Friday, May 4, 2007

Please Pray!

I'm asking all my blogging friends to consider praying for a family (they are our closest neighbors out in the country) that is going through a huge struggle right now.

On April 13th of this year, the mom, Sharla (not her real name--but when you pray, God will know who you mean) gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The pregnancy was a tough one--Sharla had a blood disorder and had to be on drugs up until 38 weeks of pregnancy, to ensure the safe arrival of her baby into the world.

Well, she made it well past the 38 week mark but during the delivery, there was a complication with the baby's cord and the doctors decided to perform an emergency C-section. Initially everything seemed fine. But shortly after the birth, the doctors discovered that Sharla had an infection of some sort and began treating it with antibiotics.

The antibiotics don't seem to be working. It's been three weeks now, and Sharla just underwent her fourth surgery last night. The doctors are desperate to find the source of the infection. On Tuesday she was put into a drug-induced coma and as of today I'm not sure how she is doing. But she's been in intensive care all week and is not even aware of what's going on (due to the coma).

The little baby boy has been at home with his dad, two grandmas, older sister and older brother for just over a week. His older sister is in Mitchell's grade; His older brother just turned 5 years old. The kids are not aware of how serious their mother's condition is . . . they haven't been able to see her for quite some time, and because of her coma, they haven't even been able to talk on the phone with their mommy.

I am soliciting prayers on behalf of this family. They are not believers. We really just started to get to know them. They are struggling. They are hurting. Please pray that the family is able to cope with whatever happens. . . that the doctors can find the source of the infection . . . that Sharla will be healed and able to come home soon.

When I visited Sharla a couple of weeks before her baby was born, her one and only concern was that her baby would come home safe and sound. Because of her blood disorder, she feared for her baby. No one ever imagined it was Sharla who might not make it home.

Thank you for your prayers. I'll keep you posted as things progress.

4 comments:

Becky said...

Oh that's so scary! I'm praying right now for that poor family...

Kristy said...

Count me in too!
Wow, that is very scary.

Amy said...

Thank you for sharing this with us. I say this alot, but prayer is one thing in Blobville that we can all be doing if we only share our requests. I will be praying for physical and spiritual needs for this family.

And just to let you know, I did get your email and am working on one back to you! I have been reading your RAD posts and learning so much. I'm glad you are sharing your story too!

Please keep us posted if you learn anything new!

Love, Amy

Melissa said...

Hi Kim- I've been traveling and just returned home. first let me say, I'm praying for Sharla. Second.. Oh my gosh! when I read your post on my blog about your sister and her husband working here in Chiang Mai. I just about fell out! My husband was sitting and reading your comment and said, wow- how cool is that! :) Now that's a GOD THING! It is in moments like this that I am amazed at how the Family of God reaches all over the world! :)

Well, to answer your question. We have been serving overseas for 11 years- Mostly working with Unreached peoples in East Asia. (can't really say where due to security) but we have lived in China, Thailand, and Malaysia ;-) if that helps some! :)
We are Southern Baptist affiliation.

Our kids attend Grace International. Actually our oldest will graduate in just 4 short weeks. :(...

I best be going.. I just wanted to stop by and catch up since I have been traveling!

Blessings!
Melissa