Spare Change

There and Back Again

Posted by Bryan

First off, thank you everyone who has taken my family's needs to our Lord in prayer. We know those prayers have been answered and give praise to God for his loving mercy and grace.

To get everyone up to speed...As I was doing my last bits of preparation for today's & tomorrow's conference in North Columbus, Ohio, Kelli called me and said that Kelsi had had a rough night. She was fevered, listless, and had vomited three times in the night. We agreed that she should take Kelsi to the doctor.

Kelli arranged an 11:15 appointment for Kelsi, and as she was pulling in to the doctor's office, Kelsi began to have a seizure. We now know it was a febrile seizure, induced by her rapid and high fever. Kelli called me only moments after handing her off to very attentive and alarmed medical personnel. I immediately made arrangements to return home.

To give testimony how God answered our (and your) prayers:

First, in the most important matters

• Kelsi is showing no signs of cognitive disruptions, despite being without oxygen for 2-3 minutes.


• she has her personality back, which is definitely a good sign. She still carries a fevered temperature of 101.2, so she's not "in the clear," but we all feel much better knowing we're together and ready to act if necessary.


• Cotter was not alarmed or overwhelmed by any of the drama, either of Kelsi, or of Kelli (who was understandably very shaken at the sight of Kelsi having the seizure). Our pastor came and took him for some playtime at Chik-Fil-A, and then played some PS2 with him until Kelli, Kaylyn, and Kelsi could meet them at home.

Then, in the lesser matters

• I had no trouble returning, despite unusual arrangements that were necessary for the rental car, the airplane, and the shuttle transport home


• We had nothing but prayer, support, and encouragement from my friends and colleagues in Ohio who had to cover my conferences

It took roughly six hours to get from Columbus back to my home, and almost one-third of that time was spent getting from the airport to the house.

We have been told to watch Kelsi very closely for the next 24 hours, as she could have another seizure if her body temperature rises above 101 degrees. We're also supposed to monitor her for an additional three days to make sure she doesn't display any delayed effects from the seizure. And, we still have to work on the ear infection that caused all this....highly contagious and highly volatile, as we discovered.

Thank you thank you thank you. I am so filled with gratitude to know that you were willing to go to God on my daughter's behalf and that He heard your prayer.

April 23, 2004 9:41 PM