Update on John L. Parker, from John L. Parker

For those who have been thinking of and praying for John, the latest is that he is now off all mechanical heart support and is progressing quite well.  For journal entries, go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnlparker

The most recent entry is from John himself.  It reads, in part,

For those that did not catch last night’s update, please take a look. John himself posted a note to all of you that have so faithfully followed the events of the last three weeks. I am currently sitting at Logan Airport in Boston waiting for my flight home. Unlike my last trip back to Florida I will probably be able to get some rest during the flight. John was a little groggy after this morning’s test but he was resting well when I departed Brigham & Womens. Here are a couple of updates regarding John’s condition. The physical therapy folks were in yesterday to give John a few exercises to do to help build strength. All of his “numbers” remain good although there are fewer to look at. As his condition improves there is less to monitor. Comments from all of the doctors remain positive and uplifting and are still being modified by “amazing” and “incredible”. There is much work to be done but he is committed to the program. Catherine will remain in Boston for a couple of more days; she will pass the torch to Tom Raynor later this week. John’s cousin Debra will be stopping in, as will his fiends Caldwell and Alice Smith. Once John has his laptop I will be passing the update responsibilities off to him and I can’t wait to do just that. Even though I have found a certain amount of honor in being his spokesman, or as he put it, a stand in JP. JP3

)See Below)

 

Hi everyone. This is a quick note from the actual JP, not a stand-in. I’ll have a lot more to say in coming days about this long strange journey I’ve been on, but I just wanted to pop on quickly to thank everyone who has commented on this web page or sent good wishes, prayers, or (what we used to call in the 60’s) good vibrations my way. I have read every single comment and many brought actual tears to my eyes. Novelists try very hard to make hard fast connections with their readers and I have been aware over the years from the occasional note, letter or email that I had at least partially succeeded with *Once a Runner* years ago. But the comments and good wishes from readers on this web page and elsewhere have been just plain humbling.Thanks to my brother Jerry, and my wonderful Catherine, for everything. In “everything,” I include–literally–my life.

Prayer for John L. Parker Jr.

John L. Parker Jr., author of Once a Runner and Again to Carthage 

I received this request via email from a dear friend, and wanted to give it the widest possible circulation.  Thank you all in advance for your kind attention and prayer.
 
Dear Friends,

Last week the love of my sister Catherine’s life went into congestive heart failure.  Below is an update on his condition.  His situation is very grave.  It seems like her boyfriend is a believer…They are asking for widespread prayer.  Would you please pray for John L. Parker, Jr.?  His literary works on running have impacted multitudes, and his love has deeply impacted my beautiful sister.  Thanks so much.

Paula  www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnlparker 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 08:51 PM, CDT

John’s condition this evening remains relatively unchanged. Catherine met with one of the cardiologist today and it is becoming clear that over the next couple of days John needs to show marked improvement or we are going to have to consider other treatment options. The progress that has been made over the last six days has kept all of John’s systems working well. Kidney, lungs and general circulation have been maintained at reasonable levels. The tandem heart assist device has a limited use cycle. It’s used primarily as short-term device to help output and pressures, which it has done. The longer the device is in place the risk of infections goes up. If they allow the tandem heart to stay in place t oo long and infection sets in we will eliminate most of our options for recovery. None of this is news to us on the front lines, we have been hoping and praying, that we could get where we want to be with the current course of treatment. And we are not saying we are not going to get there. There is still time left before more drastic (as if having an extra heart attached was not drastic enough) measures will have to be considered. There is a possibility that by mid next week some of us will be facing some very tough decisions. If you have been keeping positive thoughts and prayers, we need you to kick it up a notch. I know many will be attending a house of worship tomorrow, please share John’s story with everyone you can. He is a good man, whose big heart is in trouble.