Jason Update - Jan 9

Jason is holding his own today. He is still in some pain, but it hasn't gotten any worse. He is still very tired and sleeps quite a bit. He does flip flop back and forth between being cold and hot, but doesn't seem to have a fever, so I'm not sure if that means anything or not.

The rest of us are trying to catch up on the house, laundry and errands from us being gone so much over the last three weeks. I am still physically exhausted from all of the running back and forth, and praise God, I got a full night's sleep last night--my first in three weeks. Lord willing, we will go to bed early tonight and get another full night's sleep.

This morning, I realized that I was overwhelmed trying to decide what needs my attention first. My priorities will be different if Jason needs to return to the hospital vs. if the hospital stays are over and Jason will be healing at home. The last two times Jason was hospitalized, I believe that God prompted me the day prior to accomplish certain tasks (grocery shopping, laundry, paying bills, etc.). This made the hospitalization easier to deal with because there was nothing overly pressing pulling me away from him. Today, I have felt that drive, once again, to accomplish certain tasks. It is difficult for me to know whether or not it is the Lord prompting me today, or whether I am just pushing myself. Pray for me to have discernment in this area.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer.

Jason Update--Jan 8th

Jason's pain is tolerable today. He felt good enough to shower and shave this morning, which is a great improvement over how he had been feeling even a few days ago. We will have a follow-up appointment with the nephrologist in two weeks and also another CT scan to follow up on the "spot" or lesion that was discovered on his left kidney. Jason is very optimistic regarding his recovery, while I am probably more cautious just because of all he has been through.

God's presence has been so evident in our lives over the last few weeks. Right before Jason got sick, I had started a Bible study entitled "Loving God With All Your Mind" by Elizabeth George. The timing of this study had to come from God because one of the first things I learned in this study came from Philippians 4:8. Elizabeth emphasized that many of the things we allow ourselves to become upset about aren't even true or real.

If Jason and I allow ourselves to get stressed and upset worrying about what could or might be wrong with him (things that might not be true or real), we will miss the JOY and PEACE that he has for us TODAY. We should only deal with what we know to be true. Following the Scriptural principle of thinking on what is true and real has protected us from undue stress and hardship during this recent trial.

When we saw Jason's specialist in La Jolla back in 2001, he gave us a very grim prognosis as far as Jason's future. He believed that, at the rate Jason's disease was progressing, he would not live to be forty. Jason has to take such a high level of steroids, that the doctor knew the results couldn't be good. While he couldn't predict what the exact cause of death would be, he knew that the steroids would attack Jason's major systems one-by-one. We have already seen evidence of this progression with Jason's 40% bone loss, type II diabetes, and pituitary and adrenal function decrease.

Every time Jason has a major health crisis, we both wonder if this is the illness that will kill him. It has been like waiting for an ax to fall. However, we have both grown in Christ since his original diagnosis and, instead of stressing about what we do not know, we are choosing to deal with only what the Lord has given us to deal with today--what we know to be fact. The result has been a peace that we have not experienced through any of Jason's prior illnesses.

We left the hospital yesterday still not having all the answers we were seeking. But, we know that God does have the answers and that, as His children, we are being sheltered by Him. He has met every need we have had during this crisis (many times before we even asked him), and we trust that He will continue to do so.

I want to thank each of you who have allowed God to use you as vessels of ministry to our family. We have had meals cooked, home and car maintenance/repair, child care, financial contributions and more. May God bless each and every one of you for your faithfulness and caring.

Jason Update--Jan 7th

After Jason's doctors consulted with one another today, they agreed that he should undergo exploratory surgery, which was scheduled for 4:30pm tomorrow. However, Jason has felt improvement in his pain level for two days now, and he has decided to decline the surgery at this time. He asked to be sent home, and he is resting comfortably at home this evening. He is hopeful that his pain will continue to improve on its own, and would like to return to work by next Monday. The doctors did not send him home with any pain medication, and they let him know that if he needs pain medication, or if he has to return to the hospital, then he will need to undergo surgery. Please pray that this will not be necessary and that he will continue to improve and be able to return to work

We do have to follow up with the nephrologist in two weeks. She would like to run another test at that time, but at this point, they believe his kidneys are fine. We will also do repeat CT scan in three months to check on the spot that was seen in the last CT scan from January 3rd.

