Allow me to clarify. . .
Okay -- I haven't received an 'official briefing from the war room' yet today, but I've spoken VERY briefly with some folks that have been over there. There seems to be a lot of confusion about where Jack is vs. where Jack should be in his recovery. I keep referring back to something Tammy wrote a few days ago:
A nurse, or attending, or fellow, or practitioner... told me the other day that although the text book recovery is about 3-4 days till they feel better, she has never seen it work that way. She said the kids either bounce back right away, or it takes about 7-10 days. I think we are on the slow route.
Jack does, indeed, seem to be on the 'slow route', but the health care professionals are not concerned with how he is doing. It's just painfully slow going and difficult to watch for Rob and Tammy and Elaine.
Jack is alert, and today he was quite agitated and irritated with all of it. He is weary of the nurses messing with him. He's still not talking b/c of his tongue and the feeding tube, and I'm sure that adds to his frustration. Because his tongue is so swollen, and the pain Jack can be in will cause him (as it would you and me) to grit his teeth, his tongue is now quite cut up. (If you've seen Million Dollar Baby -- well, ewww.) So, it just seems like insult on top of the injury.
They're still in ICU, and probably will be until his vomiting can slow down.
I am going to see all of them tomorrow with a few friends. We will give you the 'real deal' lowdown tomorrow. Keep praying!
A nurse, or attending, or fellow, or practitioner... told me the other day that although the text book recovery is about 3-4 days till they feel better, she has never seen it work that way. She said the kids either bounce back right away, or it takes about 7-10 days. I think we are on the slow route.
Jack does, indeed, seem to be on the 'slow route', but the health care professionals are not concerned with how he is doing. It's just painfully slow going and difficult to watch for Rob and Tammy and Elaine.
Jack is alert, and today he was quite agitated and irritated with all of it. He is weary of the nurses messing with him. He's still not talking b/c of his tongue and the feeding tube, and I'm sure that adds to his frustration. Because his tongue is so swollen, and the pain Jack can be in will cause him (as it would you and me) to grit his teeth, his tongue is now quite cut up. (If you've seen Million Dollar Baby -- well, ewww.) So, it just seems like insult on top of the injury.
They're still in ICU, and probably will be until his vomiting can slow down.
I am going to see all of them tomorrow with a few friends. We will give you the 'real deal' lowdown tomorrow. Keep praying!
Comments
I can only imagine how hard it must be for all of you to look at our poor Jack and not be able to help eleviate his pain and discomfort.
The healing process after an operation is always a more difficult and painful period than the operation itself. Be strong and know that we are all praying that God give you strength during the next few days and the comfort in knowing that Jack is going to be alright and back to his old unique self soon.
I love you all,
Robert (Grandpa)
Just wanted you to know that you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. We check the blog several times a day for updates. Be strong and courageous and know that the Lord is taking care of all of you. We pray for Jack's continued recovery...again, we leave the "speed" of his recovery in the Lord's hands. He is taking care of it all! May He give you all strength, stamina, and rest as you minister to sweet Jack! I'm glad DJ and Sophie got to see him and I hope they left to come back to Abilene knowing that he is going to be alright. May the Lord comfort and reassure the two of them as only He can. May this week so much improvement in Jack's recovery process. God bless you all!!
Gwen
I can't believe I am up at this early!! hour. I started reading the blog and of course had to read the WHOLE thing! I can't wait to see Jack's sweet face around church again. I am praying for your health and physical endurance to keep Jack moving through his recovery. As I read all the blogs I was struck by the fact that even through this all Jack's heart is shining through...waving at the Dr, singing this little light of mine even though his mouth couldn't say the words his heart was singing up to Jesus. Give him a big hug from the Burrow's.
Emily Burrow
Steve & Shannon Duer
Just took Howard to the airport and was praying about all of you -so thought I would check for updates. I pray your night has been a good one and that Jack was getting the mending rest that his little body needs! I pray that your day will be much improved, that Jack's tummy will be settled, that the nursing staff will be wonderful and all of you have stamina to face the day. W.A.T.S day was incredible. Hurry home. Love, The Hathorns
Grandpa just received a phone call from a co-worker and dear friend Barry Baglot. Barry and his wife Colleen are Canadians but they call Houston, Texas home.
Barry is organizing a golf tournament, "The jack Marcelain Golf Tournament" To be held at the MapleLeaf Golf Club in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Saturday 14 May. All of the entrance fee money collected is for you. Grandpa will bring it home with him later this month.
How many 6 year old boys have a golf tournamaent named after them? Way to go Jack!!!
My boss is going to let me off site that weekend so I can go to Bishkek for the tournament. I'll take pictures for you so you can know what your friends over here look like.
Love ya and praying for you,
Grandpa
Grandpa just received a phone call from a co-worker and dear friend Barry Baglot. Barry and his wife Colleen are Canadians but they call Houston, Texas home.
Barry is organizing a golf tournament, "The Jack Marcelain Golf Tournament" To be held at the MapleLeaf Golf Club in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Saturday 14 May. All of the entrance fee money collected is for you. Grandpa will bring it home with him later this month.
