Marcy may be a little better. We received the Amphotericin (Ampho) yesterday afternoon and I started infusing about 5p. I set it to run very slowly (6 hours) and after about 3.5 hours (18 of the 30mg dose) Marcy asked me to stop the medicine, she was feeling sick. She asked for 1/2 a Phenergan and a heating pad for her tummy for nausea. But about 10p I told Marcy I noticed she didn't need near as much suctioning last night - almost none. And she didn't have hot and cold spells. She told me that soon after the Ampho was stopped she started feeling better. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines last night.

As of yesterday, her latest culture hadn't speciated so we still don't have antibiotics. We'll continue to watch how she feels to see if they are necessary.

Kara was here to care for Marcy yesterday. I drove to Garland's house to borrow a carpet cleaner for our basement to clean up a little before Darcy's friends get here tomorrow for her birthday. The plan is for six friends to meet at our house after church. A new friend donated a limo ride from our house to Laser Chase for a game of laser tag (also donated,) pizza, then another game of laser tag. Parents plan to pick up their kids from Laser Chase.

Darcy neatened up the basement as I cleaned the carpet yesterday afternoon.

Matt went to Michael's house after class yesterday and brought Michael home for supper last night. Then they went out and Matt was home about 11:30.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in March's Dinner Calendar.

F:4.5, J:0, I:1, Y:4, B:1, O:1, P:1/2, T:1; IV Amphotericin:18mg Key

We made it home from the hospital about 9 last night, making it 2:30a going to sleep, making the 5:30 alarm seem early. I went back to sleep for a little bit after Darcy got off to school. (It was raining pretty hard when she left so I took her to the bus stop in the van and used the monitor to listen for Marcy.)

I don't know that Marcy is feeling much better. She doesn't feel the "very sick" that started last week - her electrolytes are almost back to normal (CO2=19.4, normal=21.) We think that is due to the antifungal Amphotericin (Ampho.) We think the yeast that almost always shows in Marcy's urinalysis is more than colonization - that it is a Chronic Candidiasis that is creating toxins and excess acids. Being in the urinary tract may have the double whammy of impairing renal function so that the extra acids are having trouble getting expelled from the body.

Marcy tolerated the initial dose (1mg) and the ramp up dose (15mg) of Ampho well in the hospital. She will receive the full dose (30mg) here at home today and daily - prescribed for 30 days. I pray she continues to tolerate it well. As an antifungal agent, Ampho may help her neuropathy if Dr. Reid's theory is right that fungal infections play a major role in most neuropathies, including ALS. Dr. Reid and I looked again at her history and at first glance her CO2 always seems to improve when she gets Amphotericin. He gave me all the CO2 levels we have on her and I plan to compare that to these daily updates. I plan to see what the exact correlation is between Ampho, CO2, and how she feels going back to early 2005.

We're happy that she feels better (here comes Pee Wee Herman's big butt) BUT she still has a Pseudomonas growing in her sputum. Marcy had to be suctioned a lot last night: after putting her in her wheelchair (before we left the hospital,) I had to stop the car once on the way home to suction her, and had to suction her before transferring her back to bed. Then suction her every 10 minutes or so last night. She did, however, sleep without asking for suction and did not need suctioning with her 6a meds this morning.

So we are sort of back to what is normal when she has a bacterial infection - without the very sick feeling she had last week. But we are not treating the bacterial infection for now. Antibiotics help the body kill bad bacteria but also kill good bacteria. That allows a fungal infection to proliferate. We may need to go back on the antibiotics to keep the Pseudomonas from making (or keeping) her sick.

Kara came to the hospital yesterday while Marcy's Ampho was running (it runs for 2-6 hours - we ran it slowly to help avoid reaction.) That allowed me to go home and shower for the first time since Tuesday morning (gross!) Before showering I rode the bicycle again to get some blood circulating and get more energy. I rode the same route as before (see 2/18 post.) I had hoped to improve my time, but did the route in exactly the same time. I'll have to work on that.

Darcy and Matt were home when we got home. Matt was doing homework (!) and Darcy was in the shower. The pets climbed all over both of us - it was a very happy reunion.

Yesterday morning Marcy approved my column for this week.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Toleration of Ampho. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in March's Dinner Calendar.

