More News On Rachel

Here is an email from the Parsons giving some new information about Rachel. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. They are such dear friends and teammates to us:

Dear Friends and Family,
On Wednesday afternoon the 11th of October Rachel had an MRI test done to determine conclusively if there was anything amiss with her brain. Unfortunately, the neurologist found a small area of her brain that was abnormal. She has been diagnosed with Focal Cortical Dysplasia (FCD) and following the doctor's recommendation has immediately began taking anti-seizure medicine. It is difficult to explain exactly what FCD is but here are the simple terms the doctor used to describe it for us: Focal Cortical Dysplasia describes a situation in someone's brain in which a certain part of the brain contains a mass of cells that are thicker than normal brain cells. This condition is a known cause of seizures in people of all ages. It is non-hereditary and occurs "in utero"--so Rachel's brain has always been like this. The condition normally seems to first manifest itself in children, although it is not abnormal for someone with this condition to have their first seizure as an adult. Our doctor here (at a very fine hospital) recommended Rachel take anti-seizure medication and as long as she is seizure free (and not allergic) she will continue to take this medication for life. Our family is processing all of this news and trying to make decisions about whether to return from Thailand sooner (as opposed to in early December) as well as the logistics of keeping someone with Rachel at all times while we see if the medication is working. Please pray for our family during this time, our little ones can sense the big things going on, and we want them to feel peaceful and secure. We feel very grateful for God's presence and grace in this season. We are grateful for the circumstances surrounding the seizure, as well as the great medical care Rachel is receiving here. Also, we are so thankful for the prayers that so many people have offered to God for our family. We can sense His presence and care and feel peace about His plans for our future. Thank you so much for your concern and prayers, we will keep you updated on our plans and Rachel health.

Sincerely,
Nick and Rachel Parsons