We drove across country (from Oregon to New York by car) recently to see our eldest daughter Jacki Lynn and her family. We felt like pioneers on a journey to see our newest great grandson Benjamin Daniel McMinn who was to celebrate his 6 months birthday soon. Only instead of the pioneers of long ago who headed west we were heading east by car.. not covered wagon. But the feeling of anticipation and adventure had to be similar.
Gary and I turned 68 our last birthday and we had never done a car trip across our Nation before. We left Oregon on the 19th of Sept. 2011, stopped in KC for an event at Stonecroft Ministries then back in the car with our hearts turned towards our daughter and our reunion .. I had not seen her in 2 years and Gary had not seen her in 3. We were focused! We arrived on Thursday the 29th. Only hours later our daughter collapsed in the yard because her legs would not hold her! The beginning of a nightmare that has not ended yet! ... Jacki bravely tried to manage her fear and put up a front for us who were left wondering what the heck was going on with our girl! But within 3 sleeps our girl was whisked away in an ambulance in great pain hardly able to move or breathe! What was going on? Oh my gosh the fear and questions racked our minds and hearts!
As it turns out Jacki has Guillain Barre Syndrome! A beast of a virus that captures it's victims in hours to days and hold them captive paralyzing them from head to toe! Most recover but not without months in the hospital. Currently Jacki is on a trach because she cannot breath on her own. She has been in an induced coma for over 2 weeks to relieve her pain and help her breath. ... this story will go on for months .. I am only beginning to journal her journey here.
The outpouring of love and support have been amazing! We could not nor would not want to be on this journey alone! God is with us and her as is her family and friends and so many who don't even know her from Uganda to Clatskanie, Oregon have taken up the call to pray for her!
Her husband sent out this report only yesterday.
Text from my DSIL: GOOD NEWS!
Just got here. They are doing tracheotomy right now.
I have been calling her cell phone just to hear her voice on voice mail message. Sad.
She is in operating room now. Hopefully can soon.
She is out of surgery. Still not awake. Surgeon said tracheotomy went fine. Looks like plasma exchange is done, as they removed port. Vital signs look real good. No propofol in 3 days now. Temp is up a little. Will text more later. Talked to nurse. She is doing well.
Port was moved to her groin :( so not gone and she will get another plasma exchange on Sunday. They are watching temp. May have a urinary infection. Vital signs real good. She has movement and sensation in ALL extremities. She looks better overall, no more propofol, only oral pain meds via feeding tube.