F:4, J:1, I:1, Y:4, B:?, O:1, T:1; IV Amphotericin (15mg) Key

Yesterday Marcy was awake a little more. I can't tell if she feels better. She agreed to take the Amphotericin (IV antifungal) last night about 10p. It can be very hard on the patient but she tolerated the first (very low, 1g) dose well. The theory is that her yeast infection could be the infection causing her CO2 to be low (her metabolic acidosis.) It was 12.1 at it's lowest point and was up to a little over 14 from her 3:30p yesterday draw - but that was before the Amphotericin.

I didn't leave the room yesterday so I didn't see either of the kids. But I talked to Darcy on the phone. She was studying for today's history test but made time to bake off a frozen lasagna for herself and Matt.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Electrolytes in balance. Go home with the proper treatment. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in March's Dinner Calendar.

F:3-4, J:1, I:1, Y:4, T:1 Key

We are still in the hospital. Last night was a little better - 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Marcy felt better yesterday morning, then crashed again yesterday afternoon and last night. And again this morning felt better but is now back to sleeping lots. She has not had any antibiotics since Monday 11p when she got IV Levaquin.

We are thinking the antibiotics were making her sick. But yesterday afternoon she was still sick (lethargy, nausea, headache.) She wants to go on home if we aren't treating for anything here. This morning her Potassium was high. If we get that down (with Lasix,) we may go home later today.

Her CO2 is at an all time low. She has had this before but it is usually explained by infections and improves with treatment of infection. We're still looking into this.

After work yesterday, Matt came to watch Marcy from 4:30-6:30p and let me go home to juice for Marcy and eat supper with Darcy.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in March's Dinner Calendar.

F:3-4 Key

Not much time to post. Left house yesterday at 4p for hospital. Took until 11p getting to room. That made it 2a getting to sleep. Marcy woke at 4a hot and uncomfortable, they came to draw blood at 5a, nurses & respiratory in and out since 7a.

Marcy still feels very bad. Yesterday she slept almost all day and it was very difficult to understand her needs the few minutes she was awake. This morning I am packing to take her to the hospital this afternoon. Dr. Reid is having some trouble with Williamson Medical Center - we may have to go to Baptist Hospital in Nashville.

Darcy went to church with friends yesterday morning, did homework early in the afternoon, then made movies with Jo later in the afternoon.

Matt went to church yesterday morning then went to Murfreesboro to be with friends as they finished recording their CD. He was home about 11:30 last night.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Find the source of her pain. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Still some openings in February's Dinner Calendar. Even if Marcy and I aren't at home, the kids will be.

F:2, J:0, I:1, Y:4, B:1, O:2, P:1.5, T:1; IV Gentamycin:1, IV Ceftazadime:3 Key

Marcy continues to feel very sick. She slept almost all day yesterday. I washed clothes but kept very close to her. She asked for Oxycodone yesterday afternoon and with her bedtime medicines last night.

Marcy's sister Denise Skyped yesterday (called over the computer so they could see each other) and talked for almost 2 hours. That was the highlight of Marcy's day and she even dozed in and out of that.

Darcy was home with us all day. She cleaned her room, did homework, texted friends, and watched the season finales of "Monk" and "Psyche" with us.

Matt and his sleep over friends slept until after noon. Matt took them home then worked from 2-10p. He came home and told us he is Employee of the Month at Staples this month. His boss told him he is doing a great job and gave him a $25 gift certificate. At 10:30 last night Matt went out with friends until midnight.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Still some openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:3, J:1, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:2, P:1, T:1; IV Gentamycin:1, IV Ceftazadime:3 Key

Marcy felt very sick yesterday. She could barely keep her eyes open all day and dozed in and out of our TV watching last night. I'm hoping it was the combination of being tired from Thursday's outing and that she was still trying to overcome the antibiotic that didn't agree with her Thursday - though she didn't have any of that yesterday. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines last night.

Kara was here yesterday and took care of her while I picked up a gas cooktop that our friend Shane donated for us to sell. Then I went to pay property taxes, then came home to pick Darcy up to go to the bank. We brought the dogs and stopped to let them run at the park on the way home.

