We have an urgent need for prayers, so I am humbly reaching out this evening on behalf of the Brooks family, and asking for your immediate prayers for our entire family. 

Once again, my niece Lauren and her husband Ryan’s baby boy, August Allen (Auggie) is back in the hospital. Auggie has endured so much in these first 16 months of his life, having over 6 major surgeries since birth. Auggie’s last surgery was in January of this year, he has been steadily recovering and has been a vibrant, inquisitive toddler. Last week on Tuesday night, Auggie stopped breathing after fighting what seemed to be a common cold with fits of coughing. Ryan had to administer CPR until the ambulance could arrive and Auggie was airlifted to Grand Rapids to the DeVos Children’s hospital and remains there in the PICU. 

Yesterday we received this update from Lauren. Auggie tested positive for rhinovirus. Typically, this is just like a common cold, but unfortunately for Auggie it caused severe breathing difficulties. When he was extubated yesterday the ENT did a scope down his throat and saw lots of inflammation. He is suspecting that when Auggie is not sick he probably has some baseline inflammation (from being intubated so many times and the TEF repair). So all this inflammation caused the breathing difficulties. 

They want to do a further scope to look at his trachea as they suspect he has tracheomalacia. This means the trachea is collapsing and making it hard to breathe. We have to wait until he isn’t sick before going to the OR to do that. The doctors have him stabilized for now. They do not know how much longer they will have to stay at the hospital but it will most likely not be soon. There are still a lot of questions that have to be answered. 

Additionally, as many of you are aware my father was diagnosed in mid-February with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and began his cancer treatments in the first week of March. While this type of cancer is not curable, fortunately it is treatable. So far he is handling the treatments well and not experiencing any significant side effects other than fatigue. We pray this continues as he fights to remain with us and the love of his life, our beautiful mother Shirley. Please pray for his continued strength and fortitude. 

Lastly, I have also recently experienced some serious health issues. Three weeks ago, while on a short cruise to Belize and Costa Maya with my husband Mark and some friends, I suffered a 20-30 minute TIA (mild stroke) while on board the ship. Since arriving back home, I have undergone lots of testing and have been placed on some various preventative medications as well as seeing a neurosurgeon to evaluate the results of several MRI’s. 

I share all of this as we continue to put our faith in our heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as our greatest healer. We would greatly appreciate if you can once again join us in our daily prayer below as we plead with Padre Pio to intercede with Jesus Christ, on all of our behalves.