How many 6 year old boys have a golf tournamaent named after them? Way to go Jack!!!
My boss is going to let me off site that weekend so I can go to Bishkek for the tournament. I'll take pictures for you so you can know what your friends over here look like.
Love ya and praying for you,
Grandpa
We are praying for you all. Please know that your specific prayer needs are constantly being prayed--everywhere I go people are talking of you and your struggles--what a testimony to your faithfulness and His! May God bless you with a wonderful day! Hang in there Jack!
The Wertheims
I am glad to hear that the doctors and nurses are taking good care of Jack. I only wish that a sweet boy like him didn't have to endure such pain. Despite this bad experience, I know that all of you are handling it very well and letting God take control of the situation. Jack, I know, is being a trouper. For someone his age, he is being brave.
I love you all very much, and I was very upset when I heard about this. God has give me peace and I know everything is going to be fine. If there is anything I can do for you please do not hesitate to ask.
Tell Jack I said hi and to get well soon. Give Sophie and DJ a hug for me. I've been praying.
Love you all,
Sarah Gallaway
We love all of you,
Darla & Sam Wohlers & Family
SAMMIE ANDERS
Our heavenly parent has promised he will "sit by our bed" and love us. In fact, nothing can prevent Him from doing that.(Rom. 8)
Be comforted in that.
We love you.
Bill and Melba
We love you,
Linda Wallace
We are still praying for you. I hope you can feel better really soon. You will never know how much your friends and family love you and all the prayers that are going out for you.
Rob and Tammy,
Praise the Lord that you have such wonderful friends and family. I can't even imagine how helpless you feel in this situation. Please know that our prayers are also with you. And again, If there is ANYTHING I can do here in town for you or DJ and Sophia, please let me know. Dane and I would be happy to make a Mr. Gatti's trip with them... then maybe we could take Jack when he is back home! :)
Love you all,
Shoni Gililland Power
We were moved from the icu today to the 9th floor. They are known as the brain floor, they wear fleece jackets that say "brain team" on them. There is a picture of the brain on the back, and the brain has 2 dangly eyes hanging from it.
Jack is still working through some stuff, the docs say this can last 3-4 days or 6-8 weeks, but it appears at this time Jack does not have control over alot of his face. He keeps his eyes almost closed (I miss his eyes) and can't speak at this time. He was able to get that pesky old tongue in his mouth to stay last night. Swelling has gone down completely. Speech therapy was in today and he gets pretty mad when ever he sees a new face walk in the door to poke, prod, ... but the therapist was able to start assessing his capabilities at this time. The part that is Jack in his brain is working great. The part that helps him get that out, by speaking or motioning or moving around is not working. Everyone says that he will regain all of that, but it will take an undetermined amount of time.
My prayer for Jack today are that: His brain gets back to normal sooner than later. They will try and feed him real food in the next 48 hours I think. So that will be something to look forward to.
I also pray that he is comforted, because he can not talk, he is so frustrated. He gets real angry. I don't blame him a bit. I would be the same way. Pray that Jack finds his voice.
The tube that drains the spinal fluid from his brain has been closed for about 36 hours as of now, they did a cat scan, and decided not to remove the tube from his head just yet. Some of the spaces that were storing the extra spinal fluid on the top of his brain, have not done yet what they need to do. I am not disappointed about this, because his numbers have been great on the brain pressure, and I hope that in the next 3 or 4 days things should work themselves out.
One of the nurse practitioners said that this blog was a great way for me to chart Jack's progress. Just when I think that there is so much in front of us, I can look back and see how far we have come. I pray for continued perspective like that, because it is overwhelming at times for us all.
I am in constant prayer for Jack, I take comfort that so many others are to. I am continually grateful for the love and praying that you all are doing.
Jack has alot of friends, he has never met a stranger, and he has a kindness for everyone. May God bless him with all that and immeasurably more.
IN HIM,
Tammy
p.s. Last but not least, thank you Sarah, Karene, Denise and Jana for making the trek to Dallas today. It blessed us all so.
All of us over here in OZ were absolutely devastated when we received the news about your sweet Jack and his journey. We can only sit back and read the updates with painful acknowledgement of how far away we are and of how little we can do for you all physically. You all are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. The future on Jack's recovery in in his and the Lord's hands with assistance from the wonderful medical staff attending to him. We wish you all the strength to see this through and comfort that you are all loved.
Miss you all heaps,
Uncle Henry and Aunty Iris Anderson
your cousins Susan and her husband Gary and their children Paul Sharon and Gavin, Cindy and her children Zacary and Benjamin, and Matthew and his partner Vikki and their children Jade and Joshua.
I am so sorry that things are moving slowly for Jack and his recovery. We are thinking of him all day eveyday. And of course we are thinking of you also. We love you guys and hope that each day is better than the last. Give Jack a kiss for us.
We sure wish we could go to Kyrgyzstan. You know we love to golf........
How wonderful to know how much you are loved!!
Love,
Rob and Cari