From the OBX Hospital to Duke

April 25, 2021

This part of the post was written earlier this morning after taking Sarah to the ER. 

It was still dark out this morning when I put Sarah into the car for her fourth trip to the ER in two weeks.

She’s still been running fevers and has only been able to eat about 400 to 500 calories a day for the past week. She’s been dehydrated and has also been dealing with extreme fatigue, loss of strength,  and some mental/verbal fuzziness.

When she woke up crying this morning saying how hungry she was but that she couldn’t eat, I didn’t feel like we could wait another twenty-four hours to see her family physician.  Hence, the early morning drive.

I’d been awake since 2 a.m., worrying about her, thinking about her, praying for her.  Too many swirling thoughts for a mama’s heart to rest comfortably.  The love I feel for her is beyond words at the best of times but during the times she is suffering, that love just blows up into unimaginable proportions–great love blended with great sorrow.

She was so courageous this morning as we drove, sitting beside me in the early morning darkness.

There were tears on her face, but she was brave.

There were tears on my face as I tried to be brave. For her.

She doesn’t like the noise and the lights of the ER and is, of course, not a fan, of the inevitable IV and scans that await there.  But early this morning when I brought up the idea of going, there was not the slightest hint of reluctance. She had reached the end of her strength and Gage and Steve and I had reached the end of our ideas to help her.

So now we wait for answers for this precious daughter of my heart.

This is 8 hours later.

Gage relieved me at the emergency room mid-morning and called an hour or two later to say they were wanting to transport Sarah to Duke by ambulance. However, as before, it was going to take a long time to get an ambulance there from Duke so they gave Gage permission to take her in his car.  I will drive over in the morning.

Her platelets have started dropping again, her fatigue is still pretty profound, and her caloric intake is so very low. I was hesitant about subjecting her to another ER visit this morning but was glad I did as she is definitely needing some extra expert care.

I’ll be in touch tomorrow at some point to let you know how things are going.

 

Donation Thank You

I just want to say a quick thanks for everyone who has donated toward  covering extra expenses these past few weeks. There is no way we could describe what a difference it has made to be able to take a few financial things off our “worry list.”

One major unexpected expense right now is that Sarah is having to take a leave of absence from work for several weeks, at least.  We’ve also had several trips to Duke with all of those accompanying expenses with more trips to come.

Since some of the gifts were earmarked for the wedding, we’ve been able to help with transportation costs for a few pretty important people–like Nathan and Meagan and the kids. 🙂

So from all of us to all of you, a hundred thank yous–for your gifts, your words, and your prayers.

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36 comments so far.

36 responses to “From the OBX Hospital to Duke”

  1. Wendy says:

    Praying for all of you but especially for Sarah and the Doctors as they try and figure out what is going on.

  2. Catherine says:

    I have been praying and trusting God for direction in how to treat Sarah for total healing. Prayers also for her loving family that Lord would bring comfort to you as you wait upon the Lord. God is good.

  3. Guerrina says:

    Lord, have mercy! Leaky eyes. Prayers rolling up for all of you.

  4. Pam says:

    Thinking of all of you –
    When possible, could you please have someone provide a link to the gofund me so that we may continue to donate?

  5. Lesley says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you all, hoping Infectious Disease can get to the bottom of this. Sarah must be so exhausted, discouraged and weak at this point. Uggh.

  6. Krista Labrensz says:

    Praying right now…

  7. Karen says:

    I am sitting at my kitchen table reading this with tears – I have followed you & your family’s story since the very beginning when I visited Caring Bridge to keep up on updates from another family. I came upon Sarah’s story and have never missed a post. This is my first time commenting and I want to let you know how truly sorry I am to hear that Sarah is feeling ill. She deserves to be healthy and happy. I am praying for her and your beautiful family. God bless you all.

    • Becky says:

      Karen,

      Just wanted to welcome you as a first-time commenter after all these years. Great to hear from you!

  8. Gloria A Smith says:

    Becky,
    Sarah is blessed to have such a loving, caring Mom. I join Sharyn praying for our Heavenly Father to give the doctor’s wisdom, give Sarah complete healing, strength and perseverance for Becky, Steve, Gage, Nathan & family.

    Love,
    Cousin Gloria
    Asheville, NC

  9. suzie walters says:

    Praying for wisdom for Sarahs doctors. Praying for healing and comfort for you all. Prayer for that precious heart of yours. Will be here lifting all in prayer.

    Much love,
    Suzie

  10. JennyJoT says:

    Praying hard for Sarah, her doctors, and all who love her. I wish I had some wise and comforting words to share, but appealing to the Great Physician and Lover of our souls is better than anything I can imagine. We love y’all.

