Prayers for Seth

Author: hannah

  • Thursday, May 1, 2025 10:30am

    Seth still had a fever overnight. His remaining chest tube may be clamped today and his BP meds adjusted. The PEG tube looks good so they will start feedings today. Seth would ask for double cheeseburger or Raising Canes flavor, if he could.

    Did you know that today, May 1st is National Day of Prayer?

    Since my sister is overseas, they have their own way of updating Ellis’ condition through Whatsapp, and we can see how their friends and family are praying for them. One church in Malaysia did a prayer walk though Penang pouring their hearts to God for healing for both boys. Another group included 75 members of his uncle’s Nepali ministry fasting and praying. When Seth visited Malaysia, he attended one of their meetings.

    We are thankful for ALL of you that continually pray with us here in AZ, all over the states, and all over the world.

    Specific prayers on National Prayer Day:

    -Seth’s fever & BP to subside and be able to communicate with us.

    -That Ellis’ seizures will permanently stop so he can get a lumbar puncture done.

    -Healing for their brains- cell by cell AND neuron by neuron.

    -Healing and God’s comfort for Trey, Danita, Jesse Jr, Ranjini, Janelle, Caleb.

    -All the doctors, nurses, and teams involved in everyone’s care.

    For those that aren’t believers in Christ or think prayers are just words and can’t help, ask what is the alternative? Our short lives here on earth may not end up how we or our families want them, but God gives us hope of an everlasting peace that is beyond our human comprehension. He is our loving Father, Creator, and Sustainer, both on earth and in heaven.

    Phil 4: 6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

    -Darcy

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  • Wednesday, April 30, 2025 7:52am

    Last night: Seth is more medically stable. He has one nurse that takes care of him and another patient instead of the 2-3 per shift he had only for himself when he was on ECMO. He is tolerating being just on the ventilator. They are able to do less frequent pupil checks and labs, so hopefully he’ll get better rest. He is still on Dilaudid for pain, a muscle relaxant to help his muscles relax, and another medication called Gabapentin for his teeth grinding (which the nurse thought was helping).

    This morning: Seth had a good night. His nurse said that she had to hold his BP med through the night because it was on the lower side. Only this morning did she have to give him some after he had had his bath. He feels warm, but his highest temp last night was 37.4. There is not a chest xray ordered today. The nurse said they may not do it every day now. They had to when he was on ECMO to check his cannula. His Heparin has been off since yesterday evening because of the PEG tube procedure today (this will be in place of his NG tube), but the plan is to resume it after that.

    We are planning on meeting with the neurologists today to go over his MRI results.

    Happy to report there is not much to report!

    Today is a day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! We will conquer whatever questions, uncertainties, and little giants we have to today. God is on our side, and loves us all ❤️!

    Pray for….

    -Clear answers where to send Seth after the ICU

    -Clarity about his MRI results

    -Rest and healing for Seth’s brain and body

    -Continued management of his BP

    -Peace for his family knowing that God is the one in control of everything.

    Aunt Kerry

    Ellis’ update:

    Ellis is on a continuous EEG monitor and the results are almost the same as yesterday – still instability in the left side and some of the back of his brain. He is very sedated and has been otherwise stable for the past 24 hours since he was transferred here. They want to do a lumbar puncture on him to get more definitive answers about what is going on in his brain, but he needs to have been seizure-free for 48 hours before they do that procedure. A CT scan is also a possibility soon. The plan is to begin lowering his sedation which would complete the 48 hours of brain rest – but that might depend on any seizures between now and then.

    Pray for:

    -No more seizures

    -A lumbar puncture able to be done

    -Continued rest for his brain

    -Pray for his brother, Jesse, as he is having a hard time.

    -Pray for the 1 year old with heart problems that Erin met

    -Pray for the 2 month old baby in the bed next to Ellis (this is a government hospital and so he doesn’t have a private room).

