Timnas Final Arrangements, Memorium Info.

I am forwarding the information compiled by my brother Bill. He has been extraordinarily helpful in finalizing the plans. Timna was always helping children and making them happy. Below is the information for a ministry to Haiti where the children are very much in need. A school is being built in the village where Masters Hands have installed a well and a water storage system. Timna would be honored if donations were made in her name. Some of the funds will be used to make sure Phara, our adopted daughter in Christville Haiti gets a good education. - Lee Peterman ________________________ His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. _____- William Cowper______ From: Bill Peterman Subject: Timna's Funeral plans update Date: Monday, December 14, 2009, 9:51 PM Here are the final arrangements. Timna will be at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Road Livonia, MI 48154-2870 (734) 422-6720 Visitation Tuesday Dec. 15, 4:00pm-9:00pm (3:00pm for immediate family) Visitation Wednesday Dec. 16, 9:00am-12:00nn, Memorial service, Wednesday 12:00nn-12:30pm, Graveside prayer service at Mt. Hope Cemetery 1:00pm, Luncheon at Trinity Church 2:00pm Details available at http://www.rggrharris.com along with obituary and comments section. Donations in Timna's memory to Masters Hands Ministries P.O.Box 510103 Livonia 48150 http://www.mastershandsministries.org/ And a note from Lee's father, Alan Peterman

II apologize to those for whom this information is not needed, but several have asked me for the funeral details, and I now have them. The much prayer for Timna, as well as for the family, is greatly appreciated ! It has been a source of strength.

As a footnote, all my children will be in town for 2 or 3 days, including a granddaughter from Hawaii !!

Donations in Timna's memory should be sent to:

Master's Hands Ministries P.O.Box 510103 Livonia 48150

Timna will be at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home,

15451 Farmington Road Livonia, MI 48154-2870

(734) 422-6720

Visitation Tuesday Dec. 15, 4:00pm-9:00pm (3:00pm for immediate family)

Visitation Wednesday Dec. 16, 9:00am-12:00nn,

Memorial service, Wednesday 12:00nn-12:30pm,

Graveside prayer service at Mt. Hope Cemetery 1:00pm,

Luncheon at Trinity Church 2:00pm

Details available at http://www.rggrharris.com, along with

an obituary and "comments" section.

Timna Funeral Info.

My brother Bill has been helping with arrangements. He sends: Timna will be at the Harris Funeral Home in Livonia, Michigan (Farmington north of Five) Tuesday Dec. 15 and Wednesday Dec. 16 morning, followed by a mid-day memorial service, in turn followed by a luncheon at Trinity Church (Six west of Farmington next to H.S.), in turn followed by a family graveside prayer service at Mt. Hope Cemetery (Middlebelt north of Six). No procession. Exact times TBD. Love to all, Bill It's still hard but with joy. - Lee Peterman

A personal Note from Lee (P337) 12/13/09

There are so many of you who have written me that I cannot possibly reply to each message without suffering from dehydration. I do want you all to know that I read and am blessed by each and every message. Timna's passing was quiet and peaceful yesterday afternoon. Though she was no longer present, the Lord allowed me to hold her in my arms and kiss her as she went to sleep. My brother and a very understanding friend were with us. I had Timna's favorite style of Christian music playing as I had, as much as I could, all during her hospital stay. My tears are no longer completely of grief as I read messages from you of the joy she brought to others. One family friend wrote about Timna's habit, through out the years, of taking my mother Margaret shopping when my mother was able to go. They would go antiquing and collectible hunting as well as gift buying. Timna and mom both always wanted to make sure people received a gift they would enjoy on special occasions. (Dear Lord, if there are stores in Heaven, don't extend credit.) We will be celebrating Timna's joy at the Harris Funeral Home in Livonia. A time is not yet set but will most likely be on Wednesday. Timna always liked planning events and producing shows. She worked around a theme and made sure everything was just right for other's enjoyment. I know the theme she would use for this event: JOY! There will be sorrow but when your tears flow but make sure they are mingled with the joy that was, and is, Timna. Blessings on you all. It's still hard. - Lee Peterman

Goodbye Dear Timna 12/12/09

Lee Peterman

Timna crossed over to be with her Lord about 3:30 (Eastern) this afternoon. Thank you all for praying for her and myself. Love all around!

Goodbye Timna. From Lee.

From: Lee Peterman

Subj: Goodbye Timna

Waves of sorrow from the ocean of grief,Crash on the shore as the storm surges 'round.

When the tide recedes, to my relief,There's a peaceful absence of sound.

Awake my soul to the peace,Never abandoned by God.

Fetters of man release,Never abandoned by God.

Goodbye Timna.

It's hard.

