Continue to pray for
Brother Roger Blevins
South America Director
To watch short video report from Bro. Blevins copy and paste this into your browser:
https://secure.filesanywhere.com/v.asp?v=%89jc%86Y%5Fq%BD%AC%99
Select Green button to download; To Stream select Mediafolder view
New Information:
Many have expressed a desire to give in a monetary way to help Roger and Kay with the additional expenses that have incurred since his accident. If you desire to help with these expenses, send your donation to Baptist International Missions, Inc. (P.O. Box 9215, Chattanooga, TN 37412 • Tel.: (423) 344-5050), and designate as a love gift for Roger Blevins. These funds will be placed in the Blevins missionary account and will be readily available for any special needs.
From Mark Blevins:
On Sunday morning February 3 at 3:21 AM, Roger (Dad) was hit head-on by a drunk driver. He had gotten up and left just after 3 to travel to Boone, NC for a speaking engagement that morning. He got 2.8 miles from his house when the accident took place.
He was life flighted to Atlanta Medical Center. At the scene he had an episode of Cardiac arrest and was stabilized. Upon touching down on the helipad he had a 2nd cardiac arrest at which point he coded and they brought him back.
Both femurs were crushed and one of the main arteries in his right leg burst. The first day he received 33 units of blood. They initially thought he would lose his right leg but after several hours of surgery they were able to re-establish a pulse in his leg. They eventually were able to repair the artery. The extent of other injuries is still unknown. He is listed in Critical condition. Due to the amount of trauma they have used external fixcators to stabilize both legs and will later have to begin the process of fixing the bones. He is doing as well as possible but is still considered touch -and-go and is still considered Critical.
He is heavily sedated and on a paralytic narcotic so that his body rests and he does no further damage to himself. He is on a ventilator and the machines are doing everything for him. They were able to take him off 2 high dosage blood pressure drugs and his body has, so far, maintained a "good" blood pressure level.
Please be in much prayer and share this information with our many friends! You may log on to www.bimi.org for possible updates.
The Blevins family has been overwhelmed with calls and text messages of love and compassion. They would love to be able to respond to each call; however, at this time it would be impossible. For that reason, the family will make one call to BIMI with all updates. Therefore, please check BIMI’s website, www.bimi.org, or contact BIMI for any updates.
UpdatesFebruary 6, 2008
The medical staff tried to cut Brother Blevin’s oxygen back to 60% today. His body was struggling, so they increased the level to 70%. His body still could not cope, so they had to increase the level back to 100%.
He has fluid in his lungs and his kidneys are not functioning properly. The doctors are working to rectify this situation which remains critical.
It appears that Brother Blevins will need a steel rod in his left leg. His right leg is broken close to the hip; therefore, it looks like he will need a complete hip replacement.
February 7, 2008
Brother Blevins continues to remain in critical condition and is still on a ventilator. The family plans to give another update tomorrow, February 8, after they have met with the medical staff.
February 8, 2008 – 3:00 p.m.
After meeting with the doctors this afternoon the Blevins family reported that Brother Blevins is making some progress. He is still in Intensive Care and still in critical condition; however, some improvements have occurred over the last 24 hours. The doctor is very pleased with the results of the dialysis machine that is removing the accumulation of fluids in his body. Even some of the fluid on his lungs has appeared to be reduced. Per the doctor’s evaluation, it is their prayer that Brother Blevins may be taken off of the dialysis machine by Monday. Brother Blevins is currently in a heavily sedated, unconscious state. At this point, it is not known when this will change. Concerning his airflow, the ventilator has been reduced to 50%. They will be monitoring the ventilator over the weekend. We hope to have an update from the Blevins family on Monday morning.
Monday, February 11, 2008
There were no major changes overnight; Roger is stable as to where he was yesterday; he continues on dialysis, to be paralysed (induced), also continues on the ventilator, and continues to be sedated. His chest x-rays have not been good; they are concerned with the lungs. They take the check x-rays every morning. His nurse said that they would take more x-rays again this morning so I will check back around 10:30 am or so to see what they show this morning.
Once again, thanks to all of you who continue to lift Roger, the boys, and I up in your prayers.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Please continue to pray for Brother Blevins as his condition is still very serious. He continues to be on life support and in an induced coma. The doctors performed surgery on his right leg today in order to find live tissue. After about 3 hours, no live tissue was found. In the next couple of days, a major decision will have to be made regarding his right leg. Please continue to pray.
February 14, 2008, Thursday Late Afternoon
I am Kay's twin sister and will try to give an update on Roger. Thursday night late, Kay was called and told by Roger's nurse that Roger had responded correctly to 4 questions by eye-blinking and nodding of head. This was so good to hear and an answer to prayer. He has definitely been a fighter. We met with the chief trauma physician, vascular MD, and the chief orthopedic MD was available by conference phone to try to come to some decision for amputation of the right leg. After many questions, some that were specific to the viable muscle, contractibility, and nerve response left to this limb, the family made a decision not to amputate at this time.
