An Unfortunate turn of events

Good Morning. Well, not really. Bethany experienced her worst night yet. This morning hasn't been any better. I thought I would give a quick update to encourage everyone to continue to pray for her comfort and healing.

After a very good day yesterday, the day wound down, and she was in a lot of pain. We tried everything to make her even remotely comfortable. We ordered a new air mattress, pumped it, deflated it, pumped it some more....yada yada yada, until we thought we had it just right. That, in and of itself, was quite the undertaking. Having to life Bethany, who is in excruciating pain, is not a task for the weak of heart. She moaned and groaned, with an occasional scream of pain, while we were attempting to make her more comfortable. Her hips are very painful. She has lost so much weight, that her bones are sticking out and after 16+ days of lying flat in bed, it has become painful. Combine that with the two incisions in her back, the two drains, the pic line in her chest, the seven or so IV's, the foley catheter, the heart monitors, the pulse ox, the constant finger pricks of her blood sugar, blood draws, etc., she is holding up quite well. I know that I couldn't do it. Just put me down for the count.

I wrote yesterday about how her boyfriend, Nate, has been admitted into the hospital with meningitis. Well, Bethany is extremely distressed over that. I mentioned it to her surgeon this morning, and he was very surprised and is currently researching everything to find out if there is any connection between Bethany and Nate's conditions. We just called the surgeon, and he sent his nurse in to check on Bethany's pain management. We know that Dr. Healy would like to minimize her pain as much as possible.

Bethany has been literally screaming in pain all morning and is constantly crying, "I can't do this any more. Mom, help me." Yikes. So, they had increased her pain meds last night by administering dilatin. When the nurse asked Bethany if she wanted more, Bethany said, 'no,' because she was afraid and basically incoherent. So, the nurse resumed the morphine, which has begun to diminish it's effects on Bethany. Thus, this morning, the pain has reached an uncontrollable level. I remembered, that prior to Bethany's second surgery on Monday, the pre-surg doctor administered fentinol to Bethany and it basically knocked her out. So, I asked about it. Chris said that we would allow Bethany to have fentinol, which is even a bit stronger than dilatin.

In the interim, Bethany has been writhing in pain. As I am writing, she is receiving her dosage of fentinol. She has immediately calmed down. I am praying that she will continue to sleep all day.

Considering Bethany's condition, we are keeping with the policy of NO VISITORS TODAY please, except immediate family and Pastors. The doctor just took another spinal fluid sample to check for any bacteria, etc., and to see just what is causing so much pain. We know that the meningitis causes extreme pain, but because she has been on so many antibiotics for days.

For lack of sleep and rest, I have developed congestion and cold symptoms and an ear ache. My doctor is planning on calling me in a prescription. I am also going home, in a minute, to get an hour of sleep and a shower, and then return. Aunt Bonnie is going to take Joy to dinner and a movie, while Bethany and I chill. Chris will be coming up shortly (once I call him from waking up from my nap), as he has taken the day off. Woo Hoo! I could definitely use his strong shoulders today.

Thanks so much for all of your prayers. I haven't spell checked this. Too tired. Please forgive me. ha.

Love to all, Shari, Bonnie and Bethany