Bethany diagnosed, and home!

The diagnosis for sweet Bethany has come in.  It isn't necessarily awesome news, but it isn't horrible, either, and most importantly, our Father has been making it perfectly clear all along that He is the one in control. 

How easily I forget that.

So here is the prognosis, in Lydia's words:

"She has been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder called Evans Syndrome.  Basically, her body is attacking her red blood cells and her platelets.  There are different kinds of treatment plans, but we are starting with a round of steroids.  Usually, it works to get your immune system to slow down and allows the blood counts to come back up.  Every once in a while, it will stop the response all together, and patients will experience a longer lasting remission.  Most of the time it works for some time- it varies in every individual, but anywhere from 1 month to years.  We have no real idea of how well it will work and how long it will last.  We have started the steroids are are praying that the Lord would use the medicine to send her into remission for a looooong time.  We will be in the hospital here until her blood counts come up to a safe level and that could take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks."

"Please continue to pray for us.  Pray for the boys, that they would know they are loved and never forgotten.  Pray for John and I- that in all the separation we would still walk in complete unity.  Pray that the steroids would be the mechanism for a miracle.  Pray for my sweet baby girl- that her heart would know it's precious, amazing, beautiful value.  Thanks friends!"

UPDATE:  After Lydia posted that on Facebook, the steroids started working!  Bethany's levels are still very low, but the doctors said she was healthy enough to recover at home.  Praise the Lord for answered prayers! Please pray for the medicine to continue to slow Bethany's autoimmune disease, and pray for a complete and lasting remission.  Amen and amen.