Sunday, November 30, 2008 - One more step forward

Alex with Rodlyn and Noe's dad tucking Noe in for the night

Evening - Noe started eating food today, jello and broth. This is the most she's had in 6 days. She also told Rodlyn she wanted to go home!

Please continue to pray for her, Alex, Noah and Luke. The doctors cannot say how long Noe's recovery will take; everyone is different. We have to remember that God is using Noe for a purpose we may not understand, but God has a beautiful plan in store.

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 2 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1:40 pm - Things are looking better today. The MRI results came back, and the inflammation looks like it's gone down. Her white blood cell count, which until now has been high to combat the bacteria, has gone back to a more normal level. This makes sense with the blood tests from yesterday showing no sign that the bacteria existed. She is much more alert today.

She still has aching in her head, back and neck. They aren't entirely sure why, but are watching to make sure that is lessening with time. She is still on pain medicine for this.

She is recoginizing everyone and her short term memory seems better, too. She is talking in a few brief words, not quite sentences yet.

Noe's sister, Joan, is spending lots of time with the boys. The boys will be going back to school tomorrow, but between Alex, Joan, Rodlyn, grandma and grandpa, the boys are well taken care of.

Gather For Prayer

Email from Dennis Hart to brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus praying for God’s healing…

Hello All,
Earlier this evening I got word that Noe Au-Yeung is in the ICU with spinal meningitis. Several days ago, she collapsed at home, and was rushed to the hospital where she was in a coma. After a few days now of treatment, she is doing better, but her condition is still very serious. The Au-Yeungs have family in from out of town with them, so they are well cared for at this time. Their biggest need is for our prayers. Let us gather and lift them to the Lord, our Great Healer.
Dennis

Field Trip

Evening - Thanks to the insistence of the infectious disease MD, Noe is being transported to Santa Rosa Memorial for the MRI this afternoon. The MD did not want to wait any longer before getting the results. Andrea, the ICU nurse from Sutter Medical Center, was her transport nurse. It was such a blessing for Noe to have Andrea's familiar face along for the ride tonight. We will have the results of the MRI read tomorrow. Please pray that these headaches and back pain will subside and that Noe will rest comfortably this evening. Thank you so much for your prayers and keep praying! The Lord is listening!

“Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalms 27:14

Morning - (Text from Alex) The Most recent blood test shows no sign of bacteria. But Noe still has a headache and back pain. Her speech is a bit slurred but it may be due to lack of sleep. The MD decided to switch from CT to MRI for a more conclusive study. We are waiting for the MRI tech. They also may do another spinal tap to see if the fluid is clear. Today she seems more sluggish with headaches and backache. MD will try Penicillin to see if it works better, as well as continue with morphine for pain.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Afternoon - Noe is under guarded supervision in the Intensive Care Unit. Visitation is very limited at this time. Continue to pray for the family and we will update you as this status changes.

Noe has shown continued improvement. She can now open her eyes and she can focus on you while you are talking. The infectious disease doctor has consulted with the neurologist and states that she is doing well. She has good bilateral movement. Noe is still very tired and has not started eating. She was stating that her head hurt so they have given her some pain medication and she was able to sleep soundly.

She has great long-term memory but still foggy short term memory. Remember the movie 50 First Dates? As she continues to improve, so will her short-term memory.

The attending physician has scheduled a CT scan for tomorrow to assess the swelling in her brain. If necessary, a neurologist will be available for a consult tomorrow.

Alex has been meditating on Psalm 18:1-3 “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

Alex has read Jeremiah 29:11-12 to Noe. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

We all are anxiously awaiting her homecoming. But we are reminded of Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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Thursday November 11/27 - What a Thanksgiving!

Morning - They backed down again on the sedatives a.k.a. "Sedation Vacation." She was getting feisty and was trying to remove the intubation tube, so they removed it.

This was very exciting!!!

She started responding to voices and was trying to open her eyes again. When she started trying to pull her feeding tube out, they removed that too.

Praise the Lord! The latest blood test shows the bacteria is going down. They believe the steroids are helping reduce the inflammation with all the movement she has. They want people around her that she knows so the familiar voices will trigger her memory. So not only is her family with her but even her nurse on the shift right now turns out to be her masters swim teammate, Kim. So there's another familiar voice working on getting her memory triggered. Alex said this is such a wonderful Thanksgiving gift.

Thank you so so much for your continued prayers and praise to God for this amazing wonderful change of events!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

10:00 pm - They just did a "sedation vacation". As she was coming out of the sedation, she was reaching with her left hand (this is the side that wasn't moving yesterday morning) to try to remove the breathing tube. Wonderful sign that her brain in registering something. She tried to respond to verbal commands, and then she was trying to open her eyes! Alex is on cloud 9. He so desperately wanted her to open her eyes.

They will sedate her again for the night, but probably try this again tomorrow. God is hearing our prayers!!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

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Evening - The nurse, Andrea, was explaining how once a day they will be giving Noe a "sedation vacation". This means they will be backing off on the sedatives once a day to see how she is responding. Then they will re-sedate her to keep resting. She also said they will be doing a blood test tomorrow to see the level of meningitis still in her body.

The nurse is amazing. She has worked at UCSF, and previously was in the Neuro ICU. She is very experienced with brain issues. Praise God!

They said she has many things on her side - she's young and in good shape.
(And let's not forget Jesus!!!)

