The kids started school on the 9th & after picking them up that day, discovered that Jacob had the flu (strain B - the kind resistant this year to the vaccine). He had it from Wednesday to Sunday - when he woke up and was unable to walk due to severe pain. We just returned home last night from him being in the hospital for rhabdomyolosis. It was most likely triggered by the flu and caused a breakdown of muscle fibers and release of their contents into the bloodstream. He was unable to walk due to the pain of this in his legs. While his blood work numbers were increasing, we were thinking we would be transferring to Fort Worth's Cook Children's Hospital on Monday. This was a precautionary measure with some of the complications that could occur that our hospital was unable to perform on children. Mainly related to his kidneys and how they process the breakdown of the fibers. After our physician discussed this transition with the doctors in Fort Worth - they felt collectively that Jacob was improving and although some of his numbers were increasing in the blood work, the risk of major complications now was slim. So we remained in Waco.
Here is a small picture from my phone of him playing bubbles. He was getting congested, as well, & they were trying to help his lungs stay clear. So we had some fun with bubbles!
We are so thankful to say that we were able to come home about 7:00 last night. It was a delight to drive in and have a hot bowl of chili waiting for us and our own warm cozy beds! Thank you so much to all of you for praying for us through this week!! Jacob's numbers have continued to decrease and we are now at home on an outpatient basis. To flush the muscle fibers released into his blood - the main form of treatment is to pump a good deal of fluids through his system. We have seen this morning as he walked to get a yummy breakfast cake at the door - an improvement from last night in his walking. It was a bit startling for the crew at home to see last night how little he could walk on his own. This morning -his walking was getting oh so close to normal. To this we thank the Lord for his healing!!! We were so grateful to our Dr who encouraged Jacob with his fear that he wouldn't walk again. He shared with him that it just takes time and that God is healing his body in His timing & it would be soon when he could run, jump & play again. We will check back with the Dr on Friday to run more blood work to make sure his CK & myoglobin numbers are normal alongside blood work to check his kidney function. We are hopeful all will be normal! We would love your prayers for Rebekah who had 103 fever yesterday (adenovirus), and myself, I have a low grade fever. Everyone else seems to be doing well.
In light of this and the fast changing pace of life as a family of 6, I'm not sure I will be able to post the final France posts as I originally hoped on this blog. I had posted a handful of thoughts here & there on a different blog in years past called:
I'm not sure how often I will post on there or what will be posted - but you are welcome to come check it out from time to time to see what's going on with the Blocker family. You may even see those missing France posts on days where I want to sneak back in a suitcase to the delightful days of pastries and boulevard strolls.
Thank you all so much for journeying with us to France!! It was a joy to be there and celebrate the goodness of the LORD on the last 10 year journey. One thing I know as we begin a new season, is we cannot stand without the Lord's help. After Chris falling through the ceiling this past week and helping our 7 year old walk again this week - it was a grand physical reminder of this truth. A dear college friend wrote this week in response to Jacob's hospitalization. I think it is a wonderful way to end this blog - "I trust that our great God knew full well what this adventure would be and that you would be unable to stand without utter dependence on Him." May we all remember wherever we are in life's journey - that our God sees us & will help us to stand in Him to walk in the path before us. We join with all of you to "Call to Him this new year, and wait to see Him show us great & mighty things of which we do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
