Wednesday

Yesterday Marty had a brain biopsy. The reason for this is because previous tests had indicated that he has several brain lesions. A lesion is a like a sore and can be caused by many things. We're not sure what has caused Marty's brain lesions. We sighed in relief once the biopsy was done because, let's face it, it was brain surgery. The intention of this biopsy was to remove a sample of a lesion in the right frontal lobe of Marty's brain. A pathologist was present during the whole surgery to make sure that the sample was adequate for testing and that all procedures for obtaining the sample were done by the book. They were and as such, the surgery was a success. The pathology report will take seven to ten days to come back.  So, in seven to ten days, we hope to have a much more solid grasp of what's ailing Marty. Once we know what's ailing him then a treatment plan can be initiated. In the meantime, his health has been declining steadily. What our immediate concern is what can/will be done for Marty during these seven to ten days.

Recently Marty's been having trouble with his breathing. During certain periods of time he would be breathing very rapidly. At times he was somewhat restless and even non-responsive to verbal stimuli. Today, around mid-day, a team of nurses met together as they were concerned with Marty's breathing. They ran some tests and did a chest X-ray. An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) doctor visited the family in the waiting room and informed us that he thinks that the breathing issues could possibly be linked to whatever is ailing Marty -- again, we're still waiting to determine that which is ailing him. It was as this point that we were informed that Marty would be going to the ICU. While this sounds like a set-back we're all confident that the medical staff at Hamilton General is doing all that they can for Marty. In ICU, Marty has his own nurse and there's also more medical technology immediately at the nurse's and other staff's disposal should the need arise. 

En route to the ICU, Marty began to have seizures. Once they got him to the ICU, they intubated him (put a breathing tube into Marty to assist his breathing if need be) and began a regiment of anti-seizure medication. The short-term goal is that once this medication takes full effect and Marty no longer has seizures, then perhaps they can extubate him. It's good to have a goal and a plan, but we know that Marty's LORD, our LORD, has everything under control. So, while today our nerves were set on edge, we also are extremely relieved that Marty is "in the doctors' radar", that he's getting the best care that he can, that there's a plan that makes sense, and we are also aware of the work of the communion of saints.

The communion of saints has assisted the family in too many ways to mention. One that we'd like to mention right now though is the care of Marty and Erica's children during Marty's hospitalization. As the kids have been under the care of many willing people, this has allowed Erica to focus on caring for her husband. In due time, Erica and her kids will be reunited and we want to thank all who have and will continue to assist her in this regard.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of our family, both in Ontario, across Canada and in around the world.

Continue to pray for Marty's health, that God may guide the hand of the doctors, and that he will give Erica strength in this time.  Please also pray for the family that would love to be here to help.  Much of Erica and Marty's family lives far away, making this time extra difficult.  

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

     -- Ps. 46:1 --

Mike