August 31, 2005
8/31/05 PM Update
Friends,
Couple of things to add to the prayer list...Rick's heart rate is steady, for which we are grateful, however it is quite low at 40. The doctors would like to see it get to 80. Also, we want his white cell counts up significantly. Many of our prayers seem to be all about the numbers, but it is comforting to be able to pray so specifically! Bilirubin to 4, heart rate to 80!
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 09:57 PM | Comments (39)
8/31/05 Update
Friends,
Rick's procedure from yesterday was moved to this morning, so he is currently undergoing surgery to put a ventilator in his throat and will then receive more radiation. Our prayer remains that his neurological function will drastically improve during this week! His Bilirubin was down one point to 28 this morning. We will keep you posted as there is anything new to share. Your prayers and posts continue to be a source of comfort and hope for this family. Thank you for allowing God to use you to minister grace.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 10:51 AM | Comments (48)
August 30, 2005
8/30/05 Update
Friends,
Today is a new day! Each day is a gift. The neurologists are encouraged by the fact that every day, Rick seems to show a tiny bit of improvement. He has begun to open his eyes now. He still does not focus on anything or look anyone in the eye, but the fact that they are open is great! He will have a procedure done today to remove the tube from down his throat. He will continue to remain on a ventilator to assist him with breathing, but it will go straight into his neck instead of down his throat. The hope is that without the tube, Rick will be able to recover the ability to swallow, which he had stopped doing for awhile. Unfortunately, the Bilirubin has climbed to 29. We need those numbers DOWN! We are continuing to pray for miraculous neurological improvement over the coming days. The Great Physician has sustained Rick for another day for which we are grateful. Our prayer is that He continues to mend the body that though very mysterious to all of us, doctors included, is NO mystery to Him! We look forward to watching Him work...
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 10:31 AM | Comments (58)
August 29, 2005
8/29/05 Update
Friends,
Each day is a miracle! We are blessed to be able to share these requests with you and invite you to pray with us as we bring them before God. Rick continues to be stable. We are praying for marked improvement in his brain function. Rick's CAT scan yesterday was the best one so far. It would appear that most of the fluid has been relieved from his brain and there is no longer swelling. Praise the Lord! It also seems that his brain is in a position to begin to heal itself and this is our prayer! The doctors say that this next week is crucial. He has been taken off of all of the sedation medication completely and doctors need for him to begin responding. We want to pray for COMPLETE and TOTAL recovery for Rick's brain. We want the doctors to see dramatic and remarkable improvement over the next week. They will be very concerned about Rick's ability to function normally if significant improvement does not occur this week. Please make this your prayer! We want Rick whole and know that the God who formed and designed every corner of his brain is completely able to mend it. This is our prayer. Rick's liver continues to be a concern as his Bilirubin number are again at 26. The good thing is that his liver is still functioning and at this point, other vital organs have not been affected. Right now, Rick's brain has taken the forefront in concern and everything else is secondary to him being able to resume normal neurological function. We are asking that you come around these requests and interceed for Rick and ask that God repair and regenerate Rick's brain. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for this week! We are grateful to you...we cannot say it enough or overstate it. You truly are messengers of mercy from God. Let's go to war with these new requests on Rick's behalf!
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 11:49 AM | Comments (91)
August 28, 2005
8/28/05 Update
Friends,
We remain steadfast in our prayers. The urgent requests over Rick's life have not changed. Your prayers are so encouraging and the Holy Spirit is using them to minister to this family and everyone else that visits this site to learn about Rick. We are so grateful. The information regarding platelet donations are contained at the end of several posts below.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 01:25 PM | Comments (96)
August 27, 2005
8/27/05 Update
Friends,
Rick didn't have any seizures last night which is good since he's had them for the last 2 nights. His Bilirubin is up to 21. Our prayers from a few posts ago are still our urgent cry. Can't say too often how much your prayers and posts mean to this family. You are a lifeline.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 09:34 AM | Comments (104)
August 26, 2005
8/26/05 Update
Friends,
There is no new information to report...yesterday's post still encompasses the prayer request needs. Please read that if you haven't done so. A point of clarification: Northside Hospital's Platelet Donation Bank is different from any other hospital in the area. Any platelets not used for Rick will not be thrown away, they will be used for other patients in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. They have asked us to donate specifically in Rick's name, so please do that. Here is the donation information again:
To donate platelets:
You must call, FIRST. Do not go down to the hospital until you've called.
