A Bump in the Road

It's like October never happened - and honestly, I wish it hadn't.

We just got back from a wonderful trip to Jamie and Eric's in Pennsylvania and on out to New Jersey/New York.  We had a great time.  Andy invited us out to New York to celebrate his engagement to his soon to be bride, Kim Cannington.  At first, I thought there was no way.  But since we had already planned a trip to visit Jamie & Eric, this was actually a possibility.  Since New York City is only four hours from them, they offered to drive us out there.  So we got to join in on their celebration.  Rob even got to join us, flying in from a trip to London.

While we were out east, I developed a horrible cold.  And on the way home, we drove especially hard so I could get some rest.  Little did we know that 36 hours after getting home, Daryl's health would turn to emergency status and we were in for an October we'd like to forget:

In a nutshell, Daryl had walking pneumonia - and had for some time, according to tests they ran on him.  Because of this, his lungs were getting weaker, along with his breathing.  His breath was getting more and more shallow, which made his oxygen level bottom out and his CO2 level go sky high.  He went into respiratory distress.  I didn't know that's what was happening at the time I called 911 at 4:00 a.m. October 5, but, I did know he was not breathing when they took him away in the ambulance.  The hospital emergency staff believed he had a heart attack, that half of his heart was damaged and as he flew away by helicoptor, they told me he probably wouldn't make it.  I was in disbelief.

After riding to the hospital in Sioux City with friends Jim and Pat Johansen, I learned that respiratory distress can look and act like a heart attack.  And this is what Daryl had.  He had tubes coming out of him and was unconscious, heavily sedated.  I was told he also had pneumonia.  So for two days, we waited for Daryl to wake up and start getting better.  They took out the tubes, he began interacting, responding and smiling.  He was joking with the nurses from Nebraska about the Huskers.

They moved him to the medical floor and we were excited.  Talk was about him going home in three days.  Then I began to see it happening again - he was getting sleepy again, less respondent..  And I got a phone call that next morning at 3 a.m., asking me if I wanted them to resuscitate Daryl or do "comfort care".  How on earth was I supposed to respond to that?  After waking the kids, we said resuscitate him, of course.  And when we got to the hospital, there he was again, back in ICU and unconscious with tubes helping him breathe:  respiratory distress again.

Again, it took Daryl a couple of days to come back to us and then we had some hard choices to make.  One was for him to get a tracheostomy and another was to use a ventilator.  He hates the trach;  it's obvious and ugly, but it's allowing him to be on a ventilator at night to give his lungs a chance to rest.  That's how he got over pneumonia and how his lungs will strengthen.

He was definitely not the average or normal ICU patient.  He was always going to the cafeteria, on a walk or sitting in the sunshine outside the hospital.  Rob and I brought his putting green and he made a few putts in the waiting room.  One of the nurses said it was a first for ICU to have a putter up there.  And then when I stayed in his room a couple of nights to take total care of him on our home equipment, we definitely weren't the typical ICU guests!

So after 26 days, we arrived home October 31st.  Daryl's doing really well.  In fact, I would say he's back to where he was three or four months ago, only with a trach, which we hope to get out soon.  We're working on developing a routine of good feedings, trach and vent care - and IV's (they're helping!).  I am definitely going to be an acute skills nurse - maybe not on paper, but definitely hands on, in-the-trenches trained!  One of my concerns is to be able to get away for a few hours or even overnight. Hopefully I can find someone to help me in that capacity.  And to get a good night's sleep myself.  Ventilator alarms go off in the night and I have to monitor and turn them off. 

I am blessed multiple times daily by all my kids - they help me care for Daryl, call and encourage me, suggest ways to keep my sanity and figure out how to keep our life as normal as possible.  I am also blessed with dear family and friends who visit, encourage, sing and pray for us, brought and continue to bring me delicious food, provide clothing, do my laundry, fill my birdfeeders, run errands, care for my luvins, water my plants, help me get organzied, pick up our mail, do yard work and send encouraging emails and cards. I am humbled by all of this and thank everyone so much. It's all helping keep me strong.  It's times like these when we find out what we're made of.  I am thankful I have Mom's blood in me.  How I wish she were here.