    I greatly appreciate all the messages that are there when I wake up, throughout the day, and that come in as I lay down my head. These keep us strong and our eyes upon Jesus. This one was sent to me this morning. It doesn’t only apply if you are sitting next to a loved one in the hospital; it’s for whatever you may be going through, the smallest worry or the greatest despair.

    “The peace of God be with you today. Waiting. Patiently waiting. God is there. He knows. He sees. He hears. He loves. He saves. 🤍

    John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

    -Darcy

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  • Tuesday, April 29, 2025 1:00pm Prayers for Ellis

    We don’t have an update on Seth yet. The night was spent controlling his BP and resting this morning. They said yesterday that they will do MRI today but they haven’t shared what time.

    In the meantime, here is an update on our cousin Ellis. Thank you for keeping him in your prayers. -HC

    6:15pm update – After seeing the EEG results from this morning after his seizure, Dr Hwang and Dr Teh advised us to move Ellis to the pediatric ICU (PICU) at General Hospital (GH). Ellis needs a continuous EEG which Island Hospital could not provide, plus both of these doctors are going on leave in the next couple of days. We agreed with their decision and Ellis was transferred by ambulance around 3:30pm – It was surreal to be riding in the front seat of an ambulance with the sirens on (unsurprisingly if you know Malaysia, cars were still not stopping). The drive between hospitals only took 2 minutes.

    GH definitely has a very different vibe and has its pros and cons. The pros are all favorable for Ellis – here they have dedicated pediatric intensivists, several pediatric neurologists on hand, and the specialized equipment that he needed. The cons are that the PICU is an open ward and has strict visiting hours, and we can only see him from 12:30 – 1:45pm and 4:30pm-7:30pm.


    We met with Dr Teh and the pediatric Intensivist, Dr Amani, when we arrived. Their plan is for Ellis to be fully sedated to rest his brain for the next 48 hours, continuously monitoring him on the EEG. They are going to be more aggressive in seizure control and put him on 4 different seizure meds. They are waiting from some prior test results from Island Hospital to come in to decide whether to begin immunotherapy. The question to be answered is why his seizures are still happening although his infection is gone.

    Pray for:

    • true rest for Ellis’s brain
    • ⁠Seizures to stop
    • ⁠his brain to heal and the injured neurons to stop firing. His EEG indicates too much activity specifically in the left lobe of his brain.

    This was not the news we expected to have today. It’s been a difficult afternoon. The verses on my mind have been Psalm 139- “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” — Today was far too much for us to do in our own strength and I know God’s presence was with us and felt that He truly followed us here.

    -Erin

    photo of Seth and Ellis

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  • Monday, April 28, 2025 10:53pm

    Around 1:30pm, Seth’s cannula was removed and he was taken off of the ECMO machine. He is down to one nurse since the other one isn’t needed to manage the ECMO machine anymore. Blood pressure is still all over the place. It was up to 220 before they could get it under control. Then it dipped down to 101. Dr ordered cold packs as Seth is running a fever. It could be neuro storming or an infection. Lab tests were taken for blood cultures which could take days to see what grows.

    We were asked to give him no stimulation, no touching or even whispering. We usually say his bedtime prayers over him but tonight it was from afar. I stood over him and prayed again in silence. God hears our prayers when they are said out loud or when our cries force us to pray silently.

    The nurse said the MRI will be done tomorrow.

    As you may know, we are also praying for my nephew Ellis. A friend of theirs, Rachel, sent this prayer and said I can share it here.

    Please pray with me: Father, we ask for your healing hand over Seth and Ellis’ mind and body. We pray over their brains. Heal the neurons. Restore what’s been hurt. Rewire, repair, and renew every part of their brains to work the way You designed it to. Strengthen them as they relearn how to breathe independently. Let every muscle, nerve, and signal from their brains line up with your perfect order.

    We pray for the results of the MRI. Lead the doctors to see exactly what they need to see. We pray for good news for hope, for clear signs of healing, for doors to open for the next steps. Amen

    -Darcy

    Pix of Seth under a rainbow to remind us of God’s commitment to us.

