Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Tuesday, April 30

Today was better. He was on the sofa and alert when I came in.  He was ready for breakfast.

They have to do a blood test to check, but sodium levels are up. They are giving him intravenous sodium.  They are also giving him cortisone which affects inflammation.  They are cortisone as pills to help inflammation, so he can continue using it after he is released from the clinic.

I just emailed a more optimistic email to the family, President Martinez and his wife, the mission doctor and our Bishop and Stake President.  Dr. Concha continues to be an answer to prayers.

April 30, 2013

Dr. Concha was here tonight and let us know that the doctors have decided on a more optimistic course of action than they normally would because of their confidence in Elder Babcock’s recovery and in our prayers. 

In three days, they will complete the course of five weeks of the same antibiotic and were confident that pneumococcal meningitis is taken care of. Ken’s two bad days of began when he was taken off the corticosteroids. They restarted the corticosteroids and almost immediately he was without fever and more functional. Working on the sodium level in the blood also helped.

What they are thinking now is that perhaps the infection they see in the MRI is not meningitis, but something else that can be helped by the corticosteroids.   They restarted with oral corticosteroids instead of intravenous ones.  He will also have to be weaned from the corticosteroids very very slowly.  The big advantage of this approach is that Elder Babcock won’t have to stay in the clinic. But he will have to get better and strong enough for them to be convinced that he will be okay.  He wants me to tell him how many days that means, but I don’t know and I don’t think the doctors know yet.  It also means he needs to work hard on therapy and do whatever he can to get strong. 

Our prayers now need to be very specific, that the corticosteroids will be sufficient and that Elder Babcock can be strong enough to leave the clinic. 

We are so grateful for your prayers and support.

love, Hermana and Elder Babcock 

Today has been a better day, but more stressful because I have an awake Elder Babcock worrying about things. I got really frustrated with him for the first time. 35 days of patience is a record for me. I was reminded of the words of Elder Enrique R. Falabella, speaking of one of his wife’s mottos in General Conference: It takes two to contend and I will not be one of them.

Fortunately Elder Babcock did not contend either and we got through it peacefully. He never knew how frustrated I was and things resolved themselves.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Monday, April 29

A difficult day, again.

My Email report to President Martinez:

Mi correo electrónico a Presidente Martinez:

Ayer Elder Babcock no tuvo desea de comer después de almuerzo y tuvo mucho dolor en su sinos. No le gusta decir nada a las enfermeras porque tuvo mucho desea de salir la clínica. Yo explique la importancia de hablar de todo y también explique la situación a las enfermeras.  En la mañana hoy día estaba muy débil y con un poco de fiebre.  No puede hablar bien otra vez y cuando Dr. Rivas vino, él dijo que piensa que Elder Babcock tiene vasculitis otra vez.  Ante de salir, él dijo en inglés: I don't know why the Lord wants Kenneth to stay in the clinic for more weeks.  

Hay tratamientos por los problemas, pero es verdad que Elder Babcock necesita quedar en la clínica. Dr. Rivas pidió una resonancia, y empezó un otra antibiótica que le ayuda antes con vasculitis.  Después de los resultados el doctor va a hacer un otro escanear doppler. Elder Babcock no tuvo comida hoy día hasta 18:00 en la tarde por causa de la resonancia, y tuvo mucha hambre en la tarde cuando estaba sintiendo mejor.  

Las enfermeras le han dado mucha atención a Elder Babcock a causa de un caído en el baño en la mañana, pero la caída fue muy lento y yo estaba con él. Tuvimos esperanza de salir la clínica esta semana, pero yo también he tenido el pensamiento que el Señor desea que Elder Babcock tuviera más tiempo en la clínica. Él ha tenido más oportunidades de hablar del Evangelio aquí en los días pasados.

The Email in English:

Yesterday Elder Babcock did not want to eat after lunch and had a lot of pain in his sinuses. He does not want to say anything to the nurses because he really wants to leave the clinic. I explained the importance of talking about everything and also explaining the situation to nurses. In the morning he was very weak and had a little fever. He cannot speak well again and when Dr. Rivas came, he said he thinks Elder Babcock has vasculitis again. Before leaving, he said in English, “I do not know why the Lord Kenneth wants to stay in the clinic for more weeks.”