Sorry this is long - I guess it's a month's worth of information.  Pray for us as we get back on track - and as always, please never stop praying for healing.  God does answer prayers and he is the master Healer.  I also pray I keep my sense of humor:  it, along with my luvins - and a good cup of coffee, keeps me sane.

Blessings, love and with much gratitude, Robin

August Update

 

Prayer Requests Healing for Daryl:  Improved speech, Continued weight gain Increased energy Baby Journey for Jamie & Eric:  Protected hearts Healthy pregnancy Patience Trust Ministry Rob's Book: Everburn Coming out October 1  Andy & Kim Being so far away   Me: Health, strength and wisdom  Joy and peace All of Us: Positive and encouraging contact from our friends Emails are great! daryl.fsm@gmail.com bunchrobin@hotmail.com jamiestaveness@gmail.com robertbunch@hotmail.com buncha6631@hotail.com Dr. Oz on Glutathione

Daryl's doing good - He's still up to over 150 pounds.  Most of you know that he had a SUPPLEMENTAL feeding tube put in March and it has definitely done the job it was supposed to do.  He needed more calories and nutrition than he could eat, so the tube is helping with that.  The tube he initially got was not the tube we had in mind.  But we have learned that he had to establish the tube site before he could get the one we did want.  And that happened two weels agp - he now has a low profile button tube.  It's more "user friendly" and convenient for him to use!  He played in a best shot tournament Saturday and it was very "golf friendly".  So friendly in fact, his team won 2nd in the championship flight!  Our hope is that he will be able to have the tube removed permanently - soon.  We are optimistic with the IV therapy Daryl is doing.  Actually, he has three different IV's:  one is a "cocktail" of magnesium, manganese, B12 and hydrogen peroxide.  These attack candida, yeast, bacteria and are good for muscle repair. Another IV is glutathione, a very important anti-oxidant that is known to be low in people with chronic health opportunities.  The third IV is phosphatidylcholine, (lecithin) and is critical for lung function and gastrointestinal health.  These are all good things which build and repair and will not harm Daryl's system.  It's a very slow process , but the doctor keeps reminding us that improvements, no matter how small, are really huge in the whole scheme of things.    It's been a wonderful summer - I can't believe it's coming to an end.  Jamie and Eric have been here for most of the summer and just returned to Pennsylvania Friday.  The house definitely seems quiet now that the two humans, two dogs, two cats and two birds are gone.  :)  Andy and Rob are visiting this week - yay!  And I love going to West Des Moines to visit Rob.  He's got an awesome house.  I guess that's all for now - Thanks for your friendship, encouragement and prayers.

June Update

Daryl. . .    We have good news and challenges to report - I guess that means  we're balanced.  The good news:  betweeen an internal med md in Missouri, two osteopaths - one in Omaha and one in Wichita  - we've found some awesome doctors.  That's a far cry from what we've said the past three years.  Yes, we've found three innovative  health care professionals - praise God!  Actually four - we're working with another doctor in Tucson by phone as well.  And what's encouraging is  that the therapies Daryl has been on are having a positive effect.  He's put on about 20 pounds since his all time low about two months ago - halleluiah.!   We still have a long way to go, but good things are happening - we're thankful and praising God! The challenge:  please pray for encouragement for Daryl (and me too).  We've been battling his illness for three years now and it can become overwhelmingly discouraging.  Prayers, smiles, and connections is what we need and would cherish from our friends.  I even put a few suggestions at the bottom.

Jamie and Eric. . .    Praying for baby (ies)! BIG news - and a prayer opportunity:  they just went through in vitro May 29th and we'll find out June 8th if they're pregnant.  Please pray for  the little luvins (embryos) to implant and Jamie and Eric will have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby (ies)!  Funny note:  Jamie's also put on 20 pounds: he he! - doctor's orders for increasing fertility chances. Also, their annual GOLF fundraiser is coming up soon.  Hole sponsorships are available and are a great way to help their ministry.  And they need golfers!  If you can join in the fun - it's a great time for a great cause.  Important:  you do NOT have to be a good golfer!  It's a best shot with prizes, silent auction and food.  This is their main fundraiser and all proceeds go toward their campus ministry.  Click here to register for the golf tournament or read about their ministry!