I made it home in time to meet with Barbara (one of the Saucy Sisters,) who are hosting the "day of" event for the Miles for Marcy Run-a-Thon.

After supper, Darcy went to the Open Mic night at the high school with her friend Molly (to watch, not to perform) and was home just before 10p.

Matt went to class yesterday morning, had supper with us, then went out with friends. He brought Michael and Steve home a little after midnight to spend the night here last night.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Still some openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:3.5, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, P:1/2, T:1; IV Gentamycin:1, IV Ceftazadime:3 Key

We made it out yesterday. Marcy was in her chair from about 3-6:30p and didn't need suctioning the whole time out. After midnight last night she said the new antibiotic (Primaxin) is making her sick, so we will switch back to the Ceftazadime today. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines last night.

We (Marcy, Cricket, and I) picked Darcy up from school and went to the Encores and More consignment sale yesterday afternoon. This was the pre-sale - before the public - so nothing had been picked over. They had tons of merchandise and Darcy found several things for spring and summer at bargain prices. It opens to the public Saturday.

Matt worked yesterday from 8a-4p then came straight home so he could be at the house when dinner was delivered. So Marcy, Darcy, and I came home to supper. The kids ate while I got Marcy comfortable in bed then Darcy did homework. Matt went to be with friends and was home at 11:30.

Yesterday morning Marcy approved my column for this week.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Rest from yesterday's outing. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Still openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:5, J:0, I:1, Y:6, B:2, O:1, L:1, D:1; IV Gentamycin:1, IV Primaxin:4 Key

Marcy seems a little better still. Final labs came in yesterday saying there is a second bacterium (first was Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, second is Achromobacter Xylosoxidans)that is resistant to both antibiotics Marcy was taking. But both bacteria are sensitive to Primaxin, so we received Primaxin last night to replace the Ceftazadime and we will continue the Gentamycin. Marcy slept for about an hour last night around dinner time. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl at bedtime.

Kara was here yesterday. Our friend Sherry came and cut my hair for me. I rode to Costco for juicing ingredients and came straight home to pay bills and fill out the FAFSA form that qualifies Matt for financial aid for college. I finished my paperwork in time to walk the dogs.

Darcy did homework when she got home from school, had supper, then had 2 indoor soccer games last night (they lost both games.) She was a little after 10 getting home last night.

Matt was with friends yesterday, had class until 9p, then with friends again until 11:30.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Strength for planned outing today. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Still openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:5, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, D:1, L:1, T:0; IV Gentamycin:1, IV Ceftazadime:2, IV Primaxin:1 Key

Marcy seems to feel a little better. She didn't seem as tired as she has been - especially for after a long outing like Monday - and didn't need as much suctioning last night. Cultures confirmed yesterday that she is on the right antibiotics and the home IV company delivered 7 more days of medicines. Marcy asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines last night.

Kara was here yesterday.

I felt like I "took the day off." I went to lunch with my friend Steve and had great conversation. Then I went for a bike ride with Ken, husband of our friend Kathy who does so much for us. Ken is a triathlete and was kind enough to take most of the afternoon off work to show me tips & techniques of bike riding. I don't plan to ride competitively, but I wanted to learn to ride efficiently so I can ride as far as possible in whatever time I make for riding. Yesterday we rode 13.5 miles in a little over an hour. Ken said that was pretty good for a first time out - he averages about 20 miles and hour. And I'm surprised that my legs didn't hurt and don't hurt today.

After the ride, I walked the dogs. I made it home in time to greet Peter, our friend from the Nashville Striders, who brought dinner and stayed to visit a few minutes and talk about, among other things, Miles for Marcy.

Darcy did homework when she got home from school.

Matt "got up early" (at 11:30a) to go to school to work on a project, then hung out with friends. He was home for supper and to watch "24" with us, then back out with friends until 11:30p.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Still some openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4.5, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, T:1; IV Gentamycin:1, IV Ceftazadime:3 Key

We made it out yesterday. Marcy was in her chair from 1:30-7p and held up well. She didn't need suctioning while we were out and had minimal trach secretions. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines last night and Lasix and Motrin with her 6a meds already this morning.

