A Sea Of Red

Hey guys,

I know it's hard to believe I could every be serious, but I can. I haven't shared this before because it is so complicated, but I think I can sum it up simply enough so you can know how to pray.

My dad (here in the 'burg) is 82. he has been VERY healthy for ever. Well, back in April that all changed. Long story short he was diagnosed with a rare (yet unnamed) condition where his bone marrow had just dissappeared and dried up except for a little bit. Bone marrow is what makes your blood. So he was very low and has now had a total of 49 units of blood spread out every 2 weeks or so since April. In July he was getting blood and a blood clot broke free from his leg and went into his heart and then to his lung. It caused damage to his heart and sent him to Cardiac intensive care for several days with severe breathing issues. The clot had broken into a lot of pieces and was blocking several arteries (one was a very large saddle embelism for you Medic types). The Drs. are amazed that he came through that, and that his is no longer on oxygen. Anyway he is home and doing OK. He battles MANY issues every day including: balance, sugar levels, Iron levels WAY too high from the extra blood, nausea, and major fatigue and lack of energy. He has been under some crazy drug treatments (including chemo and an experimental iron sweeper) that leave his white blood count very low. I say all of this to say this: he has pretty much stayed away from people on and off since July because of his immune system being bad. Now fast forward to Christmas. We feel it is more important than ever that our family be together this year. However that will put 7 extra adults and 8 extra kids in his face for several days on and off. Please pray that we can all stay well, and consequently that he will too. His white cell count is actually up just slightly this week which is good, but it is still somewhat low. He wants this to be a fun time for all, and there is a feeling that this could be his last Christmas. Sorry to lay so much on you guys, but thanks for the prayers.

BTW my dad is a Navy Veteran of WWII and Korea, a 40 year Navy Civil Service worker, and my personal hero.

Thanks for sharing. Will be praying!

Praying!

May God bless you dad and your family with the best Christmas ever.
PS God may Dad have more Christmas

Praying in PA Knuckle

prayers from the noke knuckle!

Wow... Praying for you down here in South Carolina. It sounds like your Dad is a fighter. I hope he keeps fighting this thing. And he sounds like the kind of guy that could be a hero to a lot of people.

Hang in there.

agreed to all the above and will be thinking of you guys

Praying in Houston

FYI
I've been at lgh on and off since Sunday night with my dad. He caught a fierce intestinal infection that has caused some serious problems with his blood too. He will be here for at least a few more days most likely. please pray.

Will do...

Praying.

Praying in Denver.

Praying for you and your family.

Thanks for all the prayers. My dad is doing quite a bit better. He still has a little improvement to make over the next day or two. If he does he may go home Thursday. Thanks again.

Thanks for the great report.

Glad to hear he is starting to improve. Still praying for him...

Just got dad hom about a half hour ago and he is greatly improved. Thanks for the prayers. Due to his condition and age, he may be in and out of the hospital until it eventually takes him, but he is home for now and we'll cherish our time with him. The other good news is that his immune system blood count is up so the kids can go see him.

thanks for the update- great news!

Ok I know some of you guys don't like me, but I need your prayers for my pop again.
He is again in the ICU at LGH. He has had more bloodclots break free into his lungs, and has a bad unidentified infection in his lungs as well. He is struggling to breathe and is on oxygen. The clots are beginning to dissolve from the thinners but the infection isn't getting any better even with tons of antibiotics. The drs are having issues identifying what it is and think it may be something from one of the 133 units of blood he has had over the past almost 2 years. He is wearing out breathing on his own. So they will soon switch him to a machine that helps him breathe with a tight mask and forced air.

Thanks for the prayers.

I love you, man...
...may God in His infinite powers heal your father. My dad went through something similar two years ago...but the clots in his lungs affected his heart rhythm. My prayers are with you, friend.

Praying in Houston. My grandfather was in LGH much of this past week as well.

Knuckle - praying in WC

Praying in Florida.

And in Lynchburg.