Thursday, May 1, 2008

I had a wonderful appt. with Diezel's doctor today. He is scheduled for a cardiologist and a CT scan next week. This is good news. The first time when he knocked out unconscious was in Africa. He hit his head hard on a concrete and was out cold. He woke up a few minutes later and vomited. The first hospital stay here in America after 1 hour of admission he passed out on 3-4 different occasions in the course of 3 hours. And then on Tues night as I was rocking him he was struggling to breathe and passed out again. The question is are these all separate instances the first being a concussion, the second from a all the infections and dehydration and this last time from hyperventilating or is there an underlying issue? I hope to get answers soon.

After his appointment today I went to one for me. Starting about two weeks ago I've been feeling pretty lousy. I thought it might be Malaria. The doctor today is pretty sure I have Typhoid Fever, tissue parasites, Giardia and other things. I will find out more tomorrow. Basically I have reoccurring fevers, fatigue, chills, nausea, dizzy, starting last week intense joint pain that migrates every few days, headaches and oh yes that feeling of someone squeezing my bones with a vice grip. The good news it comes in waves. So I don't feel all that all the time. Except the joint stuff.

Kids are all tucked in. So, I'm off to bed.

Goodnight.

19 comments:

Danielle said...

Ohhh! I can't even imagine being that sick on top of everything else. I had giardia the first trip, it was rough. You have my sympathy.

Still praying.

Blessings,
Danielle

Kim said...

oh hun praying for you!! stay strong in the Lord

Shaunna said...

Praying that you and your family are healed QUICKLY!!!!

Salzwedel Family said...

Steffany ~
God bless you! The strength you are showing is nothing short of amazing. I pray you get answers for Diezel & that you are healed soon as well. You are being lifted up in prayer from this house!
Stephanie

TN said...

Did they check you for Hepatitis A? Just making sure, because I've been struggling with that, and it is the PITS. Praying for your healing very quickly. I feel for you, truly.
When we do the Lord's will, the enemy attacks full force. Know that our Lord is with you and you will overcome by His blood and the word of your testimony.

Love,

Tina

Laura Lu said...

Glad you were able to get in with a good Dr. today and find some answers...but sorry you're feeling so gross. I'll keep praying for very clear wisdom for the doctors as they treat Diezel. I love that boy! Well, I love ALL of your kiddos! Hope you get some good sleep tonight.

Laura said...

Yikes Steff! When it rains, it pours. So glad to see that you all are hopefully getting the diagnosis and, eventually, the treatment you will need.

We think and pray about you all often. Love you guys so much! ooxxLaura

Unknown said...

Hi,

I'm writing from Haiti where stuff like malaria, typhoid etc runs rampant. Just a suggestion...if your doctor isn't able to make a good diagnosis soon try to find a doctor that specializes in tropical medicine. You might be able to find one through a local hospital. The reason I'm suggesting it is that North American doctors are often slow to make a diagnosis on things like this because they aren't that familiar with them. The reality is that malaria is treatable in a day and a half with 10 chloroquine pills. Many of the missionaries we know, us included, know the symptoms of the tropical illnesses here so we just got down to the local hospital or pharmacy and ask for the specific test or cure dose of whatever and it usually works. One of our friends here went back to the states on furlough for three months and spent about 6 weeks of that with scabies because the doctor didn't want to diagnose anything specific. The cure for scabies, at least in Haiti, is rubbing a topical solution all over yourself and leaving it on for 8 hours, then washing it off and cleaning all your bedding, clothes etc. Problem solved! Just an example.

Ciproflaxen is an atibiotic we all have on hand as well as it kills almost anything. Again, you only need to take 3-5 pills over a two day period. It's great for parasites or any "unknown" bugs.

Just some thoughts from the tropics that may or may not be helpful.

~Leslie

Anonymous said...

My goodness. We are praying for you Steff. I cannot even begin to imagine how you are dealing with all of this on top of you feeling sick as well.

crispy said...

Just another way that I can relate. My youngest has had issues with passing out for years and it seems so frightening at the moment. We now see a cardiologist for her heart and her fainting. She was diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope (sp?).

This is the same child I was telling you about who was also failure to thrive and loosing weight at 3 yrs. old.

I know it is so hard. I will pray for peace, answers, understanding and healing.

If you want to email me, leave me a comment with your email on my blog and I wont post it. Just want to encourage you in any way I can.

Cris

emily said...

Praying for healing for everyone!!

junglemama said...

Poor Deizel. I will keep him in my prayers.

amy smith said...

oh steffany. i am so sorry, and wish i could take it all away. and that, really, is the beauty in all of this: that the Lord has given us all a heart of compassion, and love, not only for the least of these, but even for those we don't know. praying for you, and your peeps.

Anonymous said...

I"m sure it's scary not knowing what is going on. Keep searching for answers. I love you.

Anonymous said...

Remember how he went out for like 3 seconds that time we were in Faith's room and he hit his head? His eyes rolled back suddenly but only for a few seconds? That was weird, too.

Emily said...

Sweet goodness girl, you can't catch a break!

Unknown said...

Thats so great that you all are making progress with the doctors. Praying for answers on Diezels condition and strength for you to overcome your sickness :( you are so strong, you'll get through this rough patch

Sean and Lisa said...

Continuing to pray Steff! You are amazing!!

Mrs. Hammer Time said...

Praying for it all!