James Daniels

On December 18th, 2007, James Daniels went in for routine back surgery to replace a disc. The surgery was supposed to last one to two hours but immediately upon opening him up, a major vein was torn and the doctors spent a total of seven hours trying to stop the hemorrhaging and save his life. During this process, they had to stop the blood flow to and from his left leg. Because of the lack of blood flow, his leg has suffered tissue damage. On January 22nd, it became necessary to amputate his left leg. James kidneys were also affected due to the tissue damage and he is having dialysis daily. He is currently on a ventilator and is heavily sedated. He is at Northridge hospital and visitors are welcome. The hospital hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.. As you will not be able to see or visit James you can visit Cathy and others as they would love to see you.

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Current Updates:

May 23rd - James' medical condition is unchanged over the last few days. His kidneys are functioning at 15 - 20% so he has not required dialysis in nearly four weeks. His pain medication dosage is being tapered down and is currently at 10% of what his peak had been. Yesterday he was completely off the ventilator for 10 hours and today was a long session as well. The tracheotomy prevents him from eating, drinking and talking which is very frustrating for him so he anxiously looks forward to the day he is weaned completely. Our biggest prayer request right now is for his psychological and spiritual state. He is very discouraged. He is processing everything that has happened to him over the past five months all at once. Please pray for him to know the peace of Christ which surpasses all human understanding, that he would know the comfort and love of our compassionate and merciful Lord, and that all who care for him would be sensitive to his concerns during this time.

May 20th - James' medical condition was unchanged today. He is having much difficulty swallowing with trach. Once he is able to beathe on his own without assistance from the ventilator the trach will be removed and he will be able to drink and eat. Please pray for regaining strength over his entire body and the ability to come off the ventilator. Also, please continue to pray for his spiritual and mental health.

May 19th - No change in James' condition today. Thank you for your prayers.

May 18th - No changes in James' medical condition today. This is a very challenging time for him right now in a very different way. Not his physical health, but his mental and spiritual health. Please continue to pray for him as he comes to terms with everything that has happened.

May 17th - The results from the CT scan were reviewed by several doctors. One of the concerns of going into surgery last week was the fear of hemorrhaging. The surgeon said that during this very meticulous surgery he was able to remove the majority if not all of the infected tissue that was present, yet carefully stopping at the point where there was concern on how much bleeding began to occur. The scan shows there may still be something there, but it is difficult to determine exactly what it is - infection or scar tissue from this very surgery. However, if there is still tissue that is infected, his body may be strong enough at this point to fight it off, or if it is necessary, at some point, they will address the possibility of a second surgery to remove it. James is showing signs of improvement in that his white counts have dropped more in the last few days (even though they are still elevated above normal). He has no fever and still does not require dialysis. These are positive signs that his body just may be strong enough. Time will tell. James was awake enough that he was told in short summary what happened to him. As you can imagine, that was difficult. He may have to be told many, many times before it sticks in his memory. Please pray for James to seek and know the comfort and strength in our merciful God. Psalm 57:1, 2, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me." Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

May 16th - James' condition was about the same today. We are still waiting for results on the CT scan. He was given soft food and drink today for the first time. The muscles in his throat are very weak and it was difficult to swallow. It will take some time to stregthen these again, but he is determined. He has physical therapy daily and actively participates in the activities. Please pray for his ability to regain his muscle strength in his entire body.

May 15th - We are still waiting results from the CT scan the other day. James had a swallowing study today and he did well despite the fact he had to swallow the barium fluid that always makes him sick. He braved through even when given the option to do it another day. He's very thirsty and desperately wants to actually drink some water. He will be able to begin drinking and eating very soft foods tomorrow. Even so, remember that he is still very sick and needs our constant prayers. He is still being tapered down on sedation and is not completely awake, just more awake than before. White counts are high, but no fever and no dialysis.

May 14th - James had a CT scan today of the pelvic area as a follow up to his surgery last week. We will know the results tomorrow. James was completely off the ventilator for two and a half hours today. He breathed on his own without assistance and did very well. He gets stronger every day and hopefully will be removed from the ventilator within the next couple weeks. He has not required dialysis for 17 consecutive days. Praise God! Please pray for wisdom as the doctors evaluate the results of today's test.

