On May 14th, I (Becky) broke my toe in 4 places, and I was unable to walk without crutches for almost a month, and subsequently unable to work, as we drive for a living. I'm not using the medical shoe anymore, but my toe and foot is still achy and stays swollen.
Lowell got me settled at my parents home, and left for VA on Memorial Day, May 26th, to work and also stay with his mom and take care of her. On Thurs, May 29th, he woke with a very sore neck. By the next night he could barely move his head, and went to the ER in Chesapeake VA. They said it was pulled muscles and prescribed steroids and muscle relaxers. Our daughter brought me to VA the next day, Saturday the 30th. On Sunday, June 1st, Lowell started running a low-grade fever, but his neck pain was slowly subsiding. As the week progressed, he ran low-grade fevers every day and his pain moved to his lower back by the weekend and was becoming worse. On Tues, June 10th, he was in so much pain he could barely walk and his fever shot up to 102.9. I took him back the the ER at Chesapeake Regional Hospital where they diagnosed with him a severe bacterial infection in his blood. He was admitted the early morning hours of June 11th, into the critical care unit. He spent 7 days under heavy pain medications and extremely powerful antibiotics. On Tues, June 17th, occupational therapy got him up with the assistance of a walker. The infectious disease Dr began working with our home doctor to set us up with home health care back home in GA, as our health insurance would not approve it in VA. He needs 8 weeks of daily IV antibiotics and weekly blood work to monitor the progress of the medications on the bacteria. We returned home on Sunday June 29th immediately after he received his IV meds and was discharged, returning home to GA in time to receive his next dose with a home health nurse on Monday June 30th. She taught me how to administer it every morning.
Lowell is still in great pain and cannot walk without the use of a walker. I had planned on working once we came home and after getting him settled at my parents home this past week. As I attempted to go to work on Thurs, July 10th, my vehicle, which is a commercial vehicle and how we make our living, suddenly began running rough, and I immediately turned back home when the engine light came on. My dad helped test for the engine code, which shows that both catalytic converters need replacing. We are both self-employed, and now we have been unable to work since June 10th. Our business bills and personal bills, including medical debts are piling up, but we are trusting God to help supply our needs. He is the Great Physician and He alone is our Healer. So, we are leaning on him like never before. If you would like to help us cover our medical bills and fix my car so that I can return to work, and help us now that Lowell is unable to work for approx 2 more months, we will be extremely grateful. God has always been our Provider and we know He never fails. Please pray for us as we adjust to this current situation and that we will rest in the mighty hands of our heavenly Father.
Update: on Tues. July 8, Lowell began running a fever of 100.5. We were able to get it down to normal by 4am. Then last night, July 11, he started another fever and increased pain. The on-call nurse had me bring him to the hospital. We spent all night in the ER, and they have admitted him for more tests today, July 11th.
Lowell was released on July 15th, to return home under home hearth care, with the continued daily IV meds.
Becky's work vehicle is still out of commission and mechanic said it needs a new manifold in addition to the catalytic converters.
Update July 29 : Lowell saw his Infectious Disease Dr today. He was released from the IV daily antibiotics and has been placed on oral antibiotics for 3 to 6 months. He will take one pill 3 times every day for 3 months, and then be re-evaluated on Oct 30th, to determine if he needs the remaining 3 months. His pain is slowly improving and he is slowly regaining his strength. He was able to walk without the walker on Friday, July 25! We praise the Lord for this progress.
My (Becky's) car was finally repaired on Tues evening, July 29th and it passed the emissions test for the tag renewal! We praise the Lord that I will be able to begin my return to work. We are so thankfull to everyone for all the prayers and call, texts, and visits over the past 6 weeks. We are especially grateful for those who have given to help us with the mounting medical bills and the help while Lowell has been sick and I have been unable to work and giving him his daily IV injections. We are so very grateful. We still have a long road ahead as he regains his strength and his pain continues to subside, but we know the Lord is our Healer and our strength and we continue to trust in Him alone!
Update, July 31: the nurse came and removed his PICC line! He is steadily improving. He is walking so much better, but still moves very slowly. His pain is still not managed well, but he is coping. My car is fixed and I have a work run on Saturday, Aug 2nd! We praise the Lord for His provision for us!