The orthopedic team now plans to take him back to surgery, remove dead tissue, take more pictures and if need be, they will allow Roger's medication to wear off enough to do some studies to see how the muscles and nerves respond.This will allow us to come to a conclusion that we can be at peace with. We are praying that God will show us what he wants for his plan for Roger and us in all of this.
We remain overwhelmed at the many responses of kindness and love by phone calls, cards, emails, care packages, food brought to the home, etc... by Roger and Kay's church family. So many people have done so many things in this time of testing for this family. We are certain that this is no accident, that this is God's plan. As Kay says, we may not know why now and we may never know why or we may look down the road years from now and say, "I understand." Either way, he is in control of all of this, and we do not want in any way to be a hindrance to his plan. Kay told the boys during family alter, " If this is a testing time for me, if the Lord wants me waiting hand and foot on your daddy, working inside/outside of the home...whatever role he wants for me, I am willing and I want Him to be proud of me in the end for having worked within His plan. He has saved our family, he knows better than us what is taking place, and he knows the out come. It's our family's desire and prayer that He gets all the glory from all of this.
Continue to pray for our family and for Roger's continual improvement. Thank you so much for all your prayers, for being the greatest Mission Board family that we all know you to be, and for providing the website for which all of Roger's friends can go to for updates.
Love,
The Blevins Family
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Within the last 24 hours, there has been a drop in his hemoglobin and 4 units of blood have been given. He remains on the ventilator, and they have not weaned him down any further. A dialysis machine is still being used and there has been no improvement in his kidneys. It will be 4 - 6 days before the paralytic medication will be out of his system if they do not have to add it back to his therapy. This will depend on the ventilator and how well he tolerates it at its present setting. External fixators remain on his legs as well as the wound vac machines that cover the very large wounds on both legs. His primary doctor, trauma MD, was brought back to the hospital last night due to a drop in blood pressure, increase heart rate and some other unstable numbers.
We did meet with two doctors again this morning, and the decision to do a right above the knee amputation was made. They plan to do this Tuesday, late afternoon. He is still very heavily sedated and has not made any further attempts to follow any commands by the medical staff. It has been like a yoyo ride, but we were warned of this early on.
On behalf of Kay and the boys, we would like to thank all of you for praying for Roger, the family and all of the medical staff involved in Roger's care. Please continue to do so during the next week.
Thanks to Everyone!
The Blevins Family
Monday, February 18, 2008 – 10:30 p.m.
Today, the medical staff removed the dialysis machine and we give thanks for this. His chest x-ray showed improvement. Next, he had slowly lifted his right and left arm off the pillow. He then moved his left leg. They asked him if he could feel what they were doing to his right foot and he nodded, "No." This is the one they were supposed to amputate tomorrow evening. For the time being, the surgery has been cancelled. Roger's white count had gone up some so they wanted to do some blood cultures. It will be approximately 3 days before they know where the site of infection might be. He has so many catheter's going in his neck, chest, etc. that the infection could be almost anywhere. They have lowered his sedative medication but keeping his pain medication about the same. His swelling has improved. We have thankful hearts that the Lord is at Atlanta Medical Center watching over Roger and Kay.
The Blevins Family
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The surgery planned for this afternoon for an above the knee amputation on Brother Blevin’s right leg has been temporarily put “on hold.” Pray for God to give complete clarity.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
We have gone through this week with the doctors treating Roger with aggressive antibiotics for an infection not related to his right leg. An infection specialist has been brought in on his case.
His right leg is being watched very carefully. A new treatment was started on his right, lateral, lower leg wound today. Kay, Mark, and I were in the room yesterday to view the right leg wounds as well as the wound specialist, physical therapist that helps with wounds, infection MD, head trauma MD, orthropedic and surgical resident, and Roger's nurse. This had been done in the operating room on previous occasions due to the large team effort that it takes to do his wound care. Today, they allowed Kay and I (Faye, Kay’s twin sister) back in the room to watch a treatment where they were getting rid of old blood and in their terms "venous congestion." This caused fresh bleeding to occur which is to be beneficial to the muscle that has not died.
They have continued to wean Roger further off the ventilator/breathing machine to the point that he is trying to take 12 breaths a minute on his own. If he doesn't, the machine will breathe for him. Paralytic medications have not been needed for this week. They reduced the sedative medication slightly. The IV drip of pain medication has not been reduced. Please pray that in all of this Roger will not have a problem of skin breakdown which is seen so frequently with patients who are confined to bed and unable to move.
The orthropedic MD told Kay and Mark on Thursday that Roger had come further than he ever thought he would and since he had, he would not be so insistant on the amputation and we would all take it one day at a time.
