March 19, 2002 (Tuesday)

Day 24

Last night was long but passed quicker than the last few. Jared slept okay. The nurses, Stacy and April, changed his diapers for me so I was able to get more sleep than I have lately.

We were up for the day around 7:30. Jared's platelet count was at 9,000 so they gave him a bag of platelets. Jared had a fever for most of the night. They tried to draw blood through one of his lines but it did not have a blood return. Lord, I pray that you'll open that line. I pray that it will begin to flow like it should.

After Jared finished the platelets, they started his meds. Kimberly and Jennifer, the child life specialists, both came by. Dr. May came later and talked about Jared's D. He once again said that it couldn't be stopped. I asked if Jared's platelet count could be checked twice a day. (He had a dramatic drop from 41,000 to 9,000 today.) They decided to test him again at 4:00.

I took a shower and felt much better. Jared slept a little but would wake with D. We once again changed diapers. Jared's skin is itchy so he is scratching a lot. He also keeps trying to clean his nose. The nurse came in and gave him nasal spray. Jared is still using the morphine pump so he is not as alert.

Darla and Irene called. I filled them in on the latest. Jared still has a fever so the nurse gave him tylenol. He checked his temp about an hour later and it was higher. The doctors decided to add a new antiobiotic and continue one they had stopped thinking Jared may have a skin staff infection. Jared did his mouth care and his mouth started to hurt more. The blue mouthwash is burning his mouth.

Richard, the nurse practictioner, came in around 3:00 and said Jared's stool culture had come back negative for bacteria so they were going to stop his D by giving him medicine. (Praise the Lord!!!)  Phil, our nurse, came in and gave him the medicine. Jared was feeling restless and was still having D. Around 4:30, Phil was in the room checking on things when Jared said he had to throw up. I ran to get a plastic container. He threw up about 175 ccs of pure blood. I looked at Phil and said, "That's not good, is it?" He said no and left the room. I immediately started praying for Jared. Lord, thank you for watching over him. Phil came back and gave Jared phenergan. He also had platelets on the way.

Richard came by to check on Jared. He stayed while Phil checked blood counts again. Jared was put on oxygen for a little while to help him breathe. He is on a lot of medications that make him very drowsy. They started the platelets. Richard came back later and said Jared's platelet count was still 9,000.

Jared stayed awake for awhile. His D was about the same. He messed the bed a few times so the aide changed his bed one time and I changed it the next. I bathed Jared and changed his dressing. He seems to be okay other than the D and bleeding and mouth sores.

I talked with William and Adam. Rhonda called later with the latest on Doug's dad. I called Darla for prayer when Jared's fever was high. I called William and asked him to tell Pastor Lynn about the platelet issue. 

Jared fell asleep around 8:00. A lady from one of the local churches brought a basketful of goodies for us. She talked with me for a little while and then they left. I came back to the room and talked with William and Adam again. It is now 10:35. Jared is sleeping but still stirring  a bit. I'm about to go to sleep.

*Lord, please give us good sleep tonight. I pray for your will. Keep Adam and William safe. Have your way in their lives. I thank you for what you are doing in all of us. In Jesus Name.

I also took a nap today from 1:00 to 2:00. I'm getting a little more rest.

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Adam and Jared in Minnesota - January 2002

In thinking about what to share about Jared tonight, I recalled all of the fun times we had getting ready for school, church or other places.  Jared was very particular about his hair, clothes and shoes. 

When he was a little fellow, I had to tie his shoes for him every day.  He liked his laces really tight so Mom was the only one that knew how to do it just right.  Sometimes I would not get the laces tight enough so we would try again. I'm smiling as I type this.  At the time, it could be a little frustrating but looking back, it was nice to be his favorite shoe tier (if that is a word). It was also great when he learned how to tie his shoes.

Jared liked his clothes to look a certain way too.  When the schools started mandatory uniforms, Jared would always wear a white shirt. Adam always wore blue. I made sure that they had their shirt color of choice. (Smile.) Otherwise I would have at least one unhappy little fellow.

And hair.  Jared styled his hair every day. He was very particular about his appearance. After chemo, he lost his hair but by that time it didn't matter as much.  Jared would sport his favorite orange hat since he was a Florida fan. (Go Gators!)