Hi...
I thought I would update everyone on what's up these days with Allee. She is feeling good. The doctor gave us encouraging news when we were last in Rochester, Minnesota at the end of July. Unless something comes up he doesn't need to see us for 1 year. We have to keep up with her Coumadin therapy being a good level and taking care of herself but that is good news. Her right renal vein remains completely occluded or blocked by clot but he doesn't think it will cause a problem. If it does, we should be able to tell due to the pain it would cause. We are also doing regular lab work to make sure her levels are good relating to the kidney. I have to say it still 'bothers' me but I'm just trying to have faith.
So Allee started school on August 19th. She is at a local college close to home and getting certified to be a cosmetologist. She has already learned how to cut hair to trim hair and is loving it. She is fatigued alot due to the Monday - Friday 8-2:30 schedule. But she is staying true to her commitment to God by continuing to go to weekly Bible studies as well as the regularly scheduled services. I appreciate her zeal for the Lord. It is very inspiring.
On one sad note, we got blood tests back last week that Allison's older sister, Ashleigh, has the same blood clotting disorder. It is called Factor V Leiden. She has shown no reaction yet like that of Allison so Ashleigh is only taking an 81 mg. aspirin daily for now. The future, for both of them, regarding the possibilities of children one day will be impacted by this disorder. It can be managed with daily shots of heparin in the stomach for the entire pregnancy. We aren't at that point yet so we'll just face it when it comes. We're glad to know about Ashleigh too. It changes how she does things just a bit. But she is strong.
We are just thankful for the good things we have and try and deal with the not so good things as well as we can. We know God has put His hand of protection on Allison and Ashleigh for some time now. We are so humbled by His love for us.
Have a great rest of the week and remember to love those close to you with all you have. Seek God first in every aspect of your life. And never take one minute with family and friends for granted.
Jennifer
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
+
Hello Everyone....
I just wanted to take a few minutes to update you on our daughter, Allison Pressnell.
Allison is doing well. Her surgery in Rochester, Minnesota at St. Mary's Hospital with the Mayo Clinic went really, really well. The 8 stents the doctor placed inside her lower inferior vena cava and iliac veins in April looked great, haven't moved and show NO build up on them which is really great. That was a concern due to her blood clotting disorder. Dr. Bjarnason was just thrilled with that. She continues to have a completely clotted off right renal vein but her body, in the amazing way God created our bodies, has grown multiple, multiple collateral vessels that sprout off the kidney and get blood back to the IVC and to the lungs for re-oxygenation. He doesn't anticipate any problems from that blockage. He doesn't expect it to shrivel up like the IVC did when it was clotted. He said we need to keep routine checks on her kidney function tests and always be aware of it but otherwise, good to go. While she was there and they were in there, they checked out her heart, which can be of concern with IVC abnormalities and problems. I had NO IDEA this was coming so I literally saw it on the consent she signed about 2 minutes before going back to the surgery suite. It alarmed me but I held myself and didn't let her know I was concerned as I had very good confidence in the doctor. She was semi-sedated for part of the procedure where she had to hold her breath and push down to test the strength of the stents and other areas so she heard them say, "Ok, we are in the right atrium, let's go into the right ventricle, etc." She said, "I thought, wow, they're in my heart". I thought that was cool. Her arteries were clear, no plaque or signs of clots and so the heart gets an A too. The doctor, Haraldur Bjarnason, and his assistant, Timothy Scribner, were just ecstatic with the results. They could be just faking it but it really feels like they care about her. Mr. Scribner called twice yesterday and once today to check on her. He actually talked with Allison today and she was beaming from ear to ear that he would call and talk to her.
