MRI - STABLE !

Last night's scan was one of the quickest ones Kate has ever had - they even took us in early - a first in all these years of MRI's. Both Kate and I had a peace that could only come from God before, during and after the MRI. But boy, what an incredibly long morning of waiting today! Finally at 12:30 the nurse practitioner phoned and told us the MRI was stable. We are relieved and rejoicing at this wonderful news. While the MRI did not include a focused study of the pituitary, the scan showed that the pituitary area looked fine. Labs were repeated and Kate's prolactin level remained slightly elevated. We will begin reducing the medication that may be contributing to the prolactin elevation and repeat labs after that medication is out of her system. We will also try again to begin to wean Kate off the steroid that she has been on forever. Prolonged use of the steroid weakens the leg muscles and has made her skin seem thin and translucent. Steroids also suppress the immune system, which has probably been the reason it has taken so long for Kate to recoup after last week's virus. Please pray for the weaning process, as each time we attempt a reduction Kate's energy level plummets and she battles nausea. We were a little disappointed to learn that Kate's hearing loss in her left ear increased a little more in the speech frequency range. The audiologist has recommended considering an aid, to help Kate be able to hear lectures at college and conversations when there is background noise competition.

Needless to say we are relieved and celebrating with joy still another incredible grace gift from God! He over and over again shows His faithfulness and power in Kate's life. Thank you soooo much for standing by us though this. We were carried by your prayers through this stressful time. I hope that God's answers to your specific prayers on Kate's behalf encourage you as much as they encourage us. Please pray with us that we will see a drop in the prolactin level and that Kate can be weaned off the steroid with out battling nausea and fatigue.

Carried by grace,
Elaine