Worn Down, but so Grateful for All the Prayer

There's more good news on Aubrey, though she's definitely facing challenges as well.  Thanks to all of you who faithfully check the website to see how you can pray.  It's not our goal to turn this into a miniature reality show, where we just solicit sympathy and stares.  We hope you'll use this website to guide your prayers for Aubrey.

Here's an update from Andy, Aubrey's dad.

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Ashleigh and Andy

Let me just say again, thank you for continuing to lift us up in prayer.  We're exhausted, and it's hard to stay focused on faith with so much stress and sleep deprivation.  You are being strong for Aubrey and our family, and it means the world to us.

On the medical side, now that Aubrey is more awake and her sleep/wake cycles are off, she remained awake most of the night last night and was very restless, sleeping about two hours the whole night.  We are hopeful that she sleeps better tonight, since the doctors removed the bolt from her head, as well as most of the IVs from her body today.

Aubrey still shows signs that she recognizes us, but she only interacts with us on a meaningful level for seconds at a time.  She's still spunky though - they placed a feeding tube in her today, and she pulled it out within two hours.  And although she's hoarse, she managed to say "mom" today while the nurses were taking IVs out of her body.

Aubrey's still on three, powerful anti-seizure medications, and neurology plans to start weaning her off of those tomorrow.  But in order to get off those medications, Aubrey has to remain seizure-free.  The doctors will also remove the drain from her skull tomorrow.

She is rhythmically grimacing, lip smacking, and sticking her tongue out at all times when awake.  It is too early to say, but it could be (1) an effect of the anti-seizure medications, (2) the sedative still wearing off, or (3) it could be a sign of brain damage.  She's getting an MRI tomorrow, and that will help us determine if there has been any damage to her brain.

Will you please pray for the following:

1. A good, restful night for Aubrey
2. Favorable findings on the MRI tomorrow
3. That she will remain seizure-free while being weaned from the medications
4. That she will be able to start eating tomorrow and have an appetite
5. Continued progress
6. Complete improvement of any potential brain damage

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Some of you have asked how we are doing.  

Aubrey and Dr. Dad

Last night, Ashleigh and I had a very long night.  We have to take turns watching Aubrey to make sure she doesn't pull any of the lines out or need help.  I stay up there from about 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. - and let me tell you, being there by yourself overnight is the worst.  As a dad and a doctor, it's a major challenge to keep myself from neurotically trying to diagnose each movement Aubrey makes.

It's strange because, as a rehabilitation physician, I know exactly what I would tell the parents if Aubrey were my patient ("Don't worry - she still has a lot of meds in her system, she is still in the acute period, she needs time, even if there are functional deficits she could still have complete or near complete recovery with rehabilitation.").  But saying those things to myself doesn't make me feel any better as a dad.  

It's hard to continue having faith, but I'm doing my best.  By God's grace, at least Ashleigh and I haven't been losing it at the same time, so we are able to comfort and encourage when the other has times of doubt and fear.  Thank you for the ways your emails, comments, and prayers have helped keep both of us encouraged.

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Thanks, Andy.

I am still inspired by Andy's email a few days ago when he described the kinds of prayers he's praying.  Let's keep it in mind as we continue to walk by faith in our prayers for him and his family.  As he said the other day:

I've been reading through Luke and, like the friends of the paralytic, I have continued to tear off the roof tiles to lower Aubrey's mat.  I'm shouting from the side of the road, like the blind man, for Jesus' attention.  I'm wrestling through the crowd to get Aubrey's hand to touch Jesus' robe.  I'm sending my emissaries to plead with Jesus like the Roman officer.  And I'm begging for mercy like Jairus did on behalf of his only daughter.

Amen.  Keep on praying.