Kelley Update #1

(Sorry, no time to post any pictures today)

Hello everyone,

Just thought I would bring you up to speed on what is currently happening with Kelley.

Bumingrad has been great for Kelley. She arrived and stayed with her friends the first night, then went to the hospital the next morning for her scheduled appointment. She was expecting out patient care, but after meeting with the doctor for a short time, he was concerned enough that he admitted her right away. She has been there ever since.

There was concern about her kidneys, but all came back well other than they said what ever has been going on has been very hard on her kidneys. They have run many tests and have basically just been ruling things out. There is a whole team of doctors trying to figure this out. Over the last few days they have progressed from X-rays, to ultra-sound, to a CT-scan. All came back clear except the CT-scan revealed a few spots in her lungs, but doctors are not overly concerned about them (they said they are not cancer or anything like that, but they're still check them out). They are saying that her digestive system was really hit hard through all of this and is still out of whack. Even though many major possibilities have been ruled out (PTL), they are still not satisfied with the fact that her digestive system is not yet operating normally. Most likely it's just trying to heal and needs time, but the doctors aren't taking any chances and so this morning they are doing a colonoscopy and endoscopy. We are feeling good just knowing that they are being very thorough with this.

Over all her spirits are good. The friends in Bangkok have been absolutely wonderful. They have brought her flowers and spent time each evening with her. Its hard for me not to be with her right now (and at the first sign of complication I would jump on a plane), but we believe this is the right thing.


Isaac is fairly unfazed by the whole thing (is that just being 15?). He's just ready to be done with school, but of course, he does talk to his mom and ask how she is when we are Skyping.

We were originally thinking (hoping?) that she would be able to return on Friday, but we have cancelled that reservation due to doctors saying they want more time to check this out.

Please continue pr'ying for her.

I'll keep you posted.

Kelley is in Thailand

Bumringrad International Hospital
Bangkok, Thailand

The concerns with Kelley's health continues. Just yesterday we sent her (by herself) to Bangkok to the Bumringrad International Hospital for diagnosis and treatment. After the doctor met with her for a short time, he was concerned enough about her health issues that had her admitted immediately and the gastrointestinal doctor began running various tests right away.

We feel relieved that she is having tests taken and believe that a diagnosis will be made. We had exhausted every medical option we knew of in Xi'an and followed the advice of a doctor (here in Xi'an) to head to Bangkok.

Gaoxin YiYuan (Hospital)
Where we spent many late nights getting help in Xi'an

Please lift Kelley up at this time. She is really struggling with the length of this illness, and now that she is in Bangkok without Issac and me, she is feeling alone and isolated. We are so blessed to have some dear friends in Bangkok who have been supporting her in anyway possible. (Thanks, Dale and Christie, for bringing her flowers today when I couldn't).

This has really been a roller coaster of an illness. One day we sense improvement and are hopeful of the end, the next day something old returns, or worse yet, something new emerges. We know that Father has a clear plan and we are trusting Him completely. Please join with everyone in lifting up Kelley's emotional, physical, and spiritual needs... that she be strengthened and healed completely.



Despite this set back, we are thrilled to be in China and know this is exactly where we are supposed to be!

A Rough Couple of Weeks

Shaanxi Youyi Hospital

Saying it has been a rough few weeks is putting it mildly!


For the last four weeks we have been battling sickness in our home. We have gotten to know several hospitals and clinics, and have had first hand experience with the medical community in China (at least in Xi'an). Somewhere along the way we picked up some intestinal intruders (most likely under-prepared food in the nearby village). We received a warning from our friends about eating in the village during the summer, but it was a few days too late. We had already contracted something and Kelley got violently ill.
 

Emergency Room where
We sat with others to receive fluids

We took several trips to the hospital for intravenous fluid replenishment, and tests. The fluids brought her back to life, but the tests came back as only mild infection, leading the doctors to do only minimal treatment. We continued in our quest for answers and relief. We learned of a non-profit clinic in town that had an Australian Doctor who was able to help identify possible problems, but the clinic is limited in its ability to diagnose and is heavily reliant on the hospitals and medical universities. We've gotten nowhere for a true diagnosis. Kelley has been treated for E coli and the whole family is being treated for parasites. If Kelley doesn't improve in the next few days we will likely fly her to some friends in Bangkok for further tests and
treatment.

Helpful Clinic in Xi'an

Despite the hard times, we have been seeing amazing opportunities continue to unfold. The very non-profit clinic we went to for Kelley's care (after they learned of our association with TC) has asked us to assist them in HIV/Aids trainings to community leaders next year.



We appreciate your support.