May 13th - James had no fever, no dialysis. White counts are still elevated and may be linked to the lung problem over the weekend and an infection at the tracheostomy. A CT scan will be performed at the end of the week to assist in evaluating the results of the recent surgery.

May 12th - James was unchanged today. Please continue to pray.

May 11th - James had a good day today. No fever, no dialysis. He is becoming so much more aware of his surroundings and of people. He even watched a little of the Lakers game today. Please continue to pray for healing and also for peace as he mentally processes his condition.

May 10th - James' chest xray today indicated a partially collapsed right lung. A procedure was performed to remove fluid that was the cause and now he is doing well. His fever has come down and white counts are lower although they are still elevated above the normal range. Please pray for comfort and peace as he becomes more and more aware of his surroundings.

May 9th - James is still doing well recovering from the recent surgery. He did not have dialysis today, in fact, it has been twelve days since he has required it. Fever has returned, but was expected. Please continue to pray for healing.

May 8th - James is recovering well from last night's surgery. No complications and he didn't even require dialysis today. All praise and glory to God for providing the surgeons, the wisdom imparted to them in the timing and the ability to perform the surgery, and the immeasurable grace of our great God. James still has quite a road ahead of him in the process of recovery and your faithful and fervent prayers are greatly appreciated. We know that all of this is in the Lord's perfect timing to accomplish His perfect will.
What a mighty God we serve!

May 7th - James had surgery tonight and praise God (I mean really praise God) he came out of it without difficulties. They were able to immediately access and remove the abscess area and put in a surgical drain to release any other secretions. God used the hands of those surgeons to do what had been said in the past to be inoperable. James tolerated the anesthesia well and only required a small amount of blood. Please continue to pray for healing.

May 7th - Today at 5p.m. we are asking as many people as possible to lift our friend James Daniels up in prayer, as most of you know he has been critically ill and undergone many surgeries since Dec.18th. This evening the surgeons are hoping to remove the infected area in his pelvic region. This is a very risky surgery, but the only hope the doctors feel in saving James' life.
Please pass this on to all those who will come together with us and lay this wonderful man before the throne for healing, grace and peace for the family this evening.

May 6th - The doctor who has done a previous surgery for James has seen the results of the CT scan and will be discussing with his associate the possibility for another surgery. They will be presenting their opinion to Cathy tomorrow. Please be praying for guidance and wisdom on their behalf. Overall James condition was unchanged today.

May 5th - James is about the same as he has been for the past week. A surgeon who performed one of his surgeries in the past has agreed to give a second opinion. He ordered a new CT scan this afternoon and will review his case tomorrow to decide if surgery is possible. Please pray for wisdom for this doctor. James has shown some improvement in that he has had no fever for several days and he hasnÕt required dialysis for a week. His white counts are still elevated though. The doctors have been in the process of reducing his pain medication to meet his current needs and at the same time the sedation is being adjusted down. This process can cause withdrawal symptoms, so please pray that this would be a comfortable transition for James. The intent is to wake him up. This will take several weeks just to get him awake and coherent. As you can imagine, this will be incredibly difficult as he begins to learn what has happened to him over the past four and half months. Please begin praying for James' mind, his spiritual health. Pray for him to know GodÕs peace and strength through this time. Philippians 4:7, "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

May 4th - Again, no changes. Still waiting for a second opinion. Hopefully we will have more information tomorrow. Your faithful prayers are appreciated.

May 3rd - The second opinion has not come in yet. James has no fever and lower, yet still elevated, white counts. He also received two units of blood today. Please keep praying for a miracle healing, wisdom and GodÕs perfect will. Thank you.

May 2nd - No changes in James' condition today. Still waiting for a second opinion.

May 1st - No change in James' overall condition. There has been no improvement in the infection by means of medicine and under more favorable conditions a surgical approach would be the next course of treatment. As you know, surgery has not been an option for James. However, due to the critical nature of his condition there is conversation of proceeding with surgery in the very near future even in the face of great risk. This is an extremely difficult decision to make. Pray for a miracle. Pray for wisdom. Pray for God's perfect will.

Read past updates about James