Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Prayer Request.

Saturday evening Dad and Mom took Silas to the Emergency Room because of severe, unexplained bruising on his legs and feet and unusual swelling in both his knees. The Doctor at the hospital could not diagnose him, but gave him medication to help with the swelling and the pain.
Because Silas has neurofibromatosis (NF1), he has a check-up every year just before his birthday to make sure the disease is not manifesting. This year there was a mix-up and his appointment was not scheduled until this week. We are so grateful that God orchestrated the timing so perfectly, so that only two days after Silas became ill he was able to see a specialist!!

During his exam yesterday Silas was diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura. The disease is contracted when there is a break-down in your immune system.
This disease causes blood vessels to swell and then collapse, causing the bruising and bleeding under the skin. This can cuase intense pain which at times makes is so that he cannot walk. He seems to have the most pain in the afternoon and evening.

This disease usually run it's course in 4-6 weeks, and thankfully is not contagious. We are praying for Silas' swift recovery to good health!

Above you can see the bruising and swelling on his legs. ^^^

But through it all Silas still maintains a cheerful attitude and blesses us with his priceless grin!

Specific Prayer Requests;

1. This disease can spread to major organs (kidneys and the colon in particular) and cause bleeding in the organs and potentially cause damage to those organs. It can also cause bleeding in the brain and lungs. Please pray that there will be no damage to his organs and there will be no bleeding in his brain or lungs.

2. Silas has held up under the pressure of the pain very well so far. Pray for him to be able to withstand the pain, that we would be creative in giving him profitable distractions to keep his mind more pleasantly engaged!

3. Silas' pain increases tremendously during the late afternoon and throughout the evening. During those hours please pray especially for him to have grace to endure the pain!

A huge thank-you from our family for lifting Silas up in prayer!!

We are so grateful!

15 comments:

~AliisaJoy~ said...

I'll keep praying for Silas! His legs look so painful - he's such a trouper!! I love you, Silas!!

Love, "Ali Klahn" ;)

Anonymous said...

I hope he feels better! Give him a big hug for me! He probably dosn't even know who i am! But still say "Hi" and give him a hug!

Love,
Aleks

Anonymous said...

Hi Silas,
I'm so sorry you are sick. I will pray for you every day. I'll come visit you sometime soon buddy!

Jacob said...

May the Lord heal and comfort your son in Jesus name.

Kristi said...

Bless his sweet little heart. I'll pray for him right now and whenever the Lord lays him on my mind and heart.

~Kristi

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Okay, I'll try this again...

Poor little guy! His legs look so painful...
I'll be praying for him!

Anonymous said...

Hey Ulmer Family,

I was so sorry to see the trial that poor little Silas is going through right now!!! I've been praying for him all the time since I read the post, and several times when I've been praying about other things the Lord has just brought him to mind, and I've prayed for him right then! I'm also praying for your whole family that the Lord would give you all strength through this time of seeing your youngest sibling suffering, and not really being able to do anything about it! It must be so awful! My continued prayers will be with you, and I wish I could just be there to help out, and give hugs! I will be praying that this does not last the 4-6 weeks that the Docter said it normally would! Please keep us posted as we continue to lift you up to the throne of grace in prayer!!

Love In Christ,
~Bekah For the Whole Rehm Family~

Anonymous said...

Oh poor Silas! I feel awful for him looking at those pics. I'm glad the Drs were able to figure out what was wrong. I'll be praying for him and that the Lord will protect him from any serious damage. Love you guys!

Hannah

Crooked Stream said...

Wow! I'll be praying for him!
Poor little guy!

ScribblinScribe said...

Tabitha W. just told me about this...I'll be consulting the Great Physician about this one.

Brittney said...

awww! Bless his heart! I'm praying for Sweet little Silas. Bless his heart!!

Beth Nell said...

awww...wow. that is awful. I'll be praying for him!
It looks like you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving! :-)
and incase I don't get to it tomorrow... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! 16 right? :-) That is sooo exciting, I hope it is a great birthday!

--aleks k. said...

Hello, Lizzy,

I posted,
Love,
Aleks

--aleks k. said...

Hello, Lizzy,

I posted,
Love,
Aleks