Isaiah's Days

Bacterial endocarditis is a bacterial infection of the inner layer of the heart or the heart valves. The heart has 4 valves. These valves help the blood flow through the heart and lungs and out to the body.  In layman's terms Isaiah caught a bacterial infection that planted itself in one or more of his heart valves causing it to grow there. Here is a bit of an explanation.  When a person has bacterial endocarditis, these valves may not work correctly. This can force the heart to work harder to get blood out to the body. Sometimes the heart can’t pump out enough blood. Bacterial endocarditis is a serious condition that can sometimes lead to death. We praise God this wasn't Isaiah's case. Bacterial endocarditis causes clumps of bacteria and cells start to form on the heart valves. These clumps can break free into the bloodstream. They can then cause damage by blocking other blood vessels. They can also spread the infection to other organs.  Because of this, there are many p...

This morning Isaiah was asked if he wanted to try the wheelchair but he said he was too tired. He suggested that after lunch might work. It's after lunch now but after eating and the speech pathologist coming to check in, he is asleep. Isaiah ate a plate of spaghetti today and gulped down a cup of juice, milk and enjoyed a vanilla frappe. I asked him a question about something unrelated to food and he said, "Can you keep feeding me?" I laughed.  Isaiah was so much more alert and awake today. You can tell he has much more time to think even as he falls asleep.  Today he asked when do I think he can get back to the ski hill. (Where he works) Of course I don't know so I made up a scenario and said that it might be something like another two weeks here (until he doesn’t need hospital monitoring and until they find out what caused the strokes). Then reminded him that he will probably need rehabilitation and physio, etc. and that could be at GF Strong near Children's.  ...

Today was quite uneventful. They tried an assisted stand with him but couldn't do it. Their hope is to get him into a sweet looking wheel chair soon. It's sitting beside his bed, patiently.  This is the first night that we won't be with him or across the street in a hotel. We will be in Surrey and that is difficult for him. It's definitely something that he will need to get used to because sleeping in the room is nearly impossible. I tossed and turned on a chair cot for nearly five hours last night.  I wish I had more to share.  Thanks again for everything and especially every prayer. 

Hi everyone.  Isaiah's ECHO came back clear. Now they will do a 3D ECHO down his throat. So yesterday, with the help of the PT, Isaiah sat on the end of his bed without support. His core muscles are in good working order. This is a great accomplishment. Along with a medium milkshake, his body tolerated mashed potatoes and boiled carrots. He was happy to eat. We still spoon feed him but it's become a real gesture of love and a privilege in a way. I just took off the entire Spring Break and Doug is probably going to have to take the second week off as well.   If anyone is coming down for Spring Break (our kids are out all of next week too) please let us know.  Depending on how Isaiah's condition is over the next few days we'd like to possibly get our kids down here with us.  Isaiah asked for hugs last night. He also asked me to remind him which kind of cancer he had. His eyes were filling up when I told him that he didn't have cancer and that he had had a stroke. ...

Hello everyone. We have been overwhelmed by the messages, etc., that we have received so far. We've let Isaiah know that people are praying for him. We are so grateful for everyone's care. Thank you. I've never written a blog but I cannot keep people updated via text, Whatsapp, etc. Hoping this works. Isaiah was sick with what seemed like the flu for three weeks. He saw our family doctor every week and was sent for blood work twice and a CT scan. He was put on antibiotics.  This sickness likely caused a heart infection and a clot was formed. The clot went into his brain causing it to stroke twice. To be clear, his brain is not infected.  He has impaired motor skills, speech and sometimes he says random things. The doctors are trying to subdue all infection and figure out if there are any more clots in the heart to be worried about.  He is in the hospital in Vancouver. He had an ECHO this morning as well as more blood work. We are waiting for a MRI today or tomorrow. ...