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  • Monday, April 28, 2025 10:05am

    We received the word that Seth’s cannula will be removed and taken off the ECMO machine this morning.

    As we wait, enjoy this post from Hannah ❤️

    -Darcy

    The night before the accident, I was showing Seth some of the line dances I was planning to compete with in a few weeks. At first, he wasn’t too impressed with my skills — typical Seth — but by the end of the night, I think I won him over. He even said he might check out one of the country dance venues that has 18+ nights. After the accident, I wasn’t sure if I could bring myself to go to the dance event (last Friday in Tucson). Everything felt so heavy. But in my heart, I knew I had to go — for Seth, and because I knew he’d want me to keep dancing. While I was there, I shared Seth’s story with the people I met.

    Before the line dance finals, the whole group gathered and prayed for his recovery, and they all said they were dancing for him that night. I also met people who had been through their own hard journeys and were willing to share their stories with me. It was incredibly moving to feel so much love and support from people I had just met. I am sure Seth felt it too!

    At one point, I spotted two little kids — a brother and sister — out on the dance floor, and it made me tear up, remembering when Seth was that small and we would dance together. Now, he’s grown so much that I don’t even have to duck when he spins me!

    For those who may not know, Seth is the 2019 World Swing Dance Champion. He poured his heart into reaching that dream and he’s so proud of it. We even have his trophy — called “the opus” — sitting right in his hospital room.

    Attached are memories of Seth and I dancing (notice how he keeps growing and I stopped LOL) and wearing his merch at the dance competition.

    -Hannah

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  • Sunday, April 27, 2025 12:30pm

    3:00am Seth went down for a CT scan. It was a 5 person precise process to transfer him and all the equipment downstairs.CT showed nothing new in terms of brain bleeding.

    6:30 am X-ray was done and another one is planned for this afternoon, in regards to maybe taking him off one of two chest tubes.He’s still having BP issues, so in addition to BP meds, he was given Fentanyl in case t’s pain related.

    Specific prayers for today:

    1) More rest for Seth

    2) Better managed BPs

    3) Clearer neurological answers

    4) Continued lung improvement

    Student Life picture in yearbook of Seth and Anika in front row at a game. He is great at cheering people on, so now it’s our turn to do so for him.

    -Darcy

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  • Saturday, April 26, 2025 11:45pm

    Today has had its share of ups & downs since this mornings update about neuro-storming. Day time challenges were mainly due to blood pressure fluctuations (first too high, then too low, then too high again, etc) and a high pulse rate. They are also working to increase his Heparin dosage to a higher therapeutic level. Once that level is reached, Seth will get another CT scan to verify no bleeding has restarted.

    Today’s victories include an increase in his lung tidal volume (above 400 cc), reduced reliance on ECMO (1/2 sweep), and decreased Oxygen to room levels (~21%). These numbers are encouraging as less than a week ago his tidal volume was 20 cc, ECMO was maxed at 7 sweeps, oxygen was 40%.

    Seth is now getting his sleep back and he is peacefully snoring. Although still considered unresponsive, he is giving us hints that he hears us. For example, he sometimes opens his eyes when one talks to him. But this is not consistent yet. The neurologist also said that he has some response to a pinch, but still considered a minimal response.

    Seth needs continued prayers for:

    1. His body can handle decreased ECMO & normal oxygen.

    2. That ECMO can be removed soon.

    3. That he can tolerate an MRI soon.

    4. That God heals his brain, heart & lungs.

    -David

    They are starting to put Seth on a normal sleeping schedule. He was given 3mg of Melatonin tonight. There is no sign of pneumonia so at some point they would like to take chest tubes out.I told Seth to make it a healing night. Good night.

