Update on Kate

As there are many who may not be aware, our family has been dealing with another bout of sickness, this one, much tougher than any yet.

The boys both came down with pretty severe coughs/fevers/sinusy issues within a few days of each other, starting a week ago yesterday. While it was rough, they both eventually fought it off (though they still have ear infections) and are doing much better. But starting last Thursday, Kate began to show signs of the same symptoms, but no fever. It’s hard to see her with it, but we thought she’d get over it too and we did all we knew to do to make her comfortable here.

Sunday evening though, it was apparent that she was really struggling more than she should be without advanced help. After getting counsel to especially watch out for RSV (Respiratory Synctial Virus), a particularly nasty virus for an infant under 6 months to get, we took her in to the ER and confirmed that it was RSV. Though that evening, after a relatively short and helpful ER visit, we took her home with instructions to see her Pediatrician the next day, which we did. He prepared us that it was likely that the worst had not been passed yet and that she very likely might need to be hospitalized. Sure enough, she did. Bethany took her back to the ER after her mommy instincts told her that Kate was struggling to breathe more than she (Bethany or Kate ) could handle. And soon after triage, the Dr. deemed it necessary to admit Kate.

She’s on oxygen constantly and though her O2 levels are ok with oxygen, she’s still nowhere near able to breathe easily enough on her own to naturally get the oxygen that she needs. Beyond oxygen, there’s no medication that can really help her. So it’s a very difficult journey to watch her and only be able to PRAY and wait.

But God.

He’s more than sufficient for our weakness and we’re all doing well, emotionally. Bethany is staying with her and I’m staying with the boys. The hospital is literally less than 100 yards from our house and an easy walk for either of us. Our co-workers here at NTBI have been so gracious and helpful as well. Thanks guys!

So, please be praying for Kate to be able to soon breathe sufficiently on her own, to not develop any other complications (like Pneumonia), and for Bethany and I as we look to HIM in this time. Bethany and I are both feeling some cold symptoms (though not severe at all) as well.

Thanks for standing with us in this time. We hope to someday be able to stand with you as faithfully as we know you do with us!

Joel for the Potter 5