They gave her some hefty doses of Heparin to thin her blood at the end of her surgery. Her INR was 1.3 and that is dangerously low for someone with her disorder. So they wanted to get it back up as soon as possible. She had to then have Fragmin shots in her abdomen for a few days. She took her last shot yesterday. We went to her doctor in Birmingham today because the day we left to go to Minnesota she was beginning to feel poorly, like a cold. She has asthma which has had a hard time controlling for the past 7 weeks or so. So Wednesday she had 'that cough' that I know is her asthma. Travelling on a plane isn't good and changing environments doesn't help that. It didn't hinder her surgery but by Thursday evening I knew we needed more medicine. So I got some there at the Mayo Clinic Pharmacy and then on Friday, while we were still in Minnesota, I called her doctor here and explained the situation and they called in antibiotics and a stronger inhaler for her and my family picked it up so that when we got home to Alabama, we would have it. She has pretty much been in the bed since coming home until this morning. Today her doctor was testing her INR to see where it is so we can get it back in what they call "therapeutic range" of 2.5 to 3.5, mainly around 3 or a little above. He also gave her a shot and more medicine for her asthma for her nebulizer and such.
So....she is doing good and got a good report from her surgery. They will call us about when to come back but anticipate the next time to only do ultrasound testing and such, but nothing invasive, unless it warrants it. I feel very good about her doctor here. He is in communication with the doctors in Minnesota and he communicates well with Allison and me too. Allison is really getting to a good place of 'owning' her own health issues. Our next "thing" will be getting her in to a specialized doctor for her PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and endometriosis. We have to see a reproductive endocrinologist for this. Her womb is also slightly heart shaped and so all of those things combined with her Factor V Leiden status require a more in depth doctor in that area. As far as her stents and venous system she should be able to have children one day, if she and her future husband (whoever that may be) should choose but that is why we have to go for further testing and evaluation this way. At one point we were told she should just have a hysterectomy and never consider it. That was within the last year. So those issues are kind of in her head and things we will only begin to address now that we have the more pressing matters situated.
Thank you SOOOOOOO much for all the love and support everyone has extended to us. The prayers are the most important of all and Allison got a message from someone in South Africa last week telling her they, at their congregation, had been praying for her. I can't tell you what that does for my child's faith. It is truly a blessing and gift. Additionally, Barry, Allison and I would like to thank everyone, everyone, everyone who has helped us financially with the costs back and forth and the part we've had to pay, etc. We are SOOOOOO blessed to have that support as well. Someone asked me why we would even consider such an expensive treatment (travel, etc.) for her when we KNEW up front that we couldn't pay. And my only answer was that having exhausted ALL other avenues locally and even on a state level and in Florida too that I KNEW when they called and asked us to come to Rochester, Minnesota for them to evaluate and help Allison that my God WOULD make a way. I don't mean that in any haughty or irresponsible way either. I just knew that if it came to money being the thing stopping us that it would work out. So for the financial help so very, very many of you have given for the initial trip in April and/or the recent trip last week, we are humbled to the point of disbelief (if that makes sense) greatly. WE have learned so many, many lessons in this 'journey' as I'm sure many of you have in various health trials you've been through. One of the things I would mention now is the generosity and love and GENUINE concern expressed by everyone, specifically through financial assistance. These trips have been costly. We are thankful that Barry's employer has allowed him all the time off he needed. We are thankful for the insurance that has definitely paid the greatest portion of the medical costs (The first trip for JUST the doctor visits, testing and surgery cost close to $80,000).
Barry and I want to say a special thanks to Greg and Nancy Picogna. They have generously given of their time and assistance to be a 'center reference' for collecting funds and asking for funds on our behalf. This at a time when BOTH of their fathers have been seriously, seriously ill and continue to fight for their lives. We have been friends with them for many years and they are both people of Christian character. Thank you to them for ALL their help, love and assistance.
There are many others to thank but I'll not try and name them because I know I'll forget someone. Just know that we truly and deeply love, appreciate and thank our wonderful and most high God for you in our lives. Primarily for the prayers, love and concern but the physical blessings you have bestowed on us as well.
In Christian Love,
Jennifer & Barry Pressnell
I just wanted to take a few minutes to update you on our daughter, Allison Pressnell.
