Update on David

David had to try on and pose with Josh's horse riding gear on

I met with David's specialist today to discuss the blood test results from CHOP from long ago (it took 1 1/2 months for him to get the results) as well as other tests he had David get done last week. Unfortunately, the CHOP blood work came back negative for an underlying immune system problem which means that we still don't know the cause of his IgG Immune Deficiency (his body doesn't produce enough of the IgG antibody making him susceptible to all of the crazy bacterial infections he struggles with). This means the only other recourse is antibody blood transfusions! David can't stay on prophylactic antibiotics indefinitely because it's not good for his system. Plus, it doesn't work since for over a year now, he has been developing infections while on the antibiotics.

There is a new way of administering the antibodies which is subcutaneously. Although, all of the same disease transmission risks of a blood transfusion still apply (and is multiplied by 70 since the antibodies are from 70 donors rather than 1), there are not the typical allergic/adverse reactions to blood transfusions with this new method, unlike with the IV method. Screening and processing has improved greatly, and the last disease transmission scare was in 1997 with this kind of transfusion. Instead of needing a 3 hour IV every month, David will be getting a subcutaneous instillation of antibodies that will take 1-1.5 hours every week. We do not know if this will have to be lifelong or not. Young children with this disorder typically outgrow it by the time they are 4. David will soon be 5, so his future outcome with this disorder is unknown. The plan for now is to start as soon as the home health nursing agency can bring us the necessary equipment and teach us how to perform the procedure. David's doctor hopes that we can stop the infusions next summer to see if David can hold his own when the infection rate is at its lowest. This summer has been filled with multiple and recurring infections for David despite the prophylactic antibiotics.

David our crazy, daredevil child

We are sad that it has come to this point, but we are trusting that God is in control!  David has such a good spirit about him.  Despite his frequent illnesses, he still manages to enjoy life and be a typical crazy, energetic boy.  We are grateful for that!

Thanks for your continued prayers on behalf of our precious little boy. Three weeks from today, we will find out if the hole in his heart has closed or whether he will require surgery down the road for that as well.

In case you missed previous posts explaining David's health issues, read David's Complicated Medical History and David's Current Situation and Prayer Needs.

Reminding ourselves of the TRUTH!

How often, Satan takes advantage of our hard and dark times of life to feed us his lies.  When we are in this vulnerable position, it often is easy to buy into those lies and allow them to pervade the truth.  We might refute the lies at first, forcing Satan to get clever.  He does not give in easily and will even use the good things in life to make us question and start to doubt.  We must stand resolute and not let Satan win!  We must remind ourselves of the TRUTH!

God's Word is TRUTH!  Spending time in God's Word daily will help us to remember the truth.  Often, we need to read the same truths over and over again to truly believe them and to be able to access them to refute the lies Satan is feeding us.  We need to remember to always evaluate our thoughts and feelings through the truths of the Bible.  Is my thought God's truth or Satan's lie?  Is my feeling a result of God's truth or Satan's lie?  I have been finding myself asking these questions quite frequently lately.  I must stand strong.  I can't let Satan win.  The TRUTH of God's Word must stand victorious in my life!

As life overwhelms me, I am reminded of God's TRUTH, and I refute my circumstances, thoughts, and feelings with it!  I find that it helps me to write my thoughts and feelings down so that I can visually discern what is TRUTH and what is not.  This helps me tremendously as I seek to glorify God in my thoughts, feelings, and actions.

My Faithful Friend

By Christine Russell

Life has come crumbling down around me.
You stand behind me picking up the pieces.
The darkness envelops me making me stumble.
You go before me leading me on solid ground.
The burdens of life press down on me so that I fall.
You put your arms under me and carry me on.
I am all alone in my grief, without a friend.
You stand beside me offering Your hand.

You are my faithful Friend bringing me to an expected end.
You never fail me. Your grace sustains me.
You are the only one I can trust. I rest in Your love.
You are my faithful Friend.

My heart cries in the midst of my deepest struggles.
You hear my pain and offer comfort.
I find myself alone with no one to understand.
You remind me You know me better than I know myself.
There is no one to listen when I just need to talk.
You are always present ready to hear my prayers.
The storm rages around me threatening my life.
You offer peace and joy in the midst of it.

You are my faithful Friend bringing me to an expected end.
You never fail me. Your grace sustains me.
You are the only one I can trust. I rest in Your love.
You are my faithful Friend.

There is none like You. I do not deserve someone like You.
Yet, you embrace me; You protect me; You sustain me.
I am not faithful. I am not loving. I am not grateful.
Yet, You forgive me; You uphold me; You accept me.
You love me, my faithful Friend!

(c) 2011 Christine Russell.