Darcy was out of school yesterday. Darcy has mentioned that she might want to be a veterinarian. A few weeks ago, when Marcy knew Darcy would be off for President's Day, Marcy asked me to ask our vet if Darcy could shadow him at Williamson County Animal Hospital. Matt took Darcy to the vet's office yesterday morning at 7:30 on his way to work.

After getting Marcy ready for the day yesterday, we (Marcy, Cricket, and I) went to the vet's office to pick Darcy up (at 2p.) Darcy now knows she doesn't want to be a vet. Most of it was fun and she loved the animals, but the surgeries were hard on her. She did, however, like the teeth cleaning. She said it was disgusting, but she saw the need.

From the vet's office we went to Hobby Lobby (we had a gift card) for some stencils for a project Marcy wants to start: painting a trunk we've had for years and using it for her keepsakes. From there we went to CiCi's pizza for linner (an early supper/late lunch) then to the 4:10 showing of "Confessions of a Shopaholic."

The theater was filled with estrogen. Girls of all ages had the same idea we did: to come on a day off school but when many people were working. And the movie delivered: it was pretty funny and though many of the best parts are in the commercials, there were a few surprises.

On the way in, Darcy saw her friend Amy (the star of "Becoming Jesse Tate") with a pack of her friends coming in to the same showing of the movie. And after the movie, as we were packing up to leave, we saw Jennifer and her two girls. Jennifer and Marcy have been friends since we first moved here 15 years ago. They were members of the babysitting co-op together. One of her girls is the same age as Darcy and has been in classes with Darcy all her life - and on her soccer team for a while. Her son Eric is Matt's age and was in Cub Scouts with Matt. In the theater, Jennifer, too, was in a wheelchair - still battling a neuropathy of unknown origin.

Matt worked yesterday from 8a-1:30p then went to classes from work. When classes ended at 9p, he went out with friends until 11:45p.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Rest from yesterday's outing. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, T:1, V:1; IV Gentamycin:1, IV Ceftazadime:3 Key

Marcy slept for about 2 hours yesterday afternoon. She seemed to need a little more suctioning last night and had few trach secretions. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines and asked for a Valium with her 6a medicine this morning.

I stayed close to Marcy, cleaned the sun room, put away all the consignment marking tools, and installed the new DVD player.

Darcy went to ClearView church with her friend Sarah yesterday morning. Yesterday afternoon Matt took Darcy to her friend Jacob's house then brought Jacob home to meet us. Then Matt took Jacob and Darcy to Jim Warren Park and dropped them off to play tennis. They walked to Jacob's house so Jacob's parents could meet Darcy. Matt picked Darcy up from Jacob's house about 6p and they came home for dinner. Jacob turns 15 the week after Darcy, is taller than me or Matt, confident, and outgoing. He plays tennis for school. Marcy and I both liked him.

Matt went to church yesterday and hung out with friends between his taxi trips for Darcy. After supper he went out again until about 10:30.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Strength for planned outing today. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Still lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, L:1, T:1; IV Gentamycin:1, IV Ceftazadime:3 Key

We made it out yesterday. Marcy was in her chair from 1-5p and didn't need suctioning at all. Trach secretions were minimal, too. Last night she asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl at bedtime.

We (Marcy, Cricket, and I) went to see the movie "The International." I thought it was just OK. I think Marcy liked it more than I. We arrived after the previews had started and the handicapped spots were open but none of them had an open seat beside the handicapped opening. This happens about 1/4 of the times we go to the movies, but every other time one of the people sitting in the seats has moved so I could sit beside Marcy. Not so this time. I got Marcy comfortable and sat on the floor beside her - no problem, I leaned against the bag of supplies that I bring when we go out. But before the movie started, a man in our row brought a standard chair from somewhere in the building and I sat there. After the movie, he wouldn't let me return it - he took it back to wherever he got it.

After the movie, we went to one of Circuit City's last 2 days of sale before closing. The DVD player in our living room stopped working Friday night - I guess we wore it out. Circuit City didn't have one left (they didn't have much of anything left) so we went to Electronic Express and got one for $30.

Darcy did homework yesterday. She wanted to go to the park to play tennis with a friend but couldn't reach us while we were in the movie, so stayed home.

