We Do! I just became a UCLA fan. Wow! We arrived at UCLA Medical Center this evening and I have never seen a hospital equal to it. Anita was transported by ambulance and I arrived 2 minutes after her. Soon after we arrived we met with a Neurosurgeon who will be working with the team of doctors that will be trying to diagnose and treat her condition. At 9:45 she had a 4 minute seizure and the doctor was here to see it. They have her on video surveillance 24 hours a day so I feel like I can actually sleep tonight. The room has a couch/bed for me too.
One of the reasons we are here is to have continuous EEG monitoring of her brain which may start tomorrow. Praise God that everything has worked out to get us here. The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is one of the best places in the world for what Anita is going through.
Pray for wisdom for the doctors here. Ultimately we are comforted most by the fact that we know the Great Physician and He knows exactly what is going on. On another level, it is a comfort to know that we are in the best place that this country has to examine her condition. Even if we don't find out the answers it won't be for a lack of looking.
Our desire is to get treatment and stability for Anita so that we can return to Malawi. Naturally, we are postponing our January 15 departure for Malawi. Please pray for wisdom regarding that and for the church in Malawi.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
M C H
Though we are no longer at Mission Community Hospital in Van Nuys we are very grateful for the care we received there. SOME of those who stand out in our mind are, Dr. Sauer, Chris, Dr. Yuriy, Ana, Lisa, Ric, Avie, Danica, Maggie (especially Maggie), Adryan, Nenita, Nancy, and many many more (sorry for those we didn't mention by name). Though we did not leave with a lot of answers, we left with many clean test results. You guys were efficient, friendly, professional, and we can't thank you enough. Come visit us at Grace Community Church sometime (just down Roscoe Blvd).
UCLA???
Anita's neurologist has recommended that she get transferred to UCLA Medical Center for a higher level of care. We are glad about this, but ask you to pray for the right admitting doctor, an open bed, and a smooth transfer. If all goes well it could happen today.
She had another episode at 9:45am. It lasted 11 minutes. They have put her onto anti-seizure medication. Thanks for praying.
We just got news (4:20pm) that there is a bed available at UCLA. Anita is feeling good. No episodes this afternoon. Praise the Lord. Ambulance transfer at 5:45pm.
She had another episode at 9:45am. It lasted 11 minutes. They have put her onto anti-seizure medication. Thanks for praying.
We just got news (4:20pm) that there is a bed available at UCLA. Anita is feeling good. No episodes this afternoon. Praise the Lord. Ambulance transfer at 5:45pm.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
"Seizure" Number 8
This day has been filled with ups and downs. On the down side Anita had 3 "seizures" today (we are still not sure what to call them because she is conscious during them but loses control of muscles, she often shakes tremendously, and her vision and speech are often (but not always) impaired during them). She had one at 5 AM one at 10 AM and one just tonight at 11:45 PM. On the up side, this has been a sweet time in our marriage. We have never been closer.
I am grateful that I can be with Anita helping her, holding her, praying with her, crying and laughing with her through one of the biggest trials of her life. For both of us to think about what life would be like for the other if either of us were to be gone has made these moments some of the sweetest in our lives. Together we have evaluated what is most important in this life, and for us it is to use our lives to bring glory to God however He sees fit. We pray for our children, that they too will know Him. Together we repent of selfishness that distracts us and keeps us from enjoying our marriage, our children, and life.
We were humbled to read John 17 tonight and note how in Jesus' prayer before the trial of the cross - he had five verses to pray for Himself and twenty verses to pray for others.
thanks for praying for Anita.
I am grateful that I can be with Anita helping her, holding her, praying with her, crying and laughing with her through one of the biggest trials of her life. For both of us to think about what life would be like for the other if either of us were to be gone has made these moments some of the sweetest in our lives. Together we have evaluated what is most important in this life, and for us it is to use our lives to bring glory to God however He sees fit. We pray for our children, that they too will know Him. Together we repent of selfishness that distracts us and keeps us from enjoying our marriage, our children, and life.
