Today's Appointment

Kathy saw Dr. Azmeh who is the infectious disease doctor. He asked a bunch of questions and has changed her antibiotic. He's taking Kathy off the Timentin and Tobramycin and she is now taking Vancomycian. She will continue taking this for at least another 14 days. She will have blood tests each Monday. Dr. Azmeh is still not sure where the infection is coming from so we still have no real answers. If Kathy is still running fever next Wednesday then Dr. Azmeh wants an MRI of her back to check for infection pocket.

Now, on a different note....when Kathy, her mother and I left Dr. Azmeh's office I could not find my car key. I told Kathy and her mom to go on but that I would find the key and go get a haircut. An hour later and I still could not find the key. My father arrived 30 minutes into my search for "The Lost Key of Jimbeaux (sorry about the Indiana Jones motif) and we still could not find that little sucker. But before that I had several good Samaritans to help me search for the key. After the good Samaritans left I was on my third prayer to God to help me find the key (let me stop at this moment and say that I almost had one of those please help me Lord and I will do and go anywhere for you moments....I will go to the Congo, Iceland, Destin, Pensacola, Gulf Shores ....you know one of those types of moments.) As I was saying, on my third request for God to show me the key I heard that still small voice in my head to "follow the line." And right after that the voice said "no matter how stupid it sounds." Ok, the first statement sounds like direction from the Lord but the second statement sure sounds like something I would say in my head. Let me explain what "follow the line" is. I interpreted this to mean to search along the edge where the grass meets the sidewalk and also the parking lot curb. So, I began slowly walking the line in search of "The Lost Key of Jimbeaux!!" Well, the section I was looking was in the corner of the parking lot just outside Dr. Azmeh's Office's door. After arriving back at the place where I started and still did find the key I did something very odd . . . . . I went to the other side of the sidewalk next to the building and took two steps and there was the key . . . . . ON THE LINE WHICH WAS THE EDGING OF THE SIDEWALK AND GRASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you have goosebumps yet????

I picked up the key, turned around to my dad, who was by the car and let out a shout. I then turned toward the sky and said "Thankyeaux!"

Now, here's where it gets funny. I drove home and was going to set Kathy up. I walked in the house and she was in the girls playroom. I walk into the girls playroom and she is on the phone and turns to me and says, "You found the key?" Without batting an eye I told her, "Nope, I put my finger in the key ignition and I'll be doggone if the car didn't start!"

Now, if your a comedian Bill Engvall fan then you know what comes next.....yep, "Here's Your Sign!!!"

I want to be fair to her and tell you she did not know that I found the key and had driven the car home. That was all part of my setup. Since she was in the girls playroom she did not know I drove the car home . . . . but I can assure you that we both had a good laugh.

In His hands ..... and listening to His still small voice,

Jimbeaux

P.S. I think I might have to email Bill Engvall and see if he will use it in his next Blue Collar Comedian tour.

Dr. Appointment Wednesday

Kathy has an appointment with Dr. Azmeh, the infectious disease doctor Wednesday. Kathy had her staples removed today and her surgeon was very concerned that Dr. Azmeh's office has not kept Kathy as a priority and booked her for an appointment sooner. After a quick phone call by Dr. Landreneau the appointment was booked for tomorrow. It's at 2:15 and I'm going to join Kathy and her mom there. Dr. Landreneau is still not sure where the infection is coming from and has ordered more lab and test work today. Her surgical wound is healing very well. Kathy and I are still very concerned about the low grade fever. Some tests are still coming back showing there's an infection in the body. Kathy is afraid of having to go thru the whole surgery again. She is very tired and simple tasks can be very draining on her body. She sleeps when she can but then again she's having to take two types of antibiotics one at every 6 hours and the other at every 8 hours at a time thru the pic line in her arm. She cannot wait to get this out of her arm but wants a 100% all clear from Dr. Azmeh and Dr. Landreneau before it's taken out.

