Prayers for Josh

12/02/2024

Good morning friends! I just wanted to jump on here and post an update on Josh and his beautiful family. Josh is certainly not out of the woods, but it's trying to resume his life! He returned to work last Monday. He said he was happy to get back to it but was surprised how fatigued he felt! He has appointments in the next month with a pulmonary specialist, an infectious disease specialist, and a sarcoid specialist. We are still hoping for some answers.

Here is a sweet video from their family. It's been such a humbling experience feeling the prayers, love, and support. Thank you!

27/01/2024

I am filled with pure gratitude as I write this post. Josh was able to go home yesterday evening. It was overwhelming to watch him walk out the doors of the hospital. 10 days ago, we were told there was a chance he would never walk out. I can honestly tell you that I have watched my baby brother fight for his life. His wife and best friend has been his biggest cheerleader by his side. I could physically see the anguish she was feeling right along with him.

We are celebrating and praising Heavenly Father for helping Josh's body to heal! We have seen miracles every day. Thank you for your willingness to join us in our pleading and praying. We have witnessed the power of prayer.

Of course we aren't out of the woods. They are calling his sickness sarcoidosis, but admitting that it's really their best guess. His symptoms tests, and biopsies aren't lining up with anything they've seen before. The seminar with the best of the best Dr.'s took place yesterday. We are anticipating any information we can gain from that. He has many follow ups with specialists scheduled throughout the next couple of months. We will continue to pray for answers.

This has been an incredible experience with the outpouring of love for Josh and his family. They truly are a gift to this world. Thank you to our family, our friends, the incredible staff at the hospital, and the new friends we've gained through this journey.

25/01/2024

Jan 25, 2024

Josh had a rough night with staff in and out of his room all night. It turns out that the ICU orders were still in as well as the pulmonary floor orders. 😞

The results from the MRI on his heart came back. It showed fluid, but it did not line up with the diagnosis they're leaning towards. His Dr.'s as well as all of us are very much looking forward to the seminar tomorrow where all the doctors can meet together and see if there is a diagnosis that fits all of his symptoms.

His lungs are still sounding clear and he's only on one and a half liters of oxygen. Today he was able to go for a walk around the unit with only 2 l of oxygen and he was keeping his saturation levels above 92. He did have to take several breaks because his legs were fatigued. That was very frustrating for him, because he feels like he just wants to run.

The room that he is currently in has a beautiful view of the mountains. That's been a huge mental win for him. Also, it just makes him want to get out of here and climb the mountains! If you know Josh, you know he loves the mountains!

Cassie is such a strength to Josh. It's been such a blessing to watch their relationship and how much they love and care about each other. They have a unique friendship. My heart has ached for her and having to process all of what's going on. She is an absolute angel.

The doctors mentioned the possibility of him going home tomorrow. We are excited at the prospect of that, but are trying to keep level heads because we have been here before.

Thank you again for your continued prayers and messages. We are praying for answers tomorrow so that he can get back to a normal life. He is such a gift! He's an incredible dad, husband, brother, son, and friend! I'm honored to have him as my brother and my friend!

25/01/2024

January 24, 2024

I'm so sorry for the late post. Today we were able to get Josh moved out of ICU to the pulmonary floor. YAY!!!

We did get the results back from the biopsy. They ruled out cancer! YAY!!! BUT... They are puzzled as to what's going on. They did an MRI on his heart to see if his heart is resembling the diagnosis they're leaning towards. We're anticipating the seminar on Friday to have the best of the best Dr.'s looking at his case.

His oxygen dipped low for a bit this morning, but he was able to get it back up within a reasonable amount of time.

He had some very fun visitors today! And we got to watch our little sister perform live on YouTube. It was amazing!

He loves hearing all the encouraging messages that y'all are sending. We are feeling the prayers and ask that you continue to lift him up in your thoughts and prayers!

23/01/2024

I'm going to start with the good news. Any improvement is cause to celebrate.