Rob's book. . . "Everburn. . ." is ever closer to printing!  Take a look:  The man overwhelmed him with powerful, gracious eyes.  "Are you intent on taking this road, Ponce?" His presence was much different than before.  Something like an invisible cloak had come off since their earlier meeting.  He looked the same, but everything else about him reeked of power.  Ponce felt like his soul was totally bare in this man's presence, but still somehow very safe.  Lying was impossible.  "Yes." "Please give me your right hand." Ponce extended his hand.  With a drowning stare, the man clasped his hands around Ponce's hand.  His eyes began to light up until they were a heavy gold.  A searing feeling started to envelop Ponce's fingers.  The burning slowly moved up to his knuckles, across his hand and into his forearm.  Flames flickered all around the set of hands.  He let out a quiet yell which grew into a full bodied roar of pain.  His arm felt like it was on fire from the inside, but in spite of the overwhelming pain, Ponce didn't try to let go.  The man's eyes held him totally placid until they dimmed to royal blue, and he released Ponce. The man's face was regal and calm.  "Do you know what a crucible is, Ponce?" Ponce had dropped to his knees and twitched his fingers while he stared at his palm.  "It's a container that can take incredible fire.  I think they're used in alchemy and metallurgy to melt things down."  He stood up and roared in anger.  "But I'm not a crucible!  What did you just do to me?" The man smiled.  "My name is Sotare, and I just made you into a crucible, my Crucible.  The world is in trouble and only my fire can heal it." "Fire kills and destroys.  It can't heal." Sotare's smile remained in the same place.  "Mine can.  And you will carry it, Crucible."    Andy. . . Is loving Atlanta, spending time with Kim, cheering on the Braves, Hawks & Falcons, going to Buckhead church and working at World Financial Group.  We keep trying to convince him Iowa's the place to be, but we haven't succeeded yet.  Okoboji calls him though!  He and Kim are coming back for the fourth of July. Yay!  How to be an encourager. . .  Being seriously ill is one of the most devasting and discouraging things that can happen to someone.  Believe me, we know.  Health problems hinder us, cause us stress and often generate intense emotions such as discouragement, fear, lonliness, anger or depression.  Being encouraging and sometimes just being there for someone who is sick is extremely valuable in their healing process.   I cannot say it enought:  this is when we need family and friends the most.  Three things you can do to be an encourager:  1.  Periodically send a note or email of encouragement or interest - right now.   Remember , words are powerful.  'The tongue of the wise promotes health" (Proverbs 12:18) and "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" (Proverbs 15:4).   Be positive -  thank them for their friendship, help or for their part in your life.  Talk about common interests.  It will only cost you a few minutes and you'll be a blessing and be blessed in return!  2.  Help your friend/family member maintain their life as normal as possible.  This helps keep a sense of confidence, positive outlook and order to an otherwise chaotic situation. 3.  Stop by for a visit - Daryl had the biggest smile on his face when our friend Jan Tjeerdsma stopped by last week and surprised him with a gift.  Encouragment and positive environments are healing - thanks for your part in our healing journey - we love you!

May Update

So, what's been going on?  Since my last blog in January, it seems we've been all over the world.  We went to Mexico in January, I went to Nashville for a Women of Faith leader's conference in February, in March we had a birthday bash for me at Andy's in Atlanta with Jamie and Eric and just a couple weeks ago our family went on a cruise (see the pictures, right).  What fun times.  Easter just finished and last week was full of April birthdays:  Jamie and Andy on the 27th and Daryl on the 29th.  Jamie and Eric will be heading back home the beginning of May for the summer - yay!  They'll be around for their annual golf tournament ministry fundraiser.  (Golfers:  it's a great time - and a great cause.  Let me know if you want to participate.  Lots of prizes and fun.)  Des Moines Women of Faith conference is also in May - I'm a group leader, so that'll be awesome. (If you want to go, I have tickets)

I cannot believe it's May!   Memorial Day's next, June is the Staveness Ministry Golf Fundraiser, the Fourth of July and then August - holy cow, life is busy.  And sometime this summer, Rob's book will be published - I plan on hitting all the book signing parties!  "Everburn":  It's a cross between the Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings.  Can't wait!