Allison is doing well. Her surgery in Rochester, Minnesota at St. Mary's Hospital with the Mayo Clinic went really, really well. The 8 stents the doctor placed inside her lower inferior vena cava and iliac veins in April looked great, haven't moved and show NO build up on them which is really great. That was a concern due to her blood clotting disorder. Dr. Bjarnason was just thrilled with that. She continues to have a completely clotted off right renal vein but her body, in the amazing way God created our bodies, has grown multiple, multiple collateral vessels that sprout off the kidney and get blood back to the IVC and to the lungs for re-oxygenation. He doesn't anticipate any problems from that blockage. He doesn't expect it to shrivel up like the IVC did when it was clotted. He said we need to keep routine checks on her kidney function tests and always be aware of it but otherwise, good to go. While she was there and they were in there, they checked out her heart, which can be of concern with IVC abnormalities and problems. I had NO IDEA this was coming so I literally saw it on the consent she signed about 2 minutes before going back to the surgery suite. It alarmed me but I held myself and didn't let her know I was concerned as I had very good confidence in the doctor. She was semi-sedated for part of the procedure where she had to hold her breath and push down to test the strength of the stents and other areas so she heard them say, "Ok, we are in the right atrium, let's go into the right ventricle, etc." She said, "I thought, wow, they're in my heart". I thought that was cool. Her arteries were clear, no plaque or signs of clots and so the heart gets an A too. The doctor, Haraldur Bjarnason, and his assistant, Timothy Scribner, were just ecstatic with the results. They could be just faking it but it really feels like they care about her. Mr. Scribner called twice yesterday and once today to check on her. He actually talked with Allison today and she was beaming from ear to ear that he would call and talk to her.
They gave her some hefty doses of Heparin to thin her blood at the end of her surgery. Her INR was 1.3 and that is dangerously low for someone with her disorder. So they wanted to get it back up as soon as possible. She had to then have Fragmin shots in her abdomen for a few days. She took her last shot yesterday. We went to her doctor in Birmingham today because the day we left to go to Minnesota she was beginning to feel poorly, like a cold. She has asthma which has had a hard time controlling for the past 7 weeks or so. So Wednesday she had 'that cough' that I know is her asthma. Travelling on a plane isn't good and changing environments doesn't help that. It didn't hinder her surgery but by Thursday evening I knew we needed more medicine. So I got some there at the Mayo Clinic Pharmacy and then on Friday, while we were still in Minnesota, I called her doctor here and explained the situation and they called in antibiotics and a stronger inhaler for her and my family picked it up so that when we got home to Alabama, we would have it. She has pretty much been in the bed since coming home until this morning. Today her doctor was testing her INR to see where it is so we can get it back in what they call "therapeutic range" of 2.5 to 3.5, mainly around 3 or a little above. He also gave her a shot and more medicine for her asthma for her nebulizer and such.
So....she is doing good and got a good report from her surgery. They will call us about when to come back but anticipate the next time to only do ultrasound testing and such, but nothing invasive, unless it warrants it. I feel very good about her doctor here. He is in communication with the doctors in Minnesota and he communicates well with Allison and me too. Allison is really getting to a good place of 'owning' her own health issues. Our next "thing" will be getting her in to a specialized doctor for her PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and endometriosis. We have to see a reproductive endocrinologist for this. Her womb is also slightly heart shaped and so all of those things combined with her Factor V Leiden status require a more in depth doctor in that area. As far as her stents and venous system she should be able to have children one day, if she and her future husband (whoever that may be) should choose but that is why we have to go for further testing and evaluation this way. At one point we were told she should just have a hysterectomy and never consider it. That was within the last year. So those issues are kind of in her head and things we will only begin to address now that we have the more pressing matters situated.