I (Faye) was able to talk to the only witness of the wreck by phone. She and 2 of her girlfriends were driving at a distance behind the red Silverado that crossed over his two lanes into Roger's lane. The other girls did not want to stop for fear of what they would come upon, but this girl was insistant that "someone might be in need of help." She was the one that went to both vehicles and called for 911.
Today, we met the flight team of Rescue Air that air-lifted Roger to Atlanta Medical Center. The more we find out, the more we realize how God has taken care of Roger. Please continue to pray that the Lord will bring Roger through this without the amputation if it is his will. Again, Kay and the family say thank you for your prayers and your many acts of love and kindness. Through this Kay has witnessed what it means to have so many friends. With heatfelt thanks to all of you,
Please continue to pray for strength for Kay.
Faye (Kay’s Twin) for the Blevins Family
Monday, February 25, 2008
Surgery is tentatively planned for late Tuesday evening, February 26, 2008. They will either put a plate or rods in his left leg and screws in his right hip. Whether we end up having to amputate the right leg or not, he will still have to have the screws in his right hip, so they plan to do both of these things tomorrow when they have him in the OR. Continue to pray much for him, the boys, and myself.
Kay Blevins
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Last night Roger's vital signs became unstable. Later this afternoon, they cancelled his surgery which was supposed to have been on the left leg, the better leg. His hemoglobin has dropped significantly and not sure of the cause. Four units of blood are being given at the time of this writing, as they monitor him. Vital signs (b/p, heart rate,etc) are stable at this time. Please continue to pray for Roger, as well as Kay and the boys.
Faye (Kay’s Twin) for the Blevins Family
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Once again, we are encouraged by Roger today. His vital signs were stable and his hemoglobin had gone from 4 to 10. A normal hemoglobin for a man can range 14-16. They did give him several units of blood. At this time, we have lost count as to how many total units they have given him.
As Kay and Becky (a niece) walked into Roger's room yesterday, his eyes were opened, and he was able to answer several questions by nodding his head. They got several laughs, which were needed, especially when he learned from Becky that Vanderbilt had beat his favorite team, Tennessee.
During their excitement of being able to communicate to him, Kay said, "Roger, I have gotten into your office files to straighten them out—I’m sure you'd like to say alot to me now—and he clearly mouthed to Kay, "I love you." I definitely could see and hear all the excitement in Kay as she shared this! This is just so special after their 34 years of marriage.
At some point in the conversation, Roger nodded that he indeed remembered the accident. It will be interesting to see how much he remembers, but this also was encouraging....let's hope he remembers his sister-in-law!!
Please continue to pray for the Lord's will with Roger's right leg. It has been their ongoing major concern in the midst of so many ups and downs of this hospitalization.
Many of you have let us know what this website has meant to you, and we are thankful that it has been made available by the BIMI staff.
Faye (Kay's twin)
(edited for space)
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Once again, we were surprised to walk into Roger's room to see him awake. He has a trach, which was disconnected from the ventilator approx. 10:00 a.m., to see if he could breath on his own with the help of oxygen, instead of the ventilator. So far, he has. The ventilator was left in the room in case he gets into trouble. He still has a chest tube. He has a liquid feeding that is being given through a nasogastric tube. His vital signs remain stable. His IV sedative medication was to be removed by tonight. That leaves him with an insulin IV drip, IV pain medication that remains at a high dosage, and 2 other IV drips.
Plans are to take him to surgery Tuesday to remove the left external fixator, which goes from his upper thigh to below the knee. It will be replaced by a rod which they would have liked to have done initially, but they did not want to keep him in surgery any longer than the10 hrs. On his right leg, there remains 2 wound vacs which provide wound care to his upper thigh wound and 2 lower right leg wounds.
Continue to pray. We are so thankful for the progress that we have seen. It is a constant reminder that God is in control.
The Blevins family and Faye, the twin
Friday, February 29, 2008 8:32 p.m.
Today, Roger was sitting up in bed as if he were waiting for us to get there. The speech therapist had been there and capped the trach off to let him attempt to talk for the first time. It was wonderful. His vital signs remain stable. His sedative medication was discontinued. The other IV's remain. The therapist came back and attempted to give him water that had blue dye in it by a small spoon. I can't imagine how good this must have felt. Then she suctioned through the trach to see if any of the blue-dye water came back. It didn't and it was all we could do to contain ourselves. This meant he had passed the test. Then he said as a matter of fact, "I want some coffee." She told him no and that she would try applesauce tomorrow, that he could have ice chips and water slowlllllly today. He said, "I want coffee and I don't take sugar." She promised him that coffee would come by Monday if he continued to do well.
After Kay had left the room, he looked at me and said, "Am I going to lose my leg?" Please continued to pray about this matter. There is infection in the thigh wound but it is being treated by IV antibiotics. I stayed in the room while all the wound care was done today and it is a slow process. His surgery on the left leg is still scheduled for Tuesday. Many physicians are seeing Roger but there is one who has all of this in his hands. Also, pray that the Lord will strengthen Kay as she takes care of everything outside the hospital as well as being there for Roger.