Call Sonya Ness at (404) 459-8744 and tell her that you are interested in donating platelets to Rick Pearson. Sonya will conduct a screening interview and if you pass, you will be given an appointment time. Platelets only live for 3-5 days, so everyone cannot go at once. It could take up to 2 hours to donate, so consider this as you are making arrangements with Sonya. You will sit in a recliner and be hooked up to a machine that will draw your blood, spin it and remove the platelets, and then insert your blood back in, minus the platelets. Platelets are universal, so blood type is not an issue. It takes 6 people donating to make 1 bag of platelets, and Rick is going through several bags a day. So...we can never have too many platelets! Depending on who you are and health, a person can donate every 72 hours, so donating more than once is a possibility as well.
So many of you have asked what you can do and now here's something that will directly benefit Rick! We've warned Sonya to expect some SERIOUS call volume on Rick's behalf, so let's light it up!
Your prayers are vital,
Shannon
Posted by Rick at 12:19 PM | Comments (64)
August 25, 2005
8/25/05 Urgent Update
Friends,
This is no easier for me to write, than it is for you to read, but the time is NOW. We need a God-sized miracle of healing for Rick Pearson. The concern for his life is great. Earthly wisdom has exhausted it's understanding of the situation. Doctors have admitted moments ago that only a miracle will turn this situation around. There is great concern surrounding Rick's neurological function and doctors are not sure that even if the cancer is defeated, Rick would ever return to his normal brain capacity.
Though these are overwhelming thoughts to those of us with finite minds, these are the very things that God need only speak a word over in order for them to become obsolete. The family is requesting that you pray GOD SIZED prayers for a GOD SIZED intervention into this situation. We are praying for Rick's complete and total healing. We are praying for Rick's brain to be completely restored. Rick's brain function has improved a little bit over the last few days and the doctors are clear that they cannot explain it. Of course not! Who can explain the beautiful mystery that is our Creator? We are praying for every single God-formed corner of Rick's brain to be healed in a miraculous way, restoring the beauty of Rick's music, his humor, his faith, his humility, his courage and his love. We are praying for every shred of Leukemia in Rick's God-designed body to be eradicated by the power of the will of God. We are praying for every single internal organ which God specifically knit together for Rick while he was in his mother's womb to be returned to it's healthy, functioning, pre-cancer state and begin to operate as though it were never compromised.
We are not praying these things lightly. We are praying that The Great Physician and Creator of the Universe would intervene in this situation and we are believing that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or imagine. We believe that God is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do. We believe that every positive thing that has happened thus far is a miracle of His making and we are so humbled and grateful to Him. We believe that He is in the business of glorifying Himself and are amazed daily at how the sickness of a 23 year old has drawn each of us into a closer, deeper and future-altering dependence on Him.
We are begging God for His mercy over Rick and their family and are begging Him to show off His power in this situation. This is the time to stand in the gap. This is the time to intercede. This is the time to get on our faces at the feet of our Father and plead for His power. Rick is tucked securely in the hand of God and has nothing to fear. We have the responsibility of intercession for Rick and this family and are calling on you to join us and pray as those who have hope and make these requests known to the Father who is sovereignly in control of all that concerns us. We desire to be a part of God's great story. Please agree together with us as we approach the Throne. The need is urgent.