-Lee Peterman

A video from Lee's sister for Lee & Timna

From: Lee Peterman

Subj: Sent from my sister

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l3CEMWCxSk

It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure

.- Lee Peterman

Timna Update 12/11/09 from P337

Subj: Fw: Timna Update Friday 12/11/2009 11:30-ish am Easter

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.
-William Cowper

Timna Update Friday 12/11/2009 11:30-ish am Eastern  

  There are times we don't like the answers we receive to prayers healing requests.

This is the hardest for me. Timna will soon succumb to the pressure building up inside her head.

I know she is in no pain but the brain damage has already been done and the pressure continues to build.

It hurts so hard to type this. I haven't been able to talk much today.

  Still... God is filtering my sorrow with peace.

  Feverish, riddled with peritonitis, infections rebounding and increasing cerebral edema Timna has become a medical impossibility.

They were not able to save her.

God has blessed me with an answer: "I love you. This will work for good for you. Timna is safe."  

Timna is safe.

Timna I love you.  

Timna Update Thur. 12/10/09

Timna Update Thursday 12/10/2009 11:00-ish am Eastern

  Timna's blood pressure is still holding steady without medicinal support.   She will receive dialysis today with an additional unit of blood to keep her hemoglobin up.

Dialysis damages some hemoglobin and Timna is getting a lot of blood draws for tests.  

Physical therapy has already been in to do some movement therapy.

  Respiratory will resume her weaning off of the respirator.  

It's hard to believe that only two days ago they said that Timna would be going in just a few hours. There doesn't seem to be a medical explanation for her blood pressure rebound.

Well, Timna always does like to surprise people.  

Right now, Timna wants to get well.  

It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure.

- Lee Peterman

Timna Update Wednesday 12/9/2009 9:45-ish am Eastern

Timna Update Wednesday 12/9/2009 9:45-ish am Eastern Timna is resting comfortably according to her nurse. I saw there was respiration increase and eye movement when I spoke to her but neurology has repeatedly discounted this as being an auto response. Late yesterday afternoon Timna's blood pressure rose rapidly. The nurse turned off the (I think she said) Clevidipine drip and Timna's BP stabilized in a normal range. It is still off. BP still holding. Timna may not get any dialysis today because her urine output, while lower than normal, is stable and her Creatinine numbers are still low, which is good. Her breathing test this morning was not good. 80 breaths per minute and shallow... 'panic breathing'. I don't know what to think today. I'm feeling loss but not as severe as yesterday. This morning I saw the sunrise gleaming off of the tops of the clouds scuttling across the sky and wished Timna was there with me to see it. "But she isn't awake yet," was my thought. She rarely wakes up before 8 since she's a late nighter. Please pray for Iran, the mother of Parvin, Farenek and Fariba. These three wonderful ladies have been waiting with me. We have been praying for and comforting each other. They are starting to wean Iran off of the respirator. It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman ________________________ His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. _____- William Cowper______

Timna update 12/08/09 part 2

From: Lee Peterman
Subj: Timna Update Tuesday 12/8/2009 3:00-ish pm
Eastern

Timna Update Tuesday 12/8/2009 3:00-ish pm Eastern
Thank you, Dad. I couldn't write earlier.

  Lest anyone is worried about me, I just had to go out in the woods for a while and cry and pray.

  Timna is fighting but the vasso presser (sp?) is not working very well to maintain her blood pressure.   Please pray for all of her family and friends.  

  It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman

Timna Update 12/08/09 afternoon part 1

From: ALLEN PETERMAN
Subj: Status Report, Lee & Timna Peterman

Hello everyone,  This is from Lee's dad.  He asked me to send an interim report for him.  Timna is somewhat worse this morning.  The fluid pressure in her brain has increased.   The most recent evaluation of this possibility was described by her neurologist as potentially fatal.     On the basis of this, Lee said his "Goodbyes" to his beloved wife and gave her his "permission" to go to be "with Christ, which is far better" (Phil. 1:23).    

  Though grief-stricken, I believe Lee's strong faith in our Lord Jesus will carry him through this bitter experience.  

The support that so many of you have been, especially in praying for them, has made a significant impact on his life.

 Between us, we will continue these reports as long as there is something to report.

Timna Update from P337 Tues. 12/08/09

Timna Update Tuesday 12/8/2009 12:30-ish pm Eastern  

When floating on a raft of joy in an ocean of grief you have accept the waves.  

Timna's swelling is worse.

    It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman ________________________

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. _____- William Cowper____

Timna update from P337 Monday night 12/07/09

Timna Update Monday 12/7/2009 5:45-ish pm Eastern
 
Timna is finishing up her dialysis now. They decided to give her dialysis today not to reduce her creatinine level which has been holding good, but to remove some more fluid and adjust some of her electrolyte balances; both to help reduce the cerebral edema.