Faye/the twin who loves them both
Saturday, March 1, 2008 8:08 p.m.
Roger was waiting on us again, as we walked into his room. We have to gown and glove up to go into his room to keep the risk of infection down. He is beginning to remember some things about the night of the wreck. He remains off of the ventilator. He likes for the staff to cap his trach off so he can talk a little, and they are letting him eat ice chips. The speech therapist tried applesauce with him today, but he did not do as well. Therefore, it is ice chips and sips of water whenever his nurse remembers to offer it to him. What makes it difficult is that he cannot do it for himself, and if the trach is not capped off, he cannot talk. It's like a whisper. They have 2 IV antibiotics going. There is some infection in the right thigh wound and in the lungs. Not unusual for patients that are immobile. Therefore, visitation remains restricted to Kay and the boys. This probably will remain as long as he is sick enough to be in ICU.
No treatment will change over the weekend unless something unexpected comes up. No IV's, tubes, treatments were discontinued today. The Lord has brought Roger a long way, and we are so thankful for all he has done and the prayers answered. Why this road, we can't answer, but we do know He was not caught off guard by any of this. Roger has asked 2 doctors today about the right leg, but they told him that they were taking it day by day. Continue to remember him and the family when you pray.
Faye
Monday, March 3, 2008 8:46 p.m.
Roger remains off the ventilator. His trach is capped most of the time during the day and can be uncapped during the night so that he gets more oxygen connected to the trach at night. He remains on two IV antibiotics for a lung and wound infection. Plans to operate on the left leg are still on for tomorrow, Tuesday, March 4. They plan to put plate/screws in, and take the external fixator off. This will make it much easier for Roger to move this leg.
His right leg is still a huge matter of prayer. The wound vacs and external fixator remain, making it impossible for him to move, even if he could. It is difficult for the medical staff to maneuver. We continue to pray that the wound vacs will provide the wound care needed to promote good tissue and that day by day, Roger will regain sensation in this leg. He remains on limited ice chips and very limited water by spoon. He was more lethargic today. They had reduced his pain medication for the first time on the day that he talked (Saturday). When asked why the change, they stated that his pain medication had to be increased back to what it was originally (day of accident).
Pray that the surgery tomorrow (Tuesday, March 4) will be successful and that the Lord's will be done with the right leg.
Faye (Kay's twin)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 8:16 p.m.
Roger did have his surgery today on his left leg, which lasted 3-4 hrs. He went to surgery wanting ice chips and came back wanting ice chips. The nurse told Kay that he could not have any because he was back on the ventilator. Kay asked the trauma doctor about it and he asked the nurse "Why?" Then the doctor said, "Roger, take a deep breath" and Roger was able to do so. Then he instructed the nurse to take him off of the ventilator and let him have ice chips. Not sure what we would do if the Lord didn't have Kay and Dr. Spence looking out for Roger. I have seen her time and time again "go to bat for Roger." She has also been able to say which nurses she wants taking care of Roger which has been a blessing more than once. She is physically exhausted but her spirit remains so strong.
The orthopedic MD was once again pressuring Kay today about amputating the right leg and once again she stood her ground. She told them that she wanted to let Roger be a part of that decision. As long as the leg was no threat, she wanted to give him time to come around, be told the pros and cons, see the pictures that the doctors had taken and eventually be able to see the wounds himself. She also told Dr. Spence(trauma MD)that even if Roger went through 2-3 surgeries or whatever he wanted to try, she wanted him to be able to have a say so in the decision. I am behind her 100% and Dr.Spence is the MD over Roger's entire case. He is the one that is the most supportive of Kay and Roger.
Continue to pray for them and that the right decision will be made for Roger's right leg, when that time comes.
Faye (Kay's twin)
March 9, 2008 8:30 a.m.
It continues to be a slow progress but all IV's have been discontinued except for the pain medication and antibiotics. I would hate to count how many doctors see him. We rely heavily on Dr. Spence's (Head Trauma MD) advice and opinions. He is very thorough and explains everything completely. Roger's feeding tube has been removed. He loves water, ice chips, boost and orange juice. They have him on a puree diet, but he does not have an appetite for food. He wants to drink the boost because they have told him that his wounds need the nutrition, and he is ready to come home. He told the doctor that he needed to go home for 2 days and help Kay. Kay and I just looked at each other. However, the last 2 days, he has been very talkative and his memory has been unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!! He remembers ever detail of the accident up to some point in the helicopter. This is when he had the cardiac arrest. Then he remembers hearing people talk in his room, but he had no idea that he had been in the hospital for so many weeks. On Thursday night they began to decrease his IV pain medication and try giving him liquid Lortab. Friday and Saturday he had a reaction to something. They immediately thought this reaction had been caused by the Lortab.