Shannon
Posted by Rick at 03:20 PM | Comments (142)
8/25/05 AM Update
Friends,
Rick had two seizures overnight and his Bilirubin levels went up a tiny bit. The doctors were not shocked as this often happens with fluid and bleeding on the brain, both of which he has. They've elected to go ahead with radiation this morning. The prayers from last night are still urgent and our hope is that the neurologists will be amazed at what they find. Your prayers are this family's support system.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 10:48 AM | Comments (39)
August 24, 2005
8/24/05 PM Update
Friends,
We have many things to tell you and specific prayer requests for tomorrow. Thank you for your patience as we've gathered this information for you. First of all...Rick had a good day today! Thanks be to God for the lower numbers. 4 for Rick! I'm going to detail below the new information that we have with specific prayer requests mingled in...hold on!
1) Bilirubin numbers need to keep going down...we know the goal!
2) The doctors would like to see a balancing of the other enzymes in Rick's liver. They're not out of control, but we want to pray that they would balance and stay that way.
3) Rick had his last chemotherapy treatment today and now we wait to see what the Leukemia looks like. The good news is that his blood cultures are coming back negative which means that the chemo is killing everything in the blood (a good thing) so we're praying that it's also killing the Leukemia. During chemo, the goal is to wipe out everything in the blood so that it can start rebuilding with healthy components. The obvious prayer is for the Leukemia to be destroyed.
4) Rick will have another radiation treatment tomorrow...continue to pray that the radiation will take care of the abnormalities in Rick's brain. He has another CAT scan on Friday, and by then we'd love to see that God has wiped his brain clean of abnormalities and it's good as new!
5) The neurologist will be running a series of tests tomorrow to determine Rick's current level of brain activity. This is CRUCIAL. In order to run the tests, they will bring him out from under some, but not all of the current sedation. They will then run some tests to determine whether or not his brain function has been hampered by the high fever, radiation, etc. The neurologist stated that he needed to see drastic improvement in this area over the last time that he did the tests. This is the most urgent of all of the prayers. We want the neurologist to again be overjoyed by what he finds. Please pray that Rick's brain will respond exactly as it's supposed to and that God will be all over those tests.
6) Several of you have asked if there was any way to donate platelets to Rick. We now have that information! Please copy this information and paste it somewhere that you will have it. We will also be attaching it to every update from here on.
To donate platelets:
You must call, FIRST. Do not go down to the hospital until you've called.
Call Sonya Ness at (404) 459-8744 and tell her that you are interested in donating platelets to Rick Pearson. Sonya will conduct a screening interview and if you pass, you will be given an appointment time. Platelets only live for 3-5 days, so everyone cannot go at once. It could take up to 2 hours to donate, so consider this as you are making arrangements with Sonya. You will sit in a recliner and be hooked up to a machine that will draw your blood, spin it and remove the platelets, and then insert your blood back in, minus the platelets. Platelets are universal, so blood type is not an issue. It takes 6 people donating to make 1 bag of platelets, and Rick is going through several bags a day. So...we can never have too many platelets! Depending on who you are and health, a person can donate every 72 hours, so donating more than once is a possibility as well.
So many of you have asked what you can do and now here's something that will directly benefit Rick! We've warned Sonya to expect some SERIOUS call volume on Rick's behalf, so let's light it up!
Thank you SO much for your prayers, your posts and your support. You've become a lifeline for Rick's family and they've watched the power of prayer and the might of God transform this situation into one GIANT faith walk with brothers and sisters from literally all over the country and world. We are grateful!
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 10:44 PM | Comments (44)
8/24/05 AM Update!!!
Friends!!!
Sing to the King! Rick's Bilirubin numbers are at 18! This means that they are no longer considered critical! We are beside ourselves with joy. Rick's brain waves are normal and he is stable. We will give you more info on the rest of his condition later, but wanted you to be the first to know how God is glorifying Himself this morning. We still need for the numbers to go down and be normal, of course, but are not going to thumb our noses one bit at the mercies for today! Praise and thanksgiving...
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 10:04 AM | Comments (154)
August 23, 2005
8/23/05 PM Update
Friends,
No changes to report...but...in this case, no news is good news.
