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Timothy's Miracle
Our
precious son Timothy is a missionary —
a fine son who,
from the day of his birth, was given to the LORD and he has ever been
in the Hand of the Lord. From a young age, Timothy knew the
LORD had
called him to be a missionary. The Lord has been only faithful
and Timothy's been faithful to his calling. I would like to recount for you a miracle
the Lord performed
and
I would like to share with you the joy we have in walking with
our faithful Lord.
—pamela spurling
August 2010
Timothy
had just returned home on a planned furlough from the mission in
Ghana. Even as he was leaving Ghana, Timothy was starting to
feel sick. He had gotten a malaria test there which came back
saying he was clear of any parasites (malaria=parasites in the
blood). But even as he got onto the plane, he continued to feel
sick. When he returned to the States and to our home, we were
all packing up to attend a family reunion at the Oregon Coast.
After a several hour drive, we arrived safely to the reunion site
down in Lincoln City − a
beautiful home right on the beach. Timothy was not
feeling well, but he was enthusiastic about continuing with our
plans to go on the trip. As the week went by, Timothy was seen
less and less — in the
next days, he continued to worsen significantly; feeling nauseous,
having headaches, extreme fevers, and periods of great sweating
− so much so that we had to
change his sheets and clothing many times daily.
By
mid-week, we could tell he wasn't going to just snap right out of it
this time as he kept trying to tell us he would do. So early
Wednesday evening we decided to take him to an urgent care clinic
and see if we could get some Ciprofloxacin, the meds prescribed for
typhoid, which is what he felt sure he had. We drove into
Salem just before their closing time, and the doc agreed that
Timothy appeared to have typhoid so she wrote the prescription for
Cipro and an anti-nausea medication. Only problem was, even with
the anti-nausea meds, he still couldn't keep anything down.
Not
only did Timothy fail to improve at all, by Friday morning it was
very clear that he was rapidly going downhill
– too weak to sit up, his
responses were diminishing in clarity and strength and trips to the
bathroom required real support, we knew serious action must be taken
— but what? What to do?? What to
do?? Here we were, out of state, unfamiliar with this whole
matter and watching Timothy's condition seem to worsen by the
minute. Should we go home? Go to Portland? Find a doctor in
Lincoln City?? What to do?? What to do?? So we prayed
— we prayed over Timothy as we
had done many times. We asked the Lord for wisdom, direction,
clarity — and it just seemed we
needed to quickly get him into an emergency room. We
immediately headed
for the Lincoln City Samaritan Hospital.
 We
arrived shortly thereafter and Wes carried Timothy into the
Emergency Room. I will never forget that sight. Timothy, so
helpless and frail. Without hesitation, the ER team started IV
fluids and within a couple hours Timothy had been given over 5 litres of fluids. Only problem was, instead of improving as they
had assumed he would, his condition deteriorated dramatically.
The internist there did a blood smear and did see clear evidence of
the malaria parasites. By this time, Timothy was no longer
responding to questions and was moved into ICU. More invasive
or serious procedures were undertaken; a 'broad spectrum' antibiotic
was begun, an NG tube (nasogastric tube) was inserted, as was a
catheter. Timothy's condition worsened and he was no longer
responsive. It became readily apparent that he would need more
intensive treatment and care far beyond the scope of that hospital.
The ICU doc there felt it to be critical to have Timothy intubated
and immediately transported to Oregon Health & Science University
Hospital. So they chose to 'life flight' him up to the hospital
− but there was a small hitch:
Lincoln City was socked in with fog and the helicopter could not
take off from there, so they transported him by ambulance over the
mountains to the spirit mountain casino where they met the helicopter
which took him the rest of the way north to Portland to the OHSU
Hospital.
Wes and I had to quickly make
some decisions, consent to his care and transport and to make plans
to have our family cared for, for them to be able to go back home
and for us to get to the hospital in Portland. This required that we
go back to the beach house, update our family as to Timothy's
condition and leave them there (with our extended family) while we made our way
up to Portland.