Thank you for your prayers.

Jason Update--Jan 6th

Today was a fairly uneventful day. Jason's pain was much improved last night and today, so we are hoping this is a good sign and that he will be released from the hospital soon. He has not had any pain meds since yesterday and is only experiencing moderate pain.

Today, we had a consult with a surgeon who said that he does not believe there is a reason for surgery at this point. He wants to talk to the GI doctor and see if a few more days of IV meds might be needed just to ensure that the diverticulitis is entirely cleared up. Jason will be finishing up the labwork tomorrow afternoon, so after that we expect to know more about what is going on with his kidneys. We have had on-call doctors this weekend, and we are hoping that once all of the regular doctors are able to talk and look over the test results tomorrow, that we will have a better idea of what to expect.

Jason has a new roomate tonight. He wasn't able to say much, but I could tell that he wasn't happy about it, so please pray for him. I'm not sure exactly what the problem was, but I'm hoping it won't interfere too much with Jason's rest/recovery.

My two little children have some sort of crud, so please pray for their quick healing. I came home early tonight to assess the situation, but I really want to back up at the hospital tomorrow to visit with the doctors.

Psalm 91:4 "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge"

God has truly been our shield and refuge today, and for that we are very grateful.

Update on Jason

I'm going to start posting updates for Jason on my blog because of the number of people that are wanting to keep up with what is going on with him. It is getting overwhelming for me to remember who to call each day, and I want people to know how to pray for him.

An overview of the situation: Early in the morning of December 20th, we took Jason to the ER for abdominal pain and bleeding. They immediately admitted him and ran a whole battery of tests (bloodwork, bleeding study, X-rays, CT scan), diagnosing him with diverticulitis. He spent three days in the hospital being treated with pain meds and IV antibiotics. Saturday evening, we talked the doctor into releasing him to go home because our children were in a Christmas play at church on Sunday morning, and Jason wanted to be there. He was able to go to play, although he was on serious pain meds and doesn't remember much about it :-(

He continued taking antibiotics and resting at home, and although the doctors thought he would be feeling better, his pain was still pretty intense even after completing the antibiotics. A repeat CT scan was ordered for Wednesday Jan 2nd to find out why he was not better. On the way back into the CT room, Jason doubled over in pain. He decided to let them do the scan anyway, because he knew that the doctor would need it in order to find out what was wrong. At that point, we were concerned that he had perforated, but that was not the case.

After the scan, they wheeled him over to the ER and the ER doctor told us that the CT scan showed that the diverticulitis was improved, but that there was a "spot" on his left kidney. He felt that the spot was either an small area of infection or an infarction or "dead place" on the kidney. He also told us that he did not believe that this would account for the pain that Jason was experiencing. He had him admitted as an inpatient for further testing.

On Thursday, Jason was sent to nuclear medicine for a renal scan to find out what was going on with the kidney, although the doctors kept telling us that they did not believe that this was causing his pain. This was another day of long waits and plenty of bloodwork, but no answers. However, they were good about keeping his pain under control.

Friday, he had a colonoscopy which showed nothing significant other than that his colon was very tender (which we already knew--picture the rolling eyes here). We also learned in passing (because we didn't get to see the doctor and ask questions) that his renal scan was abnormal and that they were sending in a nephrologist to consult with us.

Saturday morning, the nephrologist informed us that the scan showed both of Jason's kidneys were functioning at only 50%. However, she cautioned us that this might not be correct because these results were not being confirmed in the bloodwork and urine. She has no explanation for this, but wants to confirm the results with bloodwork and urine before putting him through a bunch of extensive kidney tests.