A couple of friends from church are in seeing her now and praying with her. It's a little crowded in there with the dialysis equipment, the dialysis nurse, our friends and all the angels.

      It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman ________________________
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. _____- William Cowper______

Timna Update Monday 12/7/2009 1:00-ish pm Eastern

Timna Update Monday 12/7/2009 1:00-ish pm Eastern Last night I had been compelled to return to the Hospital after I had already said goodnight and started for home. When I arrived back in her room, Timna was sleeping deeply again as the nurses talked around her and in the neighboring room as it was being cleaned. When I spoke to Timna she again opened her eyes and blinked a few times with an increase in respiration. I prayed with her. While I was praying a thought came into my head: "prolonged hypothermic therapy". I looked that up this morning and found out that there is a lot of study going on in that area. I gave the information I had to the doctors. I don't know what will come of it but I felt the need to let them know what I had found out. Today Timna has better renal function. Dialysis had been canceled for yesterday and is not yet scheduled for today. The nurse checked her Creatinine levels and found that they have been holding in a stable pattern for the last three days. I have been holding back from being presumptuous in knowing what the outcome will be but I still have a raft of peace floating on my ocean of grief.

Timna Update Sunday Afternoon 12/06/09

Timna Update Sunday 12/6/2009 5:30-ish pm Eastern

Timna's ICU ward 'neighbor', Ken, crossed over late this afternoon. Please pray for Joanie (sp?) his wife and her family. As they left we exchanged numbers & email addresses to stay in touch. There is so much love in the family. I am honored to have shared this difficult time with them.

Timna Update Sunday 12/6/2009 Noon-ish Eastern

Timna Update Sunday 12/6/2009 Noon-ish Eastern I've spent a lot of time in Timna's room this morning. There is such a sense of peace there. More than peace: Joy! Timna roused twice from deep sleep when she heard my voice. Even though the nurse and PCA had been talking already in her room, when I spoke her respiration rate increased and she opened her eyes blinking frequently. Timna did have a 38.8c 101.8c fever this morning which Tylenol is bringing down. They decided to skip dialysis today. I don't know why. The family of the patient in the next room (Ken) is gathering en-mass for the 'unhooking'. They brought plenty of tissue but are generally cheerful. Even Ken's wife whom I spoke with at length this morning, is satisfied with the decision and praying for a quick resolution. I will watch their coats for them as requested. Timna would be making sacrifices to help the family. Someone mentioned to me that she is helping them. After being with the family so much for the last three weeks and basking in their concern for me, I believe that. "God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform." - My dad... A lot. But actually the saying is gleaned from a poem by the English Poet William Cowper: God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs and works his sovereign will. You fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds you so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head. His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan his work in vain: God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain. I happen to like that poem. I will continue to hold on to the FACT that 'Sweet will be the flower'. Sweet will be the flower.

Saturday Night, 12/05/09 Lee's Prayer for Timna

From my sister in law: I am learning something in my middle age, that God hears our prayers of dispair,of anger, of imperfect faith. We are all His children, not His rational adults.

Despite God knowing that in my heart, I have doubts, I will continue to pray...

Heavenly Father, what a beautiful, fun soul you created in Timna. Her body is so broken now. Pls gently pick her up, cradle her in your arms, touch her and heal her and set her back here with her family and friends.

I know I shouldn't tell you what to do, dear God, but PLEASE heal her and don't take her from us yet. AMEN.

Me again *sniff* just asking for continued prayer for a miracle.

Saturday Morning 12/05/09 Timna/P227 Update

Timna Update Saturday 12/5/2009 9:30-ish am Eastern Timna's condition is basically unchanged except her fever is gone. She is getting dialysis right now. I haven't spoken with anyone but the nurse so far. I am very scattered. I find my mind tracing each future possibility and doing advance grieving or praising as the future possibilities warrant. I can't help it. It must be an offshoot of my problem solving nature. Today it hinders my functioning in reality. I left my cell phone at home and my brother is retrieving it for me. There is a nagging feeling that I forgot something else important. Someone will probably say this is a natural part of the grieving process but I don't want to be here. Dear Lord, I don't want to be in this state of mind. Your presence has sustained me. Restore your peace to me. Your strength.

