Today began a little after 8:00. I looked at the clock and wasn't sure it was right or not so I checked my watch. They had set all the clocks up so it was right.
William got up and left for coffee. Tom and Dess peeked in soon after and wanted to know where William was. Tom was acting panicky so I asked what was wrong. He said that the nurse had told them to leave Jared's room because they were helping Jared. He had some bleeding as well as blood pressure problems and a fever. I told them that everything was normal but the fever. They left looking for William and I hurriedly got dressed and went downstairs.
William and Dess were in the room. Dess left and Debbie, our nurse, filled me in on the latest. Jared had a lot of bleeding around his mouth and nose. The nurse had placed gauze to help absorb the bleeding. His blood pressure was a little low and they had raised his dose of blood pressure meds. He had a fever so she had removed all his covers except for his briefs so he was laying pretty much naked. His dialysis machine was still off but they were going to start it soon. His numbers on the ventilator had also been raised so everything looked a little discouraging.
Dr. Shipp came by and said that he and Dr. Winkler are going to try and get that medicine here. They want to buy it over the Internet and get the FDA and UAB approval to use it. Dr. Shipp said that overall he thinks Jared is the same.
*Lord, I pray for your will with that. In Jesus name. Amen.
Momma and Wayne arrived around 9:30 so they both came back to see Jared. Momma had brought some cookies. She and I went upstairs to wake Adam. Tom and Dess were up there so we all talked while I started a load of clothes. I went back down to see Jared and spent some time with my Mom. She and Wayne came back and said bye. I continued to stay with Jared.
Mark, Joyce and Debbie came in to see Jared. Mark and Debbie left for home and Joyce went upstairs. She is going back to our house and stay with Adam this week. I sat with Jared until Dess and William came down. I went upstairs to eat a sandwich and check on Adam. I came down in time to see Jared before visiting time was over. Tom, Dess, Joyce and Adam left at 2:30. William and I gave Adam a big hug before they left. We then went upstairs and rested until 4:00. William took a nap. Rhonda called and I talked with her for a few minutes.
We went back to Jared's room. Cindy is now our nurse.
*I pray, Lord, that you'll give her wisdom. That she'll do a good job. In Jesus name.
We are still sitting with Jared at 6:05. His platelet count is at 89,000 but he is still bleeding from his nose and mouth.
*Lord, I pray that you'll stop that bleeding in Jesus name.
Today, all of Jared's grandparents came to visit him. It's been a tough day. I want to help Jared but I can't. Earlier, I was looking at him thinking about all that we've been through together. I know that Jared believes that God will heal him.
*Lord, the faith of a child is powerful. I know that heaven is a much, much, much better place than here. I pray for your will. In my heart, I know that Jared will be healed. It gets discouraging looking at him and seeing the blood on his face, the weakness of his eyes, the yellowness of his skin, his inability to interact with us. Lord, have your way. Help me to not doubt. Help me to hold on. I praise your name, Jesus. I thank you that you are Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace. Have your way. In Jesus name. I've had thoughts of life and death today! Help me to be a vessel, and Jared too, to do your will. In Jesus name.
It is now 11:30. William and I sat with Jared until 6:30 and then we went to the stem cell room. We ate in the family room and then went downstairs. We called Adam and talked with him. I got a snack and we came back upstairs. I talked with Angela and Barbie and then came back in the room. I sent an email earlier today so I checked for replies and then we went back downstairs to sit with Jared.
We were both a little upset with the blood on Jared's face. Cindy suctioned Jared and then was about to take his nose bandage off when his blood pressure medicine needed to be changed. She changed it but Jared's pressure started dropping. Cindy called in another nurse and they gave him extra help to bring it back up. Jared's blood pressure had settled so William went upstairs to the stem cell room. I sat with Jared until 10:30. I came back to the room and talked with William. Rhonda had called so I tried to call her but it was busy. I checked email and then Pastor Lynn called. I talked with him for a few minutes and then he prayed for Jared. It is almost 12:00. I've decided to go back and check on Jared before going to sleep.
*Lord, help us. In Jesus name. Amen.
_________________________________________________________
From: Lisa, William, Adam and Jared
Sent: Sunday, April 7, 2002 4:14 p.m.
