We are very grateful for those who are praying for Phoebe, Rachel, Matt and Reuben, as Phoebe spends this further period in hospital. We know that their only hope is in our God and Father, and in our Lord Jesus Christ. Hence the importance of prayer, and in seeking the prayers of others.
We are also very aware that Phoebe and her situation is only one of many being repeated around the world. We don't think that our situation is more important or more deserving than any other, so if you do not want to receive these updates do feel free to opt out (unsubscribe). Our aim is to imform those who do want to pray for Phoebe, not to burden or bombard people. We know our only hope is in the Lord.
Thank you
Marcus and Jen
We are very thankful that the medical staff have reached a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
Here are some updates from Matt and Rachel:
This morning (Tuesday) we've met with everyone who has been working with Phoebe and have a bit of a plan moving forward.
She has C-difficile which is a Diarrhea type bug in her stomach which has potential sat dormant the last two years. It tends to only effect people who've been immune deficient or who've been on long term antibiotics. They are starting her on meds today to treat this. This is highly contagious and so please pray for our protection in order to continue her care.
Neurology has confirmed that when Phoebe glazes over she is actually having absence [petit mal] seizures. An EEG has determined this and she will begin anti-seizure medication very soon. There are two possible causes of this, her shunt could be causing the seizures and if so there is no action to take accept medicate to control. They wouldn't replace or remove the shunt as this could further intensify and complicate her current condition.
She has just gone off for another MRI to test the blood vessels/veins in her brain. While they are there they are also going to scan her spine just to check for abnormalities.
The good news is they have found nothing to indicate her cancer is back or that another form of cancer has begun.
There is also a possibility that she has an auto-immune disease but this won't be know for sure until all the labs come back from pathology.
She is still very unwell so please continue to pray. We are beginning to finally see some way forward which we are thankful for but realize this could be a long road ahead.
We are so weary. I don't want to pretend we are strong or coping well. The suffering at points feels to much to bear. Please ask the Father to give us the grace we need each day to get through. Please pray we would take each day as it comes and not over burden our minds by looking to far ahead. Just survive today. Big hugs and lots of love!
They have just had to put an NG tube in because Phoebe's too 'out of it' to manage to take meds anymore. This was very difficult, taking four attempts. Another reminder of two years ago.
[about 6am Mobile time today]
Putting in the NG tube was worth it though because she had all her night time meds through the tube so was much more settled and slept though more than she otherwise would have. (They were talking about fully sedating and ventilating her but it never became necessary, so that's good).
Matt in #PrayForPhoebe:
[about 11.45am Mobile time today]
After a horrendous finish to the day yesterday with Phoebe crashing out, hallucinating and fighting a high fever (103.5f / 39.7c) and the real risk of being ventilated, we have awoken to some victories today. We needed these as we were feeling extremely weary and any victory produces some hope. It's also great to see the Father answer the prayers of his people!
Phoebe's fever broke about 5am this morning. As I write she is at 97.5f which is perfect and so encouraging as we've felt the fever has induced the seizures.
Much of her pain/soreness is relieved for now. The treatment for her C-dif seems to be helping her abdomen as she hasn't complained about any stomach pain this morning and she keeps asking for chocolate ice cream which is always a good sign.
She is also much more alert, staying awake for longer and much more coherent. Her appetite also seems to be returning.
She is still struggling with her vision, her motor skills are all over the place but she is willing to move both right and left sides which is good.
The ICU team want to put a PICC line into her arm. It's basically a more robust canular/IV which will give faster and more reliable access for medication/bloods. As she still has a long way to go in her recovery, they want it in incase she takes another downturn.
The Neurosurgeon would like to tap her shunt and do a shuntogram to fully rule out infection/faults with it but this won't be done until at least tomorrow if at all but it does depend on continued recovery.
We are waiting on the final lab reports for her cultures which will rule out rare infections and diseases. They are also going to send off bloods today to test for mosquito/tick born diseases. These are unlikely but worth being thorough.
All in all we are feeling like we can catch our breath a bit. She still has a long way to go but we are enjoying the victories of the moment and pray they continue! Thank you for standing with us. Thank you especially to our family and church family for all their help, both spiritually and practically. It's beautiful to see the body of Christ function in a crisis.
Big hugs!
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Psalm 34: 1-8 (NIV)
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
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