The next morning he began to cough and have facial/throat swelling. Lortab was stopped, and they decided to try Darvocet. The next morning, he reacted again...same way. They stopped the Darvocet and increased his IV pain medication again. They really are not sure if it has anything to do with Darvocet, maybe just Lortab. However, because of the times that the medication were given, they have even considered foods, perfumes, soaps, etc... and are real perplexed at this time. It will be interesting to see if this happens again today. Dr. Spence says that he is so glad that he did not discontinue his trach this past week or we would have had worse problems.
Kay and I shaved and groomed him yesterday. He loved it. Said we made the "best nursing team" yet. He was in a talkative mood and extremely clear in thought. It is so amazing at the details that he can give to things. Kay has decided that his mind is much better than hers at this point. We were able to stay with Roger as long as we wanted on Saturday. We spent the afternoon checking out facilities for long term acute care which will be the next place he will go to and then when they have him to the point that he can tolerate 3 hrs. of therapy, he will go to a rehab facility.
His left leg is healing nicely from the surgery, and they do not anticipate big problems with this leg. He has good sensation and movement with the leg and also better movement with the left arm. His right arm is his dominant arm but weaker.
They plan to operate on Tuesday but the orthopedic doctors have not talked to Kay recently to confirm this. Roger has decided to let them amputate his right leg whenever they decide to do so. This could also be Tuesday. Dr. Spence has talked to him for the last 3 days about this. He has checked his sensation, muscle response, etc. He has some feeling just above the kneecap, and he is told that the pain will only get worse because of the death of muscle tissue at the time of the accident when the artery was severed which provides blood supply to these areas. Roger says the Lord gave him peace about the decision in the middle of one particular night, and he claimed the verse, "whatever time I am afraid I will trust in him." As his preacher prayed with him, he mentioned the fact that the Psalmist says many times that there will be times when we will be afraid, but that we could put our trust in Him.
Thank all of you for praying for Roger. Continue to pray that he and Kay will know the direction that He wants them to take in the days ahead.
Faye/Kay's twin
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Pray for Brother Blevin’s Surgery this Afternoon – Brother Blevins asked his niece to call and give an update. He has signed a consent form and some time between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. today, March 11, 2008, he will go to the operating room to have his right leg amputated in the thigh area and to have pins put in his right hip. Please pray for him, his family and the physicians.
Update of Roger Blevins given by Mrs. Blevins on Wednesday, March 12 at 3 p.m..
Tuesday’s surgery to amputate Brother Blevin’s right leg went well. He was given blood today due to the surgery. He is basically resting a lot.
Thursday night, March 13, 2008
Roger is slowly recovering from his right leg amputation. He has had expected pain, still has his trach, wound vac on rt thigh wound, and 2-3 IV's. His chest tube has been removed. Platelets are low. He is extremely weak from so much trauma and surgeries. They were to attempt to get him up this evening. He is able to slowly drink liquids and eat ice chips.
They will begin therapy for strength training. Hopefully within the next 2-3 weeks, he will be discharged to an L-TAC area.(long term acute care) Here they will take care of his wounds and begin therapy to get him to a point of withstanding 3hrs. of therapy. When he is able to do this, he will be sent to a rehab center for intense therapy.
Continue to pray for strength for Roger and Kay. She is trying to sleep as I write and is exhausted!!!!!!!! She usually gets up at 4:30am, gets ready, does a few things in the house and then on the road to the hospital, in hopes of avoiding the Atlanta traffic from 7-9am. She drives 90-100 miles daily.
Her church family has been so supportive during this difficult time. I can not tell the ladies at their church how much I appreciate all the meals that they have prepared for her and her family. By the time she gets home, it is usually 7 pm or later, and I know she would be eating a bowl of cereal, or going to bed without eating, if she had to think about cooking.
I would also like to thank BIMI for this web site. So many have said how much it means to them to be able to keep up with Roger's progress through this site. I'd also like to thank Dr.Ray for taking the time to call Kay and pray with her over the phone and for the visits from the BIMI staff. For all the cards, financial help sent to the medical account, for different ones singing "special songs" at church that are special to Kay, and so many different acts of kindness, as her twin, I do not have the words to express my thanks.
Faye
SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 15, 2008
This morning, Kay and I went into Roger's room to hear him tell us that his trach was gone. I looked and a dressing was over the site where it had been. Apparently they were going to "down size" the trach. They took the old one out to put a smaller one in. It would not go, so the decision was made to leave a dressing over the site and let it close and heal on its own. If he has difficulty with his breathing, he can use his oxygen. He is also receiving breathing treatments every so often to help with his breathing and to keep his oxygen level where it needs to be.
They have had to give him approx.4-5 more units of blood. Total should be close to 100 by now.
Kay gave his mother a great surprise by dialing her phone number and letting Roger talk to her. She has not been able to see him since the accident and I'm sure this has been very difficult.
