Step Two: Have a birthday.

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 an ongoing log of our journey.

One step at a time.

Not long ago, we weren’t sure there would be another birthday. 

Today we joyfully celebrated Jim’s birthday in his hospital room, balloons and all!

Molly and Nate brought the most amazing barbecue down, and the four of us laughed and loved and told stories, making a sweet memory right there in Room 4076.  Thanks to all who called or sent their love and wishes in one form or another!  We have an army of really amazing friends.

Jim still wears the lovely, flattering hospital gown.  Well, not the same exact one for three weeks, but he’s definitely rocking the quick-release sack vibe still.  However, he no longer has leads and tubes linking him 24-7 to IVs and monitors and drain! Jim’s infection, kidneys, heart and oxygen are now in a range that can support life.

That's kind of a big deal.

Next steps.

I learned today that each day you lie in a bed you can lose up to 3% of your muscle mass.  After 21 days, that’s around 63% of your strength!  And that seems about right.  Jim stood again yesterday, but it was clear his leg was not strong enough to hold him.  So the next crucial step is strength-building.  Occupational and physical therapists have been on hand to help him move, and teach him small muscle exercises that can help prepare his body for normal movement.

The problem is that any exertion at all requires your back to move, and therefore is excruciating, due to the disc and muscle issues in Jim’s back.  Even a small amount of exercise ramps up the pain, so the two—pain and progress--are at war.

Pain management and strength-building are therefore our next focus.  We would love your prayer for wisdom, courage, and progress in these areas. And frankly, just plain healing!

While future care and timelines are still pretty vague, we are gathering that Jim will not be ready for a rehab facility yet, as he would need the ability to do three hours of rehabilitation each day.  Chances are a skilled nursing facility will fill in the gap as he builds strength.

A prosthesis is still a ways away, but Jim is curious to learn more about that.

One step at a time….