Saturday, April 30, 2011

Weekend Update

The last couple of days have held no real changes.  Christian is maintaining and that is good news, but we are all hoping for great news of steady improvement! On Monday he is scheduled to begin the plasmaferesis treatment.  Please pray for continued healing and improvement in Christians body. 

The girls are spending the weekend with mom, dad and Christian.  Last night, Ky was able to spend the night with mom and Christian.  This was a big deal for her.  Please pray for the girls to enjoy some quality time with mom and dad.

Please pray for logistic and financial provisions for when Christian goes home.  He will need intensive therapy for some time.  Please pray specifically for the Medicaide approval to come through for Christian's medical needs. 

The doctors clarified visitors are and will continue to be welcome.  Your continued encouragement through cards, visits, and scripture posts are greatly appreciated.   Above all, please continue to pray.   

"The things that are impossible with men are possible with God."  Luke 18:27

Friday, April 29, 2011

Comments are Enabled

Thank you to Matt Murphy who corrected the issue with comments.  Hopefully you can make comments now!  May need to make comment as "anonymous" and sign your name in comment.  Will update later today.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Some trust in chariots (doctors), Some trust in horses (treatments) But we trust in The Name of The Lord Our God

Yesterday, Danielle had several meetings with doctors.  One huge praise is she was able to meet with Dr. Lotze, a pediatric nuerologist who specializes in demyelization.  He rarely comes to the hospital, yet he did yesterday.  YEAH GOD!

To summarize the information given yesterday, the doctors say:
1.  Christian will have spastic diplegia.
2.  Christian will most likely have bladder/bowel problems.
3.  Christian's fingers may remain non-functioning.
4.  Christian will have a depressed autonomic system.
5.  Christian will have a weak cough and sneeze / respirtory system.

Next week, he will begin plasmapheresis treatment.  This treatment will remove all the antibodies from his system.   The two weeks while he is getting plasmapheresis his visitors will be restricted for his safety.   Please contact Lee Ann Lee prior to going to visit.

That is the medical report from the best of the best at Texas Children's Hospital.  Here is the report from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords........



God says,

1.  Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but we trust in The Name of The Lord our God. Psalm 20:7
2.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7
3.  But now, Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in You!  Psalm 39:7
4.  I call on You, O God, for You will answer me.  Psalm 17:6
5.  But I will restore you to health, and heal your wounds.  Jeremiah 30:17
6.  ".....But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”   "If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:22-24
7.  He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  Psalm 112:7
8.  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him.  1 John 5:14-15

God is still in the healing business.  Please continue to pray for Christian's healing and complete recovery. 

The girls are looking forward to spending the weekend as a family here at TCH.  Pray for a special time family time.

You will notice a paypal link has been added to the page.   All donations through paypal will go directly to Jack and Danielle's account.  Thank you for your generosity.

A child from our church family has been admitted 2 doors down.  He has been initially diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy.  Danielle asks you to please pray for Adam and his parents, Rollo and Amber.  God can heal and we are boldly asking Him to do so!

For those of you having trouble commenting, you must first create a google account or one of the other log in id's.  Process should take about 10 minutes!  Thank you for your patience!

PS  Christian has been emptying his bladder on his own, without a catheter for the past 24 hours.  PRAISE GOD!

Scripture, Prayers, Fasting, Miracles

Many continue to ask, "What can we do?"  The number one answer remains PRAY.  Ask God for a complete and full recovery for Christian.  Ask God to heal his hands, his legs, his bladder and all areas affected by Transverse Myelitis. 

Another way you can encourage is to post encouraging Scripture here on the blog comments. (If you have difficulty leaving a comment here, please leave a Scripture or prayer on Danielle's facebook page.) 

Yesterday, Danielle commented she would fast and pray if it were possible (not advisable for nursing moms).  If you feel led to do so over the next couple of weeks, select a time frame to fast and pray for Christian's healing. 

Several plan to pray for Christian daily at high noon.  Use the call to prayer as a reminder to lift Christian and his family up to God.

Above all, we give God glory and honor and praise.  Looking forward to reading the Scriptures God places on your hearts today! They will be a blessing to Jack and Danielle.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Intense Day, Keep Praying

Today has been an intense day for Danielle.  She has had meetings with teams of doctors throughout the day and was able to meet with a Doctor who specialized in Transverse Myelitis.  She was overloaded with lots of information.

Christian will begin a new treatment next week which will last approximately two weeks.  The plan is for him to go home after that treatment in order to keep him from getting sick.  (The hospital is NOT a good place to avoid illness!)

Tonight, her and Jack will talk and process the information she was given today.  Please pray for them as they create a plan for the girls  and take in all of the information. 

The girls went to the hospital today to spend time with Danielle and their time was limited at best.  The teams of doctors came and Danielle was continually meeting.  Please pray for the girls to understand and have a sense of how very much their parents do love them!!!

As always, continue to pray for complete healing and restoration. 

Also, they have asked for no visitors tonight.  Thank you!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tuesday Morning Update

Christian slept solid from 9 pm to midnight, then "twilighted" until 4 or so.  Then slept again pretty solid until 7am!  His fever spiked around midnight and blood pressure dropped again.  At this time blood pressure is normal and he still has a fever.

This morning he is still very stiff.  OT had some problems working with him yesterday. He did wear his braces like a champ last night.  Doctors are using words like diplegia, paralyisis, and clunus.

They have just removed the catheter as a test and will check in four hours to see if his bladder is functioning.  They are also considering putting in  a picc line to make blood draws and infusions easier.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
1.  Pray for his bladder to function and that he will not need the catheter returned.
2.  Pray for 3rd IVIG treatment today.  His blood pressure needs to remain stable and pray he can continue to full dose.
3.  Please continue to pray for complete healing and restoration!