To: Family and Friends
Subject: Hello
Hey everyone! It's Sunday afternoon in Birmingham. We had a nice visit with our family this weekend. Adam also came to visit. William and I were both glad to see him. Jared is still in PICU. The doctor said yesterday that she thinks Jared may be there for another month. She also said she hoped that Jared would prove her to be a liar. So do we. Jared's liver is still the main concern. He is still on dialysis for his kidneys (although he did have a break time to see how he would do). The doctors think that his kidneys will shape up once his liver starts working properly. Jared is also still on the ventilator. His lungs are a little sicker (the phrase the doctor uses) and his liver is pressing against his right lung so the ventilator helps Jared to not have to work so hard. There is a new drug that was developed to help with veno-occlusive disease. The patient has to meet a certain criteria to be given the drug. Also, at this time, the drug is only administered at four hospitals in the U.S. Our doctors are going to petition the FDA and the UAB (local hospital) board to see if they will allow Jared to have the drug if he can meet the criteria. At this time, he cannot have the drug. His lungs need to improve, his blood pressure needs to stabilize and he must not have any excessive bleeding (his blood has been having trouble clotting). There are some side effects to this drug so that must be weighed also before giving to him. We appreciate all the love and support that you have showered us with the last few weeks, months, year. Thanks for continuing to pray for Jared. God Bless All of You!!!
From: Ladonna
Subject: Re: Hello
Lisa,
Hi! You do not know me but I am the pastor's wife of Grace Community Assembly of God in Flower Mound, TX. When the Hobbs family lived in TX, they attended our church. Rhonda has kept us posted on Jared's progress over the last year or so. We have been praying for him at Grace as well as me personally. We did have our Grace kids make a poster for him and would like to mail it to him. Could you email me with his address there at the hospital? It is not much but maybe it will lift his spirits a little to know that he is on our hearts and in our thoughts. We are praying for your family as well. I know how hard it is for the entire family when one person goes through something this serious. My sister had breast cancer three years ago. It was a hard time for our entire family. I can't even imagine having a child this sick. Please know that we are praying for you guys. Rhonda emailed me a pix of you and Jared. What a cute kid he is! Blessings on you!
From: Diane
Subject: Re: Hello
Dear Lisa.
Hi! Thanks for the update. I had to look up veno-occlusive disease. Now I understand! I imagine you've learned a whole new language in the last year. How is Adam doing? Did he already have his Spring Break? Is William staying with you? Is Jared able to communicate with you or do they have him under all the time? I hope I'm not asking too many questions. I appreciate so much the updates. I know God knows what is going on and I don't need to know exactly everything in order to pray. I do get people who ask and I keep Jared on our prayer chain, so the updates are very helpful. I hope you are taking care of yourself, keeping your strength up as much as possible. I love you!
From: Wendy
Subject: Re: Hello
Hey Lisa. Thank you for the update. We are still praying for that liver to perk up along with our petitions for a miracle. How else can I pray? How are YOU? Is there ANYTHING we can do to help you and your family? There is an army of prayer warriors in North Georgia praying for you ALL. Our thoughts are with you constantly, and our prayers numerous times each day. Have you had any more "angel encounters"? I have shared that wonderful experience of God's miraculous provision many times. A mechanic - right when we needed him! I guess that's why we all took your van - it needed some "fixin" and we had to get it to a mechanic! Go figure... God certainly does work in mysterious ways. Miraculous, mysterious ways. I'm reminded of a song I used to sing with a good friend at church - you may know it, but I want to share the words with you now, just as a gentle reminder:
There is no problem too big, God cannot solve it.
There is no mountain too tall, He cannot move it.
There is not storm too dark, God cannot calm it.
There is no sorrow too deep, He cannot soothe it.
If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders,
I know, my sister, that He will carry you.
He said, "Come unto me; all who are weary, and I will give you rest."
If he carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders,
I know, my sister, that He will carry you.
He will carry you.
We love you! We praise God that He is with you always!
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| Turn to the Right... |
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| Turn to the Right... |
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| Turn to the Right... |
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| Smile... Jared, Adam and Cody |
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