January 12, 2010

It's hard to believe another year has come and gone and here we are in 2010! I just wanted to take a miniute to give a brief update on Rachelle. She is still having good and bad days. Some days she has breathing issues or her heart rate goes up too high indicating pain or some other unknown problem. When needed she has medications to help bring her comfort, which help her to sleep peacefully. We are thankful for the gift of each day we are blessed with happy, smiling time we get with her and know when the Lord calls her “home” all her days will be happy! She has not been able to go to school since June, and has not been able to spend much time out of bed. We thank you so much for your continued prayers. We thank the Lord for the comfort He gives us each day and the strength to endure the difficulties as they come. Rachelle is an amazing little lady, she has taught so many to appreciate smiles, time and that faith in the Lord is how we make it through each day. Our goal as a family and through Redemption is to bring that same message of encouragement and faith to all we come in contact with. When you are with your loved ones, think about the blessing you have in being together and always thank the Lord!

 

October 10, 2009

For those of you that have been following Rachelle's webpage, I can't believe it's been over two years since we added an update! These past two years have been a very intense journey. We have been enjoying a happy time together and making many memories. To update you on the latest events, Rachelle has been in and out of the hospital and ER many times over the past 4 months. She had been having breathing problems and increased bronchial secretions. She had also developed seizures, which has since been controlled with medications. She was last released August 24, after spending another week at Loma Linda. The Doctors have determined that Rachelle is in the last stages of her condition. They did not give us a time frame but have started Palliative care. They started her on a scopolamine patch, which was given to help dry up the secretions. The Doctors were all shocked at how much Rachelle improved while at the hospital, they had told us on the day she was admitted they were not sure she would make it through the week. Rachelle's condition has been going up and down over the past several weeks since released from the hospital. There were days we really thought our time together was just about up. She has really improved over the past two weeks! We do know things could still take a turn at anytime; it would be comforting if her transition from here to Heaven were a peaceful one and not one full of pain and discomfort! We know this is in the Lord's hands and we fully trust Him from day to day. We ask that you continue to keep our family in your prayers. We want to thank you so much for your prayers and encouraging support.

God Bless,
Todd, Teresa, Josh & Rachelle

 

February 24, 2007

Dear Prayer Partners, Wanted to give everyone the lastest update and prayer request on Rachelle. The last time I wrote to tell you that we were home from the hospital and how everything went better then we even imagined. PTL! I don't think I remembered to mention that the tube they put in was temporary while her body healed from the procedure of placing the g-tube. Monday is her appointment for them to remove the temporary tube which is a longer one and replace it with one that is smaller and from what I'm told even easier to use. They tell us it is a quick and minor procedure, they do have to put her under and that is always a concern with her condition. So once again I am asking that you remember to please say a prayer for her for Mondays procedure. We are told it only takes about 20 minutes and they do not have to make any incisions or anything like that. It is an outpatient procedure. We have to be at the hospital at 7:00am. I'd like to share how SUPER Rachelle has been doing since her tube was placed on the 5th of Jan..... She went back to school on Jan 22nd. She was so very happy to be back! Everyone has been noticing how EXTREMELY happy, giggly and smiley she has constantly been! Also, we saw her GI Doctor on Feb.9th for a follow up appt, and she had already gained 1 1/2 pounds! So we not only know how much better she is feeling (not having to cough and choke from her food) We also know she is getting better nutrition! It is so wonderful to see the Lord touching and working in her life on a daily basis, which touches our whole family! That is only one of the reasons why we are so greatful for any opportunity we get to share the Lords love, grace and power! "Without Him how lost we would be." I'll write again soon and let you know how things have gone.

Thank you & God Bless, Teresa & Family

 

January 8, 2007

Hi Everybody! Just wanted to write and let you all know, as of Saturday night Rachelle and Mom are home from the hospital after a nine day stay! Our prayers were answered even more then we hoped for, Rachelle's PH probe test came back normal, and the upper GI showed minimal signs of acid reflex. So she didn't have to have surgery. Instead she had a procedure where they put a tiny camera down her throat look down to her stomach and it shows them where to put the tube (lined up with her stomach), and they makes a tiny hole smaller then her belly button. It only took about 30 minutes and she did very well. (she was a sleep) It was done Friday at 10:15am and we were sent home Saturday evening. We are now adjusting to the changes in our feeding routine. Also to some new meds she's taking. We had so many visits and calls! That helped so much. I couldn't use my cell phone in the hospital and I couldn't make calls from the room unless they were collect. So Thank you to all those who helped get the updates out to others! Thank you to everyone who offered to help, brought food, took care of Todd and Josh, all the gifts for Rachelle and especially for all the prayers, I know there was a huge amount of those! It's times like this that brings a strong bond of the Lords love between us all and what a blessed feeling that is!! It's going to take some time for Rachelle to get back to her cheery self. I can't wait to see those smiles and giggles again. We love you all!

Teresa, Todd, Josh and Rachelle

 

December 23, 2006

Our last update on Rachelle was in June and we mentioned that we were waiting to get the barium swallow test. Well, here we are 6mos later and it has finally been done. After the test on Thursday, the therapist said that they thought if we modified her feedings she should be OK for a while longer. Then yesterday morning they called and said after reviewing and studying the video and conferring with another therapist and the Doctor they realized she is having more aspirating (which is: the sucking of fluid or a foreign body into the airway when drawing breath.) while eating then they had first thought, and that the doctor says we need to do the G tube surgery next week. (I'm placing a link on G tube for those of you that are not familiar with what it is, this explains not only what it is but how they do it.) So we are writing to let you all know so you can please be praying for this surgery. We know this is what is best for Rachelle, it has very positive benefits, better fluid and calorie in take for her without choking, coughing and danger of aspirating, which can cause pneumonia! Even a relief for Mom, the nurse and her school aide, since we are always concerned when feeding her. The hardest part we think is that she has to under go a surgery. So we are a bit nervous about that but, we are putting that in the Lords hands. We are expecting a call from the Doctor on Tuesday with the day and time information. We know it will be done at Loma Linda. We are not sure if she will have to be kept over night or if she will be sent home the same day? I am so thankful for e-mail, we have had so many calls to make for those without e-mail that it is really nice to be able to inform everyone at one time and know so many prayers will be going up for her! Please feel free to forward this on to any other prayer partner's you know. Thank you all so much for your prayers, love, and support. May the Lord truly bless you! We would also like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Love, Teresa, Todd, Josh and Rachelle