a new adventure ... NOT

A new year ... a clean slate ...

Jim's 68th birthday was Jan. 3. Had supper (and a game of Scrabble) the night before with our family and lunch the day of with longtime friends.

And then came Thursday, Jan. 5. Bedtime to be exact.

A scratch on his lower right leg. Nothing abnormal about that ... he's had scratches before. And this was not an open sore. It was healing. But Thursday night the leg was very red, puffy and hot to the touch. At first we put Melaleuca oil on it, but by Friday night, determined that because the oil was so concentrated, it could cause less good and more trouble, so we stopped that treatment.

On Friday, Jan. 6, Jim said he didn't sleep very well. The leg was painful. It hurt to walk on it, especially when getting up from a sitting or laying position. I didn't sleep well, so was aware when his breathing became labored.

Before I continue, I want to share the Scriptures I read that morning. It was a promise God gave to us, that as long as our focus stayed on Him, things would be fine. We were not to worry, not to fret, not to fear. Just trust Him.

From Isaiah 43: 2-3: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, Your Savior."

Originally Jim was going to a walk-in clinic alone, but I decided to work from home, so we both went to the clinic (Hiawatha Urgent Care). We arrived at 9:50 a.m. -  there were 7 people ahead of us - it was going to be at least an hour before he could be seen. He mentioned Dr. Butler's name, and lo and behold, there was a cancellation at 10. The Lord orchestrated that just brilliantly.

The usual readings were taken - weight and blood pressure.  The BP was not good. It was taken three times - 70/42, 68/42 and 72/50 - all abnormally low. Butler was concerned that the consistent low readings could lead to kidney problems, as in shutting down. Dosage for the midodrine, taken to increase his numbers (which he hates to take, primarily, I think, because of the cost - $100  a month, with insurance), was returned to 3 pills 3 times a day. It seemed he was doing fine with 2 pills 3 times a day, but this new turn of events makes one wonder.

He was prescribed an antibiotic - 2 meds in one - called Amoxicillin / Clavulanic Acid 875-125 mg. Looks like horse pills and he takes one twice a day with food and plenty of water.

Dr. Butler told him that if he became light-headed, felt like he could pass out or had a fever, he should go immediately to the ER. He was to come back in 5 days for a follow-up - that would be Wednesday, Jan. 11.

We got home shortly before 11:30 a.m. Friday. He slept, I worked. He started taking 1 Ibuprofen for pain as needed.

When we had meals, he discovered the antibiotic makes some foods have no flavor. He especially noticed this with hamburgers and waffles / syrup. He could taste the sherbet, the pizza and the beef tips. It's a good thing not every food had lack of flavor, or he wouldn't be eating anything and he certainly doesn't need to stop eating.

On Saturday, Jan. 7, I also worked from home all day. Jim's breathing was not labored through the night, and although his leg still was painful, he was able to rest. Just before bedtime seems to be when we notice changes - Saturday night the redness started spreading to the other side of the leg and it was still swollen. But fortunately, there were no signs of being light-headed, passing out or fever - Thank you Lord.

Sunday, Jan. 8, we returned to Lincoln Street Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, where we are providing interim pastoral care while the congregation's current interim pastor is out due to health conditions and they are deciding what to do in the future. We thought if need be, we would share driving duties going down, in case Jim's strength wasn't at its best. But he did fine. He didn't notice the pain in his leg, probably because he was preaching.  He slept on the way home and most of the afternoon.

I posted on Facebook and the Immanuel email requesting prayer. There were some who suggested we go to the ER, especially since the redness was spreading. We were in a quandary. God told us not to fret, not to worry, not to fear. And all three of those were spouting their ugly heads.

Sunday night, the redness spread to his ankle. He started putting his legs up to reduce the puffiness.

Monday morning, Jan. 9, we called Dr. Butler's office and a return call got us an appointment for 4:30 this afternoon.

His blood pressure is up - 80/44. He was put on a different antibiotic - Levofloxacin 500 mg (Levaquin) and is to take 1 tablet once a day, at a different time than his vitamins. He'll start it at supper tonight. Dr. Butler remains concerned, but not sure a visit to the Emergency Room is warranted. Jim is to return to his office at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to see how he is doing with the new antibiotic.

We appreciate your continual prayers for healing as we strive to stay close to the Lord and proceed as best we can.