Home Sweet Home

Yesterday, Alan returned home to The Woodlands. Just before his release, he was able to feel pin pricks in his legs and able to move his toes. He is still in a wheelchair, but has made significant progress and his diagnosis is one of tremendous hope. Please keep those prayers coming, they are truly being answered.

Many of you have asked how you can help, and now that they are all back home, I’ll be setting up a distribution list for those of you that would like to offer meals and/or lending your cleaning person, by e-mail. Please contact me at htdickens@comcast.net if you would like to be included in that list. Thanks to their neighbors for coordinating this first week!

Day Trip

On Saturday, Alan was eager to leave TIRR for a day trip back to The Woodlands. He and Cindy were able to watch Clarke play in his WCBL championships, which included two games. The first one was very exciting, as Clarke’s team won in the final minutes. They went and got Clarke a burger with his friends and then enjoyed the rest of day at Market Street, eating at Berry Hill.
They would like to thank their good neighbors for getting the house ready for Alan’s return home tomorrow.
On a sad note, Snowball, their dog of 10 years, had to be put down due to a degenerative problem and a lot of pain, but Tiger, their cat, is doing fine and we know that all of this is in God’s hands.

Medical Expense Fund Established

Family and Friends,
Below is a message from the Cagle's good friends, the Johnstons:

Frank and I have been friends with Alan since he moved to Houston in the mid-'70s from Phoenix. Prior to that, we knew him in Arizona as well. And, we've been friends with Cindy since before they were married. So, as with so many other of their friends, we wanted to help in whatever way was possible as Alan and Cindy traveled on an arduous journey neither dreamed that they would have to take.
The Alan Cagle Medical Expense Fund was established to assist Alan and Cindy with costs associated with important after-care services...both therapeutic and adaptive. Any contribution to this fund will be solely used for these purposes, and any amount will be helpful.
Alan has come a long way during his stay at TIRR, and his continued improvement will be ensured, once home, with intense, continued therapy. Please join us in helping both Alan and Cindy by contributing to this fund if you can.
Kathy & Frank Johnston, Round Top, Texas

Send your contributions to:
Woodforest National Bank
10555 Kuykendahl Road
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Attn: Vicki Southerland
Re: Alan Cagle Medical Expense Fund
(If you wish to remain anonymous, please note that for Vicki.)

Therapy Continues

Alan has continued with his therapy and worked hard to keep improving his mobility. He has gained more fine motor in his hands and is working hard learning new life skills. His upper body has gained significant strength from his work outs and he was able to shower and get into a bed, unassisted. Cindy caught a bug at the end of last week and has been trying to rest and get back to 100%. Please keep them in your prayers.

Wonderful News

Alan has a new release date of May 13! This is tremendous news. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers that helped make this happen. This gives Alan 2 extra weeks of therapy. This has lifted everyone’s spirits and given Cindy some time to get the house, car, etc., ready for Alan’s return. Improved mobility is the major focus again.

CT Inconclusive

Alan got a new roommate on Friday, which was a nice change of pace. His therapy has continued at a strong and steady pace. There is nothing significant to report relative to improved mobility, however, he has made significant progress over the weeks.
Alan’s CT was diagnosed as “inconclusive” a.k.a “See you in 6 months,” in doctor-speak. That was a real comfort to Alan and Cindy and they wish to thank you, again, for proving the power of prayers. The family is still awaiting word from insurance which will determine his release date. More news should be available in the next couple of days. Please keep those cards, calls and visits coming-they are truly uplifting!

Positive Progress

Yesterday the CT was done in the morning and they are awaiting word, so keep those prayers coming!
Alan has made significant progress to the point that the therapist recommended he stay another week and extend his release date to May 6. Alan’s group of doctors agreed and he is now awaiting word from the insurance company.
This week, Alan was able to get in the passenger side of his car with Cindy’s help and a slide board (instead of the electric lift.) This is stellar performance! Alan has been working very hard. His fine motor is improving and he was able to manage a zipper Tuesday. Cindy has been attending therapy with him to learn how she can help facilitate things for him.
The doctors are planning to remove him from steroids by May 4, and fortuneately, his blood sugar has remained normal.
The family would like to thank all of you for your calls, cards, visits and love.