Timna Updates Friday 12/04/09 from P337

Timna's Update Friday 12/4/2009 9:00-ish am Eastern Timna is in a battle. She did not get the surgery yesterday due to increased swelling of her brain (cerebral edema). Her CAT scan did not show any of the lobe definition that was present in her previous scans. The doctor's reported to her parents and me that there was a good chance she would not make it. She will be rescanned today. I was devastated. I asked the doctors to think if there was anything else that could be done to (a.) reverse the edema progression and (b.) control the peritonitis until she was strong enough for surgery. Dr. Semechek (sp?) said he was doing everything he knew to reduce the swelling and would consult with Dr. Margolis to see if any dialysis changes would help more than what was being done now. Dr. Gordon said he was hitting Timna with broad range antibiotics as well as targeted antibiotics for known pathogens. I did what I could to let everyone that prayer was needed. I'm sorry I was unable to go into detail last night. (Which was Thursday, by the way, just in case you were confused by my lack of calendar acuity.) This morning, three times Timna roused only slightly when I held her hand and spoke to her. Just enough for me to see her breathing rate increase, her eyes move under her eyelids and for her mouth to close. She quickly went back to a deeper sleep each time. I restarted the music for her to listen to. My cousin e-mailed me and encouraged me this morning by her words of encouragement and by inadvertently making me think on a saying by George Eliot. "What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other" -- George Eliot I disagree with George Eliot. I would rephrase him by saying: "What do we live for, if it is not to love God and to love one another as God loves us." Due to this experience I have a fresh view of love from God and from so many who have supported me. Please pray with me not only for Timna but for Ken who is in a similar status here and for an elderly woman named Iran. The families of Ken and Iran have been together with me in encouraging one another and praying for our loved ones. Again: God can do what no doctor ever can. Timna Update Friday 12/4/2009 3:45-ish pm Eastern Timna went down to have another CAT scan this morning and they told me the swelling of the brain was no better or worse than it was yesterday. She is now getting dialysis. The doctors met with me and her parents. After an introduction of a few consultants we had not met a letter from a person of concern was mentioned. I guess that is why the Administrative director of Patient Services was involved. (I know who sent the letter but he or she may not want to be known.) Well after an almost defensive summary the neurologist said there is no hope of Timna being the same person if she survives at all. She may not have meant to sound like a 'pull the plug and move on' doomsayer but that was the sense I got. I was already devastated yesterday so today I handled myself a little more stoically. Just a little. Basically all the medical team there agreed with her diagnosis, but not with the same callousness. So there doesn't seem to be a medical solution for Timna. They will do all they can to prevent cerebral hemorrhage and to get the swelling to go down if possible but the general consensus was that the Timna I know and love would not be there. The doctors will not give up but they feel they are fighting a losing battle. My faith extends beyond medicine. Way beyond! It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman

Timna Update Thursday 12/3/09

Timna's Update Thursday 12/3/2009 8:15-ish am Eastern Many of you have written yesterday and last night. I'm sorry I haven't replied individually. Please accept this corporate reply of thanksgiving. You encourage me and give me wisdom in this trying time. Wisdom I wish... I wish I had never needed. Thank you. Timna's temperature has come down enough overnight that they have removed the cooling blanket but the machine still sits there in readiness. Her temp at last taking was 38.4c 101.1f. Her blood pressure, while up in an acceptable range, is being supported by medication. She is breathing evenly without fighting against the respirator like she was yesterday. I pray that that is not because she just wore herself out fighting it. The ICU staff are trying to schedule things so that she won't have to make separate trips out of her room for the CAT scan and surgery but instead have the CAT scan read with surgery on immediate standby. I don't have any times yet. Another dialysis is also ordered for today which may be performed prior to the above since dialysis would be beneficial in reducing the fluid buildups and the fever. I hope I find out before things happen this time. I suppose that if they were great communicators they would be in politics or journalism instead of medicine. I will try to update all the prayer forces as soon as I find things out. Timna's Update Thursday 12/3/2009 10:45-ish am Eastern I've been given the schedule after 3 1/2 hours of waiting. The CAT scan I was led to believe would be early morning is scheduled for 5pm. This will coincide with surgery availability. Timna will get dialysis some time prior to that. The cooling blanket has been restarted. Her temperature rose. The temperature of the body is regulated by neural feedback mechanisms which operate primarily through the hypothalmus. The hypothalmus contains not only the control mechanisms, but also the key temperature sensors. - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/heatreg.html If Timna has edemal pressure on the hypothalamus it is essentially short circuiting the temperature controls. Today's nurse is tight lipped so obtaining any information requires excessive effort. I will try to nap a bit today as we wait. From Twitter today: Going to gown and glove. (Maybe sneak a kiss when the nurse isn't looking.) about 4 hours ago from Seesmic in reply to HonestJohn60 *Throws virtual trash can through virtual hospital window* THEY SEDATED HER!!! She started to wake up so they sedated her.about 4 hours ago from Seesmic God can do what no doctor ever can.about 1 hour ago from Seesmic Reply Retweet Timna's cerebral edema is worse. I'll send an update when I can. Please mobilize the prayer forces. The battle is not over! Not over.about 1 hour ago from Seesmic

