Urgent Prayers Needed

[GSXMEN]

I heard tonight that my cousin Dalene, out in Cincinnati, OH is in the hospital. It appears that they will be operating on her spleen tomorrow.

I haven't heard all the details, but I heard something about internal bleeding and red blood cells.....just don't know more than that.

Needless to say, she's more than a bit scared. She's got 5 kids....3 of them young girls. The oldest son & daughter are college age.

I'm sure all sorts of things are rushing thru her mind, naturally. As a long time Believer, she's not worried one bit about where she'd be going should things not turn out well. Of course, being that we're all human - it's tough to not think of the possibility of death and what that would mean to her husband & kids.

I'm not sure they've got this thing nailed down as to the exact cause of the bleeding. I was told they were talking about removing her spleen, so hopefully that is the right course of action.

Anyways....prayers for a successful diagnosis &/or surgery are greatly appreciated!! Thanks.

[chryco63]

Prayers given. May God be with the family, and with the surgeons and doctors.

[sharkmonkey]

She's in my prayers as well.
-mark

[TheBuickNut]

in my prayers also

[Double "D"]

mine also, I hope she has a quick recovery

[GS Shari]

Prayers from Chicago, for a good diagnosis and a quick recovery!

Take care,

Shari

[gui_tarzan]

Prayers up!

[GSXMEN]

I want to thank all those that are praying for my cousin, as well as all the other requests we get in this forum. :TU: It means a lot!!

I don't have much of an update other than what little I overheard from my Aunt.

They think she might have something called TTP. It's pretty serious stuff. In the past, there was only about a 5% chance of survival. Now, it's up to about 80% with treatment. Favorable, but still iffy.

Only thing I've heard that is certain, is an issue with the red blood cells. They are currently doing plasma replacement. I guess it needs to be done several times a day for at least 5 days in a row before it shows some improvements. Who knows.

Keep the prayers coming.....not just for her, but all here that are in need. It really does make a difference.

[britt'sStage 1]

I add my prayers to your prayers,in the MIGHTY NAME of JESUS!!!Jay B.Britt,Jr.

[Floydsbuick]

She's in my prayers. Keep us posted

[carmantx]

Prayers given. Hope to hear the best possible news.

[GSXMEN]

Got a positive update from my uncle....figured I'd post it here.


It is Monday morning...Dalene has been here just over a week now and I have written to you two times to request your prayers for her. God has been so good....because GOD IS GOOD!

I came in this morning at 6:30 so Chad could go to his office and take up his doctoring position again. In the last 41/2 hours I have been amazed. God has really done a special work through those working on her. I have been thanking them but also have told them that Dalene's friends from literally over the world have been praying for her and those in this hospital who have been ministering to her.

They have all been amazed at what they found this morning. She may be getting moved out of ICU tomorrow She is right now receiving her 4th plasma exchange (apheresis or plasma plaresis). She has made a definite turn upward. What a witness this is to the power of God. Another lady came in and is right now doing an EEG to check her brain and we had a great talk about the power of prayer. The lady doing the plaresis said how she agreed. I told the Lord I would be sure He received the praise and what a time to witness that.

One of her doctors just came in and said the TTP she has probably came from a virus. They are all learning mre about TTP. Note: The main doctor just now came in and explained more...he is absolutely delighted and said that she was one of th most difficult cases they had worked on to determine the cause. I told him also that we had been praying for him for wisdom. He said it must have worked.

From the time I started this e mail to now was about an hour....so many have come in and out checking and doing their procedures....Grand Central Station here now.

Keep praying and also thank the Lord with us. He knows all things and has the power to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.

I thank everyone for praying for someone you've never met!! It means a lot!!:TU:

[Running]

:tu::tu:tu:

[GSXMEN]

Got 3 email updates from my uncle. I'll post them separately.
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It is now Monday evening and I am "child sitting" with Dalene's 3 youngest ones. Dathan flew in from California this afternoon and as we took him to see his sister, it was a great reunion of praise. Daneth and Dathan are back at the hospital now and I will spend tomorrow with her. I have had time to sit back and reherse just some of the things God has done over the last 168 hours since we arrived here in Cincinnati. It is a awesome view from here, and those moments of questions are more clearly see now. Dalene was close from seeing her Savior and though she is in a place where "all the numbers are going in the right direction" (as the main doctor reported this morning...and with a number of us around, in his excitement for what was taking place he literally clapped his hands....and I said "Praise the Lord!"...maybe our excitement was going in different directions but we felt something had happened)...we still know she has a long way to go.

God taught me that I was to have faith in Him no matter what His decision was to be....more than just faith that He would touch her and bring healing,....but faith in the fact that His was the best way,...whatever He chose it to be. God's grace is so deep.