We were so grateful to have such a loving and understanding family −
we knew that they were in capable hands and we knew they would be
able to pack up and return home with no hesitation. So,
after a brief regrouping, mindlessly packing a few things and saying
some tearful goodbyes, we left the Lincoln City beach house and our
dear family to make the drive up to Portland.
 We
reached the OHSU hospital by 10 pm, and by this time, Timothy was in a
deep coma. He was in MICU, on a ventilator and receiving several
units of fluids and antibiotics. Testing reconfirmed: malaria.
The meds sure took a toll on his well being by raising his heart
rate and giving him some bad 'shakes.' He had CT scans to
measure the swelling of his brain. IV fluids were
continued one after another. We stopped counting at 20 litres.
He required numerous IV meds and nutrition, blood
supplements, blood transfusions and platelets. Timothy
had been receiving medications to reduce his fever - but to no
avail. His fever remained high, his pulse was racing
– tachycardia, they told us.
Apparently, because Timothy is a younger person, he could withstand
a longer period of this very high heart rate
– surpassing 150 beats per
minute for several hours.
He
was being "core-cooled" by a machine called: Arctic Sun. The
Arctic Sun system pushed freezing cold fluids through hollow pads
that were strapped to Timothy's body and a monitor was tracking
incremental changes in core temperature. His body seemed as
though it could not withstand all that was happening. With fans
blowing on him, ice bags under his arms and legs, along with the
cooling pads, slowly they were lowering his body temperature -
shooting for 37º
C. It seemed to take hours to get to that "normal" temperature.
We felt helpless watching his body shaking so violently at times –
rigors, the doctors called it. All the while, the
room was filled with activity
– doctors and nurses coming and going –
hanging and re-hanging bags of IV fluids, the monitors
clicking, the ventilator pushing and pulling air in and out of
Timothy's lungs, the blood pressure cuff automatically taking his
blood pressure every 15 minutes... the leg compression machine
pumping and releasing pressure on Timothy's legs. Signals would
sound, alarms would go off; the bags and monitors: drip, drip,
drip... click, click, click... the machines would drone on hour
after hour.
The
head of the MICU told us later Saturday morning that if Timothy
"were a 65 year person, I'd give him 100% dead. But since he
is a 22 year person I give him 50/50 –
and I don't even give him that." Even though Dr. Kahn's
bluntness and aloof demeanor was sometimes difficult to take, I knew
that God was surely in control and nothing had escaped His gaze.
I was continually impressed that this whole matter had sifted first
through His loving fingers.
We
were told that Timothy needed medication they didn't have at OHSU
and that they would have to get them from Seattle. They
continued to test to see what strain of malaria they were dealing
with. The "experimental" malaria meds were flown down from the
Seattle CDC (Center for Disease Control). With this medication
now added, they stopped one of the 'tough' antibiotics he'd been
receiving. The CT scan showed that Timothy had some brain
swelling, and so the docs became more focused on addressing that
issue. Then there was concern regarding retinal hemorrhaging
due to the swelling of his brain. And so they introduced a
medication that would reduce swelling. He received more blood
transfusions, platelets and fluids. Through all this, Timothy
continued to be totally unresponsive to even painful stimuli and his
pupils were fixed. It seemed as though he would not make it at
this point.
Through
all this time, our family was still down at the reunion site in
Lincoln City. And as the time came for them to return home,
different members of our extended family made their way up the coast
to the hospital before they were to fly out from the Portland airport. As
Wes's mother and her husband, his sister and brother-in-law, his
brother and children came in to see Timothy, it was a sad scene
– sort of surreal, as his
condition appeared so grave.
Later,
each of our children came in to see their precious brother. It
was tender and pitiful to watch and hear their grief and
helplessness as they each one said their goodbye's. A few
mustered up the courage to sing to Timothy and pray together.
I looked into the eyes of each of our children and told them God's
ways are good, and that whatever happened, everything was going to be
well. Amelia had brought a few small flowers in her hand
and as she tearfully turned to leave, she tenderly placed them
Timothy's hand. This is not an attempt to be overly dramatic, but
truly, they had to make the drive home not knowing the outcome of
the day or if they'd ever see their brother again this side of heaven.