Wednesday Timna Update Part Two

Timna's Birthday Update Wednesday 12/2/2009 10:15-ish pm Eastern Just a quick few notes before I go to bed. Timna's CAT scan with dye injected into her feeding tube did indeed show that the food was going into the periton and not into her digestive system. Two and a half gallons of food wasted... Think of all the starving children in... Now think of this, if you constantly adjust the insulin drip based on there being a constant food supply you'll have trouble controlling the blood sugar with the blood sugar going too low shutting off the drip and restarting the drip when the sugar bounces back up. I don't know for sure if this was a contributing factor to Timna's cerebral edema, maybe one of you could tell me. I felt like shouting, "Lots'a food -- No stool -- C'mon Doctors put two and two together! Dr. Ang wanted to do the surgery tonight to completely clean out Timna's periton with saline. I asked him to caution the anesthesiologist about Timna's cerebral edema... Dr. Ang made a few calls and told me that surgery would have to wait until tomorrow after another CAT scan of her head to see if the edema was lessening. I think that if it is not lessening surgical pressure relief will be a more pressing matter. To neurology was one of the calls Dr. Ang made. Sorry about the spelling and grammer, I'm too tired to correct it. Please continue praying.

Timna's Birthday Update Wednesday 12/2/2009 10:45-ish am Eastern

Timna's Birthday Update Wednesday 12/2/2009 10:45-ish am Eastern

Timna's Birthday...

Some tweets I tweeted on Twitter this morning:

Timna News Bullet: Radiology pulled Timna's PICC line out when she was down for a CAT scan.

Timna News Bullet: Why was Timna down for a CAT scan? Because they found the food was not entering her small bowel like it was supposed to.

Timna News Bullet: There was pressure on Timna's lungs, heart, organs and glands from fluid buildup in her abdomen.

Timna News Bullet: So far they have suctioned over 7 liters of liquid food out of Timna's abdomen. That's like two gallons! Vanilla flavored.

Timna News Bullet: For her birthday the hospital is giving Timna a new PICC line. They are currently using her dialysis port to infuse her.

I sang for her this morning. She will have to wait to celebrate I pray to enjoy her birthday late.

I'm angry, sad, glad, mad, sad, mad, sad this morning. I'm glad they found out why there was so much pressure on Timna's lungs, etc. Gold star for the night nursing staff. I'm mad at the rest. Overall angry sad at having to spend Timna's birthday, or any day, watching her suffer in the hospital.

A knife to the gut is not made better with Nitrous Oxide. Only painfully funny.

That about sums up my feelings this morning.

The volunteer in the waiting room asked me if I wanted to see the chaplain this morning. I answered, "Only if he's also a lawyer."

I didn't mean to take it out on her and a lawyer won't help Timna.

I put these feelings in these updates because it helps me cope.

I hope my frail words might help someone else.

Thank you all for praying so much.

Timna's Birthday Update Wednesday 12/2/2009 1:45-ish pm Eastern Cerebral edema is something I was concerned about a couple of weeks ago when Timna was not reviving. I hadn't thought about it since... until today when the ICU doctor informed me that the CAT scan did show evidence of fluid pressure buildup. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_edema Most likely either Cytotoxic, Osmotic or both. Timna is receiving mannitol . "Happy Birthday, honey." It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman

Timna Update Tuesday 12/01/09

Timna Update Tuesday 12/1/2009 10:45-ish am Eastern Timna is still non-responsive. Her temperature has dropped to 38.8c 101.84f. It had gone up above 40.6c 105.1f before dialysis yesterday. Her fever was reduced by the return blood temperature of the dialysis machine but climbed back above 39.5c 103.1f afterward. Her blood has gone acidic again. In addition to the current aerosol and intravenous antibiotic treatments Timna has been put back on intravenous vancomycin. She is getting another aerosol treatment now. Please pray that the doctor's are able to unravel this mystery. It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman some of today's Twitter Tweets: Tomorrow, it being her birthday, I would like to give Timna something special. about 4 hours ago from Seesmic But I can only think how special it would be for me should Timna open her eyes.about 4 hours ago from Seesmic Reply Retweet RT @becbeat555:@p337 Please give a hug to Timna for me too--OK,let me get this straight.Two hugs,3 kisses,4'Loves' and 1'atta girl get well.about 6 hours ago from Seesmic Reply Retwee @P337 @becbeat555 OK, you're portion of the bill will be 'One Extra Big Hug for Lee' about 6 hours ago from Seesmic in reply to becbeat555 @becbeat555: @p337 (((((((((((Lee))))))))))))) Feelin' skinny? lol -- )))))))))"(((((((((about 5 hours ago from Seesmic RT @RealChevyyGirl: & @HonestJohn60 @p337 Give hugs...--OK, Now 2 more hugs, C'mon bidders gimme 3. Do I hear 3. 2 hugs going once,twice...about 5 hours ago from Seesmic in reply to HonestJohn60 Going to glove and gown again. Got some hugs to deliver.about 5 hours ago from Seesmic Tomorrow is Timna's Birthday. Let's pray as hard as we can to make it a great day for Lee and Timna! Thanks for all your prayers and suppport.