One more thing please,....I was impressed at the reaction I received from so many places as to the prayers being offered....I can safely say there were thousans praying for her. Churches of all sizes...God is not interested in the size of the churches but their hearts. Today I got word from a large church in France as well a small country church outside of our home town in New York State... God hears them all with equal importance. Thank you again.

[GSXMEN]

Another.
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It is now almost midnight and we just got back from the hospital. It was my privilege to spend 15 hours with Dalene today from 6:15 am on. The news was not as uplifting when I got there as Chad told me they found it necessary to run an EKG at 5 am because her heart was beating with iregularity and her potasium had dropped to 3.1. After a number of doctors met with her it was decided that a pick which had been placed through her upper arm and into her heart a few days ago was to deep and it would be necessary to pull it out a few centimeters. They did that and her heart responded favorably.

Her red blood platlets were a very low 11000 when she came into the hospital and yesterday we were elated that they were 45000 ,but this morning they were back to 39000. It seems this all came about because she apparently contacted a virus that caused her body to fight off the bad cells and the TTP is where it continues to destroy all red blood cells. Her body is trying to accept the new plasma . She has had 5 plasmapheresis or complete plasma exchanges.

Dalene and I had a good time of fellowship through the day and we thanked the Lord for what He is doing. we reviewed many things of the 42 years we have enjoyed together and laughed together. I read a number of e mails that have come in response to the request to you folks for prayer. She is so thankful for all who have held her before the throne. We shared a lot that has taken place in the last week and look forward by faith as to what He has in store for her tomorrow and into her future. She is excited about a new and growing church that they are a part of and looks forward to getting into the harness to help.

Thank you again for your faithfulness, I trust these updates are helpful to you as you pray.
Dick and Daneth Brown

[GSXMEN]

Praise and further request for prayer.:Comp:
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It is after midnight and the report tonight is one of praise but requesting you keep praying for Dalene. She and I spent all day together again and her platlets were 35000 this morning and 150000 is the goal, so we have a long way to go. She had her 6th plasmapherisis in 6 days (that is about 30 units of plasma). I am meeting more and more doctors working on her case and I am very impressed with the team of doctors, nurses and techs working. I have told most of them we have been praying for the Lord's wisdom to them and have asked for God's healing hand.

At 8 pm tonight we had the joy of walking down the halls of the hospital with Dalene in a wheel chair in front of us as they moved her to a private room from ICU. After we got to the room Chad came in with Kylee, Jillian and Talia. They all crawled onto her bed. The room was full of praise. We all joined hands and gave thanks to our blessed Lord for sparing her life. She will probably have weeks left of plasma exchange, but we are so thankful she is where she is.

I close tonight with thanking you again for your response. I have received many, many e mails of response. She will have a record of all of them. Japan, Hungary, France and probably 15 to 20 states have been heard from. How I thank God for my wonderful family trough this. Dathan is here from Calif., Rich and his family is here from Virginia, Daneal left to go back to Calif. We have had all of our kids here at various times. They love their sister so much. Daneth has been spending time taking care of the children as they have not been able to go into the hospital but that will change now she is out of ICU.
I am trying to include 3 pics from today...if I can compress them. If not...thank you so much for your friendship and prayers.
Love you all....Dick and Daneth Brown

I think we can add quite a few more states to that list.:TU:

Here's one picture of her immediate family - praying in her room.

[Mr Big]

Prayers sent up asking :pray: for Dalene's physical healing.

[pyro225]

Prayers sent up asking :pray: for Dalene's physical healing.

I'll follow Glenn's lead. I'll send prayer too.

[chryco63]

Scott, those are great emails. It's astonishing to think about just how many people might be praying for one person/family at any given time, in any situation. What an inspiring picture, too. :TU:

God bless you all, again, and my prayers are being sent, too.

[my79supreme]

Scott,

I have only been a member for two days, so I haven't had the time to read through a lot of things here. But I too am rejoicing in God's goodness to your family through this trial. I was blessed to hear how your uncle and family gathered around Dalene's bed and thanked Him for sparing her life. The Lord truly is good.

Pastor Les Wallace
Southern New Jersey

[GSXMEN]

Thanks guys!!:3gears:

It's unfortunate that anyone has to go thru troubles, but it sure is nice to see how something like this draws this community closer together.:TU:

[GSXMEN]

Couple more email updates from my Uncle. Although it might appear to be a step or two in the wrong direction, I know the Lord will use it for good.
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Again I say thank you so much for your interest, care and prayers for Dalene and her family. So I am still getting responses from so many. Some have networked out to their e mail lists as well. Canada was added to the list of the other foreign countries and a number of students that I had in the Word of Life Bible School in Hungary have responded. What a blessing.