It was heartrending.
Teams
of doctors, medical students and interns continued to visit Timothy,
monitoring his condition, checking his vitals, charts and monitors.
They were searching for answers. They were doctors–they were students. They asked
us what seemed like hundreds of questions. Having never had a
case of malaria – let
alone cerebral malaria – in that hospital, Timothy was somewhat of a
celebrity around there. They would later tell us that his case
would give them a great education as they were "growing" the malaria
parasites in his blood for further testing and research.
It
was an enormous blessing having a couple of friends surprise us
there at the hospital – they had
come down to be an encouragement to us
– and they surely were. I don't think we realized
at the time just how much we needed this encouragement and their
"partnership" in this journey. They joined us in praying Saturday
evening about some decisions we needed to make. They saw
Timothy at that lowest point. And I would later be encouraged
that God would remind me that they witnessed both sides of the
miracle – it was a great comfort
to me and to Wes to have them stand at Timothy's bedside and pray
with us for Timothy.
Because
of the pressure and potential damage the brain swelling was causing
(in addition to the retinal hemorrhaging in his eyes),
there was concern and a proposal that a tube needed to be inserted into
Timothy's skull (an Intracranial Pressure monitor) to monitor his
condition. This would have been such an invasive procedure and
we felt apprehensive about giving the "go ahead" for it. So,
we prayed with our friends and talked over with them what we ought
to do. We all agreed that we should ask if we could wait and
make the decision later – because we
didn't have peace to go ahead with that procedure just then. The
nurse and docs agreed. It was late. It was the evening
of the second day of
that coma.
I
woke the next morning for prayer and to prepare for the day and
I tell you seriously, I so fervently prayed for Timothy to be healed. I asked the LORD
once again for His Hand on Timothy's life. I was overwhelmed
at the peace of God that passed understanding as I prayed, saying to
the LORD: Lord, the docs don't even give Timothy 50/50. And then as
I prayed, I concluded: Well then, Lord, if they give
Timothy as 50/50 chance, then it's a
win/win. And with that, I got up from prayer and began to sing.
I don't know about tomorrow... but I know who holds the future and I
know (that I know) who holds my hand. I honestly didn't fear
and don't fear now – even though
this was a very, very serious thing. I've trusted in the Lord and
seriously have peace.
I
had stayed overnight in a hotel room which is what allowed me rest
and a quiet place for prayer. Wes stayed at the hospital
beside Timothy and had returned in the morning to take me back to the
hospital. When Wes came in to the hotel room, he told me that
Timothy seemed to be aware that something was going on around him in
the middle of the night, after another 3am CT scan, he even seemed
to slightly shake his head to the nurse when asked if he had any
pain - it was his first conscious response. Though it might have
seemed insignificant, it gave clear hope. I told Wes I was
completely at peace – that
whatever happened, the LORD is my strength and it would be a
win/win.
 We
returned together to the hospital Sunday morning, and Timothy's
nurse, Penny, was out in the hall to greet us and said they had a
surprise for us. They had just taken Timothy off the
ventilator and he was breathing on his own!
He indicated his
throat was extremely sore, offering a word or two now and then. He
was taking in ice and slowly exerting more and more control over his
body, shifting his leg and lifting his arm.
Later in the afternoon
he asked for what I thought was "frosting" and I wondered at this
– thinking: he doesn't even
really like frosting. But a bit later he again said
frosting... frosty. Frosty? You want a Frosty, Timothy?
He nodded, Yes. Our friends, Brian and Lisa, were still with
us and Brian said, "He wants a Frosty? I'll go get it!"
And he and Lisa were off! And, Yes! They did return after a little
while with a Frosty and Timothy seemed delighted to take a few
bites. He was too weak to take any more. [He now says
that was the best Frosty he never remembered. He does not
remember that day nor the next.]
