One step at a time.

On May 23, 2024, my husband, Jim Gallagher, entered the E.R. he worked in for 15 years, this time as a patient.  Within days he was fighting for his life as an infection that began in his foot raged throughout his body, and on June 4th, his leg was amputated below the knee in order to save his life.  This is that story.

Step One.

The literal first step happened yesterday.  For the first time in 17 days, Jim stood.

It was wobbly; he was supported by a walker and a belt and a really, really strong dude.  But he stood, adjusting his left foot to support the center of his body instead of the usual spot your left foot instinctively lands.  He stood!  And then he slept for the rest of the day, exhausted by the effort.

Still, we are grinning.  It’s the first step back—the literal very first step. 

I am grateful that all of life comes one step at a time.  The road ahead may be long, but our concern is just for the next step, and each one will be celebrated.

Thanks for walking this road with us!  In order to simplify the dissemination of information to those interested, we’re going to post updates here for a while.  Feel free to sign up if you want to be notified of updates, or just check back here at kathygallagherwrites.com from time to time.

As I’m writing, a friend walks into Jim’s hospital room:

“What’s crack-a-lackalin?” he says.  And my groggy husband first gives him a look of fondness and welcome, and then recovers himself quickly:

“Give me a gun,” he says. “Vermin just came into the room.”

Just so you know, all is well.  The jokes and insults are flying.

It’s tiring, this healing business.  But we see a little more of the real Jim each day, as evidenced by his story-telling abilities, his returning appetite, and his warm smile. 

Yesterday we got the results of the PET scan we’ve been waiting for.  His back has been in much more pain than his leg, and we were hoping for an explanation.  The scan confirmed that infection has harbored in a couple of discs and the surrounding muscles, and there was some hemorrhaging there as well.  But while the pressure remains, the infection appears to no longer be active.  It will take a while for his body to reabsorb the remaining inflammation, so there will be pain in the meantime, but time and antibiotics will continue to fight any remaining infection and swelling—6 weeks of infusion therapy and another 3 months of oral antibiotics. 

So Jim’s job now is cooperation and healing.  One step at a time.

A second new step today was unwrapping Jim’s right leg for the first time after the amputation to see how it is healing.  Bandages and wraps were keeping it from swelling, and we were all impressed to see how beautifully it appears to be healing, tidy and not angry at all, looking unfamiliar but so much happier than the foot of a week ago. 

Thanks be to God.

Standing by.

“One step at a time” has become my own motto, too. 

Ideas and worries and tasks and questions and ideas tend to descend into my brain all at once, and I’m constantly triaging and asking, “What matters most?”  It’s a lot, and I’m learning to be content with doing only the priorities.

I often feel small and timid and overwhelmed, like little Much Afraid in Hannah Hurnard’s classic, “Hinds Feet on High Places.”  I’m asking the Lord to give me courage, and trying to note and honor each brave step, no matter how small. 

Thanks to my neighbors for their hugs on our dusty road.  Thanks to my work colleagues, who help me trouble-shoot and problem solve.  Thanks to friends who pray and text and prop us up, stop by to lend support, or love us with Starbucks gift cards or flowers or food.  Thanks to all who have told stories of how Jim gave you comfort and courage when you were once ill.  And thanks to all who make us laugh and remember that life is good and worth fighting for. 

You glue us back together when we unravel, and we are so grateful for your love.