Dalene had her 7th plasmapherisis this afternoon. Two of her main doctors reported that her platelet numbers dropped to 23000. This was a disappointment to them but they declare they were still confident they were on the right trail to her healing. The doctor that found the disorder told me this morning that Dalene was the main point of conversation in a network of doctors. There are about 43 doctors in this group and 26 or so are hematologists. Keep praying for God's hand to intervene in a clear and glorious way.

Tomorrow, we will take the girls to the hospital to visit their mommy and then drive the 270 miles to Hobart, Indiana so I can be in the pulpit Sunday. Chad's mom will bring the girls back here on Sunday to cover the responsibilities we have been covering.

I again enjoyed a full 15 hours with Dalene and it gives us a lot of time to share our love and dreams together...she has been such a wonderful daughter and we talked about how bright her future is...I keep reminding her that our future is as bright as the promises of God.

Each Sunday for the last 36 years of pastoring I have written and posted in the church bulletin what I call the "From the Pastor's Heart". My daughter in law Janet suggested I call this "From the Father's Heart".......Nice touch Janet.


It is Saturday noon and I started writing an update on Dalene at midnight last night We got back to Hobart at 11 pm as we brought Dalene's 3 smaller girls with us. I could not send an email because something was wrong with the wireless connection in my office.....So here it is 12 hours later.

Dalene had a rough day yesterday. Her platelets went down even further to 14000 and they started increasing her plasmapherisis to a one1/2 to one (that means half again as much was going into her system than was coming out. Daneth and I busily got the kids ready to take to Indiana and make sure everything was cleaned up after having so many family members there over the last few days. I had taken Dathan to the airport at 4 am to fly back to Calif. and it had been a busy day. When we arrived in Dalene's room we found out that while giving her the phersisis her blood pressure had dropped to 70 over 22....she told us it felt as if her life was being taken out of her.

This morning they did surgery on her to remove the shunt from her groin that handles the pherisis exchange of her total blood, and put a tunnel into her chest. They also removed the IV Pic from her upper arm and replaced it with a shunt on her chest, through her jugular into her heart for meds. She was at 14000 platelets this morning. Keep praying. Remember....she was at 11000 when they discovered her problem...went up to 45000 the first day after her plasmapherisis but has dropped back to 14000 after her 8th one. We are still confident but disappointed.

She wants me to thank each one for your prayers. It seems that every day I get e mails from more people from more countries and states. Romania and Holland were added this morning.

In the midst of this we received a call early this morning that Rich's(Dalene's brother) father-in-law (Janet's dad) is now in critical condition in South Bend as he was found on the floor early this morning and already had turned blue....Pray for John and Mary.

I can honestly say that the last 3 weeks has probably been the most challenging days of our lives as a family....(Our trip to New York as my mom had a close encounter with death...she is doing pretty well and enjoyed her 98th birthday dinner last Saturday...my knee surgery a week ago Monday as soon as I returned from New York...we traveled to Cincinnati the following day...by the way, I found out that a few days after surgery I lost about a pint of blood under the bandages....)...Dalene and the episode she has been living.....and I could go on....BUT THROUGH IT ALL WE ARE GROWING IN OUR FAITH AND ENJOYMENT IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD...HE IS SO AWESOME....Even though there have been deep disappointments in the last 3 weeks....we love Him more as He continues to show His love. Pray for me tomorrow as I get back into the harness here at our church. Speaking 3 times tomorrow will be a blessing to me.

Thankfully.....Dick and Daneth Brown

[GSXMEN]

Another update.

Still not the good news that we're hoping to hear, but I believe that is yet to come. Please keep praying.:pray:
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Dear Friends:

It is now 6pm Sunday and I will be going into our Evening Service in 30 minutes and thought I need to send this out to you before then. Dalene is not doing well at all. Chad told be over the phone that they have her back in ICU because she is reacting to the whole blood transfusion that was added to her 9th plasmapherisis which has been increased. The tunnel they surgically place into her chest is still bleeding and causes her pain. Please continue to pray.

The Lord gave grace and help to me this morning as I gave a message on needing revival in our lives and churches. We all need it and I believe we are in a great place for God to work. I have asked the Lord to do something in Dalene's behalf so when it is done, all will say it had to be God!

The prayer support continues to mount and I am asked over and again to add more names to my list of those I am sending The Father's Heart reports. You probably received a return mail sent to to me from a very dear friend of mine in Hungary who shared some great words of wisdom and encouragement to me. It was apparently sent to me but some how got added to my total list. I was glad that you received it, for it was a token of what is coming back to me. Dave ministers at Word of Life in Hungary and it was just 2 years ago he himself was the recepient of multitudes praying for him as he suffered seroious heart problems while in Hungary. God graciously spared his life and he continues to serve Him faithfully there at Word of Life.

