Journal entry by Marlene Bagnull —
Every morning tell him, “Thank you for your kindness,” and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness. Psalm 92:2 TLB
I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted. If you are following my Facebook page, you'll know that we have faced another crisis, this time with our precious oldest daughter, Sharon.
As you know if you've been visiting our Caring Bridge, Sharon and her husband, Howard, have been an incredible help since January 13 when she saved her father's life. They have spent so many days here doing things I was not able to do by myself like changing Paul's diaper and positioning him in bed. Thank You, Father, that Paul no longer needs that intense care. The hospital bed is gone from our living room and he is walking around the house with his walker.
About six weeks ago Sharon fell over the threshold coming through our front door. She injured her ribs. So painful.
Friday, April 5 Sharon was in the ER for 15 hours before she was finally seen for a painful infection in her right knee that had been replaced several years ago. They put her on a strong antibiotic and sent her home, telling her to come back if it got worse. It did! Howard brought her back to the ER on Sunday. Thank You, Father, that this time she was seen in about five hours. They admitted her and put her on an antibiotic via an IV until Thursday, April 11. The infection was getting better until Monday night when she started twitching and having seizures.
Again, Howard took her to the ER. I'm so, so grateful for our son-in-laws vigilance and prompt action. The doctor told him the next morning (outside Sharon's hospital room) that she would have died if he had not gotten her to the hospital. Her kidneys failed! She already has chronic kidney disease (CKD), but her primary care said in November she was pre stage 3 and not to worry - interrupted, sadly, as you don't need to do anything.
Sharon's potassium was 6.5 Monday night/earlay Tuesday morning when she went into kidney failure. The number improved a little, but they planned to insert catheters in her chest Wednesday morning to start dialysis that afternoon.
Thank You, Father, for everyone who was praying and how You are answering and so quickly. The doctor decided Wednesday morning not to proceed with dialysis.
Sharon is still in the hospital but getting better. She will probably go home Friday or Saturday. She is struggling with the "restrictions" on her diet - things she should have already been doing or rather not doing/eating.
Thank You, Father, that I'm already on this journey and can help. MyFitnessPal is a wonderful free app for tracking everything I eat - when I make time to record it. The program notes potassium, sodium, and other things and gives a running total throughout the day. The first year of the pandemic I lost 40 pounds using it every day and swimming a mile five days a week. But I confess I have not been using it and have gained back 20 pounds.
Thank You so much, Father, for saving Sharon's life and for giving me this wake up call. Help me, by my example, to come alongside my daughter and encourage her. We can do this with Your help.
Meanwhile, Paul is getting stronger every day. More later about my back and knee pain. I've got a pain mgmt doc who says he "doesn't give up looking for answers" and is grateful for all the prayers. I appreciate you all so much!
I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted. If you are following my Facebook page, you'll know that we have faced another crisis, this time with our precious oldest daughter, Sharon.
As you know if you've been visiting our Caring Bridge, Sharon and her husband, Howard, have been an incredible help since January 13 when she saved her father's life. They have spent so many days here doing things I was not able to do by myself like changing Paul's diaper and positioning him in bed. Thank You, Father, that Paul no longer needs that intense care. The hospital bed is gone from our living room and he is walking around the house with his walker.
About six weeks ago Sharon fell over the threshold coming through our front door. She injured her ribs. So painful.
Friday, April 5 Sharon was in the ER for 15 hours before she was finally seen for a painful infection in her right knee that had been replaced several years ago. They put her on a strong antibiotic and sent her home, telling her to come back if it got worse. It did! Howard brought her back to the ER on Sunday. Thank You, Father, that this time she was seen in about five hours. They admitted her and put her on an antibiotic via an IV until Thursday, April 11. The infection was getting better until Monday night when she started twitching and having seizures.
Again, Howard took her to the ER. I'm so, so grateful for our son-in-laws vigilance and prompt action. The doctor told him the next morning (outside Sharon's hospital room) that she would have died if he had not gotten her to the hospital. Her kidneys failed! She already has chronic kidney disease (CKD), but her primary care said in November she was pre stage 3 and not to worry - interrupted, sadly, as you don't need to do anything.
Sharon's potassium was 6.5 Monday night/earlay Tuesday morning when she went into kidney failure. The number improved a little, but they planned to insert catheters in her chest Wednesday morning to start dialysis that afternoon.
Thank You, Father, for everyone who was praying and how You are answering and so quickly. The doctor decided Wednesday morning not to proceed with dialysis.
Sharon is still in the hospital but getting better. She will probably go home Friday or Saturday. She is struggling with the "restrictions" on her diet - things she should have already been doing or rather not doing/eating.
Thank You, Father, that I'm already on this journey and can help. MyFitnessPal is a wonderful free app for tracking everything I eat - when I make time to record it. The program notes potassium, sodium, and other things and gives a running total throughout the day. The first year of the pandemic I lost 40 pounds using it every day and swimming a mile five days a week. But I confess I have not been using it and have gained back 20 pounds.
Thank You so much, Father, for saving Sharon's life and for giving me this wake up call. Help me, by my example, to come alongside my daughter and encourage her. We can do this with Your help.
Meanwhile, Paul is getting stronger every day. More later about my back and knee pain. I've got a pain mgmt doc who says he "doesn't give up looking for answers" and is grateful for all the prayers. I appreciate you all so much!
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