Thank you SOOOOOOO much for all the love and support everyone has extended to us. The prayers are the most important of all and Allison got a message from someone in South Africa last week telling her they, at their congregation, had been praying for her. I can't tell you what that does for my child's faith. It is truly a blessing and gift. Additionally, Barry, Allison and I would like to thank everyone, everyone, everyone who has helped us financially with the costs back and forth and the part we've had to pay, etc. We are SOOOOOO blessed to have that support as well. Someone asked me why we would even consider such an expensive treatment (travel, etc.) for her when we KNEW up front that we couldn't pay. And my only answer was that having exhausted ALL other avenues locally and even on a state level and in Florida too that I KNEW when they called and asked us to come to Rochester, Minnesota for them to evaluate and help Allison that my God WOULD make a way. I don't mean that in any haughty or irresponsible way either. I just knew that if it came to money being the thing stopping us that it would work out. So for the financial help so very, very many of you have given for the initial trip in April and/or the recent trip last week, we are humbled to the point of disbelief (if that makes sense) greatly. WE have learned so many, many lessons in this 'journey' as I'm sure many of you have in various health trials you've been through. One of the things I would mention now is the generosity and love and GENUINE concern expressed by everyone, specifically through financial assistance. These trips have been costly. We are thankful that Barry's employer has allowed him all the time off he needed. We are thankful for the insurance that has definitely paid the greatest portion of the medical costs (The first trip for JUST the doctor visits, testing and surgery cost close to $80,000).
Barry and I want to say a special thanks to Greg and Nancy Picogna. They have generously given of their time and assistance to be a 'center reference' for collecting funds and asking for funds on our behalf. This at a time when BOTH of their fathers have been seriously, seriously ill and continue to fight for their lives. We have been friends with them for many years and they are both people of Christian character. Thank you to them for ALL their help, love and assistance.
There are many others to thank but I'll not try and name them because I know I'll forget someone. Just know that we truly and deeply love, appreciate and thank our wonderful and most high God for you in our lives. Primarily for the prayers, love and concern but the physical blessings you have bestowed on us as well.
In Christian Love,
Jennifer & Barry Pressnell
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Great News
Allison had her surgery and follow-up today and the doctor says everything looks very good. He did not have to add anything to what was done in April.
They will get in touch with us about when to come back next.
Thanks again for all the well wishes and prayers.
Barry and Jennifer
They will get in touch with us about when to come back next.
Thanks again for all the well wishes and prayers.
Barry and Jennifer
Back At Mayo Clinic
Well, we are back in Rochester, Minnesota for a follow-up procedure for Allison. This is a scheduled thing and fact finding mission. We hope to find out that all the stents that were placed when we were up here in April are functioning properly. There is a possibility that they may have to place one or two more. She went back for surgery at 8:21 am central time.
We really appreciate the prayers that have been and continue to be offered up on her and our behalves. Thank you all for your support.
Barry and Jennifer
P.S. We will update later after she comes out of surgery.
We really appreciate the prayers that have been and continue to be offered up on her and our behalves. Thank you all for your support.
Barry and Jennifer
P.S. We will update later after she comes out of surgery.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Latest On Allison - 05/20/09
Hello Everyone :)
I hope you are having a great week. We are doing good over here :) Some have asked for an update on Allison and I heard from her doctor at the Mayo Clinic yesterday so I thought I would take this opportunity to update.
