The Move

Today Friday, Eddie was transferred to Manor Care Nursing Home in Wilmette. He has his own room which he may personalise. He will be able to walk around and go outside with supervision. He can also come and go with adult family. Eddie accepted the transfer well. He was tired due to the chemo and radiation treatments. More details to come.

Eddie has good days and bad days. Yesterday was a bad day. Keep praying

Tuesday's Update

Sunday may have been one of Eddie's worst days in the hospital to date. He wasn't talking and when he did his speech was slurred. He seemed to be drugged and somewhat confused.

Monday I went by to see him after work and things had changed for the better. When I arrived, Susan was there visiting. He had been napping off and on for the past few hours. He had his first treatment of chemo and radiation today and seemed to have responded fairly well.

I came prepared to give Eddie a haircut and shave and he seemed to be up for it. Susan helped hold his head up while I shaved and cut his hair. As we were finishing, the speech therapist came in. We did have a chance to take a few pictures to show Eddie and he seemed very pleased with the haircut and shave. Eddie requested that I come back soon with a razor in place of the clippers for a closer cut. I agreed.

The speech therapist was there as a result of Eddie's slurred speech over the past few days. I sat and observed the therapy session. The therapist said Eddie did much better than yesterday. I didn't get a chance to talk to her because before she could pack up to leave the IV nurse came.

Eddie indicated earlier that he was feeling a little nauseated (due to the chemo and radiation) so they were going to give him something for it through an IV. The IV nurse had some difficulty finding a place to stick him. He had been stuck so many times (because he kept pulling the IV out) on both arms that it was hard to find a good spot. The nurse was good at what she did and finally accomplished her mission.

As soon as the IV nurse left another nurse came in to test Eddie's blood sugar level. It was a little high so the nurse said they would give him something to help bring his sugar level down.

After the medical personnel left, Eddie was ready to get up and walk around. He still walks slow and seems to be slightly off balance so Susan suggested he go for a ride in the wheel chair. Eddie consented and he was ready to go.

From my observation, Eddie had a very good day compared to the last few days. He talked on the phone with Peggy while I was there. I haven't known or seem him talk on the phone since this ordeal began.

Near the end of my visit there was a moment of heighten emotion that ended with a big hug from Ed. I think he was glad I was there with him today. I know he's feeling better because he was talking about being ready to go home. Eddie was able to ride in the wheelchair to the front door of the hospital to bid be farewell. It got a little emotional at the front door and he consented to me praying for him before I left. Seeing my brother going through this makes me rethink what's important in life.

Thank God we have eternal life through Christ Jesus. (John 3:16) This short time here is just the beginning. Jesus said, He would never leave nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) Continue to pray that Eddie would put ALL his trust in Jesus. And ONE DAY we who beieve and trust CHRIST will meet again. Praise God!

I saw Eddie yesterday and he was progressing well. He looked good after the operation. The healing process is doing fine. One of the doctoes said he thought Eddie was close to going home. When he comes home he will need 24 hour care. He is set to start treatments on Monday.

The Great Escape Artist, Eddie Gibert!

That's what the nurses are calling him. Over the past few days it was necessary to restrain Eddie to some degree to keep him from removing things(bandages, IVs, etc.) from his body that are there to assist in the healing process. Apparently, Eddie seems to have a nack for getting out of the restraints. Today he is doing well and is more compliant. The doctors are planning to start the raditation and chemo treatments next monday.

Please pray that Eddie will find his rest and help in the Lord.

Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

"The IV Snatcher"

The last few days have been a rough for Eddie and the family. Eddie and hospitals don't get along well. Eddie likes to pull the IV's out, get dressed and leave the hospital. That's his favorite part. Tuesday the nurses started calling him "The IV Snatcher". Today was the better of the last few days. Eddie was up walking, feeling better and didn't need as much attention from the hospital staff. Praise God he's doing better. Please keep praying for Eddie and the family. 

John 

Yesterday the doctors put a shunt in to drain the fluid from his head. Everything went well.

Catching Up!

A lot has happen over the past few days. On Saturday, Eddie experience some additional brain seizures. Some of the seizures were more severe than the others he had previously experienced. On Sunday, his condition continued to deteriorate. He lost mobility, the ability to speak and his comprehension was compromised. He was, however, coherent enough to agree that he needed to go to the hospital. He was taken to Evanston Hospital and after a few tests, they decided to admit him.

Over the course of the day, the team at Evanston Hospital was able to stabilize his condition. By the time I left the hospital that evening, Eddie was coherent and hungry. The nurse brought in a sandwich, which he enjoyed.

The oncologists are meeting and comparing notes. They are discussing the possibility of inserting a shunt in the brain to drain the excess fluid that has built up due to the cancerous growth. Hopefully, this procedure will help to relieve some of the pressure. Since the cancer is so deeply embedded within the brain, this procedure is being carefully weighed by the physicians.

Please pray that the Lord will give Eddie’s physician’s wisdom and skill to treat him. But most of all, pray that Eddie will continue to have faith and trust in the Lord.