Tuesday, September 28, 2010

"Please pray for Nate. After having an echocardiogram today, it has been determined that Nate has an infection at the end of the central line that goes into his heart and it is believed that he now has a heart infection. His heart rate and blood pressure are both high. This is very frustrating, please pray that the infection is cleared without any heart damage. We know God hears our prayers and we thank you for continuing to pray. We will know more in the morning after speaking to the oncologist, infectious disease, and cardiology. He also spiked a fever today and his mouth is very nasty with lesions in it all over.~ Wes"

Thursday, September 23, 2010

"Jake is out of hospital, a little sore, but doing great. Nate is suffering from lots of side effects from the chemo and the transplant (we knew it would be rough). His blood pressure is running high, he has off and on fevers, he has another infection in his line, he itches all over, his skin is bright red with dark red and white splotches all over, he twitches terribly and shakes in his sleep which is hard for him to do, his rear and mouth have sores all over them, and he has severe mucositis which is a crazy condition where from your throat to the inside of your intestines produce extra mucus because you have no immune system and it causes you to literally poop bright green liquid snot and blood frequently and makes it very difficult to talk, on top of all that he can't eat because he is nauseous. Even with all of that going on he has a good attitude and laughed at a clown who performed through the shield for the room and got down and did his physical therapy and played very good today. Nate wants to make it, I have never witnessed anyone with such a will to live. God is great and has done so much in our lives, we are so grateful. Thank you for all of your support and prayers. Please continue, we know that is what gets us through each day. Nate will understand all of this one day and will know that so many people took the time to love him, he already knows to some extent, but we will always make sure that he knows that many have loved him and much love should be shown by him to his LORD and to the world. Thanks-Wes."
"Jake's surgery went as planned for the bone marrow harvest. Jake is an amazing little man. He was laughing with Wes and Luke while waiting this morning. He was so calm and visited with the doctors as they put him to sleep for the procedure. We and I are so proud of him and the strength God has given him. He has been throwing up from the meds. He will spend the night in the hospital just for routine observation and pain control. Nate is currently getting the transplant. It is about a four hour process to infuse the new marrow. He has been dealing with the effects of the chemo and in the coming days he will be dealing with the side effects of transplant as well. The doctors have let us know that the week or two after transplant are usually very difficult days. Today has been a very emotional day as we have traveled back and forth between Jake and Nate's hospital rooms, but to quote Nate's doctor,"today is a blessed day." So many days we weren't sure if we would make it to this point, and although it is not over we rejoice for the opportunity to continue this journey. Love to you all!!!!"~ From Jackie

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Nate update today was the big day for transplant. Thanks for all the prayers and to God for making this possible. Please pray for both Nate and Jake. Big brother helping little brother forever. Jake came out of two hour surgery nauseous and wore out and has been throwing up and asleep most of today. Nate has been getting the five hour transplant since 1pm Pacific time. He is steady and they have lots of people gathered around him. So far all is okay. The next 14 days are critical to make sure his body accepts Jake's cells and starts to produce his own. Until then we have been warned to see Nate go through lots of crazy side effects. Thanks for the continued prayers. I will keep all informed. ~ From Wes