Noe’s cousin Rodlyn flew in from Hawaii. All the flights were completely full with Thanksgiving this week. So she contacted friends who worked for the airlines. They found a seat on a flight if she could get to the airport in an hour. Just more confirmation that God has this all planned out.

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4:00 pm - An EEG test was performed to determine brain activity. The Neurologist will interpret the test and talk to Alex tomorrow.

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Afternoon – Noe’s dad flew in from Las Vegas. What a blessing to have her dad here for the family. Flights are not easy to get last minute this week.

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Noon - When they backed down on the sedatives, she was moving both her left and right sides, which is a good sign. She was not following commands, like squeezing her hand yet. She was not opening her eyes yet.

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Morning – Noe’s blood was drawn today & it showed that the virus is still severe and not yet responding to the antibiotics. :(

Her brain still has swelling, so they are going to keep her sedated for another day. The plan is to wait another 24 hours and retest the blood then.

Please continue to pray for:
1) the antibiotics to work
2) the brain swelling to go down, and
3) that her brain has no permanent damage.

The boys, Noah and Luke, are doing ok. They have family in town to occupy their time. Please continue to pray for them and Alex.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

"He WILL respond to the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their plea."
-Psalm 102:17

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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

9:40 pm - The meningitis is caused by the pneumococcal bacterium, they are treating it with specific and strong antibiotics. Noe is intubated and heavily sedated. Noe’s sister Joan and boyfriend Mike arrive after a long 8-hour drive from Los Angeles.

Praise God they have a quick answer and got started on treatment right away!
Unfortunately bacterial meningitis can be more dangerous than viral. So...here's some info on Noe's condition to help us pray:

What is bacterial meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or a bacterium is important because of differences in the seriousness of the illness and the treatment needed.
VIRAL MENINGITIS is usually relatively mild. It clears up within a week or two without specific treatment.
**BACTERIAL MENINGITIS is much more serious.
It can cause severe disease that can result in brain damage and even death.

What complications can result from bacterial meningitis?
Advanced bacterial meningitis can lead to brain damage, coma, and death. Survivors can suffer long-term complications, including hearing loss, mental retardation, paralysis, and seizures.

What is the treatment for bacterial meningitis?
Early diagnosis and treatment are very important. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics. It is important, however, that treatment be started early.
http://www.dhpe.org/infect/Bacmeningitis.html


"Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever."
Psalm 146:3-6

Your prayers are cherished by the Au-Yeung family!
Thank you for your spirit of prayer & sacrifice of praise in these crucial moments...

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7:16 pm - The test result came in positive for meningitis.

They now are working on trying to figure out if it's viral or bacterial, and what strain. They are keeping her sedated until at least 10 am tomorrow while they figure it out. Noe has been transferred to the ICU where she is being cared for by nurses that know her from her gym, the Airport Club.

Alex appreciates all the prayers...keep them coming! God is listening!

PS...He is overwhelmed hearing about all your prayers and is so thankful!

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3:54 pm - The MRI has ruled out brain tumor and aneurysm! They are now doing a spinal tap, looking for meningitis. This goes along with the symptoms she had over the weekend of a head ache and back pain. She is sedated because the spinal tap can be very painful. Alex seems relieved that the big issues have been ruled out.

If surgery is not needed, it sounds like they won't transfer her to UCSF. Alex seems confident that if it's meningitis she'll be ok to stay at the hospital in Santa Rosa. They have already started giving her strong antibiotics.

The spinal tap results won't be available for another 2 hours.

Keep praying!!!!! Looking better!!!

Early afternoon – The hospital staff took Noe for a CT scan and it showed swelling on the right side of her brain. They ruled out stroke at this time but are now thinking it may be a tumor. Now she will go for a MRI. Alex has contacted a world renowned Neurosurgeon at UCSF who is waiting for Noe to be transferred. He is utilizing his contacts in the medical field to arrange the best possible care for. He is doing an amazing job communicating with doctors, friends and family. Alex is being supported by his local church, Noe’s friends and neighbors and his coworkers. Alex has been reciting the following verse to her that Noah and Luke have memorized:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your god will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

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11:22 am – When Noe was brought in she had limited movement on the left side of her body and the right side of her face was drooping. The doctors gave Noe some medication to wake her, but she did not respond. According to the doctors it could mean a stroke, aneurysm or bleed. They are considering sending her to UCSF.
The kids are at school and plans have been made to have them picked up by friends. So thank you for continuing to pray! Friends and family around the globe are praying with you at this time. Friends in Belize, California and family in New York, Seattle, Hawaii and Las Vegas are to name a few.

Will keep you posted!

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9:30 am - Noe was taken by ambulance to the hospital this morning with what may have been a stroke or a brain aneurysm. She had complained of a backache & migraine a few days ago. On Monday she went to see the doctor and they prescribed Vicodin. Monday night she showered and went to bed at midnight with a bad headache. She had rough night of sleep. Come 8:30, after taking the boys to school, Alex and Noe’s mom could not wake her. They phoned 911 and the paramedics arrived. They thought she may have had a drug interaction from the Vicodin. After assessing her, they determined it was not a drug interaction and they drove her to the emergency room at Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa.

Noe is very healthy and active and this is completely unexpected so please pray to our Father & Lord Jesus Christ.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory..."
Ephesians 3:20-21a