Stephen C. McKinney Memorial Thread (1969-2001)

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 3:00 am

Ah, Shadow!

I assume he's in the hospital. Is he conscious?

Post by **Furls Fire** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 5:36 am

Sorry, I should have been more informative. He was admitted early this morning, around 3am. He actually developed a high fever yesterday morning, but seemed alert, so Liz (his doctor), because we have 24 hour nursing care, agreed to let him stay here and ordered a round of antibiotics. I took a blood sample to the hospital yesterday afternoon and his CD4 took a nose-dive from 87 two days ago to 46. His temp spiked this morning and he went into seizures. So his nurse and I rushed him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with MAC, which is a form of TB, it's a blood infection, and can be fatal.

I will try to keep you all up to date as best I can. The next few days will be critical as MAC is a fast moving infection. (A combination of MAC and CTM is what ultimately took Stephen.)

Please keep Isaiah in your prayers and thoughts. Love you all!

Peace,

Tracie

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 6:10 am

Russ · Post by **Russ** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:09 am

hey everyone, Russ here, Tracie's hubby. She asked me to come on here and give you all an update on Isaiah as she can't leave the hospital right now. He has slipped into a coma because it seems he has developed another brain infection most likely caused by the MAC infection in his blood and bone marrow. She asks you all to keep him in your hearts and say extra prayers for him. His prognosis is not good.

regards,
Russ

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:12 am

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:18 am

Thanks for keeping us posted Russ.

And thanks for taking care of Isaiah. You and your wife are just a wee bit extraordinary.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:33 am

Oh, Shadow....

Post by **Furls Fire** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:15 pm

Hail everyone,

Isaiah has infection everywhere. He is on some very strong antibiotics and of course is having some very bad reactions to some of them. Mercifully, he is in a coma and is not aware of it all (at least I hope so).

In all honesty, this does not look good, but our Lord is not beyond miracles and Isaiah may fight his way back to us. But, which ever way he goes, either Home to the Father, or home here to us, I will know, and you all will know that we brightened up these last few months for him. And I for one, feel very blessed at having known him and shared with him my home, my family and my love.

Peace to you all, please keep him in your prayers... Miracles do happen.

Post by **danlo** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:42 pm

Hugs Shadow! (and Furls)

Post by **Revan** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:43 pm

I've already said this, but I'll say it again. I'm really sorry to hear that Furls. And I do hope he gets better. I like him. I don't know him that well... but I've spoken to him a few time and and he was really decent. I hope he gets better.

Post by **birdandbear** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:22 pm

Watch thou, dear Lord,
with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight,
and give thine angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend thy sick ones, Lord Christ.
Rest thy weary ones.
Bless thy dying ones.
Soothe thy suffering ones.
Pity thine afflicted ones.
Shield thy joyous ones.
And all, for thy love's sake.

Amen.

- evening prayer - saint augustine - 4th century

Shadow -

May God hold you in the palm of his hand
And if he takes you home
May all of our love go with you
And all the Angels of Heaven
And one in particular
Be waiting with open arms

But if he says "Not yet"
May He grant you the strength to endure
a little longer

And Furls -

May God continue to provide you with the incredible strength and grace He has already given you.
And may you find peace in your long watch.

Post by **Furls Fire** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:33 am

ah, beautiful birdie.

He's still with us, had quite the scare this morning as he went into convulsions (a bad reaction to one of his antibiotics). This afternoon, praise God, he stablized AND his fever broke. He's still comatose, however, but his brain scans are looking good. Keep the prayers coming everyone.

God Bless you all

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 2:54 am

Wow! I hope I'm not grasping at straws, but that sounds great! Thanks for the good news!

Post by **variol son** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:00 am

Only a week a go I chatted with Shadow on Tracie's MSN, and the next day he added me when he got his own Net passport.

Ah, the futilty of mere words, be well Shadow my dear friend, and be at peace.

Sum sui generis
Vs

Post by **Furls Fire** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:07 am

We will grasp at anything we can get our hands on now. They were literally squeezing bags of antibiotics into him yesterday. And it's real encouraging that the fever broke, always a very good sign.

birdie wrote:Shadow -

May God hold you in the palm of his hand
And if he takes you home
May all of our love go with you
And all the Angels of Heaven
And one in particular
Be waiting with open arms

But if he says "Not yet"
May He grant you the strength to endure
a little longer

I printed this out, and will read it to him later on tonight when I go back to the hospital, birdie. I thought it was just beautiful.

I keep reading to him, mostly from Stephen's journals. I hope he hears me. I feel that if anything can reach him, Stephen's words can.

Peace all

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:19 am

Furls Fire wrote:I keep reading to him, mostly from Stephen's journals. I hope he hears me. I feel that if anything can reach him, Stephen's words can.

Indeed! They have done so much for him already! Not least of which is leading him to your home and immeasurable love.

Post by **Dromond** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:20 am

I hope you rally, Shadow.

For yourself. and for us.

The love here is real. I know you feel it.

Post by **Furls Fire** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:40 am

It sure is

And I think we can all feel it

I know Isaiah can

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 5:36 am

I think he is hearing every word, Furls.

I will remember both of you in my prayers tonight...

Post by **variol son** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 9:53 pm

I have only just read this entire thread today, and as usual, I will have to borrow someboby elses words as mine are inadequate.

Pitchwife wrote:No words-There are none. Your scant human tongue is void-

Hail and well met Stephen. You obviously burned far too brightly for this dark world.

Sum sui generis
Vs

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Stephen C. McKinney Memorial Thread (1969-2001)