Last night Steven suffered a migraine headache. Although migraines are nothing new to Steven, I wasn't quite sure what to do because I didn't know if I should give him his usual Excedrin Migraine since he was taking two different blood thinners. So I paged Dr. Hanpeter who called me back immediately. I was very impressed with his quick response. After talking with the doctor, I ended up giving Steve some liquid Vicodin which worked beautifully on the migraine and Steven was able to sleep a little better last night. Steve is taking two different blood thinners so he doesn't have problems with the big blood clot in his chest. When the vein in his left chest was damaged by the bullet, the doctors desperately wanted it to clot to stop the bleeding. But now that very clot poses a danger for Steven. As I understood it from Dr. Hanpeter, if that clot were to break loose, it could cause real trouble for Steven so Dr. Hanpeter prescribed Lovenox and Coumadin to prevent that from happening. I really don't know specifically how that works but it does make some sort of sense to me.
Not only is his blood thinner but Steven himself is getting thinner by the day. He never complains about the liquid diet but I know on some level, Steve is growing tired of soup, smoothies, and drinkable yogurt. He's lost 25 pounds and it really shows in his face. I don't think I've ever seen Steve with such defined cheek bones! At this point, I think food is totally irrelevant to Steve and he just wants to feel better, but if anyone out there has any good soup or smoothie recipes, I would love to have them so please feel free to include any recipes in the comments. And they definitely don't have to be vegan . . . I am the only vegan in the family.
Steve continues to be humbled by the love and support of everyone and he is wearing his heart on his sleeve these days. I've never seen someone so grateful just to wake up in the morning. He reminds me everyday how lucky I am for my good health, my loving family, and this wonderful life. No matter how chaotic and upside down this life experience can be, it is perfect just the way it is.
21 comments:
hi beth.....if you go to my blog and type soup into my search bar you will find all kinds of soup recipes. i with i lived by you so i could whip some up for you. most of the soups could be pureed so steve could eat them. what about making some very soupy mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower with s&p and butter thinned with milk? if i think of anything else i will let you know! joyce
okay...here are some ideas! mix mashed potaoes with chicken or beef gravy until it is thin enough if steve has a meat craving. chinese egg drop soup should work too.it is filling and flavorful. my pea soup on my blog is really good too. a really soft mac and cheese could be thinned with mild and pureed. i will keep thinking about this. i cook a lot but this is a real challenge! joyce
Hey sister, my girlfriend's neice had her jaw wired shut and Judy pureed enchildadas. It turned out like enchilada soup. Also, I'm making bean soup today or tomorrow. I'll save some for steve :o). Joyce has great ideas. Looks like your blender will get a workout. Love you both! xxxooo
Talk to my brother...he has a MetRx fruit smoothie recipe that was AWESOME and was filling. Steve made those when he had some jaw surgery and couldn't eat solids for a while...also helped keep a little weight on.
:)
still thinking of ideas. a thin gazpacho could work for salad cravings and maybe sometimes a peanut butter shake for something different. i don't know if you are familiar with a type of southern cooking called smothering. smothered green beans with potatoes and bacon is a really good dish. it cooks for a long time and becomes rather mushy. by just adding a bit if chicken stock, steve could eat it and it is not far off from the original dish! you can smother all sorts of veggies and the bacon could be diced very thin so it will break down and it becomes soft. it adds lots of flavor too. i think the key to eating a liquid diet is to get as much flavor into the food since you are lacking texture. if you need any recipes let me know and i will send you some. too bad i don't live by you. i would fatten steve up in no time! joyce
Steve, hang in there! have a good weekend and remember we are thinking about you!!!
Sgt Andy Garcia
and beer...i mean! i'm just sayin'!!!
Juli, Beth, I ought to send you uncle Bob's derivation of Mama Merk's Bean Soup recipe. If you could put it in a blender and get it thin enough, I know from personal experience, it will put some meat back on Steve's bones. Actually, uncle Joe has it but he puts carrots in his, sacrilege! Beth, Steve, we love you and think of you constantly. Beth, thank you so much for keeping up the Blog. It's so important to those of us who care about you but can't be there in person to support you. Steve, hang in there and try not to get impatient. Like Beth has said before, recovery is going to be a marathon not a sprint. Know that you are getting incrementally stronger each day, even though it may not feel like it. Perserverence and your loving family will get you through it.
Love
Uncle Bob & Aunt Kathleen
Beth,
My husband's parents are in a skilled nursing facility and one of the nurses there makes an awesome smoothie that they rave about. Only problem, its green! That must mean it's good for you right? If Steve can get past the color I'm sure it will do him good. I'll get the recipe for you.
You are right, Steve has a LONG road to recovery. But we all have to be grateful that he is able to walk that road. He will come to the end of it...and all of you will be stronger for it.
"We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way." ~Author Unknown
It's so great to hear that Steve is already feeling so grateful that he survived, rather than overcome by anger at what happened. What strength, bravery and grace he and the Jenkins family continue to exhibit!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Like Jenn made mention of in a comment a few days ago, I am grateful to be "standing on the curb watching heroes go by".
Love and prayers (and clapping!) continue...Deb
From Barbara, Crystal, and Arthur.
Beth, of course we are very interested in that information. Great questions and it’s so good to see Steve is willing and can answer them. My kids have questions that we talk about all the time. These are not questions you need to answer but a glimpse into the minds of kids who care oh so much. Crystal asked “how is his boss who put the play in motion that went terribly wrong? Is he ok or struggling with guilt? Is someone helping him too? Arthur asked “Who helped/saved Steve the moments after he was shot and did they get hurt too? Did the paramedics work on Steve right away or rush him to the hospital? What were they feeling on the way? Who took care of the dogs after this happened?” Good questions that I am proud they think about. The effect it has on all those around is not something a lot people think about.