  11. Jan Reuther says:

    Praying, praying for hard answers and restored health for sweet Sarah. Prayers for you and Gage, for Steve, Nathan, Meghan, and for all who love her.

  12. Suzanne says:

    Oh Becky, my heart aches for all the Smiths and Smithloves. Praying that answers are found soon and that the Lord provides strength and healing for sweet Sarah!

  13. Katrina says:

    I hope Sarah will feel better soon and Duke will find answers to what is causing this

  14. Donna says:

    Prayers for answers!

  15. LeeAnne says:

    Oh my mama heart aches right along with yours as I read this. Please God, help them find an answer to all this. Sending big hugs and always praying ❤🙏

  16. Phyllis says:

    Prayers that Duke can find the root cause of her fevers and dropping platelets. Hopefully she will be seen by the infectious disease specialist while she is inpatient. Prayers also for safe trip for you.

  17. SueEllen says:

    Continued prayers for all of you…I hope Sarah is able to get some relief…wishing you safe travels between the OBX and Duke.

  18. Patti Dyer says:

    My heart is aching for your mother’s heart Becky…praying for a good night’s sleep for you and for some answers tomorrow.

  19. twinclarinets says:

    Dear Becky, keeping all the Smiths (and Gage) in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult night. Love, Fred & Lucy

  20. Rebecca Curry says:

    ❤🙏❤
    Praying for great test results, and a easy and fast recovery!

  21. Cindy says:

    Praying for the entire Smith family and Gage, along with Sarah’s doctors wisdom to figure out what how to help Sarah. I hope all of you get some rest.

  22. Debbie Rivas says:

    Praying for Sarah and the whole family. This sounds similar to what happened with my son-in-law a few months ago. He was running fevers and my daughter found him unresponsive and rushed him to the ER. He was admitted and they ran every test imaginable in him. The conclusion was Sepsis. They never were able to find the cause. Please keep us updated on Sarah.

    • Becky says:

      Debbie,

      Oh my. How traumatizing for your daughter to find her husband unresponsive. Glad they found the cause but it IS scary to not know why something like sepsis came out of the blue like that. Thankful for good doctors!

  23. Mrs. Pam says:

    wisdom: that’s what I am praying for…wisdom for the Duke folks. and praying for Peace for the folks who love Sarah.

  24. Robin says:

    I am praying almost without ceasing for all of you in as you walk this journey. I’ve also asked others to pray. Hope these doctors find a way to help and heal soon. ❤️🙏🏻

  25. Teresa Hewitt says:

    Waiting quietly with you. Letting you know that Sarah is loved.

  26. Patti says:

    So frustrating when they can’t seem to find an answer to her fevers and fatigue. I have seen this with my husband and know the difficulty there. Prayers that Duke can find an answer and give her comfort. Prayers for safe travels as well.

  27. Shawn says:

    Praying that they can figure this out for Sarah!

  28. Cindy says:

    Sending many prayers please keep us updated!!

  29. Linda in Pittsburgh says:

    Becky,
    Praying, praying, praying. For Sarah, for you, Steve, Gage, Nathan (families included), all doctors, nurses and other health care workers who are caring for Sarah and all who love Sarah. Praying for peace, wisdom, strength, faith, love, miracles, comfort and healing. There are no words to express how sorry I am that Sarah (and the rest of you) have to endure this. But know that you are not traveling this road alone. God and His angels are always with you. And your entire Smithellaneous family is praying for all of you. Just remember to F.R.O.G.
    (fully rely on God)
    Love, prayers and blessings,
    Linda in Pittsburgh

  30. Liz says:

    Praying that the docs at Duke can figure out what is causing this misery for Sarah. She is such a special young lady and does not deserve to be going through this. Praying for answers and for strength for all of you.

  31. Judy Brandenburg says:

    I am praying for your precious little girl.
    May God give wisdom to her doctors that they will know how to
    treat this fever as Sarah has a wedding to be planning. Lifting your
    family in prayers.
    .

  32. Jessica K says:

    Heavenly Father, please give the doctors at Duke Your wisdom in diagnosing and treating precious Sarah. Please bring her healing and comfort, and fill the whole family with the “peace that passes understanding.”
    Amen. <3

  33. Sharyn L. McDonald says:

    Lord, you know Sarah’s need – in Jesus name, would you give the doctor’s wisdom, give Sarah your complete healing, Becky, Steve and Gage, strength for each day and trust in you to do what is needed at this time.

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