Thursday AM Update

The big news this morning is that Steve's heart rate has been slowly down steadily since 5am this morning. Right now it is at 107ppm. Praise the Lord for this miraculous change! His respiration rate is normal (at 18). Around 9am, the doctors inserted a Vena Cava Filter into his right thigh to prevent the blood clot in his leg from causing pulmonary embolism (a condition in which the clot breaks loose and travels into the lungs). He is currently lying flat and resting. All his vital signs are looking good.

Both his primary doctor and the oncologist came by. Currently, it looks as if Steve's internal hemorrhage is slowing down, though no hemoglobin reading was available today. His breathing is normal (Great news!) However, the fluids in his chest cavity are building back up. A more permanent procedure (pleurodesis) may be necessary to prevent the fluids from building up altogether, but this is not urgent at the moment.

A new concern: Steve, though conversing well and feeling better than ever, is confused. He doesn't know where he is. He speaks about crossing the border to Canada and about soldiers and border patrols. A neurologist is scheduled to come in to determine if some of the medications are interacting to cause these effects on his brain.

Praise: That his vital signs are becoming more and more normal. He is no longer breathless and is able to speak.
Prayer request: Pray that he can become coherent and that the neurologist may be able to determine the cause of his mental confusions. Pray also that the fluids in his chest will not confinue to build up. Pray for the consultation with the GI doctor later in the day to see if an endoscopy is necessary. Thank you so much for your love. God bless you for your blessings to us.