Josiah in The Hospital – IV
Yesterday was scary as we were told Josiah would need a platelet transfusion and a blood transfusion, which he had. We were also told that an ultrasound of his abdomen showed fluid and swelling, but it was not thought to be blood. Stool samples were negative for blood, thankfully. He did look better with less swelling.
Today’s news was better!!: the transfusion brought his platelets to 30 thousand from 10 thousand. They’d like to see them at at least 40 million (with 100 thousand being normal, I think). His hemoglobin (a measure of anemia) had improved also. It seems that the swelling is gone externally and he looks more like our little boy! He is still crying a lot, but was definitely more responsive and asked for “Mama” and “Dadi” today! He also drank some chocolate milk (the first thing he’s had by mouth in 6 days), and was even asking for more! We were told as long as he continues to improve, he may be transferred to the pediatric wing over the weekend – what great news! The doctors are still unsure of the type of infection he has and have put him on three antibiotics now (all at once). We are still awaiting bacterial and viral cultures.
We have been staying in a room of an apartment across the street from the hospital, the owner rents the rooms to family members of patients in the hospital. This has provided good respite for us between our visits. We are home now for a few hours to collect some things and send some emails. Samuel’s Mom is en route to Spain right now and will be in Sevilla tomorrow night.
We plan to spend Saturday night at home, and return to the hospital Sunday morning unless Josiah has been transferred out of the ICU, then we’ll stay with him there. So the next time we may check our email is Saturday night.
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I’m so sorry to hear about Josiah. I will lift him, you and Samuel in prayer asking for Gods healing hand and His blessings on all of you.
God bless you.
Uncle Ralph
wow–i had no idea all this was going on. thanks for sending out the email. i’ll be checking your blog regularly to see how it’s going. i’m praying!
kelly
Just wanted to let you know that I’ve been posting updates on Josiah on Bella Vista’s prayer chain. We’re praying for you. Tell Cindy I said hello when she gets there.
Blessings,
Donna Kemper
Samuel,
(Remember me from BVC? We were on the service planning team together? Your mom is my forever-kindred spirit.)
I’m so sorry to hear of your little boy’s health…. my son is the same age. And as I have received the prayer updates through the BVC prayer line, my heart has just ached for you and your wife as you go through this. Please know that you are in my prayers during these days. I was thrilled to know that your mom is on her way there… I know there is no other place she would rather be. Blessing on you and your young son.
Betsy Verwys
Dear Robyn and Samuel,
You don’t know me but I have known your parents (and parents-in-law, Robyn)for longer than I’d care to admit. I’ve been getting prayer updates through Bella Vista Church and wanted to send a little piece of my heart along to you to let you know that I am praying for your precious boy, for both of you, for Cindy and Ralston, for Josiah’s other grandparents, and all of your family members as you wait on God to bring Josiah back to health. I pray that it will be so, that it will be soon, and that the great and gracious love of God will overwhelm what must be overwhelming emotions as you walk this path.
Life is sometimes JUST PLAIN HARD and no answers seem good enough for the questions that difficult times cause us to ask. One thing that I know for sure, as I’ve walked some difficult roads myself, is that there is no other place we can run to but into the arms of God. Where else can we go but to Him? And somehow, though logic defies it, there is solace there. Even though it is elusive sometimes, we cling to what we know is true and beg for our emotions to catch up with our faith. And sometimes, when we can let go, when others pray with faith and love, there is peace.
One of my favorite lines from a book is a woman’s recollection of struggling with God over the “whys” of her best friend horrific journey with cancer. She makes this observation of this struggle with God,
“We beat on His chest from within the circle of His arms.”
In the worst of situations, we are never ‘outside’. We are never denied our emotions by the Creator who fashioned us and knows every detail of our hearts and minds. I pray that the mysterious comfort that comes from the eternal, and ever-present Maker will swallow up all logic and fear and bring you into the supernatural place of peace and rest. And I pray, that the Healer will bring swift, sure, and complete health to little Josiah for your joy and for the glory of God.
God’s grace and peace be yours beyond understanding,
Bonnie
I am thinking and praying for you guys! Hugs to both of you. – Tiff
We are praying for Josiah.
Seppo & Hanna
Hey Guys
Keep taking care of your boy and we will be praying for you.
Nick Smith