Update on Timna from P337 Monday 11/30/09

Timna Update Monday 11/30/2009 11:00-ish am Eastern I approached Timna's room this morning and was struck by the vision of gowns and gloves enhanced by restricted entry signs. Timna is now in contact isolation. As Timna starts her 31st day in the hospital she has been presented with the one month anniversary gift of a mutated strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram Negative! From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gram-negative_bacteria One of the several unique characteristics of Gram-negative bacteria is the structure of the outer membrane. The outer leaflet of the membrane comprises a complex lipopolysaccharide whose lipid portion acts as an endotoxin. If endotoxin enters the circulatory system it causes a toxic reaction with the sufferer having a high temperature and respiration rate and a low blood pressure. This may lead to endotoxic shock, which may be fatal. The drug chosen to combat this bacterium is MICROMEDIX Colistimethate Sodium. This appears to be the 500lb bomb of bacterial warfare. Just one of it's side effects is renal impairment. That means that Timna's already impaired kidneys will be impaired further by this bombshell. The doctors will talk to me later about the full situation. I feel empty. An emotionallly empty husk. This will change, of that I'm quite sure. Again, please pray. And from TWITTER: p337 As Timna starts her 31st day in the hospital she has been presented with the one month anniversary gift of a mutated strain of Pseudomonas p337 Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram Negative! The drug chosen to combat this bacterium is MICROMEDIX The untreated bug will kill her. p337 The treatment might kill her. p337 She's in isolation

Timna /P337 update 11/29/09 SUNDAY.

Timna Update Sunday 11/29/2009 Noon-ish Eastern The nurse put it succinctly when I asked how Timna was doing this morning, "Not so good." Timna's fever started coming back yesterday evening but was only in the 101f range. Last night it came back hard with the added complication of her blood pressure dropping as low as 64/39. They've medicated her for her blood pressure and brought it back up. Now 118/60. She's been given Tylenol for her fever and Dr. Gordon (Infectious care) has reviewed all her cultures and antibiotics. He has called for left leg wounds to be debride (surgical removal of foreign material and dead tissue from a wound in order to prevent infection and promote healing). ICU dance: One step forward, two steps back, two steps forward, one step back. Kiss your partner, dosey doe, tear out your heart and give it a throw. Our friend Brian asked some good questions that he suggested I answer for all. •Is she still on dialysis? Yes - Every two to three days as she is able. •Is she off the ventilator (entirely or partially)? No. She has been too weak with the lung infection for them to resume weaning. •Receiving IV antibiotics? Yes, a whole battery of bacterial killing drugs. •Have some of the infections cleared up? Yes, but other opportunistic bacteria have taken advantage of her weakened state. •Still receiving sedation? No. Since the trach she has been sedation free except for surgery. It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman

Timna Update from P337 Saturday 11/28/09

Timna Update Saturday 11/28/2009 8:45-ish am Eastern Just a quick update. Timna has been watching the dog show all morning on Animal Planet. Her choice! No Fever. Wide awake. Talking a little with a lot of effort. She has found out how to force air past her tracheostomy tube to make sounds. So what if it upsets the respiratory specialist. She'll nod affirmative and shake her head for negative as well. It's early and the doctors haven't done rounds yet. Today I'm accepting each and every miracle of strength and healing with joy. Timna is still so sick, Please pray for more. No more setbacks, Timna. That's an order!

Timna Update Friday 11/27/09 from @P337

Timna Update Thursday 11/26/2009 5:15-ish pm Eastern WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH! Respiratory culture results: ... NUMEROUS PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA SEE F43309 FOR MIC ....oh Timna......... Sealed room aerosal treatments have begun. I can't write more now. Pray. Should have read: Timna Update Friday 11/27/2009 5:15-ish pm Eastern It must have been you readers that read it wrong. Thank you all for praying. From Twitter: Friday night around 8pm Eastern: p337 Thank you all and @RealChevyyGirl & @WisSmokeFan . I'm feeling a little better now. Timna awoke for a few seconds before I left her room. p337 Leaving Hospital. Maybe I'll tweetle dum and tweetle dee a little later as TWEETLE LEE ? Hmmm... Maybe not.

