Another quick update on Lindsi…

The docs identified the bacteria: abiotrophia. They are waiting to verify that this variant of strep is susceptible to the antibiotic treatments she is receiving. She should be discharged if test results reflect this tomorrow (Monday) morning. The plan is to do 4-6 weeks of at-home Penicillin G and Tobramycin treatments through the PICC in her arm. Further echocardiograms will be done at the end of this period to monitor for severe mitral valve regurgitation that could lead to heart failure in the future.

We are asking God to completely heal the valve so that surgery is not necessary. Also, we continue to hear of more people each day who are praying for us and we are convinced that we could not have made it to this point of our journey without your prayers. God is so faithful. Thanks, again and again. We’ll continue to keep you posted.

Update #2

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

– 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Since the last update, Lindsi’s symptoms of pneumonia and leg spasm-cramps have been long gone. Last week, we experienced two “normal” days without a fever until Friday, when she began experiencing lower-left abdominal pain, which then spread to her shoulder Sunday afternoon. Once the pain reached a certain level, we came into the ER early Monday morning. The hospital staff were critically and urgently analytical and began running an array of tests and sent us home with some meds to help us wait out the results. We came back in Tuesday morning and Lindsi was admitted for IV antibiotic treatment and an echocardiogram. The echo revealed an infection in Lindsi’s heart (endocarditis), specifically in her mitral valve. Today’s transesophageal echocardiogram will provide for a more specific and conclusive indication of what we are dealing with. As of now, proposed treatment will include daily out-patient IV antibiotics for 4-6 weeks.

As we pass through the fog, we are realizing the continual story of salvation and preservation that God continues to weave. It may not seem convenient, comfortable, conducive to routine ministry, or cheap, but there is an underlying stream that makes all of this relevant to what He has called us: the gospel. Paul said it well, “For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” Difficulty is another area of life that we must allow the gospel to permeate. I saw so much of the gospel through Lindsi’s patience with a new nurse who continually inserted a needle in the wrong spot on her arms. It’s moments like these that we need Spirit-induced swag to communicate the gospel through the way that we react and respond to them and our circumstances.

Please pray that God would strengthen us to bear His name in a way that brings glory to Him. Pray for Lindsi’s continued healing and comfort. Also, ask Him to orchestrate the last eight weeks of Lindsi’s nursing school. Thank you for all the support and kindness that you have already shown us. We truly bear a debt of love to all of you.

Much love,
Stephen and Lindsi

An Update on Lindsi and God's Goodness

So many of you are praying for us right now and I want to update you while there is a lull in the action. God has been so faithful throughout this entire time. In a nut shell, what seemed to be flu symptoms ended up being pneumonia settled deep in Lindsi’s lungs. The doctor prescribed antibiotics on Monday, and after five days, she seems to have kicked it. We are so thankful that the Lord prevented the pneumonia from causing other complications. Another issue arose Monday evening when her right calf cramped up in likes of a “Charlie horse.” The problem was that it remained spasmodically cramped. After some indications of clotting, the doctor arranged for an ultrasound on Wednesday morning. The results were not indicative of a clot. This caused the doctor to associate the cramping with Lindsi’s ten days of bed rest, and prescribed some muscle relaxer. After the condition worsened with swelling and discoloration on Friday, the doctor inspected the leg and ordered another ultrasound. Again, the results were clear. Next, a CT scan was done of Lindsi’s abdominal region. The results were clear, ruling out a vessel-kinking or nerve-pinching tumor, lymphatic swelling , and other potential issues. At this point, the plan is to relieve the swelling in her leg through homeopathic methods (ice, elevation, etc) and discontinuation of the use of any meds with the side effects of clotting. Visiting a vascular specialist may be necessary after further assessment on Monday.

All of this cannot go without saying how good God has been during this time. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.” The pain is thick sometimes, but He has not left us to walk through it with bare skin. He’s clothed us with perseverance, wrapped us in the love of His church, and covered us with the prayers of the saints. In Paul’s words, “We have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” God gets the praise for good reports when danger loomed in the form of a spot on a CT scan. He’s thanked when we realize the friends He’s given us when they are sitting with us at home or in the hospital. His love is tangible when we taste the warmth of a timely prepared meal. The Lord’s sovereignty is reckoned when we pray for healing . In all of it, His identity is projected into and through our circumstances. That is why we go through it, not that it is our choice, so that He can be seen.