Test results and Doctor's orders

Hello!  Last Thursday and Friday Barry had a lot of tests to follow up on the cough and chest pain.  Upside of this meant we got to see the infamous clot in the heart!  It is at the apex of the left ventricle (top tip in the largest chamber).  This is also the part of the heart that is not moving well.  They did see that the clot is behaving and may be slightly smaller.  That's good news!

They determined the chest pressure Barry was feeling was the fluid around the heart which appears to have increased slightly (not great news).  They don't believe it is currently bleeding (this would be a bad thing-so good news here too). They do think that it is probably inflammation that is causing it (not good news).  Normal anti-inflammatories like motrin are a bad idea due to the triple anticoagulation therapy he is on.  They could cause dangerous stomach bleeding or other complications.  So they've given him a different med to try to dry up the fluid around the heart.  They checked out a lot of ugly possibilities and ruled them all out so they felt no need to stick him back in the hospital.  Yay!

They thought the cough was not related to the fluid but was a med side effect and they've given him an alternate to try.  So far so good.

The biggest issue that is stressing Barry out is the doctor's order to NOT go on a roof!  This time of year that is how we put food on the table and pay the bills.  Dr. wants us to check out disability options.  Since Barry has been self employed all his adult life, he has little to no state disability available.  Oh boy!  Prayers surrounding provision and work wisdom would be most welcome!  As well as for continued healing please!

Terri's mom is doing well.  Other family members there are still struggling with their own health issues.  Terri misses her dad of course but is comforted knowing he's well and strong and having great times in his new perfect body and singing in Heaven's choir.

Thanks to all for the support, prayers and love!

Barry and Terri

Barry update

Hi everyone. Here's a new update. Barry's had a cough that has some chest pressure along with it. So off we go tonight for some more tests. Tomorrow he'll have another echocardiogram & see a cardiologist His regular doc is out of the office for a bit. Please pray terri won't freak out (too late!). Pray I can rest & feel peace. :) Continued healing for barry. Wisdom & insight for the doctors. Thx!

And then we were rear ended!

So just after I posted my last blog post we were rear ended on Hwy 17!  So far I believe Barry is ok.  I'm at Dominican Hospital with our son Jon who was driving.  Barry was fine initially and just began to feel a little shaky after the adrenaline rush subsided.  He's at work on the commercial shoot and is I'm assuming just fine.  Jon had gone with us to work crew.  He was driving and did an excellent job of avoiding an accident in a tricky situation (rain on wind-y mountain highway known for accidents!) but alas the car behind us didn't stop.  Fortunately the CHP was on scene with another accident (the one that caused this one) and the emergency team showed up in minutes.  They checked Jon out and we determined he didn't need the back board or ride in the ambulance so we got the equipment, food and Barry dropped off at the location and Jon and I headed to the ER.  We're waiting for the doc to read the xrays.

Please pray that this won't further drain Barry or that he won't have any residual health effects from the accident.  Praise God that we were in the truck and that Jon did such a great job of handling the situation!

What a ride we're on!

terri

Commercial shoot

We're on our way to a commercial shoot in Santa Cruz. Traffic is horrible but Barry's not driving so hopefully he's chilling out & saving his strength for the shoot. It will be a fun day for him. He loves acting so hopefully that will be energizing. Please pray for clear thinking, quick memory recall & that his talent will shine. His character requires a fair amount of energy outlay tho. This is also a ministry day for is so prayers that we can be an encouragement to our team are also welcome.

On a ministry related note, a friend of many of our Hollywood friends is in my thoughts & prayers today. Her husband was taken to the ER w meningitis.

Also my family is preparing for my dad's memorial service as I write. I will be there via a letter of sweet memories & on spirit. Prayer for them would be welcome. Pray as God directs & thank you for all the love!

Update

Hello all,
It's been awhile since my last update.  Many things have been the same and this recovery will take some time.  We have been told that the next three months will be a critical time in Barry's recovery.  Many things are improving.  Barry returned to light work (even though the doctor advises against Barry over doing it).  We've seen improvement in Barry's overall strength and stamina.  We're thankful for that!

I'll cut to the chase a bit... Here's what we still would love for you to pray about:
1. Barry's heart recovery: The blood clot in the heart will remain a critical concern for about 3 months.  The doctor has advised against Barry returning to work but unfortunately he has to.  Fortunately the work Barry has recently gotten has been light construction.  Last week however we discovered that he still needs to be really careful not to overdo it.  So we would really appreciate additional prayer right now. Striking a balance between rest and work, recovery and activity can be tricky.  I get hugely worried when Barry over does it.  Please pray for peace for me and that I can continue to grow in trust in God.

2.  Terri's family: Some of you are aware that my dad passed away this week.  Because of Barry's current stage in his heart recovery, I am not able to go.  Prayer for my mom, my sister Paula and my niece Susan are probably the most needed.

3.  Provision--We're not quite sure even how to ask for prayer for this but God knows how to answer.

4. Our family--Our kids are amazing!  They have all been so terrific with all of this craziness of almost losing their dad, and now saying goodbye to their grandpa.  They are doing ok and weathering this stress so well.  We're really thankful and would love to have your prayers include them.

Thanks again to all of you for the many prayers.  We can't express how grateful we are!  You all are in ours as well!

Blessings,

terri for all of us...