Prayer Needs Update

Thank you for praying for Mike's dad and for Baby Jaquelynn.  Here are some updates to prompt you to continue to pray!  Thank you so much!

1.  Mike's dad took a turn for the worse starting last week.  His breathing became very difficult, even with oxygen, and his swelling came back.  It turns out that the Lymphoma had spread, and that his right lung collapsed due to being overfilled with fluid.  There is also a fungal growth attached to his lungs that is a major concern.  Even being hooked up to machines, his oxygen levels were so low at one point that he was not alert for most of the day.  He was admitted at John's Hopkins and the doctors decided to treat the cancer right away.  Fortunately, the first round of chemo has helped to alleviate the swelling and has allowed for better breathing.  We still don't know his prognosis, but as of now, he is in the OR where the doctors are looking at the tumor/growth in his lungs through a camera.

It has been very difficult for Mike's dad and especially for Mike's mom and sister Miriam, as they are both at the hospital all day with him.  Yet even through this, there are many things to thank God for.  We are thankful that Miriam got to MD at the perfect time to help them settle into the hospital, be their moral support, help translate what the doctors are saying, and encourage them in many other ways.  We are also thankful that Mike will be able to fly out soon to see them and help in any way he can.  Also, Mike's parents' faith has been a huge encouragement.  Miriam told us how Mom read scripture and sang hymns to Dad all through the night.  They are such strong examples of clinging to the Lord in the midst of hardship.  What a gift they are!  Although the future is a huge unknown, we are so thankful that he is feeling better than he was just a few days ago.

2.  Baby Jaquelynn is not doing well.  They found some abnormalities in her brain and a stage 3 bilateral brain bleed that caused the ventricles to be filled with spinal fluid and blood.  She has been scheduled for a surgery to draw out the fluid.  We know that these kinds of surgeries are always risky and exponentially so for a tiny premature baby.  Undoubtedly, this has been an extremely difficult time for my friend Keri and her family.  Prayer for Baby Jaq and the rest of the family would be greatly appreciated.

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.