Becca Update

Below is a message I received from Dave, Becca's father, regarding Becca's current condition.

This morning Becca was, once again, placed under anesthetic--this time for a procedure to place tubes (or "wicks") into her ears. While she was "asleep" prior to the surgery, the ENT physician ran another kind of hearing test, the type conducted on new-born babies to determine proper ear function. Becca's right ear indicated some response to low tones. The goal of the tubes is to provide a means to concentrate the steroids on the area of greatest concern, specifically the inflamed tissue in and around the inner ear. This methodology is actually experimental. There is little documentation about this type of treatment for children as very few young patients have received it. Becca may well be the very first post-meningitis child on whom this direct steroid therapy has been done; consequently, she is serving as a test case. She will be given one drop in each ear every day for a number of weeks. Likely by Friday, Becca will be taken off the IV-infused steroid (which can lead to complications if not stopped in a matter of days).

Just so that you are fully appraised of the situation, over the last few days, various specialists have started discussions about cochlear implants. When the ENT doctor who performed this morning's surgery stopped by Becca's hospital room today, he was guarded in his assessment of the prospects for our daughter's ears. He indicated that hearing loss is an all-too-common outcome for patients who've suffered from the type of meningitis with which Becca was afflicted. He also said that the MRI showed swelling in the inner ear itself (within the cochlea), which suggests conditions unfavorable for a full recovery of her hearing. Medical science's means of dealing with the most severe cases of hearing loss (deafness or near-deafness, where she is now) are cochlear implants. Such devices are like large, partly internal hearing aids that serve to create a kind of "electronic hearing" transmitted to the brain. We are reaching a critical point, and time is of the essence. Meningitis has been known to harden the cochlea in a matter of weeks. May God give us grace.

Dave

Having fun now...

Check out this video of my nephew Kaedin making his sister Carissa laugh.

Kaedin Turns 2

On Monday 2/25/08 my nephew Kaedin turned 2 years old. Here is a picture of him and his cake. Below is one of all my nieces and nephews (and my mom).

Becca continues to recover

Below is a recent update I received on Becca and her recovery process. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Update from Dave, Becca's father:

Sadly, I must report there has been little to no improvement in Becca's hearing. In effort to regain some ground in this area, doctors have put Becca back on the steroid. This reduces swelling, which is expected to impact the inflammation around her inner ear.

Yesterday Becca had a CT Scan which interestingly indicated her ears were actually rather healthy. So to investigate the matter further, this morning she was given anesthetic and had an MRI. This more detailed image confirmed that, yes, there continues to be significant swelling around the inner ear. Just a couple hours following the MRI, Becca was taken to have an official hearing test with an audiologist. The results of this didn't tell us much more than we have already been experiencing: Becca isn't hearing out of either ear. This afternoon Amy spoke with a doctor who suggested a more dramatic approach--to inject steroids directly into the area around Becca's ears. We will hear about this procedure more tomorrow.

As for her overall health, Becca appears to be experiencing very little of the pain she had been suffering from not long ago. Really, she is behaving much like her old self--talking, drawing, watching TV, even singing. Still, she periodically complains about the monitor wires stuck to her chest and the annoying plastic attachments that make up the IV system.

Know that your prayers are appreciated.

Dave

Update on Becca

Update from Becca's Mom, Amy.

Dear all,
As Dave emailed to most of you, we took Becca to Crittenton Hospital ER with severe flu-like symptoms yesterday morning. After blood work, CT scan, and a horrible spinal tap, Becca was rushed by ambulance to Royal Oak Beaumont PICU with suspected bacterial meningitis. She was unresponsive to verbal directions, not even able to focus on or recognize Dave or me. Yesterday was very long, as we watched Becca flail her arms and groan, obviously in pain, probably due to a searing headache. The good news is that, thanks to all your prompt prayers, she is responding well to all the medications. She now recognizes us, is much more comfortable, speaking occasional full sentences, and drinking fluids. She will need to stay in ICU for a few more days, and will be in the hospital for about 14 days, in order to get all of her antibiotics. Thank you for yours prayers and offers of assistance. We might be taking you up on some of them, as we juggle jobs, staying overnight with Becca, and keeping Andrew at home. My parents have been a tremendous help!

FYI--for those of you who have been in contact with Becca in the recent past, the epidemiologist assures us that this bacteria is not contagious and you do not have anything to worry about. Even our immediate family, including Andrew, do not need to take any prophylactic antibiotics.

With love,
Amy

Tim turned 40!!

On Valentines day 2/14/08 Tim Salmonson turned 40 years old.

Over the Hill and looking forward to the roller coaster ride life brings from this side.

Happy Birthday Tim!!!

Cuties

Above... Here are some pictures of my nieces and nephews. Pictured is Kaedin (2), Kenzie (4), Cameron (6), and Cayliann (4). Tim ( friend & business partner) and I are also in the picture. Missing from the picture is Carissa (5 months).




To the Right... Cameron & Mackenzie

Below... Carissa

Please pray for Becca

Please pray for Rebecca Salmonson who was admitted to the hospital on Sunday morning with Bacterial (Spinal) meningitis. Becca is 4 years old and she is the niece of my dear friend and business partner Tim Salmonson. Our prayers go out to Becca and the Salmonson family. May God cast this illness from Becca and may she be well. May God's love surround all of the Salmonson's and give you strength, comfort, hope, and peace during this time of trial.