I will send out an update sometime tomorrow afternoon or early evening. We continue to appreciate your calls and prayers. Even an early call this morning from a 1st Baptist friend was a welcome start to the morning.

In His hands,

Jimbeaux

Dr. Appointment Tuesday

Kathy has an appointment Tuesday (tomorrow) to have the staples removed. She will talk to Dr. Landreneau about the low grade fever. Please be in prayer for him that he will have wisdom to provide treatment for the fever to help Kathy relax so that she can recover from the surgery. She and I are very concerned why this fever will not go away. I will have an update tomorrow after the appointment.

We had a great Thanksgiving Day week and weekend with family and friends. The leftovers are almost finished. The Tigers lost on Friday and my heart felt it but I'm a diehard fan and I never give up on the Tigers. GEAUX TIGERS!!! Beat the snot out of the Tennessee Volunteers.


Kathy and I are very appreciative for the phone calls, cards, a surprise meal of two and the outpouring of love and prayer you have provided to us. It warms are hearts to feel such love.

Thankyeaux!!!!!

In His hands,

Jimbeaux

P.S. I'm loving this cold weather!!!

1st Day Home

Here's what we know. She is fighting some type of infection. The 10 days of antibiotics are to help further knock out any remaining infection. Here's what we don't know. Where it is located. All the tests done on Kathy do not give any indication where it is located. Kathy will have a follow up appointment to hopefully get a clean bill of health from the doctors. We will cross that bridge if need be but we still seek your prayers for healing. Kathy is slowly gaining strength. The home health agency has come out and showed Kathy how to administer the antibiotic. She will be waking up at 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. each morning to stay on schedule.

We are so glad to be home with our two little girls. They have missed their mommy and she has missed them.

On a brighter note we had a home invasion last night and are expecting another one tonight!! Now hang in there with me please as I'm sure some of you have rapid heartbeats right now. The home invasion is brought to you by the neighborhood tooth fairy. Luckly, this tooth fairy does not belong to a local union and is available on call for tooth extractions from Kristina's pillow. Her first tooth came out Sunday night and the 2nd one tonight. Seems that the tooth fairy brought out a Lincoln last night but Kristina is wondering if that amount will double. I guess I have to look in my wallet for a Hamilton. Hmmm... or maybe two Lincoln's, or ten Washington's. That girl must think the tooth fairy is loaded!!! Either way, it's all worth it.

Darn, I just wish I had some of that sparkle dust from that store Libby Lu. I would love to put some on the carpet and lead it up to the door. I can only imagine the type of reaction I would get from the girls....

We are home

It's been a long week but it's good to say that we are home now. I will have more to say later but here are the cliff notes version.

A pick line was put in to Kathy's arm so that home health will come out for ten days to give Kathy the antibiotic. This is to completely illuminate any infection that is hanging around still in the body. We don't know where the infection is and we still seek your prayers for God's continued healing in her body.

To all, thank you for the calls, visits and prayers.

On Toward The Weekend

We are due to stay Friday night and possibly Saturday night. Kathy has received new medication to combat the fever and the increased heart rate. We are told that this medication is considered to be like napalm. It's job is to burn out whatever infection is in her. The doctors are stumped as to what is causing all this. This morning she had chest x-rays to check for a collapsed lung. Those results were negative. She's had different types of tests: blood, urine, EKG and the such. Her strength is slowly coming back but it is slow. She hardly could do her walking exercises since her heart rate was up so she did limited walking. Today has been better in doing the exercises. The nursing staff has been like gold and I cannot say enough about the love and care they have extended towards Kathy and I. We are making long lasting friendships.

Please continue to keep Kathy is prayer. We hope to be home tomorrow but it is better to play it safe and cautious.

