Kelley's Coming Home!

Hello everyone,
I'm glad to report that Kelley was discharged yesterday (Friday) afternoon and will be flying to Xi'an today.

I don't have all the details, but they were able to determine that she had a micro organism parasite that had been attacking all throughout her digestive system and are confident that it is now under control. Some of the symptoms remain for now, but with the medications they have given her and rest, she should regain full health and strength soon.

Doctors said that her body would not have been able to fight this off on its own (which is why this has been going on for 5-6 weeks!!) and that it was good that she came to Bumingrad (International Hospital) when she did.

It has been a hectic couple of weeks. We're wrapping up some details here in Xi'an before returning to the states later this month. We would love to see you when we are there. We will post organized gatherings of where we will be, in hopes that you can come to one of them.

Bless you all, and thanks for lifting us up during this difficult time.

Doug

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!