Update on Grandpa

Thank you for all the prayer for Grandpa. He is still in the hospital. When a person has lived a long hard life, some things just quit working and when that happens other things kind of cascade downward. We know that Grandpa has a Staphylococcus infection in his blood. This is called Bacteremia, it is not contagious but very serious. The doctors think the bacteria has infected his heart and so Grandpa will need to be on IV antibiotic for 6 to 8 weeks. If he stops the medication before the infection is completely killed, it will only come back, worse. Besides this, he has several complications including extreme arthritis which is being made worse by the infection. He is in a lot of pain and so has to take high powered pain medication which puts him to sleep (personally I think that is a good thing), however he isn't up to visiting much and so if you have other questions please feel free to call one of his children for updates. What happens next is any one's guess but we will do everything we can to make sure he is comfortable and gets the care he needs right now. {If anyone has a functioning crystal ball, I would like you to call me immediately.} The hospital nursing staff and doctors have been very good to him and to those of us who are with him during the day. We invite all the family to join with us in a family fast in his behalf this Sunday, October 14. Thank you again for your continual prayers. Martha