What a hectic, crazy life.  I guess that's what keeps me sane (?)  I wanted to let you all know that Daryl's doing well.  Actually, there's not much to report.  We've found a couple of doctors we really like - they're positive and encouraging.  Just what we needed.  More healing than anything is to surround ourselves with positive and encouraging people - lots of smiles and laughing.  Positive words.  Good attitudes.  I thank my kids and wonderful core group of friends for these- it's what keeps a spring in my step.

D's weight and energy level are stable.  He's in the office every day we're in Cherokee  He can't wait to get out on the golf course.  We drove out to the country club yesterday, and we have a new golf cart waiting to be picked up.  Today, we drove up to the lake - it's ready for summer!  Daryl is the toughest person I know - he's optimistic and  he never gives up.  He is amazing.  I cannot wait until the day comes when he can tell his story - one with a happy ending!  It's been remarkable.  I thank God for the strength to do things I never dreamt I'd be doing.  I've become a nurse really quick.  That's a miracle in itself.  We will definitely never be the same. 

That's all for now.  Take care until next time. . . 

ONE MORE THING:

  

I have a request:  please keep in touch!  Emails and texts are awesome ways to communicate with Daryl. He spent most of his life in close contact with many of you, and  he misses that.  Connections are healing and healthy.   It doesn't have to be long and involved - just say hi.  Or talk sports, the market or heaven forbid:  politics. 

It's Been SO Long. . .

It's been so long since I last wrote that I couldn't get into my blogger account - I could not remember the password!!!  I need to keep in touch a little more frequently  :)

Hmmm. . . what's been going on?  Since I last wrote, it seems we've been all over the world.  We went to Mexico in January, I went to Nashville for a Women of Faith leader's conference in February, in March we had a birthday bash for me at Andy's in Atlanta with Jamie and Eric and just a couple weeks ago our family went on a cruise.  What fun times.  Easter just finished and then this week is the big April birthdays:  Jamie and Andy on the 27th and Daryl on the 29th.  Jamie and Eric will be heading back home the beginning of May for the summer - yay!  They'll be around for their annual golf tournament ministry fundraiser.  (Golfers:  it's a great time - and a great cause.  Let me know if you want to participate.  Lots of prizes and fun.)  Women of Faith is also in May - I'm a group leader, so that'll be awesome.

Next thing up is opening the lake house - I cannot believe May is just around the corner.  Memorial Day's next, June is the Staveness Ministry Golf Fundraiser, the Fourth of July and then August - holy cow, life if busy.  And sometime this summer, Rob's book will be published - I plan on hitting all the book signing parties!

What a hectic, crazy life.  I guess that's what keeps me sane (?)  I wanted to let you all know that Daryl's doing well.  Actually, there's not much to report.  He has been doing IV and oxygen therapy which is having positive results.  We've found a couple of doctors we really like - they're positive and encouraging.  Just what we needed.  More healing than anything is to surround ourselves with positive and encouraging people - lots of smiles and laughing.  Positive words.  Good attitudes.  I thank my kids and wonderful friends for these- it's what keeps a spring in my step.

D's weight and energy level are stable.  He's in the office every day we're in Cherokee  He can't wait to get out on the golf course.  We drove out to the country club this afternoon.  He is the toughest person I know - he's optimistic and  he never gives up.  He is amazing.  I cannot wait until the day comes when he can tell his story - one with a happy ending!  It's been remarkable.  We will definitely never be the same. 

That's all for now - I hope everyone had a blessed Easter.  Take care until next time. . .

Checking In

It's been quite a while since I've posted any news - the reason being that there really wasn't much to report.  I do want to let you all know that things are still in motion.