A Good Weekend

Alan’s roommate, Kenneth, left last Tuesday night and without a new one yet, Alan has been sleeping well.
Alan had a haircut this week and met with the Nexus rep. on Friday. They are now awaiting word about insurance coverage to transfer him there the 29th.
Several weeks ago when they took Xrays, they saw a shadow on his kidney. They have scheduled a CT, this week, to verify this is nothing more than scar tissue or a bad Xray, so please say some prayers that the CT comes back clean.
Alan is still continuing extensive therapy and enjoys the pool exercize the most.
Several visitors came this week, and on Sunday, they took Alan outside where he could sit in the garden. He really enjoyed getting out of the hospital into the sunny day. He sends a special thank you for all of the wonderful cards he’s received.
Cindy was busy Sunday getting Clarke ready for the DC trip that his school, Cooper, is taking this week. She was able to send him off, at the airport this morning, which was a comfort in itself. She would like to thank everyone for their continued interest, love and prayers.

Good News

Thanks for all of your cards, phone calls, and e-mails-they are the highlight of Alan’s day. Alan’s address at TIRR is:
TIRR Memorial Hermann /1333 Moursund Street/ Room 409A/Houston, TX 77030 and egreetings may be sent through www.mhhs.org just drill down through “patient” and “egreeting.
Alan is still undergoing extensive PT and OT and even, water therapy, all day except Lunchtime. This is significant since he is feeding himself with his right hand and he has good upper body mobility. He is also able to work on his laptop and can transport himself in a manual wheelchair. He is still paralzed from the chest down but has had sensation in his abdomon. His team of doctors has set his current discharge date on April 29. Cindy is trying to get him moved to Nexus in The Woodlands and thanks Ronnie and God for making that connection. Small miracles have happened in the last few weeks and the family would like to thank all of you for your concern, support and continual prayers.
( Thank you to all of you that have offered to help. We will use this forum to get the word out.)

It is me Cindy

Today was a great one for Alan...

He started his Occupational (OT) and Physical(PT) Therapy program today at TIRR (Texas Institute for Rehab & Rehabilitation). He actually got to go down to rehab in a wheelchair; first time he has moved out of a hospital room in 3+ weeks. He worked on his computer, using his brain & my hands to do the typing, yesterday, to get several real estate listings going. I am his legs, too, right now, I went home to The Woodlands today, to post two of his Cagle Realty signs. We really need the business now!!!

God continues to bless us & we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love, support, & prayers you have sent to us.

For those who have asked about his diagnosis--It is TRANSVERSE MYOLITIS, an inflammation of the myelin sheath that surrounds his spinal cord. They never found out the cause. They call it idiopathic when the cause is unknown. Doctors said it was probably a virus that attacked his spinal cord, like a cold, respiratory infection, that he could have had months ago.

Please keep the prayers coming... A miracle is in progress.....

Love all of you!!

Cindy & Clarke

More to come tomorrow.

GREAT NEWS

Alan is now in TIRR center at the med center....It happened very fast last night...THANK YOU GOD.   If this is not proof that God answers prays.... Keep the prays coming and as he settles in I will post a new blog....I am praying that Alan very soon can start sending his own up-dates...

Sunday evening

Alan is good he has been transferred to a lower ICU room.  This is a step in the right direction...He is now moving his hands a little bit more...He is sleeping better                     nd Cindy is doing better... Clark is doing good as-well... more to come later... Please if anyone one has information on the rehabbed hospital "TIRR at the Med center or Nexus in the Woodlands please call Cindy at 281-796-0177.  She would also like to thank everyone for their prays and support...  Please keep praying for him....

NEW UPDATE

Wendy talk to Cindy and everything is GREAT she even talked to Alan!!!!! Cindy just would like to give all the GLORY to GOD for witnessing a real miracle last night as his numbers went up. They are going to try to get him into a rehab center as early as next week.   Please lets all pray for God to give him back his mobility.  This is a great day for everyone to thank God for his grace.

Sat update

Did not hear from Cindy Friday, I think she is having phone problem's...will try today...

Thursday update

GREAT NEWS Alan is OFF the ventilator Please keep praying for his lungs to stay strong, he is fighting a bit of trouble in his left lung.  They removed it at 11:30 am.....

Todays update

Today Alan has had no change since last blog.  The emails to the hospital keep coming and  Alan has really enjoyed Cindy reading them to him.  Alan's is enjoying his mom being in town, this has help with his sprits. Please do not give up praying we know God is great.  Also please keep Cindy in your thoughts and prays.