God never does anything evil or harmful to His children and he has a plan for Dalene and our family. Read Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Thank you for your time and prayers.

Dick and Daneth

[GSXMEN]

Today's update.
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It is Monday afternoon and Daneth and I are in Cincinnati again. We got back to Hobart on Friday evening and I was able to study and prepare for my messages during Saturday and through the night. Sunday went well as I preached the morning and evening services and when I went home Sunday night and retired for the night, little did we realize the phone would ring at midnight and Dalene's husband Chad told us that Dalene was doing poorly. Her platelets had dropped to 7000. That was 4000 less than when she was at the lowest period when she was critical. Needless to say we headed off again for Cincinnati.

We spent a greater part of the today with Dalene. She is an amazing woman. We are so proud of her and her spirit. We talked to one of her main doctors and he told us he feels it was a reaction to infection from where the incision was for the port for her plasmapherisis. Her platelets are up to 13000 now. Chad's family is here to help take care of the girls and to cover as I did in the hospital during the day last week. Things seem much better now, so Daneth and I will head north and wait for our turn to help.

Thank you so much for all of you who have responded with e mails to let us know you are praying. It means a lot to us. Our Father in heaven has helped this dad to rejoice as the 'Father's Heart' continues to report. I sincerely believe this has been a great time to increase my faith. Dalene told me this afternoon that this has been a time when her trust in the Lord has grown in a big way. God is in control.

BTW......if any of you would like to send my Uncle a word of encouragement, or just let him/them know you're praying for Dalene - that would be greatly appreciated!! His email is sigma3@juno.com - put something with Dalene's name in the headline.

Many thanks!!:TU:

[GSXMEN]

I got an email from my sister, with a copy of one she had sent to my Uncle about Dalene. Very interesting to say the least!! Anyone that knows my sister knows that she is & has been a Prayer Warrior for some time!!
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A few minutes ago as I was emailing you this, a friend of mine called me and asked me to turn on the TV to channel 6 because he heard a guy sharing his testimony about Jesus rocking his world and thought I might be interested. So, I turned it on and was watching this testimony from my desk. My friend nor I knew what program this was, but it turned out to be TBN.

I remember Grandma Baker watching this show in her trailer often, but as far as I can recall, I have never seen a whole program of it. It was the same thing today. I saw just a little snippet...the last say 10 minutes of the program. After hearing the dramatic testimony of God healing this young kid from a tragic accident that took the lives of his friends and should have taken his....the hosts took the last few minutes to pray for God's people to be touched by the Lord as well.

I put my hand on my chest for Dalene, because I love her so much and closed my eyes, thanking the Lord for what He's already done and asking Him to heal her completely. (As of last weekend, I have been praying God's word over her life. Praying the scriptures over her body/life).

Then one of the hosts while praying said "there is a woman who has a rare blood disease of some sort, and your red blood cell count is very low, and the Lord says He is transforming every cell in your body." Well, you could call me crazy - or you could say that's the Lord!!!! There is NO doubt in my mind that was God letting me know that He has heard all of our cries...all our cries around the world!!!! Please be sure to tell Dalene that I love her, but that her Lord loves her sooooo much more than even I do!!!!!!!!!

I thank God for His provision on the cross, which IS perfect and lacking in nothing! His shed blood for us is overwhelmingly complete. Sozo (Soteria)....wow! By His stripes, we are the healed! Thank you Lord!

[Buick Kid]

We got your back, man! I'm praying for her and the situation!

[GSXMEN]

Update for today....
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I hope you do not tire from receiving updates regarding Dalene...I certainly never tire of sending them out because it is a small part I can have in helping my dear daughter during these difficult days. Thank you again for all the many of you who are doing so much to pray for her and send words of encouragement to us. I will be putting a notebook together with the corespondence from all the email and adding some pictures we have been taking. The Lord has used many of you as we realize the multitudes standing with us.

Yesterday was a rough day, as I reported to you last evening, after we returned from a quick trip to Cincinnati. Her platelets had dropped to 7,000 at one point. They believe there was infection from one of the ports used for the plasmapheresis. She had about 4 hours of chemo to help destroy some of the antibodies that are destroying her red blood cells. A doctor from Wisconsin was consulted (a doctor who has a good deal of experience in this field). They delivered samples of her blood to him yesterday. They are still awaiting the results from that. A doctor in Oklahoma is also being consulted. I am presently in my ofice here in Hobart and was on the phone with her probably 6 or 7 times today. She is doing pretty well in comparision and I told her that it occured to me today that with literally thousands of people praying for her it means that the Lord is pleased with each one that approaches Him to ask for wisdom and help for Dalene and the doctors.