Tonight we rest. Tomorrow we learn how God plans to glorify Himself further.
Your prayers are priceless.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 09:54 PM | Comments (37)
8/23/05 Afternoon Update
Friends,
Rick has already had his second radiation treatment today and is back and resting now. The new mercy for today....his Bilirubin numbers are down 2 points! I know that may not seem like much, but it's HUGE! Your prayers are working! Keep them coming! Your support is vital and appreciated so much! We'll update you later...
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 12:28 PM | Comments (131)
August 22, 2005
8/22/05 PM Update
Friends,
Rick is resting, done with procedures for the day. Elaine was able to go back in and talk with him after his radiation and he continued to open his eyes when she talked to him. Needless to say, this is quite comforting for their family. Rick will continue with radiation treatments every day this week. The doctors have not indicated that anything has changed with the other physical situations that are facing Rick. The Bilirubin numbers continue to be the greatest area of concern and your prayers are so appreciated. Thank you for another day of prayers and petition on Rick and his family's behalf. What a wonderful picture of the body of Christ and the sustaining power of prayer.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 06:14 PM | Comments (121)
8/22/05 Afternoon Update
Friends,
Rick's radiation is complete and he is resting again. Our prayer is that it has been effective in combating the abnormalities in his brain. Elaine and Candi went in to see Rick this morning and as soon as they spoke, his heart rate increased and he opened his eyes just a small bit as they talked to him. They were very encouraged by his responsiveness. He was heavily sedated again for the radiation treatment and remains sedated at this point. Praise God for these new mercies! Rick's Bilirubin levels are a continuing issue. Please pray for these levels to go down significantly so as not to cause more damage to his liver. They are at 26 now. This is the urgent request at this point. We are so grateful for your prayers and Rick's family talks constantly about the things you all have shared on the website. What a source of comfort you are to them! We appreciate you.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 02:03 PM | Comments (54)
8/22/05 AM Update
Friends,
Rick was stable overnight and is currently having an intense radiation treatment on his brain. His Bilirubin levels continue to be at 26 which is entirely too high. Please pray that these come down. The doctor will be coming in to give a report after the radiation treatment and we'll update you at that point.
Thank you for your prayers
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 10:48 AM | Comments (41)
August 21, 2005
8/21/05 PM Update
Friends,
Rick's day today has been a good one. He has been able to rest and be stable all day. He did have a CAT scan today and the neurosurgeon was overjoyed (his words!) that there was no additional swelling in Rick's brain. There were two things that he mentioned that we NEED to have happen. The first is that the Bilirubin numbers have to come down. Ideal is four. He is in the mid-twenties right now. The second thing is that the rest of the fluid needs to drain off of his brain. The shunt is still in and is of course enabling this process, but the doctors really want to see all of the fluid gone. These are the two major and specific things to be praying for at this point.
Rick's family is greatly encouraged today and much of that is by the way that God has used your prayers and posts to minister to them. They are so grateful for you all and gather around the computer often to read every single one.
Thank you so much to all of you that have called and checked on Rick and his family and have come down to the hospital to bring food and various other things. We are asking that you not try to come down to the hospital at this point. Because of the critical care unit that Rick is in, his family is sharing a waiting room with other families that are critically ill and we want to be extraordinarily sensitive to their situations and not create a crowd down there. There is very little room for food and the phone is a community phone for all of the families. Rick is still in ICU and cannot have visitors, so please understand this request. We want to keep you all updated and involved and the best way to communicate your support to the family and Rick is by posting on this website and your continual prayers. We will definitely let you know when and if there is a need that we can help meet for the family. Thank you so much for understanding!
Please check back often and we'll keep you posted! We are humbled to be able to be a part of this faith walk with you.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 07:57 PM | Comments (90)
8/21/05 AM Update
Friends,
Allow me to paint you a picture...
