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