    -Darcy

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  • Saturday, April 26, 2025 7:00am

    Some changes transpired through the night around 3:00am. Seth’s pupils became larger from 5-6mm to 8mm. Still reactive. Since he had a head injury they still check his pupils every hour. Intensivist was called, and he came and assessed Seth. Still having tremors in arms and legs and extremities more stiff, right more than the left side. Order received to get a stat CT scan of his head to cautiously rule out a head bleed. Will get a portable EEG done for a minimum of 2 hrs to check for seizures.

    Nurses also noted that he’s been awake a lot the last few hours. Dr said he’s concerned about him not getting sleep. Seth could potentially be delirious and his sleep cycle way off. Valium was given to help Seth relax. He did close his eyes and snore for a little bit, but didn’t last long.

    Team took Seth down for another CT scan. It was read right away and intensivist came back and said there was no concern on the CT. Not seeing any seizures either. Wanted Neuro Dr to come evaluate. Heparin is safe to continue. Neuro Dr came in. Did a thorough exam. Concerned that Seth has very spastic muscles, positive clonus (hyperactive nervous system) and is twitching. Good that brain stem is working, he responds to noxious (irritating) stimuli, and pupils are reactive. No clear answer clinically what is going on, and a “very strange case.”

    Neuro Dr and intensivist recommending that they get his BP more under control . Will start a Nipride drip again on top of other BP meds. Neuro Dr will consult with oncoming dayshift providers. May consider some sedation to help his body to rest more. This could all be related to his brain injury, but reassuring that imaging is stable. Neuro to decide about sedation today because they also don’t want to mask his neuro symptoms. Needing him to rest more than he is, and seems overstimulated by everything.

    Blood gases look good this morning. Sweep turned down to 1 on his ECMO. So lungs are looking better, and pulling good tidal volumes. Can be a slow process to wean. Anticipating an MRI once he’s off ECMO.

    -Aunt Kerry

    If you haven’t seen late last night’s update, please read.Dear Lord, Calm the storms within his cells and tissues. Amen

    -Darcy

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  • Friday, April 25, 2025 9:57pm

    I’m at Seth’s beside, looking at his yearbook from his senior year of hs. What a handsome guy he is! The Bible verse he chose was Psalm 119:105 “ Your Word is a light for my feet, ever shining on my way.” Jesus is still shining bright in your life for sure! It is evident in all the healing that has occurred in your body!

    Good news from today is that Seth was able to get his CT scan done! He had therapeutic coagulation results. Praise God! The CT scan was stable, meaning no further bleeding, so they are more comfortable continuing his Heparin drip (to thin his blood). The coagulation labs will continue to be done, to make sure his Heparin levels are therapeutic. They also decided to do a CT scan of his chest while he was already going down for imaging. He still gets daily chest X-rays, but the CT is a more comprehensive test. It showed that his lungs are much more open and aerated than his previous one, but still continues to show some lung injury and a small amount of fluid in pockets of his lungs.

    Overall, much improved, but the lung injury is the reason why he’s on ECMO. They’ll continue to wean as he tolerated. His tidal volumes on the ventilator are 360-390’s, so very good!

    -Kerry

    The past few days, Seth has had tremors/shivers. They don’t know if it’s from an underlying fever or the result of something neurological.

    In one of the prayers for my nephew, Ellis, someone wrote, “Calm the storms within his cells and tissues”. As in Mark 4:39-41, if Jesus can rebuke the wind and sea with the words Peace. Be Still, then we can be assured that God has everything under control, even in the midst of our most violent of storms.

    Specific prayer tonight:

    Calm the storms within Seth and Ellis’ cells and tissues.

    -Darcy

    PS, For all those praying for Danita, she went back to surgery today and was moved back to trauma ICU. Please pray the same prayer for her.

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  • Evening Prayer, Friday, April 25, 2025

    Psalm 27 (selected verses)

    Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. Do not hide your face from me, Do not turn your servant away, Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Lord God, Grant us patience and endurance. Grant us peace. Grant us faith. Most of all, grant Seth healing.Hear us Lord! Be merciful to Seth. Do not hide your face from him. We are confident in your goodness and we wait for your answer.

    In Jesus Name, Amen.

    -David

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