In a small room at a hospital in Atlanta, a weary family gather's around Rick's custom painted tomato red ibook. They gather to gain strength from the tireless prayers of their brothers and sisters around the city, country and world. As God in His merciful plan would have it, there were many of us who could not sleep last night and spent the night praying and posting so that there were new mercies to greet Rick's family this morning. God sustained Rick through the night and he is stable this morning.
Many new challenges will be faced today, but fortunately, today has a new set of mercies and we don't have to rely on the mercies from yesterday. I don't know about you, but the worship of our Father in churches all across this country takes on quite a new and almost painfully close awareness for me. As Lanny so simply put it in one of his posts...Rick is still leading us in worship and doesn't even know it! So...as you head to your places of worship, know that there are countless people in every time zone imaginable taking the baton of prayer and posts while you take some time to gather in corporate worship with your families. Thanks to the miracle of modern technology and the beauty of wireless high-speed internet, I will never be more than a phone call and an email blog away from keeping you completely up to date as I also head out to worship with my family.
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us REJOICE and be glad in it! His unfailing love is higher than the heavens and His faithfulness touches the clouds. His glory shines over all of the earth!
Shannon
Posted by Rick at 08:45 AM | Comments (94)
August 20, 2005
8/19/05 PM Update
Friends,
Our prayer is for God's miraculous healing of Rick's body. Rick's status is critical, but Rick's family has hope and we have hope because we know where to place our hope. Until God's will becomes clear, and when it does, we pray all that we know how to pray...that God's name and His fame would be made great as a result of Rick's life and that God would be magnified and glorified in all that takes place. Continue to hold up Rick and his family in your prayers, as you've been so faithful to do thus far. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 05:01 PM | Comments (64)
3:40PM Update
Friends,
Rick's surgery is complete and went well. Rick now has a shunt in his brain that is draining the fluid that exists there. Please continue to pray for Rick's health, but please also pray for Rick's immediate family, Billy, Elaine, Haley, Candi, Jonathan and Suzanne as they deal with the mountains of information provided them by the doctors and continue to remain prostrate before God begging for what we wish, but in the same breath, submitting to His will whatever that may be. More updates as we know anything...
Shannon
Posted by Rick at 03:40 PM | Comments (32)
1:20PM Update
Friends,
The doctors are currently doing surgery to insert a catheter and hopefully relieve the pressure and fluid on Rick's brain. They've already encountered some bleeding in the brain and are thinking that this may be why he is unresponsive. The doctor did not mince words about how life-threatening even the procedure itself is, but they feel they have no choice. Please continue to pray.
Shannon
Posted by Rick at 01:18 PM | Comments (40)
URGENT URGENT
Friends,
Rick is in GREAT need of your prayers. His Bilirubin level is up to 25. At this point, the doctors are expecting organ failure to begin. He is completely unresponsive. His pupils do not react to light. Please pray...call everyone you know to pray. Since this is Saturday, we'll need a phone chain going as people may not be near emails. Please spread this word and pray for our brother!!
Shannon
Posted by Rick at 11:30 AM | Comments (31)
8/20/05 AM Update
Friends,
Not much new to report since yesterday. Rick has had 2 doses of chemotherapy so far. He will have another CAT scan this morning in order to make sure that everything is going as expected. His fever is holding around 99 and his breathing is good. We will know more later. Thank you for your continued prayers. They are more powerful than anything.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 10:59 AM | Comments (9)
August 19, 2005
8/19/05 Evening Update
Friends,
The doctors came in and spoke to the family this evening. The fluid on Rick's brain does not appear to be Leukemia. It does appear to be some sort of infection and inflammation, so continued prayer for this to go away is certainly in order. The doctors also said that they've done everything they can for Rick. Though this was a bit unsettling to hear, it does not mean the worst. It just means that they've done and are doing everything that they can for Rick and the conditions that are facing him. At this point, they just need for the medicines to work. The doctors said that the biggest thing that Rick has going for him is his age. Candi was very excited when she said to me "fortunately, we KNOW that he's got Someone MUCH bigger going for him!!" So..after a great time of prayer, the family is encouraged that it is time to really watch God as He continues to control this situation. Candi wanted to convey to you all how much your prayers and comments have meant and will continue to mean to the family and she has done that below. Please continue to pray and we'll look forward to what God is going to do. Please also continue to post your prayers, verses and comments for Rick. Candi's comments are below.