For the month of December, we had a lot going on - what's new, right?  We got back from Pennsylvania on the 1st.  Jamie and Eric got back from Pennsylvania the 3rd.  Andy took a new job and moved back to Atlanta.  Our agency Christmas party was the 18th. We had a theater presentation fundraiser for Jamie and Eric's ministry the 20th.  The home office year end was the 22nd and then it was Christmas! Andy had been back to work for one week, then he drove home.  I hated that he had to drive 18 hours, but it was sure great seeing him!  We had a blast all Christmas weekend.  We bowled (I won!), we played games, we had a wonderful catered secret recipe Italian dinner with great friends and live music (one of the auction items at Jamie & Eric's golf fundraiser last summer - it was fantastic!) Then lots of presents, and great food.  I think the winning Christmas treat was Holly's caramels - Jamie wrestled us for ours and hid hers!  Somehow, we all stayed sane, laughed, prayed a lot and enjoyed our time together immensely:  Daryl, myself, Jamie, Eric, Rob, Andy, 8 cats, 2 dogs and 2 birds.  It's was great!

Continuing our December schedule report, Andy took off for Atlanta Sunday the 26th - and I went with him!  I love road trips - we road hard; it was an 18 hour drive.  I felt like I'd been run over. Then Jamie and Daryl flew down to Atlanta on Monday and they had appointments at the Mold Treatment Center.  I was able to go to the appointments with them, and ended up having an appointment of my own.  More info on the Mold Treatment Center later.  On Wednesday, Daryl, Jamie and I flew back to Des Moines, drove home to Cherokee, only to go back to Des Moines on Friday, New Year's Eve for the famous Bunch family Christmas, bringing in 2011.  It's always a great time of family, games, reconnecting.  On Wednesday  the 5th, Jamie and Eric went to Omaha to a fertility specialist and got some very interesting information - you'll have to check her blog for the lowdown on it.  From there they drove to Des Moines where we met them at Rob's house with their zoo of animals and we had one more fun night with them before they left for Pennsylvania early the next morning.  We are empty nesters once again. 

We're waiting for Daryl's final blood tests - from Dr. Shoemaker in Maryland.  Some of the results are back and one of the biomarkers that controls your immune system is double what it should be.   Once all blood tests are in, we'll have a phone consult with him - we're really anxious to hear what his plan is. We're praying like crazy it gets Daryl on the road to recovery. 

In the meantime, our trip to Atlanta.  The Mold Treatment Center is an interesting place.  It consists of doctors, scientists, lab techs, immunologists and the CDC.  After a physical, giving them our blood and taking a mold allergy test, we found out that Daryl has 34 molds in his system!  Unbelievably high.  Jamie has 16 in her system and I have 9.  We have to wait a couple of weeks for the blood test results, but we came back with an immunotherapy program of shots we take every other day.  We are injecting the molds that are in our systems in miniscule amounts, increasing the amount slowly with each shot.  This builds our immune systems to fight the mold toxicity.  We also have a therapy that "electrocutes our blood:", cleansing it.  We do that everyday for a month.  It sounds a little frightening, but it's not bad.  We will go to Atlanta every two months to monitor our progress.  I guess it's a good thing Andy moved down there after all!

What we are hoping is that the protocal Dr. Shoemaker is going to put Daryl on will be complemented by the program the Mold Treatment Center has us on.  Dr. Shoemaker will treat Daryl's condition, and the Mold Treatment Center builds up our immune systems.  Throw a consult with Dr. Sandy and an appointment with an ENT in there, it's been a very busy month of health activity.

Wow - I was going to keep this short.  Sorry!  I get to talking and just can't stop!.

Daryl feels okay - never as good as we want, but okay.  His speech still stinks and he needs to gain weight, so I'd like to ask for prayer for those two things specifically. We're traveling to Mexico later this month for a company trip - I pray the warm sun will be healing.

With the new year comes new hopes and possibilities.  I pray for hope, healing and miracles.  I wake up every morning wondering how we got to where we are and realize how very precious life is - and that it really is a gift.  Cherish every moment you have with loved ones.  Be thankful and grateful.  Forgive and forget.  And love - that's what's it all about.  Happy New Year to you all.

