Update, Wednesday, February 9

Hey Friends:

Plans have changed this week and the treatments delayed. Dr. Ness and Dr. Dure are recommending Grace see Dr. Pranzatelli, children’s neurologist, in Springfield, IL, for clinical exam and more tests. Because of a cancellation from another patient, we have an appt to see him this Friday, so God is opening doors for us there already.

Grace’s condition is much the same. We haven’t seen much improvement this week. Homebound study is coming along, just trying to do a little each day. Perm turned out well :-).

We so appreciate all the encouragement and love you are sending our way. Thank you Trussville, Decatur, Sardis, Selma, Hoover, Pelham, Gardendale, Pell City, Auburn, Anniston, Chandler Springs, Texas, Nashville, Calera, Huntsville and many others for praying for Grace’s complete healing. Please pray for safe travel, wisdom for Dr. Pranzatelli, continued healing, peace for Grace, us and sisters these next few days so we can be grace-givers to others.

Love and many thanks…
Lynn

Update, Friday, February 4

Grace has been to the neurology clinic at Childrens’ to see Dr. Ness and Dr. Dure this morning. They were pleased with her progress, feeling like the IVIG treatment has been effective. However, since she is not 100% better, plans are to be re-admitted next week for 3 -4 days for a different treatment, then again in another couple weeks for a second dose of this treatment.

 Tests results indicate this is not a tumor, not cancer, not “ms.” These neurologists are optimistic that Grace’s system is responding to treatment and will respond to the next treatment as well.

We want to thank you for holding us up with your prayers. God is our Healer, and we believe He is healing Grace.

On a side note, Grace is about to get a perm. 🙂

Love and thanks…
Lynn

Update, Wednesday, February 2

Hey Friends:

We aren’t noticing big changes in Grace’s condition day to day, but we know for sure she is better today than when we left Children’s 12 days ago. She is able to read some and is working on “catch up” school work. Balance is definitely improved, as she is walking more on her own now.  Her attitude still sweet even after dealing with this situation since Christmas day.  Grace is able to move around the house without the walker but is still dealing with a persistent tremor.  On Friday we have an appointment with Dr. Ness and Dr. Dure who are the neurologists working with us at Children’s Hospital.  

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, Who daily bears our burdens.” Psalm 68:19

Love and thanks to so many praying with us, 

Lynn

Update, Saturday, January 29

Grace’s balance is somewhat improved. She is walking a little on her own, eyes are more steady, and she’s doing physical therapy at home and at Therapy South.

We still have no further word on the cause of Grace’s situation. Neurologists have said that all the information they have doesn’t point to just one diagnosis. Plans are to see Dr. Ness at Children’s next week and she will decide whether to continue allowing the IVIG treatment to take effect or pursue another treatment.

Grace made the mistake of saying she’s bored; so, Mrs. Herring from “Homebound” came this morning with school work. Reading is still difficult.

Thank you for praying with us for Grace! Thank you to Grace’s sweet friends for all of your encouragement!

An update on Grace

Grace continues to making progress with her walking. She is using a walker, but is more comfortable with it, less dependent on it. It’s hard to measure progress day to day, but she is certainly better today than when we came home on Friday… more balanced, less shaky, eyes moving less. As long as she is improving, we will give the IVIG treatment time to work and not pursue another type treatment.

We haven’t had word yet from some of last week’s tests, which are expected to be “negative,” just checking off “what it’s not.”

We again thank you for your overwhelming prayer support and your encouragement to us and to Grace daily. We are asking God to show up and take all the credit.

Our Family’s Recent Journey

Since Christmas Night, our youngest daughter Grace had not been sleeping well, blurred vision, shaky, off -balance. An appointment with our Pediatrician, January 5, sent us from there to Children’s Hospital for tests.  After a huge battery of tests, we left with the diagnosis of “inflammation of the cerebellum”, given steroids for 2 weeks and, aside from a few weeks of missed school, a prognosis of full recovery.  

Thursday, January 13, we were readmitted to Children’s because her balance and coordination were worsening. We were there until Friday, January 21.  During this weeklong stay, doctors remained “intrigued” with her symptoms and ran her through many, many more test and evaluations trying to find the answer. So far, all test and examinations showed no initial, significant findings.  Grace continued through physical therapy and began to manage the use of a walker for support.

Grace also began a three day treatment called “IVIG” which is intravenous immune globulin. Thankfully Grace had no adverse reactions to the this treatment.

We are at home now, giving the IVIG treatment time to work (which could be weeks). Her situation is still “intriguing” to neurologists with still no firm diagnosis. Our neurologists are in touch with others around the country thanks to technology allowing shared tests results, MRI, and video

We have been blessed with an abundance of support, a wonderful hospital and staff, constant prayer for healing from so many, a sweet, positive attitude from Grace (which is typical,) and peace that only God brings. Please continue to pray for wisdom and divine healing!