There are treatments for the problems, but it is true that Elder Babcock need to stay in the clinic. Dr. Rivas ordered an MRI, and began another antibiotic that helped earlier with vasculitis. After the results the doctor will do another scan doppler. Elder Babcock had no food today until 6:00 in the afternoon because of the MRI, and was very hungry in the afternoon when he was feeling better.

Nurses have given Elder Babcock a lot of attention to Elder Babcock because of a fall in the bathroom this morning, but the fall was very slow and I was with him. We have hoped to leave the clinic this week, but I have also had the thought that the Lord wants Elder Babcock to have more time in the clinic. He has had more opportunities to share the gospel here in recent days.

I also wrote a letter to the family with the same information: 

Dear family and friends,

We have been so excited to see Elder Babcock hearing better, walking and climbing steps and slowly getting stronger.  He really hoped that the MRI today would allow him to leave the hospital this week, but we got the results tonight.  Dr. Riva checked immediately instead of waiting until tomorrow, and found that the infection is almost exactly the same as it was 8 days ago.  Not big, but not gone. He will consult with the other doctors to try to figure out what to do, whether to change antibiotics or do a surgical procedure or add something to the current antibiotics. 

Blood tests show that the sodium level in Elder Babcock’s blood was down to 127 today, almost as low as before.  This would account for his weakness.  Dr. Riva was surprised he was still able to get up to go to the bathroom.  Also none of the confusion has returned. He is very tired and should sleep tonight.  But before I left, we talked about the importance of patience.  He said he needs to be more humble.  I agreed.  This is his mission now, to be an exemplary patient. He was worried about me, and I told him that being patient was much better burden than the one I had anticipated.  And I am willing to accept it. 

It is important to be willing to accept the Lord's timetable. Patience is a heavy burden to be born with cheerfulness, because the Lord knows best and loves us much. We can't demand blessings now. We can ask for peace and comfort to feel that our faith is accepted and acknowledged even as the miracles are delayed. The Lord doesn't take away mortality from most of us. Those who have been translated got their fair share of tribulation before they were changed. I have been reading in the History of the Church and have been surprised to see how often Joseph Smith was afflicted with a cold or other physical problems.  This world is not easy for anyone.

I haven't shared with some of you the comment Dr. Riva made this morning when he told us that the vasculitis had come back.  He said, in English, "I don't know why the Lord wants Elder Babcock to stay in the clinic more weeks."  He said it in a very matter of fact way. It was testimony to me that the doctors are continuing to acknowledge the hand of God in Elder Babcock's recovery. Dr. Riva has also said that Elder Babcock is a case study in complications -- as he has been having all possible complications.  But he has also said that they are treatable.  

Thank you all again for your love and support. Four Elders came today on their preparation day, but Elder Babcock was so far under that he didn't remember.  We appreciate their love and concern as well.  

Hermana Babcock 

In Facebook posts I explained more to my family: 

The problem with moving to someplace besides Victoria is that there isn't any place else set up. Moving would be hard work for me and for the mission. Moving immediately would be almost impossible. I agree that Elder Babcock will not be able to return immediately to former responsibilities and I won't let him try. Maybe after 3 more weeks here things will seem more clear to me. I guess it would depend on what we are moving into.

It is not a day for independence and therapy. No walking even with help. I need to trust that I will be able to take care of him. Elder Babcock just had problems in the bathroom. He fell, a slow step by step slide to the floor with his feet under his knees and me trying to help him. We needed help from two nurses to lift him.  

He finally had his MRI at 5:00 and food at 6:00 and supper at 7:00.  I am keeping it for him for later tonight. Since he has been sleeping all day, it might be a long night for him. He will probably wake up hungry and eat and read.  The antibiotics really helped. He didn't read or do anything today except sleep and go to the bathroom. His back gets sore when he stays in bed a long time. You would think he could find a comfortable hospital bed position with all the buttons and controls.