1. Josh got to go for another walk today. A little longer, a little faster, and a little less oxygen.

2. He got his feeding tube out! This was such a victory! He was able to eat a bowl of soup.

3. They're going to move him out of ICU as soon as a bed opens up on the floor.

The other news is that they still have no idea what's going on. The meds are managing the symptoms, but they don't know the root of the problem. The biopsy results are expected on Thursday. We're praying this will answer questions, but the Dr. told us to be prepared for no definitive answers.

On Friday, the hospital is having a seminar where doctors and all the specialty fields meet together. They asked Josh if they could share his case in this seminar. The good news about that is that will have a lot of different doctors looking at his case from all different angles. That is another blessing we're counting.

Again, thank you so much for the love and support that you are continuing to give my little brother and his family. It is certainly being felt. Please continue to pray for answers. Thank you!

22/01/2024

January 22, 2024 10:00 am

I just got to the hospital. We do have some wins to celebrate today. He was able to sleep (a little) last night. They were able to reduce his oxygen just a little, and he's kept his SATs up.
A huge win today was that his Dr. let him drink almost a whole (small) water bottle while she supervised him. He has been talking about wanting to drink water constantly since I got here. He shed some tears over that win.

He had a visit from some buddies that has uplifted his spirit greatly. He has such a great support group!

There are still no answers. But his oxygen IS improving!

I cannot express the gratitude we have for the prayers, love, and support from all of you. He is so overwhelmed with gratitude for the messages that have been sent. It's a light in his day. Thank you!

21/01/2024

Just to give you an idea of the tests they have done in the past 5 days:

In Logan:
2 CT scans for his chest and pelvis
3 MRI's full body
Spinal Tap

After being transferred to the U of U hospital, they took him to the Huntsman Cancer Center to do more testing:
Biopsy of skin
Biopsy of Lymph Nodes in Lungs.. And 100's of blood tests.

I can't thank you all enough for the continued love and support.

21/01/2024

Jan 21, 2024

Josh had another really rough night. They are pushing a lot of oxygen, but his levels are still low. We still don't have any definitive answers. We are absolutely awaiting the results from his lymph node biopsies. They are in the room now putting a feeding tube in. He is feeling a bit defeated. He hasn't been able to eat or drink anything for quite a while.

Thank you for your prayers and positive words. I was able to fly in this morning to be with him. I read him your encouraging words. Please continue to pray for miracles!

20/01/2024

Todays Update: Josh had a really rough night and isn't doing well. He is unable to talk. It's difficult for him to breathe. They have upped his oxygen and are most likely going to transfer him back to ICU from the Pulminary Unit. We were told that there would most likely be test results coming in today. We will update on this page. We are pleading with Heavenly Father to start getting answers on his behalf. Please pray for his comfort and improvement at this time. Thank you again for taking the time to pray for our little brother.

20/01/2024

20/01/2024

Friends, we are urgently asking for your prayers. My sweet brother was admitted to Logan Regional after experiencing trouble breathing and limited use of his arms. Many blood test were done and needed to be sent to Ogden. Because of hazardous weather conditions and closed canyon roads, they were unable to get the blood samples to Ogden. They soon realized that they were not equipped to treat him in Logan and thankfully around 11 pm they were able to transfer him to the University of Utah Hospital by ambulance. They have since done over 100 blood tests, several biopsies and breathing treatments. They were able to drain fluid off his lungs which gave him relief for a short period of time. We are still awaiting results from the tests that have been done. He is battling with a number of obstacles including, swollen lymph nodes in his neck and chest, constant headaches, extreme difficulty breathing, high fever, body aches, and a unexplained rash on his chest, back and abdomen.
Please take a minute and pray or send positive thoughts and energy his way. He is an incredible human and truly a blessing to this earth. His wife and son are his world.
We are going to set up a Venmo for them. Josh is such a practical person. He is wanting to get out of the hospital and get back to work. He will of course be out of work for an unknown time. We ask that you donate what you can to help them financially in this difficult time. We are so thankful for the incredible army that we have praying on his behalf.