2008 Ministry Year

Hello Everyone! I pray 2008 has gotten off to a Great start for you! As I look ahead at the year ahead I am excited about the possibilities. I have been presented with an opportunity that is beyond anything I could have imagined that I would be doing. IGN has created an opportunity for me to spend 6 months doing ministry in the field. This means that for 6 months this year I will be living and working with our international ministry partners. I will leave mid-May / early June and return in November. During this time I will be focused on working along side our different ministry partners as well as evaluating new potential partners. This is an excellent opportunity not only to come alongside our partners but to also build deeper relationships, hear individual's stories of how God is working in their lives, and to help share those stories with those who will listen. I am excited and a little nervous about living abroad, but I know the adventure will be one I will carry with me always and the stories of people's triumph over despair will move me in unexpected and incredible ways. I walk into this next stage invigorated with the possibilities of the lives that will be changed by the work I do. Mine being one of them.

To make this happen I need your help. Below are my itinerary and the costs involved. Without your financial support this will not be possible. I ask that you prayerfully consider what role you play in helping make this ministry happen. Also, if you would like me to come share with your church, small group, or neighborhood let me know and we can set something up upon my return.

I will be spending several months in each of the IGN regions of Africa, Central America, and the Far East (Asia). The main programs I will be working with are:
Education & Children's programs
- Orphans, abused children & rescue programs
- School and student enterprise programs
Spiritual and emotional wellness
Poverty eradication programs and children's feeding programs
Community development, shelter, & medical programs
Skills training programs including:
- Sewing, handicrafts, & other trade skills
- Basic business, finance, computers & English
Developing relationships with new partners
Listening to peoples stories and telling those stories

The costs associated with airfare, transportation, food, housing, ministry, etc. for 6 months are $10,000. You can make a tax deduction contribution either by writing a check made out to "IGN" and in the memo writing "Cindie 2008" and mail it to Invision Global Network, 5501 31st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712. or you can donate online at our website at http://www.invisionglobal.org/community/cindie_support_info/

Thank you for your support!

If asked 2 years ago if I thought I would be doing this I would have told you no way. Now look! God is Good! Thanks for coming along side me and helping to make this ministry happen.

God Bless You,
Cindie

Reflections on 2007

As I reflect on the 2007 year I am in awe at all the change, growth, and joy that is in my life.

The year started with a bang as I spent New Years Eve in Florida after returning from Haiti. I spent the time with good friends sharing our dreams of living life with purpose and passion and what that would look like, as well as what obstacles stood in our way.

The next few months were spent enjoying time with friends and family. My nieces and nephews are so much fun to be with. They remind me of how everything is new and joy can be found in simple things like baking cookies with mom, a pet hermit crab, or a crayon drawn masterpiece. I see glimpses of pure and unconditional love watching my 22 month old nephew see his mom enter a room, run up to her squealing her name, grab her leg and say "I luv you mama". What
lessons about life and love we can learn from watching children. At a school in Kenya I saw a similar expression of love, in a far different circumstance. I saw starving, neglected, and forgotten children grateful, lively, and squealing with joy as our team spent the day connecting with them. The demographics were different, but the expression of love translated the same.

After searching for answers on why I was holding myself back from living in my area of passion I finally decided to remove the obstacles and make some big decisions. This lead to me leaving my job in corporate America and taking on a full time position working for a non-profit organization called Invision Global Network (IGN). IGN focuses on education, empowerment, and relationship building in order to change lives and bring hope, purpose, and opportunity to all
people. IGN unites people from all over the world and as relationships are formed, lives are transformed. My life can be counted among them.

Since my July trip to Kenya most of my time has been spent working to help prepare IGN for the 2008 ministry year. Thanks to some generous IGN supporters we were able to take a class in International Crisis Management which provided excellent tools for avoiding and dealing with Crisis situations abroad, as well as provided excellent contacts and even a few potential ministry partners. I also found myself meeting new people in 2007. We are seeing many answered prayers as God brings people into our lives with skills that are needed to complete the bigger picture. I am in awe of all I have seen so far and I am excited to see how everything comes together over the next year. These are VERY exciting times and I am so grateful to be on this journey.

For 2008 I have a few prayer requests. Please pray for all of our ministry partners in Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Thailand, Kenya, South Africa, and India. Also in 2008 IGN has the opportunity to partner in Jamaica, Croatia, and several countries in Africa. Pray for those partnerships to come together. Also pray for our 2008 teams. Currently we have multiple teams interested in going to Kenya, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Thailand, and Wimauma an immigrant farm workers project in Florida. Interest has also been expressed for Haiti. Pray for the people to come together that God is calling to participate on each of these teams. If you are interested in participating please let me know. Also in 2008 IGN plans to invest more time in development and developmental practices that lead to growth in a community. Pray that the people and resources needed for this come into place. Please also pray for me. I have decided to rent out my house. I am finding I am spending less and less time in home and owning a home no longer seems necessary or financially wise. Please pray for God to bring the right people for me to rent to as well as my discernment in recognizing them. Also, finances are a challenge so please pray for me in this regard as well.

2007 was an incredible year for me and I am overjoyed at the possibilities in 2008. Thanks to all who came alongside me on my journey! Your support means so much! GOD Bless and Happy New Year!

This is where I work...

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Thoughts for Today

Today I decided I would start a blog... no particular agenda in mind, just some thoughts and other things from my Life. Everyone has a story and a journey that they go on while here on earth. My journey, as in everyones, has ups and downs, good times and bad ones, new experiences and mundane ones. I look to live my life the best I can loving God and loving people. To find how I, and individuals I come into contact with, are created and to come alongside one another to encourage each other to live the lives we were created to live. My journey has taken me across the neighborhood as well as across the world. This is my Life Journey...