Staying in Houston.

Saturday at 12:30 pm, I spoke with Mom. She said that they would be staying in Houston another night, and if things go well, that they would return home on Sunday. They are not sure what the knot is on Dad's leg, but they will keep and eye on that, if it changes, moves, gets red, etc.
His breathing is still "gaspy and short at times", especially when he talks.
He also had a shaking episode, almost like the chills (when you have fever), right after eating breakfast. He had several of these in the hospital, usually after he finished walking around the nurses station, but this was while he was just sitting right after eating. Dad is discouraged about this, the breathing, and the shaking. Pray for encouragement in this, that hopefully this will pass as his condition improves over the next few months. He doesn't want this to stay with him the rest of his life.
Another praise is that the pathology report came back and it appears that the chemo and radiation killed all the cancer!!! The Drs told Mom and Dad that the part they removed had no trace of cancer in it, and that they would not have known that for sure if they had not done the surgery. It appears Dad has been cured of cancer. Hallelujah!!!!
Now we just need to pray him through this process of recovering from such major surgery. They do feel like his symptoms of the breathing and possibly the shakes are related to the nerve damage I referred to in earlier blog entry. We will see, and we will pray that the symptoms will decrease as his strength and healing increase.
In His amazing mercy and grace, JJ and all the Janszen Kids

Evening update

A huge praise!!! Dad passed his swallow test!!! He was so thrilled, we are all thrilled!! I thought Jesse, my 11 year old son, was going to cry when I told him. We have all hurt for Dad in this difficult time.
Anyway, he went and ate mashed potatoes, chicken, and green peas tonight. Mom said that Dad loved it.
He has been released from the hospital, everything seemed to check out ok, but they want him to stay close for tonight, and maybe tomorrow night as well. Dad's breathing is still not right, but they think it may have something to do with some nerve damage caused during surgery. They said he can stay on the lasiks as needed, but they said they did not find a blood clot near the heart. I did not find out what the knot in his leg was, will have to ask Mom tom. what they said about that.
They also said it looks like his heart is fine, and did not suffer any damage due to the excessive rapid heart rate over the last few weeks. I will feel better when Dad's heart rate slows to a more normal rate, and also when his breathing improves, but it sounds like this may take a little time.
Mom and Dad are going to stay the night in Houston at the Rotary House. He has no fever now, but they have taken him off the antibiotics to see what happens. So tonight we can praise God for Dad passing his test, and also pray for continued wisdom for those taking care of him, strength for him and Mom, and healing in his body to continue.
Thank you all for praying, JJ and the Janszen Kids

Morning report

Dad stayed over night. All tests they have run are inconclusive. They are running more tests today. Checking to see if Dad can swallow. They are concerned there may be a blood clot around the heart. Mom is tired, she rested for about 4 hours last night. Right now they are not sure about when they will come back home. Pray for the Drs. Wisdom to figure out what is happening with Dad, and how to treat it.
Thanks, JJ and the Janszen Kids

MDA ER.

Dad went in to the ER tonight in Houston at MDA. They immediately started running tests on him, and started him on IV antibiotics. He has continued to run a low grade temp, even though he has been on antibiotics for the past 10 days. Ray (for those new to the blog, Ray is my husband, an MD, and helps me understand some of the medicine talk) anyway, he told me that the 2 iv antibiotics they started Dad on are two of the big guns we have in medicine. They are the strongest we have. Hopefully this will take care of an infection somewhere that they have not been able to pinpoint. At the time we talked to Mom, they were still awaiting more tests, but Ray said more than likely they would start him on lasiks as well. He also has developed a bump in his inner thigh about the size of a golf ball. They are going to investigate this as well. Possible blood clot, lymph node??
Right now our two biggest concerns are the possible infection somewhere in his body, and the fluid build up in the chest, abdomen, and lower extremities.
I spoke with Mom at 10:30 and she sounded tired, but said she was glad they were there and had gone on in. She said Dad went willingly.
Please continue to pray. I will update on Friday after I speak with Mom.
In this fight with all of you, JJ and the Janszen Kids

A Good Night, but heading back to Houston

Mom called this morning and said:
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.

Psalm 34:1-9

Dad's breathing has been better, heart rate down, and he slept much better last night. Praise God for all YOU prayer warriors and for lasiks. They are heading down to MDA today, staying in the Rotary House tonight, and have appointments all day tomorrow. They will have a chance to evaluate Dad and see if we are on the right track with what we have done the last 24 hours with his meds. They will do his swallow test tomorrow. If he passes, then he can have a drink of water!!!
Praising God with you, JJ
Don and Sandy, your prayer really ministered to Mom and Dad, Thank you.

Better

A few hours after taking Dad's new meds, he was breathing a little better, and his heart rate was down in the 90's. Thank you for your prayers. I will update tom. afternoon after I have a chance to talk with them. In Him, JJ

Prayer needed again.

Just got off the phone with Mom. Dad's breathing has not improved. There is swelling in the lower legs, and abdomen. Resting heart rate is above 100 bpm. Ray took it last night, and it was in the 120's. Dad's normal rhr is in the 50's. Ray said that his heart is having to work overtime to try to handle the extra fluid on the lungs. Ray got some lasiks to Joy and Mom today to try and get the fluid off of his lungs and relieve this extra pressure on his heart.
In the mean time, after talking to Dr. Roth's nurse down at MDA, she said they could try the medicine at home, but if it doesn't help, that Dad needs to come to the MDA ER. Something is not right, even if it is just the fluid, Dad's heart cannot keep up this pace for a long time.
Mom asked for us to all pray for:
1) A strong heart for Dad.
2) For wisdom for her to know if they just need to hop in the car NOW, and go, or wait and go Thursday. They are going for sure on Thursday, because they are going to try and do the swallow test on Friday to see if he can start drinking water, etc.
3) For Mom, as she has been overwhelmed with phone calls. So many want to just check in, but because there are so many, she is having a hard time handling the volume of calls.
4) For Dad to do whatever he needs to do to help himself, even if it means going back to the hospital.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for praying, JJ