I explained to my family that the doppler scanner will come later. I think Dr. Riva was surprised to find the infection still there, given how good Elder Babcock has been doing. I have been too tired to write it in Spanish. I have a lot of translating to do if I'm going to fulfil President Martinez’s assignment to document all of this is one place in Spanish.

April 29 Elder Rodríguez wrote:

It’s great to know that Heavenly Father is watching over you.  And how you are a living testimony that He lives and that his Priesthood authority is here on earth once more.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Sunday, April 28

It was a good morning, foggy and smoky, but his hearing is better, more normal. While I was in Sacrament meeting, Elder Babcock was willing to walk with the therapist.

On April 28, Elder Sandoval wrote:

Elder y Hermana Babcock:

Ustedes han sido una maravillosa bendición para mi misión y mi vida. Sé que esta ha sido una prueba dura pero tanto ustedes como nosotros hemos fortalecido nuestra fe en Cristo y su poder.  Agradezco mucho el que Dios haya respondió nuestras oraciones—Oh si, hemos orado mucho—también nuestros ayunos. Siempre he creído que el Salvador hace milagros, sé que Él tiene poder sobre las tormentas, las enfermedades, y la muerte, pero a veces no está dentro del plan de Dios el que ese poder aplique en nuestras vidas. La hermana Babcock es un ejemplo de que debemos creer en Cristo y su poder y aceptar Su voluntad de si lo usara o no, al mismo tiempo.  Dios ha elegido usar su poder en usted.  Nunca olvidare el impacto de esta experiencia en mi vida, su ejemplo de fe, de amor, y de perseverancia. Las palabras de Hma. Babcock mientras Él se encontraba grave fueron: Lo único que recuerda es su profundo amor por el Evangelio y por mí. Son un gran ejemplo.  Ustedes han buscado primero el reino de Dios y su justicia aceptando el costo.  Les queremos mucho.  Mi familia ora por ustedes también y ellos se han fortalecido también por sus ejemplos.  Gracias por todo ello.  He venido cuatro veces cada una de ellas viendo como Elder Babcock progresa y como el doctor se sorprendía por el progreso también. 

Se aún más que Dios nos ama.  Cristo vive y nos ama.  Mi Salvador nos tiene grabados en las palmas de sus manos.  Le tiene a usted y de este lado del velo o del otro le cuidara siempre.

                                                      Con cariño,

                                                      Elder Sandoval

                                                      Puebla-Mexico

¡Sigan bendiciendo cada vida que tocan!

In English: 

Elder and Sister Babcock:

You have been a wonderful blessing in my mission and my life. I know this has been a difficult trial, but for you and for us, we have strengthened our faith in Christ and his power. I am very grateful that God has answered our prayers - Oh yes, we have prayed much- also our fasting. I have always believed that the Savior works miracles; I know that He has power over storms, disease, and death, but sometimes it is not within the plan of God that that power be applied in our lives. Sister Babcock is an example that we should believe in Christ and his power and accept His will whether he uses it or not, at the same time. God has chosen to use his power in you. I will never forget the impact of this experience in my life, your example of faith, love, and perseverance. The words of Sister Babcock while He was in serious condition were: All he remembers is his deep love for the Gospel and for me. You are a great example. You have first sought the kingdom of God and his righteousness accepting the cost. We love you very much. My family is praying for you too and they have also been strengthened by your examples. Thank you for that. I have come four times each time seeing Elder Babcock progress and how the doctor was also surprised by the progress.

I know even more that God loves us. Christ lives and loves us. My Savior has graven us upon the palms of his hands. He has you and on this side of the veil or the other, He will always take care of you.

With caring,

Elder Sandoval

Puebla-Mexico

Continue to bless every life you touch!

A letter like this is a reminder to us of our responsibilities.

Back at the hostel, I was frustrated and scared that I had given Elder Babcock my cold. He had not eaten since lunch and complained of more pain and sinus infection, but he didn’t want to talk about it to the nurse because he didn’t want to stay in the clinic longer. If I took him home I would not know what to do with him, other than take him back to a doctor. We have not heard if there will be an MRI tomorrow or not.