Therapy assisted him to the side of the bed for 14 minutes today. He tolerated it well. He also fed himself today which is a huge step. With all that he has gone through and platelets being down again, it really saps his strength. He is so determined.
If there are no set-backs, hopefully by the weekend, Roger will be transferred to an L-TAC area to begin light therapy. This is a huge step. The facility is close to the hospital where he is now.
Faye/Kay's Twin
Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
Roger had a very good weekend; however, starting on Monday, he began to decline. He experienced chest pains and a cardiologist was called in and the results of tests came back fine. He also had stomach bloating and a tube was put down to try to relieve the pain; this was not very successful. Because of the results of the arterial blood gasses showing abnormality and the change in his breathing pattern, Roger was put back on the respirator/ventilator (same as before). He has also been placed on dialysis due to signs of renal failure. A Gastro Intestinal doctor has been consulted to check for possible gall bladder or pancreatic problems. Two CT scans and four blood cultures have been run and only one culture came back suspicious. They have repeated the blood cultures but no results have been given at this time. Blood tests showed his liver function was elevated. An EEG turned out fine. On Thursday, Roger was not responsive which may have been due to the sedation.
The biggest change today is that Dr. Spence (trauma doctor/primary doctor) stated that he does not know why Roger went into respiratory failure. Today, Roger has communicated with his hands and gestured that he knew he had been confused the last few days.
Kay’s Twin, Faye
Friday, March 21, 2008
As Kay approached Roger's bed, he opened his eyes and smiled at her. Then he looked backwards to see me approaching the other side and smiled. He began to try and mouth to us and I told Kay to get him the clip board and see if he could write. Between mouthing, hand motions, and the clip board, we were able to tell that he was trying to tell us that the last 4 nights had been real confusing. He also wrote, "sit up," so we knew to raise the head of his bed. Dr. Spence, Trauma MD, was able to observe some of this and we were all encouraged by this. He told Roger that he wanted him to stay positive. Roger gave him a "thumbs up."
A gastroenterologist, stomach/colon specialist, was consulted. He stated that Roger's gallbladder was inflammed but could be looked at later but that he would have to further evaluate his abnormal liver function studies. No one has been able to determine what happened between Sunday (March 16) and Monday (March 17) that caused the sudden relapse. Dr. Spence said they would try but may not ever have the answer.
Roger has been seen by the trauma team, orthopedic team, neurologist (nerve), nephrologist (kidney), infection specialist, internal medicine specialist, ent specialist, cardiologist, plastic surgeon and others.
Many of you continue to say how much you appreciate this website and that it lets you know how to pray. Please continue to remember Roger and Kay in your prayers.
Kay's Twin/Faye
Sunday Evening, March 23, 2008
Dr. Spence has started weaning Roger down from the respirator and thus far, he is tolerating this. The machines breathes 10 breaths per minute for him. If he wants more, he has to do it totally on his own with the changes that have been made to his machine. So far, so good. He remains on the dialysis machine, which is probably responsible for some of the abnormal blood tests returning back to better figures. When a body's metabolic state is messed up, it causes a lot of havoc. His hemoglobin has dropped to 7.6, therefore he is getting 2 more units of blood. He is gradually coming back out from all of this and when he does, he will want the respirator gone!!!!!!!!! So pray once again. He had really tried to do everything on his part but for whatever reason, we had the relapse.
Faye
Wednesday, March 26 4:43 p.m.
Just to let you know that yesterday, Tuesday, March 25th, Roger was taken off the ventilator. His kidneys are still not working, and his liver levels are still elevated. He has also had an allergic reaction to one of his medications, which has broken him out all over. He is also still on dialysis. He remains somewhat lethargic; however, the good part is that he IS off the ventilator so I am hoping within the next three days or so, he will begin to feel much better. Please thank everyone for their caring attitudes, concern, and prayers!!!!!!
Kay Blevins
Thursday, March 27 7:01 p.m.
Roger remains on dialysis, which is a major concern. He is alert and asked for a Chick-Fil-A today. Dr. Spence stated that we might skip "speech therapy" since he did not require a trach this time, so a regular meal may not be far away. Right now, it is ice chips and water. He has been very drowsy this time from medication. He also had a severe reaction, in the form of a generalized body rash, that they think was due to the drug "epogen." This is a drug used with dialysis patients. His liver function tests (blood tests) remain elevated and a gastroenterologist continues to monitor this.
Continue to pray that the Lord will strengthen Roger and Kay. Kay continues to get up approx. 5am and leaves the house by 6am to avoid the Atlanta traffic. She stays at the hospital til noon, gets a bite to eat and then works the rest of the day. Please keep praying for strength. Thanks for all of your prayers and friendship!!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 10:06 p.m.
