Saturday, June 6th, 2026: Epidural turned off, pain - more Dilaudid, Antibiotic Zosyn for pneumonia, 3 stoll softeners, diuretic to dry out lungs, Ben, Cayli, Michael visit, Sheri & I go to Deseret Bk for garments, Kerri visits, Texts: Chelsea, Kathy, Dennis, Addy, speech therapist (swallow tests)

Birmingham, Alabama

Temple #98

James's Journal

I arrive at 7 am. The doctors want to get James off of the epidural because they are worried about the amount of pain meds he is taking. On the other hand, they want to keep his pain under control. It's a Catch 22. James is taking Miralax and Duralax to soften his stools. They had him on three stool softeners until Courtney asked them to take him off one.  James has an epidural line and an antibiotic IV for his pneumonia. David is our nurse again today with Scott assisting. David put a Lidocaine patch on James's ribs to help with pain.

We had prayer and listened to Alma 15 from the Book of Mormon. We did "Come Follow Me" separately.

Dr. Roberts came in at 8:30 to turn off the epidural. We will know in a couple of hours if James can tolerate pain without it. If he can, they will take him out of ICU and put him in a regular room. 

James is in a great deal of pain without the epidural. They gave him more Dilaudid which is given in an IV. 

When Dr. Watt and his team came around the doctor looked at James's x-ray and said he wanted to put him on a diuretic to help dry his lungs out a little more. James's oxygen needs are down to 30. Yay! They are preparing to take the tube out of his side. His lung x-ray looks good. 

James is sleeping a lot this afternoon so I am holding off on his breathing exercises. 

Ben, Cayli and Michael came by for a visit this morning. Right now I am waiting for Sheri to come. She is going with me to Deseret Book where I am going to get garments. She asked if I could drive because Alex is using her car to move into their upstairs. 

I am reading Emma M. Lion volume 4. I finished "Come Follow Me" and Unshaken. I am still listening to "Follow Me." 

Kerri Halcomb came for a visit today. I got texts from Chelsea MacArthur, Kathy Crane, Dennis, and Addy. 

The speech therapist, Vanessa came by today. He no longer has to drink thickened liquid. When he eats food he needs to chew slowly and should take a sip of water after every bite. I brought James some grilled chicken nuggets from Chikfila. Because they are dry, Vanessa recommends putting sauce on them. If James's coughs while eating, he needs to stop immediately.

James had a dream that Michelle Tesarek was his nurse. He thought he had been downgraded to the Show Low hospital. He was also surprised that Michelle was a nurse. His current nurse, Courtney, reminded him of Michelle, hence the dream. 

Around 5 p.m. Dr. Roberts took out his epidural. 

Karen's Journal

My left upper arms was hurting this morning. I had some Tramadol with my RX bar, shake, and banana bread. 

I saw a woman wearing a shirt in the hospital that said:

Stressed, Blessed, and Obsessed with Coffee. Mine would say Obsessed with DPZ. 

"Come Follow Me": I can hear and obey the voice of the Lord.

1 Samuel 3. 

1 Kings 19:11-12  A still small voice. Luke 24:15-32 Did not our hearts burn within us. 3 Nephi 11:3-7 A small voice which did pierce them to the center. D&C 6:22-23 Did I not speak peace to your mind. D&C 8:2-3 I will tell you in your mind and heart. This is the spirit of revelation. D&C 9:7-9 Study it out in your mind and ask the Lord if it is right. He will cause your bosom to burn and you will know it is right.

We also listened to "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives" by President Russell M. Nelson. 

* Invitation: What can I do to increase my spiritual capacity to receive revelation?

* Each blessing comes through seeking, receiving inspiration and revelation from the Holy Ghost.

* Pray daily for revelation. Heed promptings and be guided by the Holy Ghost.

* Good inspiration depends on good information.

* The Quorum of the 12 Apostles seek unity. By union of feeling we obtain power with God. 

* If we lack wisdom, ask of God. Choose a quiet place, ask humbly, pour out your heart and the listen. Write down your thoughts. He will pour out knowledge upon your head. Seek and receive knowledge and joy.

* Increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking. 

Kim is staying in Vernon. She can't stand to leave Tom alone.

I paid tithing this afternoon.

Look at the apricots on this tree. Too bad

we didn't cover them with netting because

the birds got all of them.

My sweet Tom

Lola had an early birthday party and Addy

made her a cake of her choice.

It's a duck. 

I have a picture of a duck Addy drew for me

on my desk.

Sheri's post