Update on Jesse!

I know there are a lot of people who want to stay updated on Jesse and his recovery. I figured our blog was the easiest way to keep everyone up to date. So, here's the story and an update on how he is doing. 

Two nights ago- on Thursday- We were at a get together/ bonfire for Jesse's sister's birthday- at his brothers house. We were all out in the backyard- close to their lake. Jesse stepped off of a golfcart - when the snake bit him. We think that he may have stepped on it when he was getting off- but we don't know. Anyway, Jesse's brother, Josh, saw the snake (a copperhead snake), warned Jess that it was there- and that's when Jesse said that he was pretty sure it just bit him. Josh caught and killed the snake-and I got Jesse up to the car to take him to the hospital. Shelly, our sister-in-law, ran up to the car as well- and drove us to the hospital.  When we arrived- no one really knew anything about snake bites or how to handle the situation. We were under the impression that he would be sent home that evening. And then the swelling increased and they decided that he needed anti-venom. That's when we found out that they were going to fly him to St. Louis University Hospital. He arrived here in St. Louis at 4:30 Friday morning. 

Jesse's dad and step mother, Gary and Kim, met Jesse here at the hospital shortly after he arrived. I got here by about 8:00 that morning. After driving home from Josh and Shelly's, getting our stuff at home, and taking Gabe to my parent's house- I got a late start. But we are so very thankful that Gary and Kim were able to get here so early- so Jesse wouldn't have to be alone. That day, they started him on 4 viles of anti-venom through his IV- the swelling increased up to his knee. Everyone was here with us- Josh, Shelly, Tori, Gary and Kim. We all carefully kept an eye on Jesse- and tried to gather as much information as we possibly could. What we've learned is that- hospitals RARELY have to deal with snake bites- so no one really knows what to do or what to expect. It's been a learning process for all of us- as well as the doctors. 

Last night- they decided to give him another round of the anti-venom since his swelling had spread. Luckily, today his swelling has decreased and he is looking much better. We've FINALLY got the pain medication worked out- so hopefully he won't have to experience terrible pain again. 

Which brings me to my next story. Today, Jesse got up to go use the restroom. He was told to try to get up on it- to see how it feels. It was bad. Terribly actually. He said the pain shot up through his foot all the way to his back. He laid back down, clearly in a lot of pain, almost in tears as a result of it. We called the nurse. She came in and we asked if she could please give him his pain meds 30 minutes early. She said no. So we asked if she could call and find out. She said no and walked out of the room. Oh boy, can you imagine what happened next!? What happened was one VERY mad wife and one VERY mad mother. Not a good combination. Kim and I followed her to the nurses station- asked to speak to her supervisor- asked to speak to his doctor- and asked for a new nurse. Seriously, why would you act like that? She was mad because she wanted Jesse to use a bed pan instead of getting up to go to the bathroom. So- since he did not do what she wanted- she wanted him to deal with the consequences. Bad decision for her. Because when my husband is clearly in terrible, terrible pain- you better believe something is going to be done about it. Needless to say... we got a new nurse and Jesse got his Pain medication. That nurse tried apologizing as soon as she realized that we were mad. And then she was speaking to Kim on the phone, thinking she was someone else, and started talking about Kim to Kim! Seriously lady? Just bad judgement all around. 

Anyway, now it is a waiting game. We're waiting to see if the swelling continues to go down. We're waiting to see what kind of tissue damage is done. We're waiting to see if the pain starts to go down with time. We are just waiting. And like I said, the problem is that no one really knows what to expect. What I can tell all of you is that- he has been in severe pain. The medication is working for the pain- as long as he is given it on time. He has had some reactions to the meds- such as itching, sweating, swelling... but so far a reaction has not been severe. Initially we didn't think that it was that bite- but we were wrong. Gary and I took a closer look at his toe where the snake bit him- and he counted about 5 holes- plus a scrape across where the snakes teeth must have scraped across his toe. As you all can imagine, it is very painful. Jesse's not someone who complains a lot or even takes medication- so for him to be hurting and saying something about it- well, that's a big deal. It is getting better with time- so only time will tell. We don't know how much longer we can expect to be in the hospital. Most likely- at least another 2 days. 

We would like to thank EVERYONE for all of their prayers and support. Especially our families. We are so blessed to have my parents watching Gabe for us and for Gary and Kim staying here with us as well. Also- both Jesse's brother and sister and their spouses (Josh, Shelly, Tori, and James) have also been here with us the majority of the time. It always nice to have family around- especially in situations like this. We know everyone was sleep deprived as well- and we can't express how much it means to us that everyone was here!  It is so great to know that we have a support system that we can lean on. Also- it's a relief for me knowing that if I'm not able to be here- someone else is. So again, thank you to everyone :) 

We would also like to say a special shout out to Shelly for her quick thinking when it happened. Had it not been for her- we wouldn't have known to take the snake in to the hospital with us so they could correctly identify it and treat Jesse appropriately. She also got us to the hospital- in record time! 

That's about it for now- I'll update and write more on what happened later. But right now, We're both going to try to get some rest!