Marshall Jones’ MRSA Story

CB (my father in law) and I were there at the 5:30am visitation (as usual).

Marshall was looking great-his fever was down, and he gave me a kiss and a smile when we came in!

Water blisters have formed on his groin area and under his leg, I guess all of that fluid must have to come out somehow. He also has pustules (look like small pimples) all over, possibly a rash?

Marshall had his first BM this morning, right after his bath. That is a great sign that things are starting to work properly again. It is a pity he is missing all of this (NOT)

His nurse, Betsy, said he is being a great patient, and I am so very thankful. I told most of his nurses that if he is allowed to wake up while on the ventilator, he will be a terror. His mother was in this same position not long ago (on the ventilator, with arms tied to the bed), and he has told me quite a few times that this very position he is in is his worst nightmare. I think that he will rethink that when he is done, this ventilator is saving his life.

Marshall is following directions-squeezing hands, wiggling feet, stops messing with the vent tube when asked (he tries to wiggle it around with his tongue).

His kidneys are starting to produce a little bit more, and it looks a more normal color (100+ cc’s last night).

I spoke with one of Marshalls clients today, and gave him Lanny’s phone number. I guess this would have been a good time for me to have had my real estate license. Not that I would really be working, I guess…….

I talked to Mark Dudley today–he has emailed all of Marshalls friends. That is a huge help to me. I did call Joe Goryski and Johnny Herrera today.

At the 9:30 visitation the Pastor from the Methodist Church came to see you, as well as Pastor Bockleman. We have SO many people praying for him, and I do believe it is showing! TaShondra is the nurse again today. Hurray!

He is BM-ing like a champ (or like a man who HASN’T in 10 days or so, I guess), and already has 50 cc’s of urine (since 7am). I saw Dr. Spencer this morning–he said he is pleased with how he is doing, but waiting for dialysis to remove more fluid before they try to remove the ventilator. I guess it is harder for him to breathe with all of that fluid. My guess is Friday that it will come off.

Marshall sometimes gets very wide eyed and scared looking. He calms right down and smiles when I give him our old, “everything is good, everything is fine!” That is a phrase that has gotten us through more than one trauma! Oh how I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!!!!

My father in law just doesn’t think I have a clue sometimes. He is so negative, but that is his way of dealing I guess. I have always been a “glass half full” person, and he is not. I am sure it is VERY different when it is your child laying there, no doubt.

At the 1:00 visitation, Dr. Daftarian was there, and I asked the dreaded question: Is he out of the woods? And I finally got the answer I was looking for! Yes! I doubt Dr. Lemos would say that yet, but I will take what I can get! LOL

I only stayed 40 minutes today, as he was on dialysis, and fast asleep. Dr. Daftarian said that it was best for him to be asleep during this, so I didn’t want to bother him too much.

I went to see Jeanette (my mother in law). She is good. I hope my glass half full attitude has made it easier for her. I have tried to make a real effort to give her all of the information first (well, the good stuff, anyway), as she rarely gets that opportunity. She subtly told me that she loves me, and that Marshall and I can do whatever we want, which is in referrence to the family uproar about all of our animals, and how they have some messed up idea that they are the cause of this (my “nasty” house–see the FLYlady link in my list of links to the side–I have been a devotee for 1.5 years now–you think my house is nasty now, you should have seen it before :). She also commented on how you find out alot about how people really are in times like this. No kidding!

At 9pm, Eric and Rick were there. Marshalls eyes were so sad. Not glazy now, but truly sad. He must be grasping this a little bit. His nurse today stinks–I can see a huge difference between her and the others we have had in ICU. This one sings lovely, but isn’t doing near the job tending to Marshall as the rest of them have.

Clay and Natalie from Marshall’s office took up money and went to Sams Club for us. OMG you wouldn’t believe all of the things they brought. They called mother from Sams, and asked her what we needed, and I dont think she told them a thing, but you just wouldnt believe what all they brought. Enough to start out a new empty kitchen anyway. Bless their hearts!!!!!

Shirley brought my favorite “Sandel chicken” tonight! I love that woman too! YUM! I really don’t know what I would do without my mother being here, and all of our friends (old, medium, and brand spanking new) who are here for us.