Updates of Preacher Fred's Progress
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The Decision is Made
Preacher Fred heard from the doctor yesterday. His recommendation is to remove Fred's knee and replace it with a new one that is partially made of cement. Normally, this type of knee replacement is temporary. Although the doctor said if Fred does well, then it could last for years. The lab is still trying to figure out which combination of antibiotics Preacher Fred will need to cure this infection. They are hopeful that they will have an answer by Tuesday. If so, Preacher Fred will have his surgery on Thursday. Preacher Fred and Patsy are happy with these results because now he will not have to go without a knee. The family wants to thank everyone for their prayers. They feel like prayers are being answered.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Praying for the Best
Results from the fluid that was drawn yesterday came back and confirmed that the infection is a form of Mycobacterium. It's known as Massiliense. The lab called to tell them the news. Fred is scheduled to talk with the doctor tomorrow. At that time the family will know how he will want to treat it. The family is hoping that this doctor will still want to treat the infection with antibiotics for six weeks to see if that will work.
Fred had a pretty good day. Patsy said he even put on his "ole" blue jeans. However, she said that he didn't move from the recliner after that. Maybe he will get the boots on tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Second Opinion
Fred's doctors visit went well today. The doctor took fluid from the knee to confirm the infection. Results should be back in the next one to three days. The doctor is hoping that he will be able to treat the infection through antibiotics. Depending on the results, he would like to treat the infection for at least six weeks before deciding if surgery is needed. Removing the knee would be the doctor's last resort.
Patsy also received an email back from a doctor at MUSC. This doctor is willing to look at Fred's knee if needed. This doctor stated that she has experience in treating Mycobacteria infections.
After the doctor visit and email from MUSC, Fred and Pasty feel much better. Hopefully we will know something within the next few days. Although it seems that we have been waiting for results on every post, it appears that we are getting closer to an answer. The family wants to thank everyone for their continuous prayers and they know that God is in control.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Quick Update
Today was not one of Fred's better days. He ate a little bit of breakfast and spent the rest of the day sleeping. With a lack of appetite, Fred is still weak and lacking energy. Continue to pray for the family, as Fred and Patsy will be visiting the doctor tomorrow for a second opinion. Pray that God reveals to the doctor what he should do to get rid of Fred's infection.
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Different Opinion
Preacher Fred feels that Patsy is now a nurse as well as a private investigator. She has been on the phone all day trying to figure out and find a doctor for him to go see for a second opinion. He has an appointment Wednesday afternoon with a different doctor. Preacher Fred and Patsy are happy about this appointment. Even if this doctor feels that he needs to remove Preacher Fred's knee, they feel better about this doctor performing the surgery. They are also looking into the possibility of going to MUSC. They've emailed a doctor at MUSC to see if he has ever treated this type of infection. Preacher Fred and Patsy are so thankful for all that everyone has done to help them during this time. They can't even begin to express how grateful they are for their family and friends. Continue to keep them in your prayers. Our God is good and we believe that He can heal Preacher Fred without surgery if that is His will.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Short, Sweet, and to the Point
Today was one of Fred's better days. Although he is still very weak, he has made some progress in getting up and moving about the house as much as he can. Being home has allowed Fred to feel more rested and have a more positive outlook. Fred and Patsy still have decisions to make. We are praying that God is healing the infection in his body. As always, the family appreciates your prayers and thoughtfulness.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
New Nurse In Town
Patsy has started her new position as head nurse in the Quidley house. She's checking his temperature regularly, giving Fred his meds, and flushing his PICC line. Home health care stopped by to check on Fred and to deliver Nurse Patsy her supplies. The therapist also made a visit and worked with Fred as he walked a little. Now that he is at home we will be relying on updates from Nurse Patsy. Fred and Patsy still need your prayers as they make their decision about surgery on his knee. They are still seeking God's guidance about a second opinion.
Home Sweet Home
Preacher Fred is back home for the time being. He was released from the hospital late this afternoon. The lab has narrowed down the results from twenty-two types of Mycobacteria down to three. The doctors are now saying that the family should know for sure by this coming Thursday which type it is. At that time they will know which antibiotics to start using after surgery. There is no change in Preacher Fred's physical condition, but doctors allowed him to rest and wait at home. Fred and Patsy need prayer as they decide if a second opinion would be in his best interest. Pray that they will hear God's voice as they make a decision.