There are still many questions the doctors and techs are having. Only God really knows what is wrong...will you continue to pray that wisdom from the Lord will enter their thoughts and the Lord can be glorified. It would be a wonderful thing if God did something so awesome, that each doctor would realize that God did it!!!

Dalene told me yesterday that her life of trust in the Lord is getting stronger. Praise the Lord for that.

Today.....7/9/08....Dalene's platelets were 20,000 this morning. She had a blood transfusion this afternoon and about now will start her over 3 hours of plasmapheresis. The doctor said he was hoping for 35,000 in the morning. Let us continue to pray for His miracles to take over. God is able.

[GSXMEN]

A step forward, thank the Lord!!
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It is after 11 pm Thurs night and I just came back to my office to bring you up to date re: Dalene. Daneth and I received a phone call shortly after 6 this morning....it was Dalene...."Mom,.Dad...the doctor just left and I am at 34,000! " After I said praise the Lord, I immediately prayed a pray of thanks with her. I know she still has 100,000 to go on her platelets...but after the low of 7,000 late Sunday evening, this was great news. She had her 13th plasmapheresis this afternoon. Monday she gets her 2nd kemo treatment. She was taken from ICU and into a private room this evening. We were talking to her on the phone when the girls came into the room and naturally we got off the line so she could enjoy them.

Keep praying for her.....it seems the last 3 weeks have been at times like a roller coaster ride. But through it all, God has not changed, nor has His plan changed...He is in control and our love for Him as well as our trust in Him grows.

[GSXMEN]

More positive news tonight!
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You have become a very important part of our lives as you have approached our Lord with Dalene's needs and sickness. I have been working in my office since we returned Monday evening from our emergency trip to Cincinnati when Dalene became much worse. I am blessed to be able to talk with her over the phone during the day. Chad's mom and dad and sister were covering this week and Daneth and I will go back down next week.

She called at 6:15 this morning.....She was excited...the doctor told her she was at 63,000 in her blood platelets. While this is great news, please do not slow your prayers down. There is much yet to be done. We are praying for a permanent healing and that her platelets will remain high in the 100,000 to 150,000 range on a steady basis. I will be with her when she gets her 2nd kemo treatment on Monday.

I asked her if there was anything she wanted me to say in this evening's Father's Heart. She asked me to tell each of you how deeply she appreciates your prayers and notes. She said she has sensed the Lord answering your prayers. As I told you before, in six months time, she will look back and see this as a time of victory and blessing that only God could arrange for her. She and I are looking forward to that time. God is so good isn't He?

[GSXMEN]

More positive news......definitely a step in the right direction!!
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It is Saturday night and I need to get this report to you before Saturday leaves us. It was a great call from Dalene this morning as she reoprted she was at 95.000 in her platelets. But as we have been accustomed, we seem to be ready for news that keeps us on our knees. This evening she said the doctors found "a new strain of infection" and they are watching for it and deciding how to treat it. All in all, we are continuing to praise the Lord. Her spirits are high (just like our "old" Dalene has always been).

I told our church people in The Pastor's Heart (a weekly writing I have as a page in our Sunday bulletin each week) that I am sure that the Lord has been so pleased with each individual that has approached Him in prayer over Dalene. I just opened my e mail a few minutes ago and was surprised to hear from someone that Dalene's name was on a paper with a prayer on it and placed in the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. We have been at the wailing wall a few times, but never had our names there....LOL(NOTE: This was courtesy of a V8Buick board member that wishes to remain anonymous - Thanks again!!)

I told you...these are interesting days!

Let's keep our prayers going to our Father. He cares. By the way, I looked out one of our windows in the back of our home this morning and watched some sparrows eating some seeds and thought of the song..."His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." I thought about the Scripture that reminds us that He cares for the sparrows and makes sure they are cared for. How much more He is watching over Dalene......and you and I as well. Praise to His name.

[my79supreme]

Thank you for the updates. I am praying that the Lord gives the doctors the wisdom on how best to fight this new infection. I am so thankful for the Lord's watchful eye upon and care for His children. Where would we be without it?

Pastor Les Wallace
Southern, NJ

[BUICKRAT]

That is great news. Please keep us posted. I have been following this since day one and pray all you hear from now on is good news.

[GSXMEN]

I want to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support!! The Lord deserves much Praise on this one!!

Got more positive news late last night as well.:TU:
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It is going for midnight here and we had a great day here in church. Dalene called me in my office before church started and she said her platelets were 105,000. We again praise the Lord. That is an icrease from 7,000 last Sunday night to 105,000 in one week. We give praise and credit to the Lord for giving wisdom to the doctors and allowing the procedures to work in her body.