Friday 11/27/09 Update from @P337 and Timna

Timna Update Friday 11/27/2009 10:15-ish am Eastern No hymn this morning. Still have an underlying joy but any hymn this morning would be in a minor key. "Man of sorrows"? (Nice that that hymn ends in joyous exaltation. Don't believe me? Google 'man of sorrows lyrics'.) Timna's fever came back yesterday evening with a vengeance. She's had the cooling blanket on all night yet her temperature is still up at 39.6c 103.3f. I passed Dr. Gordon (Infectious care) in the corridor but he hasn't been to see her yet. Timna pulled at her trach tube again, according to the respiratory specialist. They reinserted it before I arrived this morning. When I saw the nurse I asked her to restrain her again since her arm tried to pull at it again while I was sitting there. (I don't know why the restraints were removed. The trach tube being pulled and reinserted must aggravate her as well as being dangerous.) Pray that Timna's fever goes away along with the cause of it.

Thanksgiving Message from P337 and Timna

Timna Update Thursday 11/26/2009 11:15-ish am Eastern I woke up this morning with an old hymn running through my brain. I didn't mind. The lines, " Angels, descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love." and "Watching and waiting, looking above, filled with His goodness, lost in His love." struck me with happiness as I arose. I don't think I've ever had that happen to me to such an extent before. The full lyrics: Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels, descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love. When I got to the hospital I found Timna with the bed in a sitting position and her watching bits of the parades between dozing bouts. The nurse said she was doing great this morning. They can't use the feeding tube for a Thanksgiving dinner since they have to wait 24 hours. She'll have to go hungry on Thanksgiving but there's so much to be thankful for. She is moving her arms a little more purposeful this morning though there are still some spastic motions. They don't have her tethered and hope she will be able to control herself. I pray for blessings on each and every one of you on this Thanksgiving day. It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman

Post Surgery Update on Timna Wednesday 11/25/09

Timna Update Wednesday 11/25/2009 10:30-ish pm Eastern Timna's surgery went well according to the doctor. He decided after reviewing Timna's vitals to make the surgery as short as possible for her. That meant that instead of a laproscopic feeding tube insertion he made a small incision and inserted the tube manually. The surgery took about an hour but didn't start until after 8:00pm. Timna was still out of it when I left the hospital but her fever was gone! They said she would be out for a couple of hours but did clench her jaw when the nurse tried to get her temperature. Even asleep she has a strong will. Thanks to all for praying for her... and me.

Timna Update from @P337 Wednesday 11/25/09

Timna Update Wednesday 11/25/2009 11:00-ish am Eastern Timna is feverish again. Her temperature is 39.C 103.F. They are running cultures on everything to try to find if there is an 'untargeted' bacterial culprit. Timna is getting stronger despite her fever. Her arm and hand motions are spasmodic at times. She did manage to non-purposely grasp her trachea tube and was gasping for breath as her arm did it's own thing pulling the tube out. I was frantically trying to unwind her fingers as I called for the nurses. It only came part of the way out and respiratory was able to reset it. Her blood oxygen only dropped into the low 90's. Her arms are gently restrained now. I was able to ask her in different ways about the arm motions and she confirmed each time that she was not trying to move her arms. The nurse will make the doctor aware of this today. Timna's surgery was moved from last night to this morning. I am sitting in the surgical waiting room now. Please continue to hold Timna up in prayer before the Lord. Timna Update Wednesday 11/25/2009 1:00-ish pm Eastern After waiting a while in the surgical waiting room and not seeing Timna's surgical number go up on the status board I asked what was going on. Timna's surgery had been bumped back to 6:30 this evening by a critical surgery. I am not upset about that because if Timna's surgery was critical I would want hers to bump a non-critical one. Waiting and finding out she had already been taken back upstairs without notifying me... I'm a little upset about that. Timna is sleeping deeply -- all that travel. Gurney lag. The cooling blanket has brought her temperature down slightly but her fever probably is what has her out like a light. Please raise your hands in prayer because we all know, 'many hands make light work'.

Update from Lee and Timna Tuesday 11/24/09

Timna Update Tuesday 11/24/2009 11:30-ish am Eastern

I didn't send an update yesterday. Stop looking for it.

Timna was feverish yesterday morning and I was despondent. She would open her eyes briefly then go back to fever world.

She got dialysis yesterday.

She also got a PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) and they removed the central line (central venous catheter).

Yesterday afternoon her fever broke and timna became very aware and responsive. My brother was here (MI) from St. Louis and she responded very well to his stories of her nephew and niece as well as looked closely at the pictures he had on his Blackberry.

This morning I found out that Timna (awake and aware) had pulled out her feeding tube during the night... twice. I'd probably never tolerate an 'up my nose with a rubber hose' feeding tube. The feeding directly into her stomach seemed to agravate her pancreas anyway.

She will go down later today for a surgical placement of a feeding tube directly into her small bowel below her duadenum.

Weaning off the respirator continues but intermitantly since she tires and starts breathing rapidly.

