Lance’s Story

Site created on December 27, 2022

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your prayers,  support, and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.  Lance had been sick off and on for about a week when he started to get continually weaker and lethargic. He was taken to his family doctor on Wednesday, Dec 21. He tested negative for influenza and was sent home without intervention. Thursday night he began to vomit quite a bit, started to be confused and they noticed some swelling around the temple on the left side of his face, so they took him into the Ephrata ER where he was given IV fluids through the night, but because they no longer have a pediatric unit he was not able to be admitted. He was sent home in the morning with instructions to push fluids and if need be, come back in for another round of IV fluids. He seemed to show some improvements on Friday but the swelling on the left side of his face continued to get worse through out the day and by evening he was again showing signs of confusion.  This time they decided to take him to Hershey Medical Center where they knew he would be able to be admitted if need be. When they arrived and saw his condition they immediately had a team of doctors and nurses working on him. It was quickly determined that he had a sinus infection, sepsis, bacterial meningitis, and cellulitis in his face. They believe it started with a sinus infection which led to cellulitis, and then sepsis and finally meningitis.  He was admitted to the ICU and was started on IV antibiotics and IV fluids. He was very restless through the night because of the pain from the swelling in his brain and it was determined by Saturday morning that he would need to be sedated to calm him and to help his brain to heal. Because of this he also had to be intubated to help with his breathing during sedation. He was now able to rest peacefully. His blood clotting factors were not working well because of the shock his body was in and he was given a blood transfusion.  On Monday they did an MRI to check his brain and sinuses. It was determined that he would not require surgery but they were disappointed to see fluid around his brain which happens in about 50% of meningitis patients. This puts him at high risk of seizures and so he was put on a seizure medication which he will have to be on for at least 6 months. He will get a follow up MRI Tuesday morning to see if there has been any changes in the fluid around his brain.  At this point his kidney function is not where they would like to see it and his blood clotting factors are also not working properly. Please pray specifically for healing in these areas as well as the fluid in his brain to disappear. Lance is very sick and needs the healing touch of Jesus. We will do our best to keep you updated with specific prayer requests and updates. Thank you all for your care and prayers!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Charity Rutt

Giving a little update on Lance. To all you who have been continuing to pray for us and being the hands and feet of Jesus to us through meals, cards, words of encouragement we greatly appreciate you and are able to stand because of you all. May the Lord Bless you!

Lance started school doing half days and a few full days here and there. He isn't taking naps anymore during the day but then by evening he is very worn out and tired. His muscles are coming back nicely, and he is at his weight before sickness which is such a wonderful site. We continue to meet new doctors and I am amazed at how God is still answering my prayer the day we took Lance to the hospital I cried out to Jesus asking him to prepare the way for us to be cared for by good doctors and that prayer is still being answered. We met with his brain doctor, and he listened to us and explained the brain to us for an hour. We felt heard and our questions were answered. Lance had a normal exam at which we are completely overwhelmed by Gods goodness and grace towards us and Lance's life. He continues to have no lasting effects. Lance doesn't struggle with headaches near as often and this is a direct answer to prayer. Lance also past his second hearing test which brings tears to our eyes because we know so many of you who have walked this road struggle with hearing. We continue to take one day at a time keeping a schedule very flexible. We do notice his body wearing out much quicker than normal. We will have another MRI in the next couple of months and you can pray that the fluid will be gone in Jesus Name. We all including Lance struggle with the aftermath of the storm. One can chose to act like this never happened or one can get deep and deal with the heart issues. 

I did struggle many days in a row wondering where Jesus is and wishing He would just remove the mountain instead He calls us to climb it. As I struggled Jesus was silent and I began to doubt and after a sister prayed over me that evening, I got glimpse of Jesus's face looking at me with deep grief and then my mind was given this song "Does Jesus Care." 

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained, too deeply for mirth and song? When the burdens press, and the cares distress and the way grows weary and long?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief. When the days are weary. The long night dreary. I KNOW MY SAVIOR CARES!!!

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