Matt met us on the street - as we were on the way to the movie, he was on his way home from the sleep over. He wasn't home when we got back, but was home for dinner and in for the night.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Rest from yesterday's outing. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, L:1, D:1, T:1; IV Gentamycin:1, IV Ceftazadime:3 Key

Marcy was very tired last night but didn't seem to need as much suctioning or have as many trach secretions. The lab needed another set of samples - both urine and sputum - saying Tuesday's samples had too many organisms to segregate the pathogens. We gathered those samples yesterday and the home health nurse came to take them to the lab. Since one of the preliminaries from Tuesday's samples showed gram negative rods, Dr. Reid prescribed Gentamycin (1x/dy) and Ceftazadime (3x/dy) again. Marcy received 2 doses of Ceftazadime and 1 dose of Gentamycin yesterday. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines and woke enough for her 6a meds this morning to ask for a Valium.

After all the calls to the doctor, home health and the IV company, I washed Marcy's hair and Kara was here to style it. Then I took a ride down past Leiper's Fork and came home to walk the dogs.

Darcy did homework after school then had 2 indoor soccer games last night. They lost both games.

Matt had class yesterday morning, was home yesterday afternoon, then went out with friends including a show in Nashville in which his friends Steve and Rodrigo played. Matt spent the night out last night.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Strength for planned outing today. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:3.5, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, P:1/2, T:1 Key

Marcy slept off and on yesterday and again needed lots of suctioning last night and had lots of trach secretions. She asked for Oxycodone and Attivan at 6p and Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines.

Kara was off yesterday. I stayed close to Marcy, cleaned up a little, and did Matt's taxes.

Darcy did homework when she got home from school and after supper.

Matt worked from 8a-4p, went skating with Michael, brought Michael home for supper, then went back out with friends until about 10:30.

Yesterday morning Marcy approved my column for this week.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:3.5, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:2, T:1 Key

Marcy needed lots of suctioning last night, had lots of trach secretions, and felt feverish. No results yet from samples drawn Tuesday. She slept soundly from 6p-8p, then woke to watch a couple of TV shows. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines.

Kara was here yesterday and watched Marcy while I loaded all the Encores and More consignment sale items in the van, took them to the sale location, applied bar codes, sorted the items and hung them in their proper sales spot.

From there I went to Wal-Mart and Costco for juicing ingredients and other perishables. Even though it took 3 hours with the sale items, I made it home in time to walk the dogs.

Darcy did homework when she got home from school then went to church last night.

Matt worked 8a-4p yesterday, came home for supper, went to class from 6-9p, then was with friends until coming home at 11:30.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:3.5, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, T:1 Key

After waking so early, Marcy was very, very tired all day yesterday. Home health came to change her dressing and drew samples for culture. Marcy was barely awake last night, even while watching "24" with me and Matt. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines.

Kara was here yesterday and styled Marcy's hair but let her sleep when she wanted. I did our taxes then rode the bicycle to the bank. The bank was closed when I got there. Not because I was so slow - it closed at 4p yesterday, before I even left. I made it home in time to walk the dogs down to the park.

Darcy did homework when she got home from school and after supper last night.

Matt worked 8a-4p, went skating, was home for supper and to watch "24," then went out with friends until 11:30.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:3.5, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, T:1 Key

Late posting: Marcy was awake before 9 this morning with lots of trach secretions and in pain - very unusual. I gave her a Valium and she is resting now. Yesterday was what has become normal: she rested after Sunday's outing, sleeping much of the afternoon. She needed more than normal suctioning last night and had moderate trach secretions. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines.

Kara was off yesterday. I stayed close to Marcy.

Darcy did homework when she got home from school and after supper.

Matt went to his 8a class, said he stayed to study with a friend, then went to Michael's house after his 6p class. He was gone from 8a-11:30p yesterday.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, L:1, T:1 Key

Marcy made it out yesterday. She was in her chair from about 1-5p and needed suctioning twice. Other than that, she held up well and was alert and bright-eyed last night. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines.

We (Marcy, Cricket, and I) went to the movie "Taken" and enjoyed it very much. It took about 20 minutes to start but once started was non stop action. One of the times Marcy needed suctioning while in the chair was during the movie - just before the action started.