Allison is feeling better, much better than before her surgery. As the doctor had explained, she continues with back pain that ranges from tolerable to some days very painful. We are going to try and start journaling her activities to see if we can find a pattern to what may make her feel worse some days than others. Dr. Bjarnason had predicted a minimum of 6 weeks of pain due to the nerves surrounding her IVC being irritated from stretching the IVC back open. And nerves are difficult to get under control. So, we are just taking one day at a time. But as I said, she see's, as do I, great improvement from the leg pain and abdominal pain from before. God has blessed her so much. ;) :)
Dr. Bjarnason's assistant emailed me yesterday informing of our "next step" regarding this healing process for Allison. She is scheduled for another venogram at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, on Thursday, July 30, 2009. We are to arrive in Rochester on Wednesday and she will have her procedure on Thursday. If all looks good then we can probably leave on Friday, July 31st. It just depends on what Dr. Bjarnason finds. His purpose is to see if the stents are where he placed them, to examine them for any "build up" that can occur on any stents in anyone, and see if the 4 inch area of the IVC behind her liver has opened back up to normal size. He felt, at the time, it was shrinking down due to lack of use because of the large clotted off are of the lower IVC. If it is still smaller than he likes then she will have another procedure to place more stents in. He is also going to examine the right renal vein that comes off the IVC. It was completely occluded (clotted off). The right kidney is working well due to collateral vessels that have grown off the clotted vein but it is still something that has to be monitored.
So, that is our update. Allison has registered for classes at a local community college and classes there begin August 19.
Thank you so much, once again (and I really cannot say it enough) for all the prayers that have been offered on our behalf. We KNOW and feel as though we have SEEN the power of prayer in all this.
Love to All....
Jennifer
I hope you are having a great week. We are doing good over here :) Some have asked for an update on Allison and I heard from her doctor at the Mayo Clinic yesterday so I thought I would take this opportunity to update.
Allison is feeling better, much better than before her surgery. As the doctor had explained, she continues with back pain that ranges from tolerable to some days very painful. We are going to try and start journaling her activities to see if we can find a pattern to what may make her feel worse some days than others. Dr. Bjarnason had predicted a minimum of 6 weeks of pain due to the nerves surrounding her IVC being irritated from stretching the IVC back open. And nerves are difficult to get under control. So, we are just taking one day at a time. But as I said, she see's, as do I, great improvement from the leg pain and abdominal pain from before. God has blessed her so much. ;) :)
Dr. Bjarnason's assistant emailed me yesterday informing of our "next step" regarding this healing process for Allison. She is scheduled for another venogram at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, on Thursday, July 30, 2009. We are to arrive in Rochester on Wednesday and she will have her procedure on Thursday. If all looks good then we can probably leave on Friday, July 31st. It just depends on what Dr. Bjarnason finds. His purpose is to see if the stents are where he placed them, to examine them for any "build up" that can occur on any stents in anyone, and see if the 4 inch area of the IVC behind her liver has opened back up to normal size. He felt, at the time, it was shrinking down due to lack of use because of the large clotted off are of the lower IVC. If it is still smaller than he likes then she will have another procedure to place more stents in. He is also going to examine the right renal vein that comes off the IVC. It was completely occluded (clotted off). The right kidney is working well due to collateral vessels that have grown off the clotted vein but it is still something that has to be monitored.
So, that is our update. Allison has registered for classes at a local community college and classes there begin August 19.
Thank you so much, once again (and I really cannot say it enough) for all the prayers that have been offered on our behalf. We KNOW and feel as though we have SEEN the power of prayer in all this.
Love to All....
Jennifer
Thursday, May 7, 2009
May 7, 2009 Update
Hello...