Beth, after reading your blog from Sunday night, I just cried. To read that you tried to go so deep into feeling what he was going through almost brought me to a panic attack. Your writing of this is so transcending. I say again, this has had a lasting impact on my family. I read the blogs out loud to the kids and we talk about your latest news. It’s been such an honor and privilege to share the journey with both its joy and pain. Thank you so much from all of us.
A few days ago we were talking about what Steve might want to eat when he can for the first time. Arthur said “he’ll want ice cream”. I said “I think he can have that now”. He said “ Ya, but not on a spoon and putting it in his mouth for the full effect, we all like that”. I said “you are right”. This coming from a boy who loves ice cream to the extreme so I wonder if that influenced his comments.
Being our faith believes that Easter is a time of rebirth, it seems appropriate that he came home Easter weekend. What ever this rebirth has in store for Steve, we love and support him and all of you. We lovingly take this journey and will continue to read as long as you write. Again, thank you so much. Barbara, Crystal, Arthur.
Hello, I have been drinking a smoothie every morning for the last couple of years. I have noticed a reduction in the daily pain I'm in from three back surgeries. Also, it keeps me full until dinner most days. Go to Whole Foods and pick up some coconut milk, frozen blueberries, bananas, and whey powder. I usually use about a half of can of coconut milk a day with as much fruit as you want and one scoop of whey, and ice. The coconut keeps me satisfied all day and the blueberries help with nerve healing and are a natural anti-inflammatory. Hope this helps!
You all remain in our prayers.
Billy Grimes
Hi Barbara, Crystal and Arthur! Steve and I love you guys and we are so very grateful that you are following Steve's progress. You some excellent questions and I am sorry I am just now getting back to you but I had to do my research. Regarding Crystal's questions, Steve chose his position as point (first guy) and the positions of all the other handlers were decided amongst them that night. Steve's boss, a very kind and caring man, told me in the beginning of this that he feels it is his responsibility for all his guys to go home safely at night. For that, he felt very sad. But I think that since Steve has come home and is doing well, Steve's boss feels better about that. Regarding Arthur's questions, the handlers on Steve's team were all there for him, one of the handlers took Steve's shotgun and then they put out a help call, "Officer needs help, officer down." By the grace of God, there was a rescue ambulance already on scene and those paramedics got to work on Steve immediately. I don't know what they were thinking but we plan on meeting with those paramedics one day soon so we can ask them that exact question. Steve's dogs are with two other handlers and from what I understand, the dogs are very happy and likely being spoiled rotten. Thank you so much for your excellent questions. Steve and I are so very grateful that you are following his recovery and we are equally grateful for all the kind thoughts and prayers. I can't wait to see you at church again soon!
I check the blog everyday to see what progress Steve is making and how your family is dealing with the healing process; physically, mentally and emotionally. Obviously your extended family has come together to help get you over the first hurdle of just trying to figure out the logistics of managing a household, good for them!
As I read I can’t help but wonder, why are you being so hard on yourself? Clearly, you know what a traumatic event this was and is, after all you’re living it. In the writings it feels like (to me anyway) that you’re not giving yourself permission to feel the loss of your former life. I could be reading too much into it, but it seems almost as if you are apologizing or that if you give into the grief that somehow it’s a surrender or that you’re not being strong enough. You have been through a life altering event that almost took the life of someone you love. Allow yourselves the necessary time to physically and mentally heal. I recognize that as a family unit you want to get back to normal but to put it in perspective, it takes almost 6 weeks to heal a simple broken arm and 3 weeks to heal some elective surgeries. You almost lost your life and that was only 3 weeks ago. Give yourself a break. I think you’re doing great.
You have an amazing family and I wish the best for you always. Please don’t take offense to what I’ve said, I just think you need to give yourself a break.
Sounds like you've gotten alot of good ideas for recipes but here's another, try the vitamix website. http://www.vitamix.com/recipes/ hope it helps. We are all praying for your whole family (espically those 6 year olds!)
I make a protein shake every morning, sometimes for lunch or dinner too. Not to sound like an infomercial, but I use one of those "as seen on tv" blenders, The Magic Bullet. Its a simple device, individual drinking cups, a cap with the blending blades screw on the top, and the base/motor that powers it. In just a minute you have a shake and no extra dishes to wash. And its simple enough Steve can make his own and feel self suffecient.
I usually start with 1/3 water, add protein powder and shake that up so the powder mixes; then add frozen fruits (banana adds a great texture). Using frozen fruits does make it pretty thick; you might need to use some fresh fruit or more water.
Thank you for continuing your posts. I was afraid you'd have your hands full once Steve came home and you wouldn't be able to keep up. Wishing you and your family peace and understanding...
LJ
Dr Smoothie has a variety of "100% fruit" smoothies ( liquid smoothie mix). My daughter has a little catering business and uses the product..They sell to businesses but I think if you explain to them the situation they will accomodate you.
(714)449-9787 (office #)
If they accomodate you contact me after you see what you might like and I will order it for you. They will probably also send you samples for Steve to try.. Ron
I meant if they don't accomodate you :-)
Hi, I drink Glucerna shakes sometimes to help me keep from losing more weight. They have little sugar, and about 200 calories per can. They aren't cheap, but it is a way to get the calories.
Thanks to everyone who has posted about smoothie recipes! We are trying all of them and Steve is loving the variety. To P, we haven't tried Glucerna yet but I've been curious about it. I'm so glad to hear from someone who has tried it. Thanks to all for the suggestions and recipes!!!
Hi Beth and Steve, Just getting back to work after a few days off. I truely was surprised and over joyed to see you both at the fundraiser! Steve you look great! Seeing you there was the icing on the cake for many of us. I will keep you both in my prayers each and every day! Tanya
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