Daneth and I are leaving early tomorrow morning. She is to have her 2nd chemo tomorrow and we want to be with her as she takes the 4 hour procedure. The 1st one gave her some problems when she took it. We will spend the week with her to help as we can.

As she told me this morning, to have you continue praying as she knows she is not out of the woods yet. She has 2 infections that need to be dealt with as they can.

Thank you again....

[GSXMEN]

I am pleased to report even more positive news!!:TU:
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It is Monday afternoon and Daneth and I are in Dalene's hospital room. She has had a busy day. She had her 18th plasmapheresis (total plasma exchange) , she had a dopler to check for blood clots, and now she is getting her 2nd chemo therapy. This morning her platelets registered 129k....what a praise to the Lord!

The nurse that is attending to her right now, was one of her attending nurses that Thursday morning when they rushed her to ICU. She told us what it was like when she was with Dalene that Thursday morning. Our son Rich and his wife, Janet, were with her that morning as well, and they have tried to explain what it was like then. The nurse told us that when they transferred her to the unit, those here thought she was a candidate to not making it. She is a Christian lady and told us that she prayed for Dalene as they took her away. The head doctor was in early that morning and we sincerely believe that the Lord gave him wisdom as to what to do for her. He diagnosed it correctly right in time. He said that Dalene was a very rare case and they really did not know what to think.

The nurse told us that doctors from Mayo, various University hospitals and doctors from across the nation were sought for counsel . Another doctor just now came in and looked at her and marveled at the way she looks now. He looked at me and when we told him we had been praying for her, he said it was indeed a miracle!

God is answering my prayers of the last 3 weeks,....that the doctors would be amazed and recognize that is was God that has moved to give them direction and bring healing to her through whatever methods He pleases.

Keep praying. Daneth and I will be here with her this week and we plan on returning to Hobart on Friday afternoon. Please pray also that the Lord would help me in these weeks as we prepare for our 2008/09 school year at Hobart Baptist School. There are many things I have been working on to prepare for the 34th school year plus responsibilities in our church. Also, in 14 more weeks I plan on leaving for Hungary for my 4th year teaching at the Word of Life Bible College. I will be there for a full week of teaching. I need your prayers as well. God is an awesome God and great to be praised.

[Mr Big]

God is an awesome God and great to be praised

Indeed!:TU:

[GSXMEN]

Getting closer.....thank you Lord!!
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This has been a good day with Dalene. I spent the day with her and it is now 9 pm and we are watching the All Star game together and it is a good time to write to you.

Her platelets were 134k this morning. We found out yesterday that the reason for the complications she had, that almost cost her life, was a bacterial infection she got here at the hospital due to infection from her IV Pic Line in her arm and in her groin from the plasma exchage. The reaction in her immune system because of the TTP made things dangerous. Her head doctor dealing with the blood disorder, said there are 200 accounts of this recorded and 180 were children. That leaves only 20 adults.

Her spirits are high and though she may not be able to go home for a while, she sure looks foward to it. She looks forward to seeing the girls as much as we can get them in here.

Keep the prayers going. Each day I receive e mails responding. I continue to thank the Lord for what He is doing, especially because my prayers have been answered that it would be very evident that the healing has been because of His giving wisdom to the doctors and His healing touch. Our faith and trust in Him has been tested but has grown so much. God knows just what to do because He is all wise and all loving. It is our prayer that these reports have stimulated your spiritual lives as well.

Dick and Daneth Brown

[GSXMEN]

Very nice update for tonight.:TU:
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Dear Friends:

The past 25 days have certainly been ones of challenge and growth in our walk with the Lord. That Sunday morning of June 22nd, was the beginning of the time period that our daughter Dalene would at least twice walk through the valley of death. It was also the time that answers would begin to come as to why she had been suffering with numerous pains and symptoms of some kind of problems for 6 months. Doctors were stumped and perplexed.

Tonight I am sitting on Dalene and Chad's front porch writing to you and remembering what I felt like 3 weeks ago as I sat in this very spot. As I sat here that night alone in the dark, I thought of so many chapters in her life. My eyes would tear up as I realized we might lose her to this battle of TTP. Tonight I can see more clearly that the Lord has been given the glory and honor each time we talk to the doctors as God has definitely touched her. Remember, 2 weeks ago she dipped to 7,000 in her platelets. This morning she was at 152,000! She was told that she may be able to go home as an outpatient tomorrow or Friday. She would need to return each day for her plasmapheresis (complete plasma exchange) every day until they can wean her off of it and finally, Lord willing, stop the treatments altogether.

Keep praying but please, stop and spend time and praise Him for what He has been doing. Our faith has been growing and I can see where her life has touched many lives as I read the responses coming in from places all over this world. Thank you again.