Alot has been going on since my last update. We went to Tampa for our oldest daughter, Ashleigh's, graduation from Florida College. We drove and Allison flew. We had purchased her tickets quite a while back because at that time she absolutely could not ride in a car for any length of time. Now she can but we still have to be very careful. It really felt like a whirlwind trip because it takes about 10 hours to drive and on the way we got caught just outside of Atlanta in the traffic that was stopped for about 1 1/2 hours due to that 18 wheeler truck being stolen and the truck driver riding on the back of the cab while the man who stole it drove across Georgia. So that was interesting. We felt like we would NEVER get to Tampa. Allison was there way before us. Ashleigh graduated on Thursday night and we had planned to come home Friday morning but that didn't work out. When we finally got everything loaded in her car and the van it was around 2 p.m. so it felt pointless to pack up at the hotel, drive 6 hours, get another hotel and then drive the remainder on Friday. So Ashleigh stayed out and did some more visiting with her friends and Allison, Aimee, Barry and I went to Anna Maria Island which is about 45 minutes from Tampa. We had about 3 or 4 hours there and it was nice. VERY relaxing. Allison couldn't get wet because her incisions haven't healed completely but she just laid on the beach and rested. Of course we were in our knee shorts and shirts. :)
Allison is doing pretty good. She has good days and bad days. Her pain was aggravated by the travelling, really from Minnesota to flying to Tampa and then riding back with us. That was her plan and her choice. The doctor okayed it. We stopped about every 2 hours and such but it took its toll. I don't know if I mentioned or not but she is severely anemic right now. Her hemoglobin is 8 which is half of what it should be. We are still working on getting her blood at a therapeutic level on the Coumadin and the doctor will address the anemia in a bit. Alot of the iron rich foods are foods that also thicken blood so that is complicated. We will get through though. We are so thankful for her opportunity for surgery and that it seems to have been successful. I only say 'seems' because we won't know for certain until our next Mayo visit and then the next milestones are varied over the next two years.
So....that is our update for now.
Have a great day :)
Love,
Jennifer
Alot has been going on since my last update. We went to Tampa for our oldest daughter, Ashleigh's, graduation from Florida College. We drove and Allison flew. We had purchased her tickets quite a while back because at that time she absolutely could not ride in a car for any length of time. Now she can but we still have to be very careful. It really felt like a whirlwind trip because it takes about 10 hours to drive and on the way we got caught just outside of Atlanta in the traffic that was stopped for about 1 1/2 hours due to that 18 wheeler truck being stolen and the truck driver riding on the back of the cab while the man who stole it drove across Georgia. So that was interesting. We felt like we would NEVER get to Tampa. Allison was there way before us. Ashleigh graduated on Thursday night and we had planned to come home Friday morning but that didn't work out. When we finally got everything loaded in her car and the van it was around 2 p.m. so it felt pointless to pack up at the hotel, drive 6 hours, get another hotel and then drive the remainder on Friday. So Ashleigh stayed out and did some more visiting with her friends and Allison, Aimee, Barry and I went to Anna Maria Island which is about 45 minutes from Tampa. We had about 3 or 4 hours there and it was nice. VERY relaxing. Allison couldn't get wet because her incisions haven't healed completely but she just laid on the beach and rested. Of course we were in our knee shorts and shirts. :)
Allison is doing pretty good. She has good days and bad days. Her pain was aggravated by the travelling, really from Minnesota to flying to Tampa and then riding back with us. That was her plan and her choice. The doctor okayed it. We stopped about every 2 hours and such but it took its toll. I don't know if I mentioned or not but she is severely anemic right now. Her hemoglobin is 8 which is half of what it should be. We are still working on getting her blood at a therapeutic level on the Coumadin and the doctor will address the anemia in a bit. Alot of the iron rich foods are foods that also thicken blood so that is complicated. We will get through though. We are so thankful for her opportunity for surgery and that it seems to have been successful. I only say 'seems' because we won't know for certain until our next Mayo visit and then the next milestones are varied over the next two years.
So....that is our update for now.
Have a great day :)
Love,
Jennifer
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thursday Update On Allee
Hi Everyone....
Sorry for no update for a couple of days. We've just been trying to get caught up on sleep and take care of Allison. She is doing as well as to be expected. Her pain seems to be staying around a 7 or 8 when her medication wears off. This is normal and to be expected. We are still doing the Fragmin shots and the Coumadin by mouth to try and get her INR to a therapeutic level. She needs to be at 2.5 - 3.5 and currently she is at 1.7. We saw the doctor here in Birmingham Wednesday morning and he increased her Coumadin dose. We will go back to see him Monday. We're hoping for good news. She has come down with 4 or 5 swollen lymph nodes and a sore throat so the doctor gave her an antibiotic on Wednesday to knock that out. She is still moving slowly. The incisions are in the bends of both legs and her abdomen is completely black and blue due to the Fragmin (Louvenox type) shots being given there. That is one thing we did not expect at all. Only a couple of more days of that though.