After the movie, we went to Academy Sports and bought some bike shorts for me. Someone donated a man's road bike for the consignment sale that I may try to ride to keep in shape.

We then pulled up in front of Staples, saw Matt at the register, he saw us, and came out to say "Hi." He worked from 11a-6p yesterday then went out with friends and enjoyed what was left of the 70 degree day.

Darcy went to church yesterday morning then did homework and edited a video that she and Jo made.

After supper Marcy and I opened a couple of anniversary gifts we got for each other. And I modeled the bike shorts for Marcy. I felt silly in them, but she said they look nice and they feel like they will be comfortable for riding.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4.5, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, T:1 Key

Last night Marcy asked me to stop the antibiotics so we could reculture (I had already given her both doses yesterday.) I don't think she needed suctioning all day yesterday and had no trach secretions. She slept a lot yesterday and asked for Oxycodone at 6p then again with her bedtime medicines.

I stayed close to Marcy and did things around the house yesterday.

Darcy did some homework and walked down to the park with Sarah and Jo yesterday. In yesterday's post I didn't mention that Darcy went skating with Molly Friday night from about 7:30p-11p.

Matt didn't come home from his sleepover until about 5p yesterday. After supper he went back out with friends until we called him home about 11p when Marcy was ready for sleep.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Strength for planned outing today. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4, J:1, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:2, L:1, T:1, Sulfa:2, Levaquin:1 Key

Marcy seemed a little better yesterday. She didn't have the 6p crash, she only asked for Benadryl and Attivan - and asked for her vent settings to be turned up. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl with her bedtime medicines.

Kara was here yesterday to style Marcy's hair and finish (we think) marking consignment items. While Kara was here I rode to Darcy's school to drop off Miles for Marcy pledge sheets to the track coach - he said he would ask the team of 50+ kids to gather sponsors and that he would challenge another high school to try to beat his team. I then went to about a dozen local fitness clubs and put up a flyer with tear-off website address reminders. (The same flyer/countertent available online as a download.)

Darcy stayed after school to tutor some friends in English and called me to pick her up. I still had a few more clubs to visit (there are more than two dozen listed in Franklin alone) but went home to get the dogs, picked Darcy up, went for ice cream, took the dogs to the park, then went home. It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Matt went to class yesterday morning and was gone by the time I got home. He spent the night out last night.

Garland and Gretel brought dinner last night and stayed to eat, talk, and pray. They stayed for a couple of hours and I think that contributed to Marcy's not having a 6p crash last night.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4, J:1, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, L:1, T:1, Sulfa:2, Levaquin:1 Key

Marcy seemed better earlier in the day but crashed again around 6p, needing more suctioning with lots of trach secretions. She asked for Benadryl only with her bedtime medicines.

Kara was here yesterday. I washed Marcy's hair and Kara styled it. Kara and Marcy went back to marking consignment items. I rode to the hospital to pick up a few supplies that home health has trouble getting. I then went to Publix for a few perishables then walked the dogs.

Darcy did homework after school, ate supper with us, then went back to homework before getting ready for bed.

Matt worked 8a-4p, ate supper with us, picked up a DVD for us ("Lakeview Terrace,") then went out with friends until 11:30p.

Yesterday morning Marcy approved my column for this week.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4-3.5, J:1, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:0, T:1, Sulfa:2, Levaquin:1 Key

Marcy woke two hours early yesterday and didn't feel up to going out. She slept much of the afternoon. Home health came and drew blood to test for anemia. Results came in yesterday: no anemia. She needed about the same suctioning and had the same trach secretions last night. She asked for Benadryl only with her bedtime medicines.

Kara was off yesterday. I stayed close to Marcy. I also sent an email about the Miles for Marcy Run-a-Thon to 2 dozen local pastors asking them to pass the information on to runners they know in their congregations.

Darcy did homework after school then had a baby sitting job from 5-9p last night.

Matt worked from 8a-4p, was home for supper, went to class from 6p-9p, then with friends until 11:30.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:3.5, J:1, I:1, Y:4, B:1, O:0, D:1, T:1, Sulfa:2, Levaquin:1 Key

Marcy didn't seem to need as much suctioning last night and her trach secretions were less. She tried to sleep yesterday afternoon but never seemed to doze off. I paid bills and stayed close to her. She asked only for Benadryl with her bedtime medicines. She talked last night about going out today.