In 6 hrs., it will mark 2 months of Roger's unfortunate wreck that has kept him in Atlanta Medical Center's ICU. His hemoglobin had dropped once again to 6-7 and they gave him another 2 units of blood. He has been taken off dialysis and is being offered a regular diet. However, he has no appetite!!!!!!!! He remains quite weak because of all that his body has taken on and has been through.
He was transferred to the rehab center at Emory today. The rooms are semi-private with a bath between the two. Kay and Roger met the rehab doctor today and instantly liked him. Roger told Kay, "The Lord has been so good to look after us." At this point, I'm not sure that he realizes how "loaded" that statement is. He will have a new nephrologist (kidney specialist) from Emory since he has not been off of the dialysis machine but for a few days, and his kidney function is still being watched very carefully.
This is the time to pray that his spirit will be uplifted and encouraged. He is so weak and yet the staff will start tomorrow pushing him to his potential. With his hemoglobin down, no appetite and just being weak, he will not be anxiously awaiting what will be in store each morning, but it will be to his benefit. Because of this, and as a nurse and his sister-in-law, I would ask that visits be kept with-in a 10-15 min. time frame so that his energy can be saved for therapy. His mother and sister, who have yet to see him, are coming tomorrow by flight and will stay a few days with him.
I am so thankful for all of you who have prayed and continue to pray for my dear brother-in-law. We continue to hear from a lot of you and how thankful you are for this site. Continue to lift him and Kay up in prayer. She was at his side all day today to see that his move went smooth and that Roger felt at ease. As a nurse, his days will be extremely difficult and they will want more out of him than he thinks he can produce but ...he will get there.
Faye
Friday, April 04, 2008 1:10 p.m.
Brother Blevins left Atlanta Medical and arrived at Emory at approx. 2 p.m. and by that evening his temperature was 102. They immediately did lab work, cultures, chest x-ray, etc.
Since then they have started two strong IV antibiotics. He has pneumonia and a urinary tract infection. It has been of some concern that his hemoglobin was 6-7 and he required 2 units of blood, his kidney function was questionable and he was so weak. The staff at the rehab center has done everything possible to keep Kay and Roger knowledgeable of what is taking place. For this, we are more than thankful. There is a possibility that Roger may be transferred to another location in the next few days.
Thursday, April 10, 10:05 p.m.
Kay has really been busy checking out more L-TAC (long term acute care) facilities since Roger was admitted to Emory Rehab on 4-1-08. On the day that he arrived, they told her that he was not ready for rehab and should be at an L-TAC facility. I made contact with 3 presidents/CEO's from the hospital system where I have been employed since 1973. The Lord put me in contact with an individual that is on the national board of L-TAC. He amazingly is an Independent Baptist, grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn. He is familiar with BIMI and his father finished Tennessee Temple College where Kay and Roger finished. I am always amazed at how the Lord works. He made phone calls to another CEO in Ga. who is also on the national board and has an L-TAC facility in the Atlanta area. If all goes as planned, Roger will be moved next week, probably Tuesday, to Well Star Windy Hill Hospital where he will receive his rehab.
It will be an hour drive, one way, for Kay. Kay and Roger have been very pleased with Emory Rehab. Roger really likes the guy that helps him with his therapy and it has been an encouragement to him for the days ahead. Continue to pray that he will go to an area that is as supportive to his needs as Emory has been. His lungs are doing much better and his urinary tract infection is still being treated. A wound vac machine to his right stump area continues to provide his wound care. Some of his therapy will have to wait till this wound heals. He is beginning to get some of his appetite back. He is also ready for visitors, calls, etc.
Faye
Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 9:50 AM
I would like to thank everyone for their many phone calls, e-mails, cards, gifts, and prayers during this difficult time. Many times at the end of the day, I have sat and read through the cards you have sent and received such encouragement from them. Thank you. The Lord has certainly answered prayer and brought Roger a long way from that first morning on February 3rd.
We moved Roger today to:
Windy Hills Hospital, LTAC (Long Term Acute Care)
2540 Windy Hill Road
Marietta, GA 30067
770-644-1315 Phone
Both his occupational therapy and physical therapy is complete by 3:00 pm. He is in Room 315 on the 3rd floor. Parking is free, and you may visit at any time (There are no regulated visiting hours).
From the very beginning and during the long hours, days, and weeks of waiting, I have felt the Lord's presence with me. I learned a long time ago that God has everything under control. Oh, that's not to say that we understand His "working" in our lives at all times nor the things that He permits to come our way at such difficult times like these -- but yes, we CAN be assured that He knows what's best for us, and He will work it out for our good.
For those of you who live in the Covington, GA area, we are having Family and Friend day at our church on April 27, 2008, at Canaan Baptist Church beginning at 9:45 am. I want to personally invite you as my friend or family member to be with me on this day.
Please continue to pray for Roger, the boys, and me. As the doctor told him this morning, he still has a very long tunnel to travel through -- but there is light at the end of that tunnel.
Once again, thanks to all of you!!