Additionally she is very anemic. Her hemoglobin is currently 8. The doctor does not want to begin addressing this yet until we get the thickness of her blood under control. I can tell it is affecting her. She is pretty weak and tired and tires VERY easily. All things considered I know these things aren't too terrible and we are thankful. They are somewhat annoying for her but given what great news we got with the successful surgery and no need for any artificial grafting we can get through it. :)
Allison's spirits are doing okay. She is VERY thankful for the relative simplicity of her procedure and such. There is no doubt for that. She already feels physcial improvements and that is wonderful :) I think she is just ready to get going with her life if that makes sense. Lord willing she will go back to college in the fall. She'll be going close to home. She was able to get out for worship services last night and that was good for her. She is hoping to feel well enough to make it to her big sister Ashleigh's graduation from Florida College in Tampa next Thursday. The doctor told us that it would be physically safe but it is just how she feels.
Well, I'll stop for now. I'm sure you can all tell from the differences in posts that I'm a 'talker' and Barry isn't - haha.
Thank you, again and a million times, so much for all the love, friendship and support you have all shown to us during this difficult time. God has blessed us far above anything we ever imagined with the help you gave, the love and support you have shown and the wonderful news and treatment Allison received. To Him be all the glory.
In Christian Love,
Jennifer
p.s. Some have asked about sending Allison a card.
Our mailing address is:
PRESSNELL
366 JUSTICE ROAD
WARRIOR, AL 35180
Sorry for no update for a couple of days. We've just been trying to get caught up on sleep and take care of Allison. She is doing as well as to be expected. Her pain seems to be staying around a 7 or 8 when her medication wears off. This is normal and to be expected. We are still doing the Fragmin shots and the Coumadin by mouth to try and get her INR to a therapeutic level. She needs to be at 2.5 - 3.5 and currently she is at 1.7. We saw the doctor here in Birmingham Wednesday morning and he increased her Coumadin dose. We will go back to see him Monday. We're hoping for good news. She has come down with 4 or 5 swollen lymph nodes and a sore throat so the doctor gave her an antibiotic on Wednesday to knock that out. She is still moving slowly. The incisions are in the bends of both legs and her abdomen is completely black and blue due to the Fragmin (Louvenox type) shots being given there. That is one thing we did not expect at all. Only a couple of more days of that though.
Additionally she is very anemic. Her hemoglobin is currently 8. The doctor does not want to begin addressing this yet until we get the thickness of her blood under control. I can tell it is affecting her. She is pretty weak and tired and tires VERY easily. All things considered I know these things aren't too terrible and we are thankful. They are somewhat annoying for her but given what great news we got with the successful surgery and no need for any artificial grafting we can get through it. :)
Allison's spirits are doing okay. She is VERY thankful for the relative simplicity of her procedure and such. There is no doubt for that. She already feels physcial improvements and that is wonderful :) I think she is just ready to get going with her life if that makes sense. Lord willing she will go back to college in the fall. She'll be going close to home. She was able to get out for worship services last night and that was good for her. She is hoping to feel well enough to make it to her big sister Ashleigh's graduation from Florida College in Tampa next Thursday. The doctor told us that it would be physically safe but it is just how she feels.
Well, I'll stop for now. I'm sure you can all tell from the differences in posts that I'm a 'talker' and Barry isn't - haha.
Thank you, again and a million times, so much for all the love, friendship and support you have all shown to us during this difficult time. God has blessed us far above anything we ever imagined with the help you gave, the love and support you have shown and the wonderful news and treatment Allison received. To Him be all the glory.
In Christian Love,
Jennifer
p.s. Some have asked about sending Allison a card.
Our mailing address is:
PRESSNELL
366 JUSTICE ROAD
WARRIOR, AL 35180
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