Need your prayers for Mrs. FieroFool (Mel)

[Fiero GTB]

I won't go into medical details, but Charlie's wife, Mel, went into the hospital last Wednesday and is in Critical condition.

Doctors have sedated her heavily (unconscious) and have her on a ventilator.

FieroFool will, of course, not be at this Saturday's meeting, but should have a medical update for us by then.

Please keep Mel, Charlie and the whole family in your prayers!

Best,

FGTB (Tim)

[Tha Driver]

Will do.
Get well soon, Mel.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

[Roger]

Hope you're back home soon and much better Mel.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Charlie.

Roger & Brenda

[Raydar]

In my prayers too.

[WV Mike]

Prayers sent.

[Fierofool]

Thank you all for your prayers.  They are badly needed and much appreciated.

Just a quick brief update.  She lost some ground last night but regained it today.  It's been determined that she has pneumonia.  They've attempted to insert some tubes but she's dehydrated and so they're trying to get her hydrated enough that the arteries will open up. 

She is heavily sedated but can be awakened briefly.  She will respond to a statement or question by nodding or mouthing but her alertness only lasts for a few seconds.  They've asked that we not awaken her to allow her full rest.

Should you wish to call, I will answer as I can or return a voice mail as I can.  I prefer no texts as it's difficult to respond on my small phone. 

Thank you all, again.
The Sewell and Peace Families. 

[pgackerman]

More prayers have been sent.

[GrannyLinda]

Pat And I Will Continue To Pray.   

[Fierofool]

This morning brought good news.  Melanie had made some great improvements in the passing 24 hours.  When I went down to the cafeteria for breakfast, I met her pulmonologist and he told me she had made great advances and was on her way to recovery.  They have her diagnosed with pneumonia which caused her to become septic.  Tests showed there were no infections in the IV sites that we administer from home.  Her fever has dropped from 5 over to just 2 over normal.

Her Co2 levels were down from the elevated level when they placed her on the ventilator.  She had a very restful night and I seldom saw her stir as they changed her position several times throughout the night or changed her bed linens.  Staff is constantly talking to her when they are present.  This keeps her senses alert.

Even better news and progress comes this afternoon as I was preparing to leave for the evening.  They have reduced the ventilator respiratory rate from 35/bpm to 15/bpm.  They have also changed the ventilator mode to allow her to breathe with assistance of the ventilator rather than the ventilator breathing for her.

She has opened her eyes on several occasions today when I spoke to her, and she turned her eyes or head to seek me out before closing them again.

They will be slowly weaning her from the ventilator in the next few days to be sure she can maintain her own breathing.  As they approach the time they will remove the ventilator, they will change the sedative that's inducing the sleep.  The new sedative will wear off quickly once it's stopped so that she will wake up quickly.

Such a wonderful 45th Anniversary Gift. 

It's difficult to relay changing information to everyone, so I hope I've covered most persons through this post.  I know some of you don't know Melanie personally, but I thank each and every one of you for your prayers and for your visits.

The Sewell and Peace Families

[Raydar]

That's great news Charlie. Y'all will continue to be in our prayers.

Steve

[Fiero GTB]

Charlie, this is all very, very encouraging news!  Thank you for taking time to keep us all updated...

Yes, it's the best anniversary gift you could ask for!!!

Best,

Tim & Nancy

[Fierofool]

Monday Update

Melanie's kidneys haven't been producing enough urine.  I finally got them to bring in our kidney doctor and they made some changes.  Immediately her kidneys started producing urine.  Her tissues have been retaining fluid and the albumen they were giving wasn't flushing the fluids.

Melanie strains to exhale when she's sleeping.  She's done it for 25 years or more.  They interpreted that as fighting the ventilator.  I think I finally got it across to them that it's her normal breathing pattern, so they will soon be exploring the removal of the ventilator to see if she can sustain her own breathing.

They still haven't been able to get the feeding tube in her nose into the correct position in her bowel.  There seems to be something that blocks it at the bottom of her stomach.  They had the same result when trying to insert a line into her lungs to administer her Remodulin.  Remodulin is the stuff we administer at home.  They are still having to give it through an IV in her arm.  It's more effective in opening the lung's blood vessels when delivered directly to the right side of the heart or into the lungs.

BP is up and urine production is up.  That's the good news for today.

Thanking you for your concerns and prayers.

The Sewell and Peace Families

[Roger]

Sounds like you're having the same roadblocks with doctors I had.
Good thing for Mel you are there for her.
Always keeping you in our prayers and thank you for the updates.

[fiero128]

In Julie and my prayers too all the way from western Sydney Australia
I am sure things will turn out Ok
Sounds like things are getting better, a full recovery might take a long time but she will get better eventually.
The power of the minds collectively are very powerful and I am sure will make a difference
 

[Fierofool]

At the moment things aren't looking very good.  The family was called in this morning and our Pastor has been with us this afternoon.  They have performed another procedure and are waiting to see if it's beneficial.  They are finally giving her nutrition after 6 days.  If I don't answer or return your emails or calls, I'm sure you understand.  I will as the situation allows.

Please keep praying for her recovery.

The Sewell and Peace Families