Update 2.15.25: I saw the surgeon who repaired my iliac artery on Dec. 20 this past Thursday. Surgeons frustrate me in their inability to give definitive answers. Some things are certain: I am still on IV antibiotics at home and may have do so for the foreseeable future because doc said I still have abscesses in my body, especially in my psoas muscles. They have shrunk but they aren't gone after 6 weeks of iv antibiotics. I still have a large hematoma in my abdomen, but it is shrinking. He suspects my left knee/quad problem is the result of nerve damage and suggested it may be permanent. Less than great news. The wound on my left foot has made little comeback which is disappointing. MRI on Tuesday to see if the bone in my foot is infected.

Speaking of good news (sarcasm) while the world celebrated Christmas and New Years, I racked up hospital bills to the tune of $250k. WOWZA. Still waiting for insurance to pay their part so I can weep over my part...probably $6k. With all the other expenses that go along with immediate pivots to a new way of living, I will spend another $8k funding my new normal.

The doc was nice enough to tell me how bad and weak he thought I looked and how he would not do any additional surgery for up to a year. He said 40 days in the hospital is a lot for anyone to endure and that I couldn't stand another surgery any time soon. My kidneys are holding strong so far. They don't like the contrast stuff they inject to do angiograms, CT's or MRI's. I still haven't gotten a good explanation as to how or why they failed in late December.

Now you know what i know. Thank you for walking this journey with me. I have been blessed by your thoughts, prayers and actions. Other than my left leg not working well, I lack for nothing. That is all Jesus' doing working in me and in you. Pray for my wife. She has to put up with me and right now I am a lot. Much Love...Rex.

Update from Rex from Monday, January 28: I have been hospitalized since 12/20. I am only now coming to understand what happened, although the "why" is still a mystery. I have been blessed with so many people praying for me. I can't do this without the prayers. I am still praying God will protect my wife as so much has fallen on her plate and robs her of her time and energy. I am also still praying that my left knee/quad muscles wake up. Walking is difficult and until today I never tried it without a walker. I was able to walk about 30 feet without a walker on a platform with grab bars just in case I needed them. That will be an acquired skill over many months and not something I can do in all environments. As I prepare to go home in 2 days (Wednesday), I recognize my home is not handicap friendly. Many doorways are simply too small. My ramp out front is too steep to try to use in nothing but completely dry weather. I am scared of so many things right now and I keep praying to God that I would rest in his care as he is the author and sustainer of peace and joy, not fear. Thank you for reading my update and I humbly ask for your prayers. If you want to help me buy a bariatric wheelchair, a new aluminum ramp for my home, and a walk-in shower that has proper grab bars, I would be humbled and blessed. No matter what, God knows my needs and will provide abundantly more than I can ask or imagine. Thank you. - Rex

On Monday, Rex was transferred to inpatient rehabilitation to try to regain the use of his left leg. His pain is not as bad, and the kidney function & hemoglobin are normal. He is still on antibiotics for the staph & abscess infections, and will be for several more weeks until the doctors can reevaluate the timing of surgery. Since the temporary stent is holding, and the arterial surgery is a long, difficult & risky one, with a long recovery, there will be more specialist consultations on how to best proceed after rehab. Unfortunately, Rex was also laid off from his job this week too.

Rex has been in the hospital 32 days now, excluding the brief time he was at home when they released him from the hospital only to have return by ambulance 36 hours later.

Thank you to everyone for all the prayers, words of encouragement and donations!

Rex has been overwhelmed with everyone's prayers and generosity. Knowing that he has so many praying and supporting him has been a comfort during this ordeal.

Rex was home for 2 nights last week while awaiting surgery however he was rushed to the ER Wednesday morning so he is back in the hospital. He had a surgical procedure on Thursday inserting a blood filter (to prevent clots). It went well. Still in pain but being somewhat controlled via IV. Left Leg is numb and he can't lift it or walk. Kidney function has started to suffer but not dangerously yet, still watching.

The abscesses in his psoas muscle are still there, so he will remain on antibiotics to minimize risk for his future surgery to repair the damage from the aneurysm in his iliac artery on Dec 20th. Now the priority is to deal with his colon which is not working so he is off solid foods. The large hematoma is putting pressure on a lot of organs, so the doctors want to clear the colon and perhaps reduce the bloated torso. They do not think that will resolve the leg issue though. If it doesn’t resolve on its own in a few days, they may need to do emergency surgery to remove the hematoma to limit damage to the leg, but that will open him up to possible new infection, as well as delay the artery surgery. So please keep Rex in your prayers.