Kay Blevins
Friday, April 25, 2008 from Faye/Kay's Twin
As I was having my devotions this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to get a phone call from Roger. He told me that a lot of you had told him what a blessing this website had been and he gave me an update.
He had another drug reaction to a drug called lyrica. They had changed him from neurontin to lyrica, thinking this would help his phantom pain. He reacted with a miserable rash and itching.
He is presently getting an insulin injection every night of a long acting insulin. He also gets injections of lovenox, a blood thinner given to patients who are not as mobile, decreasing their chances of getting blood clots. (This is why they recommend that you flex/extend your feet when traveling on long trips). He is receiving therapy twice/daily. Occupational therapy works with his upper body. He uses weights for some of his therapy that takes place with him in bed. They also use a big yellow ball to play volleyball with him. Roger says that it "weighs a ton." He is so funny. On a mat, they push a cycle up to him to exercise his left leg.
Physical therapy works with the right stump at the bedside. The gluteal muscles in the hips are stronger than the thigh muscles, causing the right stump to go to the right. To prevent this, they do stretching exercises. This is because our muscles, if left alone, will normally want to draw and shrink. (Some of us notice this as we age if we take notice to our bodies) He is also working on transferring from bed to w/c and w/c to bed.
The prosthetic representative came by yesterday to measure the right stump for a shrinking stocking. This will help mold the stump for a possible prosthesis. His right stump wound has healed except for the corners which the nurses are doing bedside dressing changes for this. Initially, Dr. Ross had left the stump open to heal from inside/out. A lot of times when someone has been thru as much trauma as Roger, they choose to leave the stump open to heal so that there is less chance for infection and then abscess.
He no longer has any tubes or wound vac other than an IV site at his wrist that is there for emergencies only. So far it has not been used. He still does not have much of an appetite for any solid foods. He can tolerate soft foods ok and soups. He stated that the other day, that the dietician came by and was reading the menu off for him to choose from, when he started heaving. She had to stop reading and get the emesis basin. He said the thought of listening to the list literally made him nauseated. (Not sure that I have ever had this experience.)
He has lost a lot of weight but this too could prove to be a blessing. They had been watching his blood sugars closely before the accident with a diagnosis of diabetes in mind. Even though he is receiving insulin, they still have not made this diagnosis. They told him that the trauma, steroids, etc., may be the problem of changes in blood sugar. Had he not lost the weight, the diagnosis would have probably been inevitable. When he is able to be discharged, I am hoping that the weight loss will take care of the B/p meds and insulin.
Continue to pray for Roger and Kay. She is working full-time, being there for him and taking care of the home front. We are all thankful for the many ways that you have shown support. Roger is really enjoying visits, cards and phone calls. Pray that he will continue to show amazing progress.
Faye
Saturday, May 3, 2008, 6:38 p.m.
Dear Praying Friends,
This posting is going to be a little different because it is coming directly from me, Roger. Today is May 3rd, the three month anniversary of my accident. Kay brought the computer to the hospital (Windy Hill) so that I could write to all of you myself and tell you how much I appreciate your faithful prayers.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone from our home church, Canaan Baptist Church in Covington, Georgia, where Dr. Scott Caudill is the pastor. They have done so much to help Kay during my hospitalization. You just don't know how much it means to have a great home church family and pastor until something like this happens.
I also want to thank our BIMI Family (Baptist International Missions, Inc.) who created and made this link on their website possible. Because of this website, we literally have people around the world praying for us. When the accident happened Kay had so many things to deal with, and all the folks at the BIMI home office were right there to help her with everything, just as they have been every day since then.
Of course, I cannot find words to sufficiently thank our friends and family for all they have done during these past three months. Then there were those whom we do not know and have never met, but who somehow heard about my accident and took time out to send us cards with words of encouragement. We certainly have not had to go through this trial alone. What a wonderful and great God we serve! We have truly been blessed!!
Now, I guess you are wondering how I am doing. Actually, I am feeling much better, gaining strength everyday through the sometimes grueling therapy sessions. I have occupational therapy once a day Monday through Friday. I have two sessions of physical therapy, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, Monday through Friday with one session on Saturday. Thank goodness, they let me rest on Sundays. Ha! Ha!
I still struggle with not having much of an appetite. There are days when I just cannot eat, but the doctors seem to think that this will take care of itself as time goes along. Of course, this has its advantage because I have lost a considerable amount of weight since the accident. Please pray that my appetite will return to normal. I would like to praise the Lord that even after three months of being in the bed, the nurses say that I do not show any signs of developing bedsores. Please pray that my skin will continue to do well.
I want to thank all of you from the depths of my heart for everything you have done. So many acts of kindness have been directed our way. Many have asked what they can do, and we appreciate their desire to help. But the truth is, the best thing that you can do for us is to continue with your faithful prayers.
We love you all.
Roger D. Blevins
Ephesians 3:20
