Caution: May Contain Nuts
or The Kellers in Africa
Nov
2
So precious, my baby.
Please be praying for Monica. She has been experiencing strange, scary fainting/seizing episodes. It started Saturday afternoon, and has occurred three more times since then. We took her to the village doctor here after the second spell. He did what tests he could (observational only) and sent us home to watch her. We were hoping the problem was just due to teething and the heat. She was fine all day Sunday, but today she had two more “fits”, as they have begun to be called. We took her back to the doctor this afternoon, along with Dian who seems to have a throat infection (at first we thought they might have the same thing, but he clearly has an infection and Monica does not). Dr Hassasing had Monica tested for malaria, and that came back negative. He is pretty sure that it isn’t a tropical disease, as she seems completely fine between fits. He is also pretty certain that it isn’t epilepsy or a neurological problem as she doesn’t exhibit any of the other symptoms of those disorders (the attacks aren’t actual, medical “seizures” just a strange kind of seizing apnia). He prescribed a broad spectrum antibiotic just in case it’s bacterial. Unfortunately, there is no blood lab or scanning center here in town.
Her most recent attack happened this evening, and we will be returning to the doctor tomorrow to determine if we should take her to Lusaka or even South Africa for proper, hospital testing. At this point, I don’t think we have any other option; there isn’t anything else they can do for her here in Kabwe.
Please be praying for her. I am very scared. There is little that we can do other than watch her and keep her calm. It seems that stress and pain set off the attacks (the one this evening happened after the dog knocked her over and she got a bump on her head.) I have never felt so helpless. I will never, ever be able to erase the image of my limp baby girl lying in my arms; I’ll never experience longer seconds than those in which I waited for her to breathe again.
Please, please pray for us.
14 Responses to “So Scared”
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November 2nd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Honey, we are battering the gates of heaven with our prayers for healing. We are praying for guidance for you and Timothy as you make the decisions on what to do next as well as God’s guiding hand on the doctors who will treat our baby girl. Please let us know what else to do.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I just thought of something. is it possible that there is something in the new building materials that is affecting the air that Monica is breathing? She is at a different height than both of you – could there be some odor/chemicals that are being released? I know there have been problems in the US with gypsum boards releasing gases. I’m stretching and reaching to try to help solve the mystery. Keep us posted.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Ashley, We here at ITMI are praying for you, Tim and Monica, and little Keller-to-be. I can’t even begin to imagine how scared you must be. I pray that you can feel God’s arms wrapping around all of you, caring for you. His sparrow Monica is the apple of his eye. Please also know that His people are praying.
Blessings to you all.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I will certainly lift Monica in prayer. You must be terrified to be where there is little medical help and her being so ill. I will add her to Ascensions prayer chain. God Bless you all!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 am
Poor little bunny
. Praying.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:49 am
Going out on Ascension prayer chain immediately. Praying for your direction and Monica’s total healing. Love,
Jean
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:10 am
Oh Ashley dear…..I wish I could hug you and comfort you right now. I am so sorry! We are praying. Please please let us know if there is ANYTHING we can do.
xx Lenora
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Ashley, my heart goes out to you and my prayers go up to the Lord.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Any news yet? What are your plans?
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Peter says that the best Hospital in Lusaka is the St. Marks Coptic Hospital. It is run by the Egyptian Christian Coptic Mission. He says they are the ones that helped Bwanali Phiri recover. Otherwise it would need to be South Africa.
Please keep us posted…..we love youxx
November 4th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Hi. I am a pediatrician who is a friend of Kurt and MaryJo…if these episodes are precipitated by stress/crying/becoming upset, they could be simple breath-holding spells. She is decidedly in the right age group for this, especially if she is well in every other way and they occur when something “sets her off”. I would be happy to respond to any specific questions you have…and certainly will add her to our family prayers.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Hi. I am a pediatrician who is a friend of Kurt and MaryJo. Baby Monica may be having something as simple as breath holding spells. She is certainly in the right age group for this to occur and if she seems fine in every other way and these episodes are precipitated by stress/crying/getting upset, then breath holding spells could be the diagnosis. Of course it is hard to practice pediatrics in cyberspace, but I would be happy to answer any questions you have. We have already added her to the Honebrink family prayer list.
November 4th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Oh dear one, you are in my heart, thoughts and prayers.
Love in Christ,
Kathleen
November 4th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Our prayer chain at Ascension Lutheran is a wonderous thing. We are praying in force for your family. God’s peace. Andrea