So, at this point, we have had two different tests point to issues with his kidneys and absolutely no answers because nothing is being confirmed in the labwork. Today, he begins a 24 hour test for blood and urine, and I believe more bloodwork will be done tomorrow. Please pray that, if we need to find something, that it becomes evident in the labwork.

We do not understand how two different tests could be so wrong, but I know that God works in mysterious ways and perhaps he is healing Jason for his glory. We are continuing to trust in Him for answers and praying that he will guide the doctors to any problems that need to be uncovered.

He has been off work since December 20th and is now without pay. God has been faithful to provide for our needs, and we trust that He will continue to do so. Hobby Lobby has been wonderful, and his co-workers and supervisors have expressed nothing but love and concern towards him.

We are resting in Him and waiting on Him for answers, because the doctors seem unable to give us any at this point. God is good and his faithfulness to us during this time continues. Pray for strength for Jason and I and those who are caring for our children. Pray for our children, as well, because I know this is getting hard on them being with so many different people.

Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."

Encouragement for Troubling Times

A couple of years ago, we had some really hard times in our family. My mother had a heart attack and a stroke at the same time that my dh was having headaches and undiagnosed neurological problems (it turned out to be sleep apnea!). During this time, I found myself encouraged by God's Word and Elisabeth Elliot's book, "Keep a Quiet Heart". I journaled many of these things as I came across them, and I have been rereading them over the past few weeks because, once again, I am struggling. I would like to start transferring the things that encouraged me from my paper journal to my blog, in hopes that they can encourage others. This is the first set.

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure." Psalms 16:5

Can we say that there are things which happen to us which do not belong to our lovingly assigned "portion"? (This belongs to it--that does not.) Are there some things, then, out of the control of the Almighty? Whatever happens is assigned. Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion, other options are cancelled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence, my heart becomes inexpressively quieter.

RESPONSE IS WHAT MATTERS!!!

A quiet heart is content with what God gives. It is enough. All is grace. My assignment entails a willing acceptance of my portion. We can only know that Eternal Love is wiser than we, and we bow in adoration of that loving wisdom.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And GOD IS FAITHFUL; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. I Corinthians 10:13

"As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you." Isaiah 66:13

Think of these promises, and keep a quiet heart. Our enemy delights in disquieting us. Our Savior and Helper delight in quieting us.

--From "Keep a Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot--

In Memory of Declan Stewart

A little boy died this morning.
While we were getting ready for church-
showering, blow drying hair, shaving, and other such Sunday cares,
His soul was fleeing this earth on angels' wings.
God's messengers had been in dread for this call,
So they were prepared and already winging their way
As the last syllable of God's command left His throne room.
His heavenly Father called him home because no child of God's should endure what he endured.
God is not blind to the suffering of even the littlest lamb.


Had God tarried too long? To some of us left behind: Yes!
Do we want him back? Yes! But only if the beatings stop.
But God's Word assures us that God is in control of time,
That none of the tears this little boy cried fell in vain.
God saved each one in a bottle that is now an ointment of healing for his battered soul.


This precious child whose earthly father is unknown
Is even now sitting in the lap of his heavenly Father who loves him dearly.
The cuddles he should have received will now never end.
The wonders of heaven are his to enjoy!
The joys of Jesus are surrounding him like a warm blanket.
The love of God assures him he is special.
And none too soon,
For all the pain and suffering from the harsh hands of those who preferred him at least dead, if not nonexistent, had bruised his soul.



God gave us many chances to help, but,
Earth failed to help him.
His parents failed to love him.
The government failed to protect him.
The courts failed to save him.
And so...

He is gone but never forgotten.
Let us not let this happen ever again.
Let none of us fail another child, ever.
Voices must speak out,
Letters must be written,
Authorities must be questioned and urged to act,
Old laws must be thrown out,
New laws must be enacted,
Judges must stand before God,
So that there are no more stories about battered children,
So that his life was not in vain.
So that another family does not suffer the greatest loss known to man: that of a child.
So that angels do not have to wait in dread for another journey.



In memory of Declan Stewart
Born April 23, 2002 Died August 12, 2007