In His hands,
Jim

3rd Day & 2nd Night

Kathy is still running a fever. They are not sure the cause. Last night it got to 103. The doctor has taken her off the IV and the morphine drip. She has been approved for a liquid diet only. A specialist came in this morning to run a Doppler study on her legs for circulation. Everything is fine with the circulation. Kathy also has an increased heart rate of 122 bpm. It is like she is running a marathon. They are not sure what is causing this. She is getting rest and walking up and down the halls as prescribed and we are expected to go home tomorrow. Now, I have my reservations about this if the heart rate and fever have not been controlled.

Please pray for answers and healing this afternoon.

Thanks,

Jim Simon

Surgery Day and 1st Night

Howdy,

Ok, here's the 411 on Kathy's surgery Tuesday. Everything went according to plan as Dr. Landreneau had hoped. He actually commented that he did not even break a sweat!! When ya think about it that's pretty good comments to hear! She slept off and on during the day. The nausea has hopefully left for good. Kathy and I did not get much quality sleep but we did rest enough to get us thru the day. It seems that I recall seeing the clock at 1:00, 2:00, 3:45, 5:00 and the morning sun at 6:30. That's when the physical therapist arrived at he got Kathy on her feet and we strolled down the hallway and back. She did get a bit dizzy as we arrived back at the room but is now resting comfortably. I've come home quickly to shower and update the blog and back up to the hospital I will go.

Now, last night as I was checking out the clock helping Kathy move from her side to her back and from her back to her side I was trying to find some biblical insight about all that we were going through. The thing that kept coming to my mind was how tired I was but how much more tired Kathy was and the pain she was experiencing. I did not care to meet my comfort but kept getting up to take care of my wife and make sure she was comfortable to rest. It seems that as Christians we can be so busy about doing so many things that we neglect to rest in the hands that are outstretched wanting to guide us, lead us, direct us, hold us and comfort us. It is only in God's hands can we have the strength to get through the day. Philippians 4:13 reminds me that Christ is my strength and verse 19 reminds me that God shall supply all of my needs. That is a comfort and that is my prayer for our family.

What a weekend!!

I'm tired. I have been cleaning carpets, cleaning the play room, cleaning the kitchen, painting the girls bathroom. The girls love the new pink colors and the stripes I've added to the walls. The girls don't know I've installed the new towels bars and Anne Gaddes prints so they will think it looks pretty cool. That's exactly what they said when they saw the stripes I painted. Kathy has already hung up their embroidered towels on the towel rack. They will think that is cool too. I have more to do on Monday since I'm taking the day off from work.

Sunday was a wonderful day at church. Many well wishes and words from friends telling us..."we are praying for you." I know that Kathy appreciates all of this. Dr. Page's sermon really hit home about having peace during the rough seas in our lives. I'm very sure that everyone present Sunday morning understood this since no Christian is immune from an ocean of rough seas or travels down rocky roads. Hmmm....rocky road...I think I need some ice cream.

Oops, I guess vanilla with chocolate syrup will have to do.

In His hands tonight,

Jimbeaux

Why is this blog here?

So....how should I start this???

Hmmmm....how about "It was a dark and stormy night....." Nah, too Snoopy.

Ok, how about, "Call me Ishmael...." Nah, too Moby-Dickish.

Maybe I should try comedy...."Live from New York it's....." Nope! Can't use that since I don't live in New York." Besides, some lawyers from the SNL show might give me a call to stop using it.


Well, I guess the only way to start this would be say that this site is not about me but it is about my wife Kathy. I'm establishing this site to keep family and friends updated on the condition of my wife as she nears her surgery date for her back. A friend from church gave me the idea to set this site up. So, here it is. I will try to keep it updated with info on her condition and the healing progress she is making towards a total recovery.

My first request for those reading this ..... please pray! Pray for the Dr. Frasier Landrneau, his staff and all those attending to Kathy's surgery. Pray for insight and direction. Pray for healing and recovery. Pray for two little girls to understand that their mommy needs lots of TLC in the weeks to come. And if you have any prayers left .... pray for me. Pray that I will know what to do each day to take care of my family.

In His hands,

Jimbeaux