Darcy did her homework after school, ate supper with us, then played two indoor soccer games last night: 7:30 & 9p. She came home more upbeat - they won one of the games.

Matt worked yesterday 8a-4p, ate supper with us, then went with friends until 11:30p.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Strength for planned outing today. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:4, J:1, I:1, Y:5, B:2, O:0, D:1, L:1, T:1, Sulfa:2, Levaquin:1 Key

Yesterday Marcy said she feels worse now than she did four days ago. I thought she was getting better. Last night we talked about going off the antibiotics and reculturing but decided four days on the oral antibiotics aren't long enough to evaluate, so we'll keep on them. She had chills last night, moderate trach secretions, and needed moderate suctioning. She asked for Oxycodone about 6p and not at bedtime.

Kara was here yesterday, styled Marcy's hair, and marked items for consignment. I took recycles to the bins and went to GNC for Marcy's vitamins, Lowe's for hardwood floor cleaner, Wal-Mart for perishables, and the Co-Op for Bag Balm (Wal-Mart has been out of Bag Balm for weeks.) I made it home in time to walk the dogs.

Darcy did homework after school.

Matt was gone all day yesterday. Worked from 8a-3p, brought a change of clothes, and was with friends until 11:30p.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:3.5 J:0, I:1, Y:6, B:2, O:1, D:1, T:1, Sulfa:2, Levaquin:1 Key

Marcy wasn't feeling up to a movie yesterday. She was tired and slept for about 3 hours yesterday afternoon. After her nap, she seemed a little better. Then, like Saturday, she started needing lots of suctioning about 6p and asked for Oxycodone. She asked for Oxycodone and Benadryl at bedtime.

While Marcy slept I made a platform and ramp for the cats' outdoor play area. Marcy asked me to do that after she saw one at the Cat Shoppe last week.

Darcy went to church yesterday morning then worked with her friends Sarah and Jo on Sarah's video project for school. Darcy shot it and edited it. She had planned on going to a Super Bowl party with a friend, but decided to finish the video project yesterday since it is due Tuesday.

Matt worked yesterday 11a-6p. He came home for supper and watched the end of the Super Bowl with us. It was fun watching with him. We were pulling for the Cardinals. But the 9 months we spent living in Pittsburgh were during Matt's kindergarden year and the teachers brainwashed him into thinking there is no football team other than the Steelers. Early in the second half, when Pittsburgh was so far ahead, Matt was saying, "Why are we even watching this? You know they are going to win." The last few minutes of the game he was yelling at the TV. He stayed home last night and did homework.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:3.5, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:2, D:1, T:1, Sulfa:2, Levaquin:1 Key

Marcy felt better yesterday then crashed about 6p. Early in the day she was bright eyed and alert. About 5:30p her trach secretions really increased in volume and about 6p she needed suctioning every 15 minutes and had hot and cold chills. She asked for Oxycodone, Benadryl, and Attivan about 7p then was groggy the rest of the night. She asked again for Benadryl with her bedtime medicines.

Yesterday afternoon was a parade of friends: Karen, a work contact of mine, came for the first time in over a year, to pray for us, introduce us to her friend Kathy, and bring items for the Encores and More consignment sale. Peter from the Nashville Striders brought a couple of pizzas for the Super Bowl and some new ideas for the Miles for Marcy fundraiser. Kelvin and Gertrude brought a Honda full of groceries from Costco and Publix. Amy brought supper. It was a blessed day.

Darcy went to a movie with Molly. They saw "Taken" - the same movie Marcy and I want to see today. We were concerned that it might be too intense for her, but Darcy said it was good.

Matt hung out with friends all day, had supper and watched the new Monk and Psyche episodes with us, then left to spend the night out with friends last night.

Daily Prayer for Marcy: Strength for planned outing today. God's continued healing manifestation. Finances for Enercel. Total relief from pain and discomfort.

Lots of openings in February's Dinner Calendar.

F:5-3, J:2, I:1, Y:4, B:2, O:1, T:1, IV Zosyn:2, Sulfa:2, Levaquin:1 Key