It Was a Good Day

Tonight, I'm tired, but . . . I'd like you all to know that we had a good day yesterday at the doctor's office.  Hip, hip, hooray!  Even when I'm dog-tired, like I am tonight, I am thankful and happy :)

After two years of searching for a doctor who knows about and treats biotoxin illnesses caused by mold, I found one about a month ago.  That tells you how hard it is to find one!.  And then he was in Maryland - I thought, okay, that won't work.  But then, my little scheming mind went to work:  Jamie and Eric live in Pennsylvania - that's going the right direction!  Then, I thought:  Thanksgiving is coming - a great reason to start working our way out there.  See how my mind works?

Looking back I can see God had this trip planned.  Too many things fit into place too easily. Healing time with Jamie and Eric following their In Vitro attempt, frequent flyer miles worked, Rob got to join us, good flights and good weather, the doctor had a opening and the appointment went well.

I can't tell you too much right now, because my brain is a little sluggish tonight - and the technical information we were given, well, most of it went in one ear and out the other.  But the one thing I did hold on to was that Daryl has been exposed to severely toxic mold that could cause inflammatory sickness with the symptoms he has.  Halleluiah!  After taking about a gallon of his blood and a nasal swab with an 8" q-tip,  we will wait for about a month to get the results back for things I had never heard of.  The doctor will call us and we'll go from there. We are definitely encouraged.  Daryl connected with the doctor, we have hope and we have a plan.  I sound a lot more confident tonight than I did Monday morning. . .

I was dreading going to this appointment.  I was nervous and very anxious about it.  I did NOT want to start this whole process over again - it was bringing up very bad memories of our Mayo and Iowa City experiences.  I will never go back to either of those places.  I was very thankful Jamie and Rob could go with us for support and encouragement. And to drive!  We went through four state capitals on this trek:  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Dover, Delaware, Annapolis, Maryland, and finally, Des Moines.

So, as I was taking my shower Monday morning, I let the hot water massage and relax me.  I began praying that God would give me peace in my heart and that I would give him the keys to the mess we're in.  I prayed that He would show us which direction to go with Daryl's health.  I want so badly to do the right thing, go the right direction.  I asked God for guidance and wisdom and the most amazing thing happened.  I heard the verse Proverbs 3:6 loud and clear:  acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths.  So I thought about that - a lot.  I chewed on what acknowledge really means - I asked Daryl, Jamie and Rob.  I called Andy and also talked to his girlfriend, Kim about it.  It's not an easy word to pin down the meaning of when you really think about it.

To me, I thought it meant to give notice to, recognize. I definitely want to acknowledge God in all areas - but especially for the work he's doing in Daryl's health and in our lives because of it.  But Kim gave me wonderful insight into the word:   the word acknowledge comes from the hebrew word 'yada' or 'yadah' (to know someone intimately, to revere or worship with extended hands). Knowing God is submitting with extended hands to his perfect will ... definitely NOT simple or easy!  But it's not impossible.  When I submit to and praise God in the hard times, it encourages me and lifts my spirits. I know, because I've done it.  It's the grace I need to get through the tough days and the wisdom not to guess the future.

When I read both verses 5 & 6, it reminded me of the last blog I wrote back in September - about leaning on the wrong shoulder.  I'm definitely seeing a pattern and common message God's telling me (over and over):
 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart (trust Him in the good times AND bad)
   and lean not on your own understanding; (enough said - that's how I've gotten where I am)
⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him, (that means submitting to His will in everything I do)
   and he will direct your paths. (then He'll show me where to go and what to do)

This is my prayer as we go down some new paths to seek Daryl's healing. Every day (probably multiple times) I am going to take God's hand and go on this walk He's insisting I go on with Him.  I don't know where He's taking me and I'd rather go a different direction, but I'm going - I guess that's trust, isn't it?

            (Great picture of  Daryl and Jamie at Pocomoke City, MD, isn't it?)

Until next time, thank you for praying for us - "then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." (2 Corinthians 1:11)  Blessings to you all!