Jeffrey and Shannon
FROM CANDI:
Our friends, all of you we know and don't know:
We cannot even begin to express to you the
encouragement you have provided us during this time!
My mom and I read every single post last night in our
hotel room, weeping and rejoicing at your relentless
prayer and God's faithfulness to meet ALL of our
needs. He has done that, every single time at just
the right moment.
Rick is sick, and that is very real. He will have a
battle, and that is very real. But God completely
covers and controls this, and that is not only very
real, but it is our only hope, and that is the best
possible situation in which we can find ourselves!
Our hope is secure, our eyes are FIXED, gazing into
the Father's eyes, and we know that in this dark
moment (and believe me, I don't think we've ever
experienced a darker time in our lives!) the "darkness
is as light to Him!" So, as much as we are begging
our Father to heal Rick, we find ourselves thanking
Him for so many answered prayers, praising Him for His
goodness, and being amazed at the ways He is getting
His glory! Even as my brother sleeps there in ICU,
everyone who comes in contact with his sleeping form
seems drawn to him, and some don't know why! We of
course know that it is the Holy Spirit working and
revealing the glory of God through Rick...even while
he sleeps!
Those blessings, along with the knowledge that
practically the expanse of this globe is on their face
on behalf of my brother, are helping to hold us up!
You guys are amazing. Jeff and Shannon are amazing!
Make sure you tell them that!
Rick will read these, every last one! He's going to
be blown away just as we are.
Thank you! We love you. We can't wait to celebrate
with you.
To God Be the Glory!
Candi (big sis) and the family
Posted by Rick at 06:49 PM | Comments (51)
8/19/05 Afternoon Update
Friends,
The pharmacist just explained what will be going on as far as chemotherapy is concerned. Normally, with the particular kind of chemotherapy drug that they are using, they would start him off with a half dosage in order to determine side effects. However, because the Bilirubin level is so high, they have elected to go ahead with the full dosage. They will begin this round of chemotherapy in 2-3 hours and it will be given to Rick intravenously every 12 hours until at least the 23rd of August. He will be given 2 or 3 different kinds of anti-nausea medication if necessary. This chemotherapy drug is incredibly strong and does have side effects that include impairment of motor skills and coordination. Obviously the family's prayer would be that these side effects would not exist in Rick. The doctors have elected to keep him sedated during this process just to keep him as comfortable as possible. We'll update you again once the doctor has come in and explained exactly where things stand with Rick's condition.
Thank you again for your prayers,
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 01:36 PM | Comments (20)
8/19/05 AM Update
Friends,
Many things to pray for on Rick's behalf today. We are going to say these as simply as we can and trust that the Spirit will intercede when we don't know what to pray for as we are assured in scripture that He will. Rick's family has seen the power of your prayers and want to provide you with as much detail as is appropriate so that we can pray believing God for the outcome. Please be sensitive and refrain from adding anything to the details provided below. We want to be warriors on behalf of Rick.
1) Rick's Bilirubin level is up to 19 (to give some perspective, ideal would be 4). The doctors are not overly concerned about this as it is simply evidence that his liver is not functioning properly which we've known from the beginning. We know that miraculous healing of his liver is necessary.
2) We've discovered that are are some fluids on Rick's brain, as well as throughout the rest of his body. The doctors are putting him on a treatment for this and we want to pray that these will be gone as soon as possible.
3) Rick has been heavily sedated for 2 or 3 days now. In trying to bring him out of the sedation, they are having a little trouble getting him to respond. He has opened his eyes, but is not responding as quickly as they would like. The prayer would be that he would come out from under the sedation and be back to his full mental capacity quickly. The good news is that he is able to sustain a lower temperature on his own.
