The Power of Prayer!

Hi friends and family,

I wanted to send you all another update on Louie and invite you to keep praying with us as God continues to guide this journey!

Louie had his EBUS procedure yesterday, and it turned out to be quite an eventful day. When Marianne and Louie met Dr. D before the procedure, she shared some incredible news—she had reviewed the latest CT scan and told them that the lymph nodes are SO small (sub-centimeter!) that she hoped she would still be able to get samples so that they could rule out cancer! 

This was no small moment! We had specifically asked for our tribe to pray over the CT scan results and that the lymph nodes would shrink—and they did. Considerably! This is a direct answer to prayer, and a testimony to the power of united faith. Louie had said he wanted the CT scan done first, so we could all see what God had already done. And here it is. Tangible proof of God moving. Another miracle we can point to and give thanks for! Louie and Marianne both felt relief and hope heading into the procedure. 

They took Louie back for the EBUS procedure, which was supposed to take about two hours. The procedure ran longer than expected and Marianne started to feel uneasy, she was just about to ask for an update when they called her back to recovery. Dr. D shared that a code blue respiratory had been called for Louie during the procedure. She said it got “pretty hairy” for a while. His airways, already narrowed from two rounds of neck radiation, were clogged with secretions. They struggled to get air moving through those tight passages.

But God.

By His grace, the team responded quickly and got Louie stabilized. He received medication, a breathing treatment, and a chest X-ray and they kept him for observation for another hour and a half. 

The report from the procedure showed something visible in Louie's lungs—possibly from aspiration—and Dr. D said they performed a BAL procedure to collect fluid and help determine what’s going on so it can be treated appropriately. She’s also referring Louie back to SLP to help with safe swallowing. Dr. D was able to collect three samples during the procedure. One lymph node was too tiny to even biopsy, which we are claiming as more good news!  She will be sharing everything with Louie’s care team and she recommended a PEG tube to help Louie gain weight, although a decision on this doesn't need to be made right away.

It’s clear that Dr. H’s decision to order this procedure was divinely timed. Not only did they discover the lung issue, but they also discovered the airway narrowing stenosis so that they can watch it going forward. Truly, it feels like God reached in and said, “Not today.”

Louie was later watching some television and looked up the survival rates for code blues after walking through that very thing. He looked at Marianne and said "Yet, I'm sitting here watching TV!" That’s just like him—full of faith, humor, and in awe of God and His hand of protection.

We continue to see so clearly the power of prayer and the strength that comes from being united in faith. You prayed. We prayed. And God answered! The lymph nodes have shrunk, the danger was caught in time, and Louie is sitting here today with a story that shouts of God’s goodness.

Please continue to pray for:

• Louie’s lungs and airways and a clear treatment plan to address any issues 

• Wisdom regarding the PEG tube and esophagus stretching and the best way to support his nutrition

• Peace and rest for Louie and Marianne

• Clear results from the samples collected during the procedure

• Continued strength, hope, and resilience

We’re so grateful for your love, encouragement, and faithful prayers. This is a journey Louie and Marianne are not walking alone—and that’s been one of the greatest blessings. Thank you for linking arms with us in faith and for lifting up Louie and Marianne in prayer. They feel it and they give God all the glory.

Sara