Update on Rhonda Brandenburg 2019-10-30
Breakfast time!
It has been a week since our last complete update. Rhonda has had some really good days and then a few "set back" days. I slowed down on the reports for a couple of reasons: 1) The reports seemed a little schizophrenic. We would report a good day, and then we would have a big set back. It often seemed like we did not know what we were talking about. We didn't want to just have urgent prayer requests all of the time, but did want to relay important information.
Rhonda has had a good week. She is making real progress in her breathing. They give her breathing treatments two times a day and she is responding well to those. Her skin is healing from the wounds caused by the lymphedema and cellulitis. They are being very successful in removing the excess fluid and her kidney function has returned to normal. Her numbers are staying very stable. She has started physical therapy to build her strength and stamina. We are helping her with breathing exercises, leg, and arm exercises. She is getting stronger every day. The surgeon told us today (Wednesday, October 30) that the surgical drain will probably come out in the next day or two. This is all great news! We are making slow, but steady progress. She has been seen by pulmonologists, dermatologists, neurologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, infections disease doctors, and many more specialists that I cannot even pronounce, let alone spell!!
The doctors treating Rhonda have been frustrated by several lingering issues, including general weakness, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances, and some memory loss. They have been running various tests to rule out different possible causes for these issues. That is both a frustrating and encouraging process. They have done head CT scans to rule out a mild stroke. That test came back negative, which is positive. (Sorry for that sentence, I just couldn't help myself.) They have discovered that her adrenal glands are not working correctly. This condition is what they believe is causing the many lingering symptoms that have plagued her for quite a while. They are now treating this condition with low dose steroids.
Our challenge now is getting her to be able to sit in a chair and then to begin walking. Once we can get her to that point we can begin to think about transferring her to a rehab facility to continue her recovery. This will continue to be a long, slow process, but we really believe that we have turned the corner and she is getting stronger and healthier every day. It has now been over five weeks since she was brought by ambulance to the hospital. It is hard to believe all of the things that have happened in those weeks. We have had ups and downs, but God has been faithful through it all.
We are very thankful for your prayers and kindness. Many have reached out Please continue to pray that:
Rhonda's appetite will increase
She will be able to sit in a chair
She will be able to stand and walk
She will be moved to a rehab facility (and then home!)
Please also pray for our ministry. With Rhonda being in the hospital for so long it is very challenging to be able to get out and preach in other churches. My main ministry right now is to my family, and more specifically, my wife. She needs me and I will be here for her. I will be putting out a ministry update soon to give more details about what we have been doing.
Pray for:
Finances
Monthly ministry support
Hospital bills
Ministry opportunities
Thank you again for your prayers and encouragement.
God is always good. He is only good.
-The Brandenburg Family