Glenn Freeman
Latest update on Bro. Glenn's condition (8/19/09)
Hi Denise, I just returned from Memphis where I got the results of the MRI done last Friday. The good news is that my neck and vertabrae are in fairly good shape. He said I have a few minor disk bulges which along with arthritis are normal for my age and condition. The bad news is I have peripheral neurophy, which in English means permanent nerve damage brought on by diabetes. I had a problem with high blood sugar for several years after my transplant, but since I have been on dialysis, my sugar levels remain normal! But the damage has already been done. So he has put on a high dose of neurontin, which is for nerve pain, He said it might make me siuggish and sleepy, have memory loss and depression. I told him aside from the depression , I've had the other symptoms for years! Ha Anyway this is just another bump in the road that the Lord will carry me over! PS if you talk to Bro, Richard, give him my best wishes for a speedy recovery and tell him my prayers are with him. Love, In the Lord, Brother Glenn
Update on Bro. Glenn's condition (6/1/09):
During dialysis his blood pressure bottomed out. He was then taken by ambulance to Methodist in Memphis where 2 more heart blockages were found. A stent was put in one and the other was balloned out. Glenn now has a total of 9 stents and 3 ballooned out arteries. He is also having pain and numbness in his right arm and hand as well as ankle swelling on the same side - they have not determined what is causing this at this time and are treating it as nerve damage. His thumb and 3 fingers are totally numb with excruciating pain when the meds start to wear off.
Please pray that they will find out what is wrong with Glenn's hand and that his blood pressure will remain stable during dialysis. With the drop in pressure he has to be removed from the dialysis machine early and therefore the fluid and toxins are not removed from his body.
Update on Glenn's condition:
Glenn's dialysis shunt came loose during the night, I believe Sunday night. He lost a lot of blood and is in the Methodist Hospital Room #1120 in Memphis. He was given blood and does feel some better. Surgery was performed yesterday (Tuesday 4/1) to replace the shunt. Please be in prayer for Glenn - he is a real trooper but I know that sometimes his health problems have to get to him.
The donor for Glenn's kidney transplant did not pan out so he is continuing dialysis 3 days a week until another donor is found. The spots in his mouth turned out not to be cancer (Praise the Lord!). However he did have a heart attack in November which weakened the left side of his heart. Last week Glenn had a heart cath and 3 blockages were found. Two stints were put in and the third blockage was ballooned out. He is now having severe chest pains radiating down his left arm and pain and swelling in his left leg which could possibly be a blood clot. He is going back to Memphis today (2/7) for a doppler ultrasound on his leg to check the blood flow. Please pray for God to give the Doctor's the wisdom they need to deal with this situation so that he can be given relief from this pain. Glenn has been through so much but says he is not giving up because "The Lord is still in control and will see him through!"
Glenn is a member and deacon of Emmanuel Baptist Church. | 