4) The doctors would like to take him off of the ventilator in the next few days allowing him to breathe completely on his own. We want to pray for the complete healing of any fungal pneumonia that remains and for his lungs to be clear, so that he can breathe easily.
5) Pray for the strength of Rick's heart (physical) and that it would remain strong despite the turmoil going on in his body.
6) The plan is still to give Rick his first full dose of chemotherapy today. The doctors are going with their gut instinct that the bulk of the Leukemia is concentrated in the liver. There seems to be a low concentration of Leukemia in his blood (which is a bit odd since it's a blood cancer) but the liver needs to be in good working order to be able to process the chemotherapy. Since that's not the case, the thought is that the liver is being attacked directly, so they are going to go ahead and administer the chemotherapy while hoping for minimal or no damage to the liver.
The Great Physician is completely in charge here. None of this is a surprise to him, nor is he stumped about what to do. We believe God and we believe that He is fully able to heal Rick. We want God to be glorified and draw people to Himself as a result of this situation. We are learning fully what it means to pray without ceasing.
We expect to update you again this afternoon.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 10:24 AM | Comments (16)
August 18, 2005
8/18/05 Post Surgery Update
Friends,
The lumbar puncture was successful and now Rick is resting comfortably. We should have the results tomorrow...
Thanks be to God!
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 05:57 PM | Comments (37)
8/18/05 Afternoon Update
Friends,
Rick's platelet count is up to 50,000! The doctors will be doing a lumbar puncture at 3:30pm. This procedure will draw spinal fluid out of Rick's body and insert a small dose of chemotherapy. The hope is that this will enable them to determine if there is any infection or other condition in Rick's brain. It would appear that the doctors have also elected not to do a liver biopsy and just to go ahead with their gut instincts and give Rick his first full dose of chemotherapy tomorrow. Please pray for safety during the procedure and wisdom for the doctors.
We hope to send one more update this evening letting you know how things stand. Rick's family is encouraged and feeling very hopeful today as they wait on the Lord.
Please continue your prayers!
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 03:42 PM | Comments (17)
8/18/05 AM Praise!!
Friends,
Rick's temperature, which has been hovering at 105 for two days is down to 99!! He is out from under the cooling blankets and ice packs which they were using and is sustaining the temperature on his own. His platelet count is also up to 22,000 which is fantastic and means that they will be able to do the lumbar puncture and the liver biopsy today. These are great things, as the doctors will be able to tell much more about exactly what's going on.
There will be a special prayer service for Rick tonight (Thursday) at 6:00pm at Mountain Lake Church (Rick's home church) in Cumming, GA. All are invited.
We'll keep you posted. Your prayers are amazing!
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 09:58 AM | Comments (60)
August 17, 2005
8/17/05 PM Update
Friends,
Rick is still in ICU and is heavily sedated, as well as on a respirator to assist him with his breathing which had become shallow. His temperature still has not come down and the doctors are concerned about that. They will be doing a CAT scan in order to determine whether there is something in his brain that is impeeding the normal temperature regulation function. They will also plan to do a spinal tap, as well as a liver biopsy tomorrow. The doctors have expressed the need to get Rick's body much more stable in order to begin agressively treating the Leukemia. Please pray and have anyone you know pray for God's perfect will in Rick's life. We know that the Great Physician is solidly in control and though we are on an emotional roller coaster, He is NOT. Rick's family is so appreciative of your prayers and your postings on the website as they are evidence of God's work in the body of Christ. Keep them coming! We will keep you updated as SOON as we know anything.
Thank you,
Shannon
Posted by Rick at 09:10 PM | Comments (49)
8/17/05 Urgent Update 3
Friends,
Rick has been moved to ICU and put on oxygen. The situation is dire. Please pray now for God's intervention, and healing for Rick. His family and friends are urgently requesting your prayer.
