Saturday night update

Staying overnight again tonight. Lots of poking and prodding today. Grace is being a champ.

She wants to go home really bad and is missing the family. Visits today from Mommy, uncle Zach, Grandmommy and Poppa.

Staff here is being very communicative and great to work.

Grace was able to get out of the room today and go on a wagon ride around the hospital and play some games in the playroom and in her bed.

Her appetite is still pretty much nonexistent.

She has had flu-like symptoms for several days but the Great news is that she had no fever all day long, which is a huge praise.

She has tiny red dots all over her body and redness around the eyes, which would be in keeping with a diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, although that is still not confirmed as the official diagnosis. Another possible diagnosis is meningococcus, which would be the more serious of the two.

The palm of her right hand is where a possible insect bite occurred and around the bite area is very blotchy. The good news though is that the blotchy area is much lighter than it was yesterday. It was dark red yesterday and today was more pinkish.

Specific prayer requests:
That a diagnosis would come to light as soon as possible, and being treated quickly and effectively. Out of the two possible diagnoses, we would want to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, as it Has the better prognosis, and can be treated just as effectively at home as at the hospital. The other diagnosis would need to be treated at the hospital which could mean several more days here.

Another Journey of Grace

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Posted by Derek:

Dear friends,

5 years ago, my beloved firstborn Grace Elizabeth was admitted to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta, facing a  life threatening illness at only 5 months of age. Today, at 5 1/2 years of age and now as the oldest of four, she finds herself in that same place again.

Having experienced persistent fever and other symptoms for several days, Grace was admitted to Scottish Rite yesterday and has been undergoing testing and treatment for what appears to be a bacterial infection in her blood, possibly tick borne. Still awaiting exact diagnosis, the Doctors are treating her for the 2 most likely suspects, both of which are are fatal when untreated.

Her prognosis is good and she is receiving world class care and medicine. But much more importantly, we have a mighty God that says that when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we should not be afraid, because he is right there with us. (Psalm 23.) Additionally, Psalm 91 says "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, and 10,000 at your right hand, but it will not come near you." We are trusting our Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus, by the power of His Holy Spirit, for Graces's healing.

Grace and I stayed at the hospital overnight last night and will do so once again tonight. We don't know exactly when she will be released, but are hoping to be sent home tomorrow, which is also Adeline's fourth birthday. We are missing being home, being with our family, and seeing our brand-new baby brother Levi who was born on the couch at home Tuesday morning.

Grace has been in the valley of the shadow of death before. Michelle and I have been there before with her. Most importantly, the Lord has been, and is once again, by her side.