyone involved in her operation today. Paula's platelet count is not as good as we would have hoped with her going into this surgery, so we are praying for no complications because of this. The surgery will take place Monday around noon time. She is expected to stay in the hospital for a few days. Paul of course will be staying with her while in the hospital and hopes to bring her home on Thursday, February 4. Once Paula returns home there will be daily physical rehabilitation that she will do along with visits to do physical therapy in Winter Haven several times a week.
On another note, the visit to the kidney doctor this week once again showed that Paula's kidneys continue to be functioning well. What a true miracle this has been and God has proven himself yet again in Paula's life this way.
The week of February 15 Paula will be going for her PET and CAT scans. The test results from this scan will be discussed with the doctor the first week of March.
As expected, the next few weeks will be very trying for Paula. Please pray for God's hands on her as she goes through surgery, rehabilitates and prepares for the tests. You are all appreciated beyond words!