As I write this Bethany is on her way to an appointment with an Infectious Diseases Specialist at a local children’s hospital. She’s had a rough weekend. Let me explain. But first, please pray right now for some clear direction on what is causing these repeated bouts of illness!
In the last four months since May, Kate has had four or five (depending how you count them) bouts of similar symptoms. At first, the headache, upset tummy and fever seemed like it could be a simple virus or stress response (we’ve had quite a few crazy months since “GiGi” passed away back in April) but when it occurred for the third time with what appeared to us to be an excruciating headache and abnormally high fever and almost 6 hours of vomiting, we began to suspect that this was not just another bout of the stomach bug or simple virus.
So imagine how we felt this Thursday night and Friday morning when the symptoms returned for the fourth time in four months, this time with a nasty outbreak of asthma symptoms as well?
We hurriedly shuttled her to a local Pediatric ER (which one of the past health care workers who triaged her suggested we do next time as opposed to taking her to her pediatrician or an urgent care facility). After some tests and analysis they ruled out anything neurological (like cyclical migraines) or a virus like spinal meningitis (which the head and body aches might have indicated). Later in the day we got a positive diagnosis of Strep Throat.
Ahh… some relief. A diagnosis and treatment plan. Medications were started and in 24 hours Kate showed marked improvement.
Zoom forward to last night at bedtime. Kate was still dealing with an asthmatic cough but overall doing better. Well that cough got worse and worse last night and from early this morning through 5:00 AM she again battled a horrendous cough, high fever and vomiting as well as body aches. Episode #5 of these symptoms.
That’s where we are right now. Kate has been stable for the most part since 5:00 AM but is visibly worn out and took a nap this AM (which she NEVER does). Her parents are worn out too as the late nights take their toll.
For this to happen this many times is very distressing to us. We’re asking you to PRAY RIGHT NOW for Kate to improve and for the medical team to given some insight as to what she’s fighting.
Thanks for praying and battling with us as we trust the Lord with our daughter!
This is longer than an urgent eMail should be, but you must know this as well. We sense the Lord strengthening our faith right now and we’re learning that this kind of faith provides enough light for the next step but it doesn’t necessarily reveal the outcome. That’s a challenge to us. But our Father knows what we’re in and that’s comfort enough to, in that faith, trust Him with the outcome.