[maureenreynolds]

This is a long post but I think it's good to hear how Sharlah and Rich felt as what was fairly 'normal' turned into a nightmare. If you've ever had to balance hope with acceptance you'll understand.

"I want to begin with thanking so so many people. This week has been a haze and I can barely believe that it has been a week since this last storm began. I had a difficult time finding a verse that describes exactly how I feel, but I found two:

But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." (Luke 18:27)
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).

I pick these two verses because I am overcome with so much love and joy to know that so many people are praying for Bekah. I would acknowledge you all, but there are so many! (I will try to later when things are more calm.)

I guess I have to go back a week ago before this began to explain why I feel a miracle happened with Bekah. I have prayed and prayed since the beginning of Bekah's Dx, but it had almost come to a point, that I accepted what her medical problems where. I felt so torn... If I accept that Bekah has these problems and might not make it and I stop asking for her to be healed is that the same as giving up hope and faith? I honestly didn't know how to feel about it, then last Thursday (a week ago) I received some books about endurance. One of the books was on a CD and I decided to listen to it Friday going to Tucson for Bekah's endoscopy. It talked about these EXACT things (yes, I think I was a little dumb founded). One of the things it talked about was not giving up, but yet accepting the situation. Jesus never gave up faith or hope in his father, but he accepted that he would be put to death and did not fight it. This was exactly what I needed to hear. Little did I know what was about to take place..

Bekah had her endoscopy and I had thought it was fine. My friend Lori (a nurse practitioner) had actually come out with us during this to help support us with what ever news we would get from the procedure. WE were just about to finish clinic (we went to after the endoscopy because she needed red cells.) when Bekah passed out and her blood pressure dropped. From there it became very surreal. They did a blood draw for CBC's and found her 7.8 hemo had dropped down to 6 (AFTER) the transfusion. So they did another one- this one was 4!
They called up for another unit of blood - which was rushed and they started to push it in to try to bring her blood pressure back, mean while we were being sent to the ICU, where they kept giving her blood and did a cat scan. The surgeon looked at it and called for immediate surgery. Her colon had been perforated and she was bleeding internally. This was the beginning of a very long evening. She had 4 back to back surgeries (and one a few days later- 5 total). That first night was a nightmare. It was like a scene for the TV ER shows. Nurses yelling for blood, nurses bringing coolers containing blood bags coming because it took too long to wait- then two nurses skipping the transfusion bag process and transfusing the blood directly into her line with large syringes. While another nurse cleaned up the blood that was oozing out of the incision and her colon areas. I just remember asking God to please be there. Just to be there. Nothing else. When Bekah came back after the 2nd emergency surgery we were told again they couldn't stop the bleeding. We needed to be prepared. I had just watched through the night my daughter almost bleeding to death. I was so numb and only asked God to be there with her and us. I was too afraid to ask for more. I was so tired of begging and then this happened and I didn't know what to pray for. This is why I know it was a miracle. We were being told she would might not make it....not once or twice but several times by the surgeon. Then she made it! 25 something transfusions later (all differing blood products) and she just stopped bleeding late Saturday afternoon! She has since had 3 or more a day, but she is slowly improving! Thank-you Lord!!

I have no words to describe how we are so so thankful that Bekah is with us. She continues to fight for her life, but it looks better and better every day. She has a road that our family must all travel with her, but I truly believe it is your prayers that asked God and brought about Bekah's healing and guided the Dr's and nurses to do their best to save her life.

She continues to be in critical care, but it is so wonderful that we are moving in a more positive direction!

Much love to you all~Sharlah"