We were humbled to read John 17 tonight and note how in Jesus' prayer before the trial of the cross - he had five verses to pray for Himself and twenty verses to pray for others.
thanks for praying for Anita.
Update on Anita
Please continue to pray. This morning at 5:00 AM Anita had another seizure-like episode in the hospital. She seems absolutely fine now. Doctors have ordered another CAT scan.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Please Pray for Anita
On Sunday night (January 3), Anita wasn’t feeling well. Just before 6:00 pm she decided to try and eat something. When I (Brian) walked into the kitchen she was sitting down holding a tangerine. She looked up at and it appeared to me that she was having a seizure. I called 911 and within minutes the paramedics were at the mission house where we were staying.
Since the evening church service was about to begin there were a number of people pulling into the church lot next to our house. I ran over there while the paramedics were in the house and saw friends of ours. I asked them if they could watch our 4 kids while I followed the ambulance to the hospital.
When we got to the ER she was weak but coherent. While in the ER she had four more “episodes” where her arms and head squirmed involuntarily and her vision blurred. They look like seizures but are different in that she never really loses consciousness and if you speak to her you she can respond and even slow down the movements. While it was hard to see her go through them it was good that the ER doctors and staff could see them first hand.
That night she had CAT scans, chest x-rays, blood tests, a Lumbar-puncture and was admitted to the I.C.U. On Monday she had an M.R.I. more CAT scans visits from her doctor, a neurologist, and a cardiologist. We’ve been pleased with the prompt and thorough care.
The good news is that all her scans and tests came back absolutely normal and she has had a stable day. There are no signs in the M.R.I. of any seizures. The bad news is that we don’t know what caused the episodes. The best news is that God knows exactly what is going on and we trust Him. Please pray that He is glorified through every aspect of this trial.
Our kids are with friends and I am able to help care for Anita. Tonight (Monday night) Anita was transferred out of the I.C.U. to a regular hospital bed. If all goes well tonight she should be released on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please pray for healing for Anita, wisdom for the doctors, and wisdom regarding our upcoming travel plans on January 15.
Since the evening church service was about to begin there were a number of people pulling into the church lot next to our house. I ran over there while the paramedics were in the house and saw friends of ours. I asked them if they could watch our 4 kids while I followed the ambulance to the hospital.
When we got to the ER she was weak but coherent. While in the ER she had four more “episodes” where her arms and head squirmed involuntarily and her vision blurred. They look like seizures but are different in that she never really loses consciousness and if you speak to her you she can respond and even slow down the movements. While it was hard to see her go through them it was good that the ER doctors and staff could see them first hand.
That night she had CAT scans, chest x-rays, blood tests, a Lumbar-puncture and was admitted to the I.C.U. On Monday she had an M.R.I. more CAT scans visits from her doctor, a neurologist, and a cardiologist. We’ve been pleased with the prompt and thorough care.
The good news is that all her scans and tests came back absolutely normal and she has had a stable day. There are no signs in the M.R.I. of any seizures. The bad news is that we don’t know what caused the episodes. The best news is that God knows exactly what is going on and we trust Him. Please pray that He is glorified through every aspect of this trial.
Our kids are with friends and I am able to help care for Anita. Tonight (Monday night) Anita was transferred out of the I.C.U. to a regular hospital bed. If all goes well tonight she should be released on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please pray for healing for Anita, wisdom for the doctors, and wisdom regarding our upcoming travel plans on January 15.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
When Bied was young his family used to watch the Rose Parade on TV on New Year's Morning. That's what our kids did too. Strangely enough, Benjamin was the only one who was really interested. The parade is really well done. It's amazing to see how creative people can be.2009 has come and gone. I cannot believe all that has taken place during this past year. We were blessed with the gift of precious Allison and also endured many physical trials. Our faithful God has been with us through it all. Our prayer is that God would help us this year to live by faith, rather than by our feelings and that we would not forget the blessings of every day!
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