Today I again spent all day and part of the evening with Dalene. She has regained her vibrant spirit and hearty laughter and she witnesses her praise of the Lord every time a different doctor or nurse comes in to her room.

Dick and Daneth Brown

[GSXMEN]

More Praise!!:TU:
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It is Thursday night....day 26 since our lives were brought to the edge of the unknown, yet days of growth and faith. I again spent the day with Dalene and I will be with her tomorrow and then plan on leaving for Hobart later in the afternoon. Daneth and I plan to take Talia (their 5 year old) with us to join her other sisters who are there with Chad's family.

As I walked into her room, I found her sleeping and she was having her 22nd plasma exchange in the same number of days. The nurse who was operating the equipement said, "185,000". So she is continuing to improve. The plans are for now, that she will get numbers 23 and 24 tomorrow and Saturday, and then will be allowed to go home and skip Sunday but go back as an out patient on Monday for her 25th exchange. They will continue to monitor her numbers and seek to wean her slowly from the treatments.

Infection is a continuous threat to her but we are confident in God's protection and healing. As it is shared with us, she is "not out of the woods yet". Please keep praying through the process of adjustments. (Note: thankfully her husband Chad is a doctor also).

Yesterday brought forth a very happy moment for her as she spoke and watched via "Skype" on my lap top. She was communicating with our daughter Daneal and her 4 month old son Zane in California. Great to have the ability to communicate.

Thank you again,

Dick and Daneth Brown

[GSXMEN]

More praise, and a note from my cousin Dalene.
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Dalene and I had a great day together. We walked a few laps around the halls and she did fine. She was 185,000 again but the doctor felt she is fine and not sure where her numbers will level off. I took pictures of the nurse removing the IV PICC and she also had her pheresis. She gets another one tomorrow and then will be going home. She will continue coming into the hospital for treatments until she is able to go without.

It is about 5 pm now and we have Talia with us and ready to leave for Hobart. Before we leave Dalene wants me to share a few words with you. "Thank you so much to each individual who has prayed and been so supportive of my family and me during the last month. God has been so close and real during these days. God has done for me what only He could do. I want my life to count more for the Lord than ever before. Dad told me that in 6 months I will look back and see that this will be a highlight of my life and a blessing to be shared for the rest of my life. Please keep praying for me as I go through the remaining days of healing and treatments. Thank you again. Love to you all"..... Dalene Miller

In about 5 hours Daneth and I will be in Hobart looking forward to this weekend. There is much to do as we continue to prepare for the 2008/09 school year at HBS. God is so good. I have sent another pic of Dalene with a precious nurse (Christal) that prayed for her as she was being wheeled down the hall and into ICU a few weeks ago. She said that she thought she would never see her again. When Dalene returned to this floor she gave praises to the Lord. These nurses have been awesome. God has been receiving the praise.

[GSXMEN]

She's now home!!:TU:
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I remember vividly writing to you with such fervency when Dalene was so sick. Even though we knew things were very bad at the time, we did not realize just how close she was apparently to death a few of those times. God knew, and He heard your prayers and has been honored (and will continue to be so) for His great work of healing and grace. Dalene was 203,000 this morning! What a miracle. (By the way, some of the doctors and nurses continue to call her their "miracle girl"...they recognized it was God!)

Daneth and I arrived in Hobart last evening with Talia. She is tonight with her two sisters and will return to Cincinnati tomorrow with Chad's parents....they are excited because, when they get home, Dalene will be there at the house. She came home from the hospital today. She called me this afternoon from their car to tell me she was on her way home ( I heard her order a diet pepsi as they were going through a fast food place)....she must be better for sure....

Tomorrow will be the first day in 25 days that she will not have a plasmpheresis (compete exchange of her plasma)...she returns to the hospital as an out patient on Monday for an exchange. Pray that she will soon be weaned off the treatments and that her system will soon be back in order.

Tomorrow is the Lord's Day and we trust that all of us will honor Him with our prayers of thanksgiving and by our presence in church. Our total family has recognized the last 4 weeks as a time of rich blessings. We love him and trust Him even more.

Dick and Daneth

[BUICKRAT]

Our thoughts and prayers have been with Dalene for some time now. It seems like she is part of our family.
We have not heard from you for a few days, Scott, and I am wondering how Dalene is doing now that she is home. Has her platelet count stabized to some degree? How often does she need a plasmapheresis? Please keep us posted as I am sure many of us want to know.

I also wish You to be strong during these difficult times. You have a difficult task. Your work makes a big difference, and you and Dalene will be rewarded for it. Keep it up!!!

[GSXMEN]

Sorry for the delay in an update.

Haven't been on very frequently lately. My sister just got married this past Sat.(8/2), and my youngest brother gets married this coming Sat. Tons of relatives in, been a bit crazy lately.