Tuesday eve up-date

Today, Alan had a little setback - they did not remove his ventilator.    The good news is that his right lung is inflating  and gaining improvement on its own. All the emails he is receiving are tremendously  lifting his spirit!!!!! Please keep them coming!!!!! Please continue to pray for Alan's ventilator to be removed , strength for Cindy  and for Clarke's understanding of his dad's situation. 

Tuesday morning

Please keep praying... They are going to try and remove the vent after lunch, only if his blood gases stay up... So please everyone pray pray pray today that his numbers are good... This is a step in the right direction with Gods grace....

Afternoon update

GREAT DAY for Alan!!!!! Just talked to Cindy his blood gases and o2 levels are so good they have started taking him off the ventilator a little at a time(no tracheotomy)... She can see Gods healing touch in him today so she asked that everyone keep him in your prayers.  We all have to keep praying for God to keep his hands on the family. Good news log onto  www.sleh.com and go to e-greeting and you can send him a note.  The hospital will print it out and Cindy will read it to him it is a great way to lift his sprits.  

monday update

The doctors are going to try and remove his breathing machine today.  Everyone needs to say an extra prayer for this to be successful.  Cindy lost her phone a few days and can not find it, she will be using Alan's 281-796-0177.  Alan mother will be coming in tonight everyone pray for safe travel.

Sunday morning

Alan had a good night rest last night.  They did find out that he does not have pneumonia but has a collapsed lung. Please keep him in your prayers for his o2 levels to rise. Cindy did say the his right arm seems stronger... Thank you God... Alan has some close friends coming in to see him so this should put a smile on his face.

Sat afternoon

Still no change although they did increase his o2 levels on the ventilator last night.  He will have one more blood cleaning procedure today. Please continue to pray for him we have a God that will heal the sick.

Friday afternoon update

Taylor, Clarke and myself went down to see Alan and he looked good.  Clarke had a great vist with his dad...Alan was sitting up and feeling good....Keep praying... 

Friday am update

Talked with Cindy and more test have come back negative so still no answers. She said he looks great and seems to be stabilized at this point. THANK YOU GOD...I will be taking Clark down to see him today.... Keep praying....

3/19/09 Thursday am

Alan had a good night last night... Cindy said he looks good and is pretty alert.... The blood cleaning went well and he will have one today... They will also take the ventilator out and replace it with a tracheotomy today.... Cindy would like to thank everyone for your prayers they are working....

3/18/09 2:30 pm update

Alan's is still not out of the woods yet but his white cell count in going down(thank you God).  He is having his blood filtered of any bacteria its called Ferefis.  Cindy has been meeting with about 15 doctors so he is in good hands and Gods hands.  They have received a lot of test back with no conclusion as to what is going on.  Please keep praying we all have a great God and he will answer prayers. 

3/17/09 afternoon update

They thought that he had a blood clot in his lungs... They did an MRI and it is clean... It turns out to be a mucous plug that formed because of a collapsed lung ...Pulmonolgist is removing the plug with out any surgery... Cindy would like to thank everyone for your prayers and support.  She is holding up knowing that everyone is praying for Alan.

Morning update

They have a team of Neurologist meeting about Alan right now....

Tuesday up-date

Alan is now at St Lukes Med Center...  His condition is still serious.... They have not identified  yet as to what is causing it...  They have had to increase his o2 levels.... please continue to pray for healing and strength for Cindy.  

Monday update

They have still not determined what he has.  They are now transferring him to St Lukes at the Med Center in Houston.   He will be under the care of one of the top neurologist in Houston. He is still on a breathing machine and very strong antibiotics.   Cindy is following them in her car and will stay with him tonight.  The staff has commented that they have not seen anything like this before. Continue to pray for doctors guidance and God healing.  Look for an update late tonight.

Friday evening Allan went to bed feeling badly.  He awoke Saturday morning  with numbness in his feet and legs.  He was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital the, The Woodlands ICU.   Today Allan has been diagnosed with transverse myelitis.  The doctor's believe that he also has some other severe underlying infection that they have been unable to identify. He has a high white blood cell count in his spinal fluid.  They are working on transferring him to St Lukes at the Med Center. Cindy is going with Allan to the Med Center. 

Clarke is staying with family friends in The Woodlands.

Please keep the entire Cagle family in your prayers.  We will update this blog as soon as we have further information.