She keeps pulling on her breathing tubes but not out... yet.

I am pleased (today) with the slow progress even though setbacks wrench my soul.

She just fell asleep. She needs a bit of sleep right now.

Again, thank you all.

It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure.

- Lee Peterman

Timna Update from @P337 Sunday 11/22/09

Timna Update Sunday 11/22/2009 10:30-ish am Eastern Timna has given me a new understanding of the term "Bedside Baptist". Actually I am at the foot of her bed since medical equipment still takes the dominant role in her daily life. She is awake at times but for only moments as fever again ravages her body and mind. I got a damp washcloth for her forehead and asked them if she could have a fan since the room is hot with the equipment and bed generating heat. The respirator is still only supporting her for 10 breathes a minute. Her actual breathing rate is between 16 and 22 breathes a minute. The reason they are trying so aggressively to wean her from the respirator is that respirator patients have a 3% per day chance of developing pneumonia. Timna has been on the respirator for about 20 days now meaning she now is more likely than not to add pneumonia to her complications. Whether you are in a pew or chair, bedside or trackside, on a green or in a sand trap, as you pray for your family, race car driver or golf shot, please remember to pray for my precious Timna. Thank you all. It's hard when every brainstorm results in a power failure. - Lee Peterman

Nascar Fantasy Crash League Rules Refresher

The Nascar Fantasy Crash League was concieved during a chat at the GSNAP.Com chat hosted by NascarByCooter during a crash filled race that was wreaking havoc on everyone's Fantasy Nascar contests.

The rules will be short and simple, we want this to be fun, and require Minumum involvement.

To best enjoy our version, you should be logged in to the NASCAR chats at GSNAP. You can get a free gsnap membership anytime by registering at http://gsnap.com . Then starting about an hour before every Sprint Cup Cars race, go back to GSNAP and follow the link to the Nascar Chat.

It's free, simple, and we have a lot of fun chatting, sometimes we even chat about the actual race. LOL.

Official Rules:
1.)Before each Nascar Sprint Cup Race post your picks by email to NascarFantasyCrashLeague

@gmail.com We will then post them on the chat site for you. If you cannot email them, make sure to post them yourself at chat before Green Flag.

If all else fails Tweet them to @WisSmokeFan.

The Picks: Pick One Driver who you think will crash first (crashes defined later) (50 pts) Note:if this driver crashes LATER it's still worth 10 pts.
Pick Five other drivers who you think may crash during the course of the race.(10 pts each crash)
Pick One driver who you believe will finish in 43rd place. (25 Bonus Pts)

2.) Keep track of your own points on the honor system. But, post them as they happen for the fun of it.

3.)PENALTIES: If any of your drivers finishes in the top 5 you lose 5 points each.

That's it. It's easy and fun. Now here's some FAQ:

WHAT CONSTITUTES A POINTS EARNING CRASH? Obviously a crash that brings out a yellow flag counts, but in some cases, a crash that does not cause yellow to come out will also earn points. Simply smacking a wall does not count (or we couldn't play at Darlington), nor does bumping another car, if neither of them crashes or spins. However, if a car spins out (either alone or because of contact) and keeps it on the track, or makes it directly to pit road without bringing out a yellow, that DOES count. If one car spins another, or causes a crash, but is mostly undamaged and continues racing, that car DOES NOT count.

WHAT IF MY CHOICE FOR FIRST CRASHER, CRASHES LATER, BUT NOT FIRST? That will count as a 10 point crash. Basically you have 6 drivers who's crashes are worth 10 points. And ONE of them is worth 50 pts if that particular driver crashes first. The Choice for last place is ONLY worth CRASH points if they are also a Crasher pick.

WHAT IF THE FIRST CRASH INVOLVES MULTIPLE CARS? If your driver is involved in the first crash and it's a multi-car crash, that counts regardless of where their particular crash occurred.

WHAT DO I WIN IF I FINISH WITH THE MOST POINTS? Pretty much bragging rights, BUT I may occasionally come up with a prize or gift certificate that I will mail to the winner. It's possible that other players may occasionally donate a prize just for the fun of it too. Note: For the CHASE races, we will keep cumilative score for a Grand Champion.

WHAT ABOUT THE CAMPING WORLD TRUCKS OR NATIONWIDE SERIES? The official contest is only for the Sprint Cup races, but they may be playing for fun during the other races. The GSNAP chat is active during all three races.

WHAT IF THERE IS A DISPUTE ABOUT A CRASH? A simple vote of whoever is on the chat and wants to vote will decide things not covered above. Simple majority of voters is all that is needed to decide.

That's it. Now get a GSNAP account (if you don't have one) and have some fun.

Doug Kimpel
WisconsinSmokeFan on GSNAP
WisSmokeFan on Twitter