Apparently, I got an update from my uncle that I forgot to post when it came in. At the wedding, my aunt said Dalene told her she felt like she has more energy than she's had in the past 6 months - so that's certainly a big step in the right direction.:TU:

Many thanks for your continued prayer support!!

Here is the last update I got.
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Dear Friends:

It is Sunday evening....had a busy but good day preaching and teaching today. Very busy times here. Daneth left late this afternoon for Cincinnati to help out Dalene for a few days this week.

Dalene has not been doing as well as we had hope in regards to her numbers. She was up to 282,000 in her platelets on Tuesday, but by Friday she was down to 253,000. That is a lot better than the 7,000 she had a few weeks earlier, but other numbers are also coming down. I talked to her via phone this afternoon and she asks that you continue to pray. She still remembers some of the horrors she experienced when she was so sick and she is thinking what would it be like to have to go back there and suffer again.

She is home and going back to the hospital as an out patient for her plasmapheresis and chemo treatments. I will let you know as to how she is doing.

Again I want to thank you for your concern and multiple prayers in her behalf. We have been hearing from dear friends that have been keeping up via other people sending reports. Seems like so many. We have been hearing from dear friends that we have not heard from in probably 40 years. Fellowship with dear friends is always such a blessing to us. Dalene hears of each report I receive from you all as I am putting them all together for her.

Thanks again.....Dick and Daneth Brown

[GSXMEN]

Just got another update from my Uncle.
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It is time to drop another update regarding Dalene.

These have been extrememly busy days for Daneth and me. We are now in New York State with 2 family weddings to attend and officiate. One was last Saturday and the next one this Saturday in the Glen at Watkins Glen (same place and same week end as NASCAR at the Glen..should be interesting but I will not be participating in the later....though that might be exciting!). We will leave for Indiana after the wedding and get back in Hobart about 4 or 5 am Sunday morning in order to speak 3 times.(Come to think of it, that might be exciting too)

We are also here to be with my 98 year mom as she is finally slowly recognizing that she can no longer live in her home without 24/7 medical care and observation. These are difficult days for her as well. But God is so faithful and she continues to be thankful to her Lord for all things.

I just now got off the phone with Dalene and told her to give me the most recent report to give to our friends. Here is that report:

She had her 5th chemo treatment today and had reactions to it again. Tachacardia, breathing problems and restrictions in her throat. She said she was trying to talk to and encourage an older man next to her who was being treated for cancer. It was helping her to keep her mind focused on something else as long as she could. Finally she alerted the nurses who quickly came to her aide and slowed the treatment down. We wish she did not have to have the chemo but are trusting the doctors. Pray that if the Lord wills it, she might not have to have any more chemo. A blood report during yesterday's plasmapheresis showed 253,000, but today the report showed that something is still destroying her red blood cells. The plasma exchanges will have to continue until that gets under control.

I want to thank you for being so faithful in your prayers and friendship. It means so much to Dalene and of course Daneth and me. Dalene asked me again tonight to urge you to PRAY that God would do the impossible and touch her in a way that would bring permanent healing.

She spends almost every day at the hospital and of course her 3 little ones need someone there to care for them. She is an awesome woman, but certainly needs extra strength and help.

Your Friends,

Dick and Daneth

[adamst56]

Continued faithful prayers.

[BTail]

Prayers up. God be with her kids through this time, too.

Nick

[GSXMEN]

Finally got another update from my uncle. I know he's been super busy preparing for the new school year. As both preacher and principal, he's got plenty going on.
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To My Dear Friends:

God has been doing in our lives, exactly what He does best,.....displaying His faithfulness. It has been a totally busy summer. Daneth is even now speaking to Dalene on the phone as I am writing to you. ....In fact I waited a few minutes and just talked to her myself. She has again asked me to thank you for your faithful prayers and concerns for her and her family. Here is a resume' of the last month for Dalene.....

Just a month ago her chief doctor ordered that her plasmapheresis be halted to see how her numerical numbers would relate. (She had about 35 of them in a 6 week period...each treatment was about 3 hours long to totally remove all of her blood and have the old plasma separated and new plasma combined with her whole blood put back in). She also had her chemotherepy stopped. Just last week ,they removed the vascular catheter that was on her chest through her jugular and into her heart. We were elated that her numbers were very good.

Tomorrow she has her blood thourghly checked to see if she has been able to maintain the good report. I will let you know as we get the reports.

Daneth and I have had a very busy, and some what exhausting summer with a number of things taking our attention at home in Hobart as well as in Ohio with Dalene and New York with mom(Blanche). Mom is seemingly getting weaker each week and feels , as she said to me, "As weak as a kitten."

I will report more tomorrow as the Lord wills.

Thank you again.....Dick and Daneth Brown