Thank you for your tremendous, overwhelming, amazing support!  We would not be making it without you! ~ Jack and Danielle

Monday, April 25, 2011

April 25th evening update

Big Praise of the Day:  During testing, Christian responded to something cold being on his legs.  This means he has feeling in BOTH legs!

Today he was fitted with WHO (Wrist Hand Orthies).  He does not like them!  He has to wear them when he sleeps and for 3 hours on, 3 hours off while awake.  Tomorrow he will be fitted with AFO (Ankle Feet Orthies).



His feeding tube is out!  He did very well with baby food and feedings today.

His blood pressure stabalized and he was able to have his second IVIG treatment. 

Infectious Disease team has been called in to run full battery of tests in order to identify why his fever continues to spike.

Jack returned to work today and faced multiple challenges. Please continue to pray for this situation.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for continued prayers, visits and support. 

Pictures from Sisters' hospital visit


Prayer from Danielle

Watch close. Pay attention. GOD is going to work a real life miracle in C's life. I rebuke paralysis in the name of the Lord. I rebuke a non-functioning bladder and sphincter in the Name of the Lord. I rebuke non-working fingers and wrists in the name of the Lord. I rebuke weak muscles that are used to cough and sneeze in the name of the Lord. My boy WILL fully recover!

Easter Sunday Praises and Monday morning Prayer requests

We have Praises to report for Christian Daniel!

Yesterday, Easter Sunday, Christian began DAY 1 of a five day IVIG treatment.  PRAISE THE LORD - he was able to receive the dosage he needed! 

Big sisters, Kyleigh and Jillian were able to come for a much needed visit to Mom, Dad and baby brother.

God's Provision through his people has been overwhelming - and is so very much appreciated by the Smith family.  They are amazed at the out pour of love from so many, and are very thankful.

Medically, Christian's chest X-RAY was clear and both Danielle and Christian were able to sleep four straight hours last night.

This morning presents a few challenges that need prayer:

- Christian's blood pressure is lower than the doctors would like.  Please pray that his BP rise so that the second IVIG treatment can be administered.

- Jack returned to work today.  Please pray for favor with his employer, peace beyond the circumstance for both Danielle and Jack, and for Jack to stay perfectly healthy.  This is incredibly important while Christian's autoimmune issues are being treated.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and for the support that is showering this family.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

IVIG Begins This Morning

This morning, Christian will begin his IVIG treatment.  There are some risks involved with this treatment.  The dosage will be increased very slowly and he will be closely monitored during the treatment.  The infusion will take approximately 2 hours.  Please pray that he tolerates it and is able to make it to the goal dosage. 

He is still spiking fevers which is still of concern, considering all of the high powered medications he has been taking.  As a result, they are doing more testing.  His chest is weak, meaning he cannot sneeze or cough very well.    Respitory team has been called back in to treat him.

Thank you for continued prayers.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Doctors Say Plan B..... Trusting God for Plan A: Full Recovery!

Jack and Danielle have asked to get the word out on Christian's progress and where he is in his recovery at this point.  He is still battling fever.  The first several days have been critical for recovery.  Doctors have said he is not recoverying as they had hoped and they are switching to plan b.  Plan b is to address the issues as they arrive and work to keep him funtioning at the highest level possible.  Doctors have told them he doesn't have paralysis "yet".  The word "yet" has been very disheartening for Danielle in particular.  Danielle has not been reading up on transverse myelites and has no desire to do so.  She said she is having a difficult time processing what is reality without looking at the possibilities.  Jack and others have read and she says the others do not seem as surprised.

They will begin an infusion treatment called IVIG on Monday.  They will also change his steroid to another type of steroid.

I asked her for her top 3 prayer requests and here they are:

1) Pray for a FULL recovery.  Her words, "I want a miracle!!!!"

2) Pray for Kylie and Jillian.  The next couple of months will be very different.  They are in excellent care with Stacy Criswell.  However, Danielle is concerened for them.  She doesn't want them to feel neglected, unloved, or to resent Christian's illness in any way.  Pray for wisdom in how to help them have normalcy in the midst of this crisis time in their family.

3)  Jack will need to return to work soon.  Please pray for his peace and wisdom.  Pray for his work situation so he will be able to spend less hours at the job.  Pray for peace for Danielle and Jack while he is away from the hospital.

Many are asking, "How can I help?"  Here are some ways you can help:

1)  PRAY.  Seriously.  If you do nothing else, and you pray, you are doing the best thing there is to do.

2)  Volunteer to sit at the hospital with them.  Especially with Jack's return to work, this will be of huge help.  Lee Ann Lee is putting together a calendar for people to go to hospital in shifts.  (Visitors welcome any time, but if you want to be there for a few hours or more, please sign up with Lee Ann).   You may contact her at 832-573-1862 or Facebook or email:  davidandleelee@yahoo.com

3)  CCHE (homeschool group) is coordinating all other aspects of care:  meals, childcare, yard work, laundry.....you name it!  If you would like to volunteer in some other capacity than being at  the hospital, please contact Cathy Darsey via email: vincat1@earthlink.net or 281-452-6573

4)  Financial assistance:
       a)  It is very important to Jack and Danielle that The Criswell's not be burdened while caring for Ky and Jillian.  Danielle has asked for people to send gift cards for groceries  etc to Stacy and help her as much as possible. 
       b)  Jack and Danielle also have obvious expenses at this time.  If you wish to donate financially, you may take donations to Community Bank of Texas and ask to see Josh Seale or you may drop off your donation at FBC Crosby church office and your gifts will be taken to the hospital as people go.