We know that God is in control, and are praying that His will be that Rick would be fully restored. Please join us in that prayer continuously, as we know so many of you are already.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 01:23 PM | Comments (44)
8/17/05 Urgent Update 2
Friends,
Within moments of learning that the staff of various churches and hundreds of other people were praying for Rick, his temperature went down to 101 and they were able to administer some platelets. Unfortunately, it has gone back up now and they can't give him platelets any longer. Rick is incoherent at this time and is still in need of much intercession. Please continue to pray. The temperature needs to stay down for a length of time that allows them to administer platelets. This is the immediate need.
Shannon
Posted by Rick at 12:06 PM | Comments (7)
8/17/05 Update
Friends,
Rick is in bad condition. The pneumonia is in both lungs, he has a very high fever (upwards of 105 and holding) and is in desperate need of platelets, which can't be given to him due to the shape his body is in. Rick doesn't have a real grasp of where he is or what year it is, etc. Candi has called and is begging that you please stop what you are doing and interceed for Rick. God is in complete control of this situation and they are aware of this, but would really love for Him to show off in this situation that looks very grim.
Rick's family has been moved out of his room and down the hall to the family waiting room. They now rely on the doctor's to update Rick's condition. There are no visitors allowed, so PLEASE be considerate of the family and do not go down there or call Rick's cell, or any of the other things that might seem okay. Things are changing very quickly and the need for intercessors is great.
Continue checking the website blog for more information.
Jeffrey and Shannon
Posted by Rick at 10:08 AM | Comments (21)
August 16, 2005
8/16/05 Update
Friends,
Rick's day did not start out great today as he was very sick and not feeling at all like a birthday boy. Unfortunately, he has developed a case of fungal pneumonia. This is fairly normal, due to the fact that his immune system is compromised and they are already treating him for it. His Bilirubin levels only went down half a point today, but the doctor elected not to do the liver biopsy anyway. Please continue to pray for his levels to go down and for the healing of the pneumonia. Rick finally has internet access in his room and is SO enjoying reading all of the comments that you're all posting. He's not quite up to responding, but please know that he reads every single one and is so encouraged. Keep them coming! We'll continue to update you via these blogs and the main portion of the website. Thank you for your prayers!
Jeffrey and Shannon Scott
Posted by Rick at 06:03 PM | Comments (92)
August 13, 2005
My First Entry
Thanks for coming to the site.
If you are here then you are probably aware of Rick's condition and want to be updated.
That is what this site is for.
Here is a quick history.
Rick was singing for BigStuf down in Panama City this summer in June. He started feeling kind of weak and nauseous and thought he might be dehydrated.
When he got back home near the end of June. He was still feeling weak and sick and went to a Dr. to get checked out. Had some blood tests run. Waited. Had some more run. Waited some more. Thoughts were that it might be a parasite. Then the possibility of Hepatitis.
Those tests came back negative. Thoughts were that it might be a rare kind of Mono.
More tests. Results looked not so positive. Thoughts were it might be Hodgkins.
A bone marrow biopsy the first week in August. Then more tests and a lymph node biopsy have now revealed that Rick has Leukemia.
As of Friday Aug, 5th. He is in the Cancer ward at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. The Doctors are giving him antibiotics to help his liver get in a little better shape so he had begin chemotherapy as soon as possible.
Rick is Amazing. His attitude is incredible. His spirit is good. He is making his nurses laugh.
He knows God is in charge and his faith is strong.
He and his family need your prayers. We believe he can beat this thing just as others have...and he will do that with the attitude he has, with our prayers and with God's grace.
He is presently in an area where you can't send flowers or gifts and not many people can really go in to see him. His family is here. Suzanne and his close friends are around. They are great supporters and are with him all the time. You can send cards and you can send notes on this web site.
We will keep this updated as frequently as we can and let you know what is going on with him.
We will also keep you updated on any needs his family has and how you can help.
That info will be coming shortly.
Thanks for staying connected and for all your prayers.
Posted by Rick at 08:29 PM | Comments (213)