Later,
that day, the neurology team came by and ran him through a series of
tests/requests; to which he complied and passed!! We
laughed with joy as his nurse, Penny, told him that the goal for this
day was to get him up and in a chair. And when asked by his nurse
if he had any questions, he asked, 'when can I leave?' It
seemed Timothy was doing so well - answering questions and complying
with requests. But it was soon apparent that he was
still so very weak and was not doing as well has he initially seemed. It was not
discouraging though, because we knew the LORD had healed Timothy and
the healing process would just take more time. That day's goal had to be revised a bit... with Penny
telling Timothy, "tomorrow would be a good day to sit in the chair!"
The
MICU doc came by and we talked with him about the great improvement
Timothy had made and I told him how I had prayed that morning and
was comforted that the less than 50/50 prognosis was truly a win/win.
True to form, the ever-blunt doctor Khan simply answered me: "Well, he's
not out of the woods yet."
 Timothy
continued to improve hour by hour to the amazement of the different
teams of doctors, interns and caregivers. A few different
friends come to see him — visits he
regrets not remembering at all. We were and are continually
thankful for all the outpouring of prayers, encouragement and
support from friends, family and acquaintances all over the world.
The
"Infectious Disease" team of docs continued to be very interested in
his case as they would use it to set a precedent or protocol for
future cases of malaria they might encounter. As Timothy
received more blood transfusions and medications to fight the
malaria and reduce the swelling in his brain, the docs had more time
to research the type of malaria he had and its "life-cycle" in
his body. Cerebral
malaria (the Plasmodium Falciparum parasite) is, of the four strains, most deadly. Untreated, it's
fatal. Knowing this, the docs were aggressively treating not
only the blood parasite, but the cycle that would be repeated if the
eggs were to hatch in Timothy's liver. The ultrasounds of his
liver showed enlargement and the tests showed some liver damage
— because malaria parasites feed on red
blood cells, his liver was taxed trying to keep up with the disease.
Thus, the many blood and platelet transfusions — and the explanation
for his very jaundiced appearance.
Brian
and Lisa brought Timothy another "Frosty" from Wendy's
— another best Frosty Timothy says he
regrets wasting since he does not remember it. But, again,
Brian reassured him that it was not wasted. I now think those
Frosty's were more for the benefit of all of us than for
Timothy.
By
Monday night, Timothy was moved from ICU to a general care room.
This would be a good test for him and with the great blessing of a
surprise visit from his dear friend (and fellow missionary) John, who
had driven out from Montana to see him, Timothy made even greater
strides.
On
top of that, we made plans for our son, Samuel, to come by train
into Portland to be of further encouragement to Timothy. What
a great surprise when Wes went
to get me a coffee and returned sometime later with Samuel!!
Wes never did bring that coffee. ~wink~
The
following and final day of Timothy's hospital stay was a day of
"rehab" and tests and more questions by the different teams handling
his case. Though he was still battling that disease, and would
require a few more weeks of rest and recuperation, the doctors were
satisfied with his progress and test results. Timothy was
released from Oregon Health and Science University Hospital on
Wednesday afternoon.
Timothy
slept for most of the drive home but enthusiastically greeted his
sisters and brothers who were joyfully waiting for his return.
It truly was a blessed reunion that evening!
From
that day to this, Timothy's recuperation has been remarkable.
He is eager to face each day and return to the work of ministry for
the Lord. We a filled with awe and thanksgiving for the great
gift of life and health for our son, Timothy and for the precious
gift of this marvelous miracle.
There
are so many more things I would like to relate here, but time and
space do not allow for the recounting of the marvelous miracles and
loving mercies of the Lord on our behalf. We will never forget
this miracle as long as we live and cannot thank the LORD enough for
His compassion and gracious kindness to us all.
A prognosis of
50/50 is a win/win.
May the LORD God be
magnified now and forever more.
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If you would like to
learn more about the work of
Shield of Faith Mission
International, or if you would like to
contribute to Timothy's
financial support,
please use this address, specifying:
Timothy Spurling
Shield of Faith Mission
International
P.O. Box 144
Bend, Oregon 97709-0144
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