Update 17 August

Today saw the first of a few appointments we believe with the Neuro Psychologist.  This was a very helpful day today as she immediately picked up on a lot of what was going on with Rebekah including spotting the things that we usually spot ourselves and most folk never realise has actually happened.  Over the next few weeks Rebekah will have two hour appointments with her while she tests her working memory functions.  As  has always been the case Rebekah's long term memory is good but a lot of the time her short term memory is  awful and at times it is not dissimilar symptoms to Alzheimer's.  As she enters Primary 4 next week it is important that she is given the best possible chance of achieving and maintaining her learning and therefore the work that is done here will hopefully result in the right support being provided for her going forward.

We want to thank you all for your prayers, to say this has been a tough few years now is a bit of an understatement with all the ups and downs and we give thanks that believe in a God who loves us and cares for us and supports us through these days.  We often think of the words found in Isaiah 40 v 31. They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength and will mount on wings like eagles, they shall walk and not faint.  We have been trying to do this as we are weary and we know that God will carry us through in the days and weeks that lie ahead.

Rebekah as she reaches the age of 8!

This is an overdue update of Rebekah.  As I am writing this we are waiting to go to RHSC (Sick Kids In Edinburgh) for an appointment with a Neuropsychologist.  This is as a result of a request by our Neurologist Consultant who is eager to test Rebekah further now, age appropriately.  What that actually means we don't know but on our return we will update you further.  Please do pray for us as today as there are so many questions we have and are not sure we will get many, if any, answers.  We have enjoyed over the summer months time up at the croft in Knockfarrel, a week in Duchally (Auchterarder), an Extreme Stunt Show, Blair Drummond Safari Park, several visits to Landmark Adventure Park in Aviemore and many more day trips.  Must go just now and drop the other 2 kids off at their Grandparents.  Will update later. Thanks again for your continued support and prayers for Rebekah and us as a family.

January 2012

Happy New Year to all our followers. Sorry it has taken soo long to update Rebekah's blog. The latest news on Rebekah is not good. The last EEG scan showed some epileptic activity but not as much as earlier scans. However, the blood tests carried out in Nov/Dec time have shown a deterioration which in effect put us back to when Rebekah first took unwell in Feb 2009. So much so that one of our Cons's in Sick Kids phoned us last week, whilst we were up in Dingwall, to instruct us to put Rebekah back on a course of steroids - 10mg/day for 2 weeks then 5mg/day thereafter indefinetly. Also as she has been on steroids for over 2 years now they have had to put her on a stomach tablet to prevent her from getting stomach ulcers etc. This is again a worrying time for us as a family. There is so much uncertainty surrounding Rebekah. For us, we have not been getting our hopes up as you will remember our hopes were dashed the last time she came off the steroids. However, we remain hopeful and continue to pray for our daughter that she will be healed. We have already seen how God can use Rebekah to help other children in Ward 7 at Sick Kids and believe that good will come out of all of this. Rebekah is keen this year to raise money for Ward 7 (Neurological Ward). This might involve cycling, car boot sale etc so we will try and keep you updated as to when, what and where! As many of you will know steroids have a lot of side effects. They can disrupt sleep patterns/behaviour/diet/social interactions to name a few. All of which have an impact on our other children Abigail (8) and David (5) and ourselves. We do have an appointment to see our Cons's again in a couple of months time. Thank you for taking the time to read this and we do appreciate all your support.

Jonathan & Jillian