Some people have asked if you need an account to leave a comment. Well, no you do not. You may leave a comment as anonymous and just sign your name at the end of your message. However, to be a follower, you must have an account. Even though Preacher Fred is not computer savvy, he really looks forward to knowing how many new followers he has.
Some people have asked if you need an account to leave a comment. Well, no you do not. You may leave a comment as anonymous and just sign your name at the end of your message. However, to be a follower, you must have an account. Even though Preacher Fred is not computer savvy, he really looks forward to knowing how many new followers he has.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Pray for Fred and the Family
Doctors for the most part, have decided that it would be best that the knee be removed. The DNA test was sent to lab yesterday and results should be in tomorrow. That should let the doctors know which combination of antibiotics would fight off the infection after removing the knee. His doctor thinks that surgery will be tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday depending on when the lab results come back. This surgery would require removing the knee replacement and inserting an antibiotic block. This would feed the antibiotics directly to the knee. Without the knee it would limit Fred's mobility and could require him to be on crutches an extended amount of time. Fred could also lose muscle strength and it would be difficult for him to regain full mobility. Surgery would not be the family's first choice but they want Fred to get better. The family believes in prayer and knows that we serve a mighty God that can perform miracles. Fred, his family, and his doctors need much prayer over the next few days. Continue to pray that antibiotics could be the cure to heal the infection so that removing the knee would not be an option.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Results are in
The infectious disease doctor came in this morning and confirmed that the infection is a type of Mycobacteria, which is what she had suspected. The lab is now checking the DNA to determine the specifics so that they will know how to treat it. The doctors believe they should have an answer no later than Friday. At that time, they will begin giving him the antibiotics for that particular type of infection. They have stopped treating Fred with the current antibiotics because they were not helping. Please continue to pray that Preacher Fred and Patsy will stay motivated through this long process. Your encouraging words and thoughtfulness mean a lot.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
No Change
Conditions remain the same and the doctors are hopeful that the results from the lab will be delivered tomorrow. Once the results are in, we should know what type of Mycobacteria has infected Fred's knee.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Long Road Traveled
As many of you know, Fred had knee replacement surgery this past April. Since that procedure his road to recovery has been a long one. He had a feeling after surgery that something wasn't right. Soon there after he had gallbladder surgery (7 weeks after knee surgery). After the gallbladder was removed, he showed signs of improvement and it seemed things were looking up. However, a couple of weeks after gallbladder surgery, he became sick again. Everyone was pretty sure that his symptoms were a result of his knee replacement surgery because of the pain and swelling he was enduring. It seems that the doctors tested Fred in every possible way but couldn't give a reason for his sick condition. Finally after 14 weeks, doctors determined that an infection was the cause. So last Friday (August 6th), Fred went through surgery again. During this surgery, the knee was removed and sterilized, then put back in place. A biopsy of the infection was also taken in efforts to determine the kind of infection that had formed around his knee. After this procedure, the recovery process was supposed to begin through therapy and a PICC line. The PICC line will allow antibiotics to start killing the infection faster.
Fred has been in the hospital since surgery. His type of infection (Mycobacteria) has only been reported in 16 cases over the last 40 years. Therefore, the doctors are having a difficult time determining the best way to treat him. Once the results come back from the lab (Tuesday/Wednesday), the doctors will hopefully have a better idea of which type of Mycobacteria is in his body and the best way to treat it. The doctors have explained that the infection tends to attack foreign objects in the body, which in Fred's case would be his knee replacement. They have narrowed down the treatments to two solutions. One way is to treat it using a combination of two types of antibiotics. The other treatment would be to remove the knee and replace it with a spacer that would basically keep the knee free of foreign objects. This would leave Fred without the use of one leg and would require him to be on crutches for the next six months to a year. After that time, the doctors would put the knee replacement back. Please pray that this infection will be treatable through antibiotics. This would allow Preacher Fred to recover quicker and return to the ministry, which we all know he loves.
Posts will be made each evening of Fred's progress. Please continue to check and feel free to leave Fred and Patsy messages.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Daily Updates
Built "Fred" Tough was created as a way for family and friends to stay informed about Preacher Fred's recovery. Preacher Fred's progress will be posted daily. Our hope is that this blog will keep everyone updated and will allow Preacher Fred and his family to get some much needed rest. They appreciate all the prayers and support.
Keeping the faith and staying positive is very important for Preacher Fred. Continue to lift him and Patsy up in prayer.
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