Preparing to Abandon Chase into the Arms of God

Thanks to all who participated in our prayer service for Chase last week, in person or in spirit. He really needed the boost – as we conveyed to those who attended, we were most concerned about his bloodwork. His hemoglobin had dropped to critically low levels and after trying all the natural remedies we could without success, we decided it was time for a transfusion again. We know from experience (twice in the past year) that Chase tends to respond well to transfusions and usually returns to stability for several months. However, this time after receiving one unit of blood, his hemoglobin still wasn’t as high as we had hoped and his potassium dropped to a critically low level as well which was baffling his doctors.

We investigated our options and eventually had Chase transferred to the ICU at St. John’s hospital in Harper Woods. Fortunately, they were very proficient at diagnosing the underlying root cause as a blood infection (sepsis). We started IV antibiotics yesterday and Chase seems to be responding quite well – after another unit of blood and IV potassium, his bloodwork seems to be stabilizing once again. He’ll need to remain under close monitoring in the ICU for at least a couple more days as they further analyze the blood cultures and refine the antibiotics to target the specific bacteria.

The bigger concern is the result of the MRI that was taken to ensure that Chase didn’t have a brain hemorrhage since they suspected he had been losing blood with the low hemoglobin. The good news was that he did not appear to have any significant hemorrhage or seizures; however, it did not provide good news overall relative to the condition of Chase’s cortex. Although it wasn’t as bad as his Neurosurgeon had predicted (it wasn’t completely dissolved, indicating brain death), it was severely compressed due to extensive edema (swelling) as well as a layer of fluid around the perimeter of the brain that seems to be blood byproducts. Once we confirmed that the blood infection was the root cause of our immediate concerns, it also seemed to explain these issues. We’re praying that the response to the IV antibiotics will be to enable the edema to subside and the fluid around the brain to be resorbed providing more room for his cortex and other areas of the brain (while somehow miraculously avoiding any permanent brain damage).

After receiving the impressions from the Radiologist and Neurosurgeon, we are struggling with holding onto our hope and fearing the need to make some critical decisions soon. There is no doubt that the only thing that will enable Chase to pull through all of this is a total miracle – thus we are completely abandoning him into the arms of God. We know that ALL things are possible through divine intervention and we certainly don’t want to put any limitations on God. We are continuing to hold Chase in faith and invoke the healing power of Jesus – please join us in this prayerful intention. Thanks for all your support and prayers. We need all the strength we can get during this trying time.

God Bless!!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann