Monday, August 11, 2008

Hearing Test Results

Finally Timo was able to have the appropriate hearing/ear tests today. The results were not good. He is completely deaf in the left ear. Without a miracle this is a permanent deafness. He does have hearing loss in the right ear, too. He will need possibly to have surgery for a cochlear implant. Additionally, he is going to need balance rehabilitation. The audiologist had tears in her eyes as she told Vicki, Tremayne, and Timothy this is not the results they noramlly see in South Africa. Of course from the initial onset it was over 30 hrs before being transported to South Africa. Additionally, he had struggled with an ear infection previous to the Meningitis.

While Vicki, Tremayne, and Timothy 'knew' he was deaf in the left ear they are struggling with today's report. Vicki was hoping there was fluid in the ear or something that would be temporary. The doctor spoke with Timo about protecting the right ear and the hearing he has in it. For example, he will need some specially molded ear plugs for swimming and protection against loud noises. Specifically he was encouraged to not wear in-ear devices when listening to his ipod and etc. Timothy was concerned because he loves music and playing the drums. The doctor told him music will be in his head. She told him about Beethoven being a completely deaf musician. She also reminded Timo that he is blessed that he has survived the Meningitis. This is the second doctor that has stated that Timothy is blessed.

The central line was removed today. The doctor ordered a culture of the portion of the line that was inserted in Timo's chest. Should it have infection Timo will simply take a round of oral antibiotic. He is still scheduled for discharge tomorrow. He will gain strength the next few days and leaves Johannesburg next Monday. They arrive in Houston on Tuesday @ 1:45 pm. Vicki said he is ready to see family. Of course we are ready to see Timo. She said he isn't certain about seeing friends. Of course we know Timo has so many friends in the Houston area that he will soon want to see them, too. He is just a little uncertain with life right now. The hearing loss has him feeling uncertain. Of course the meds that he was given to induce the coma has caused a slightly memory loss and that has him concerned. Today he questioned scars on his knees. He can't remember recent knee surgeries. Bro. Richardson told him that was good medicine that was given him because it has taken every bad memory away! The Richardsons have been great. They left today to return to the States. I know Vicki, Tremayne, and Timo will miss their visits.

Thanks for keeping Timo in your prayers. I pray your week is blessed....

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

While this is not the report we wanted to hear, the Lord is still able to work another miracle! Will continue praying!!!

Love,

Beverly

Anonymous said...

i know God is able and he is a miracle working god but that is so sad about timo's ears it makes me want to cry because i cant even imagine i am that age and i would be sad but i still trust that god can heal him i know he can i will definately make sure my whole family is praying for timo and the family!!!!!

God is still AWESOME

Paula said...

Well, it's like I told Vicki yesterday...having the hearing tests results just gives them the proof they need when God heals Timo!!! We're still believing for complete healing. But if not, we'll still trust Him to help Timo adjust. He'll just be even more like Papa Richardson (he has no ear drum in his one ear)! Praying that Timo continues to gain strength and confidence as they have some time out of the hospital to rest and recuperate before making the trip home.

Still praying and believing in Madagascar --

Paula

Faith Motivates Miracles! said...

Sis Tracie God has the final say and I believe with all of my heart He is not finished with Timo yet. I refuse to accept anything less than a complete healing in BOTH ears! God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could think or ask. The doctors can have their opinion but God is the Master Surgeon. I claim his hearing in Jesus name and I profess it to be so. Faith of a mustard seed thats all. I have that much faith in my GREAT and MIGHTY GOD! Who will believe God with me?? Love you, Sis Noel from Hollister

Sis. Susan Roen said...

Praise the Lord that things are still on schedule! Of course, all the healing, recovery, rehab isn't over yet.....but God is faithful and He will take care of Timo. God knows what He is doing. I am praying especially this week for some rest and for Timo to gain strength before leaving for Houston. Love you all, Susy

Susan Hill said...

We are so thankful that he is coming home! You will all have such a wonderful reunion! Times like this always make us appreciate our loved ones even more! I know that God has special things in store for Timo! All our love, Susan

Karen J. Hopper said...

Timothy is truly blessed, and he is such a blessing to all of us. Through this precious young man, God is showing us His Signs and Wonders. Looking forward to many more reports verifying that God is in control. PS: Hear nothing but good reports about the cochlear implant.

Anonymous said...

Tracie,
After reading today's report on Timo I felt the need to respond. In times like these faith is sometimes hard to muster when you are the family in the furnace of testing. We speak what we know is right but sometimes feel nothing! Whatever you guys do keep speaking words of faith, but at the same time realize that your church family & friends will be your faith. Because we are not in the middle of the furnace we can believe with greater intensity.

I do not know what God will do related to Timo's hearing, but I DO KNOW what he can do and I want to encourage you to hope and believe.

Several years ago, while preaching a revival in Ca., a lady asked me to pray for her hearing, as she was deaf in one ear. In response to her request I layed hands on her ears and prayed a simple prayer in the name of Jesus. When I removed my hands and began to walk away she began to rejoice saying "I can hear". I told her to thank God and she told me that I did not truly understand. I asked what she meant. She said she could hear, but that it was impossible for her to hear! She said she was BORN WITHOUT AN EARDRUM!!! Hearing for her was medically impossible. She still has her hearing today. Be encouraged, God is still a miracle working God. I, and hopefully all who read this, will take Timo's hearing as a personal matter of prayer. We love your family and are blessed by their friendship.
Stephen Hill

Anonymous said...

"Faith does not make things easy...it makes them possible"....I read this statement and it has been with me ever since. When we have done all we can do ---we just stand still and wait on God...that is the hard part. THERE IS NO QUESTION OF GOD'S GREATNESS!!!
We are still praying for a complete healing for Timo.

Anonymous said...

From Jan Mosher(Susy's sis) in Rockord, IL :
So much to praise God for and so much to continue in prayer about !! We are doing just that and praying for God to continue His good work of restoring Timo !! I pray that this would be a week of rest and peace before the long trip home to Houston. God is faithful !! :) Hey, does Timo like the group "Starfield"? They are from Canada -- just wondered :) Great worship music that rocks !!!

ByNanasHands said...

Two steps forward one step back...God is in charge, HE knows what HE is doing...."there is a reason for everything" sounds so trite when your not directly involved.....but there IS a reason. I will continue to pray for Timo and pray that God's will be done...to have Timo still with you is the greatest blessing you could of ever asked for....lean on God, He will hold you in His arms through this...special hugs to Timo...and more special prayers.

Melana

Anonymous said...

We are still praying for Timo! God is perfect in all His ways and He is FAITHFUL! We love all of you! The Weldons, Conroe, TX

Ron and Jerry Ann Guidroz said...

We know that our God is able to do what man thinks is impossible.
My brother-in-law had open heart surgery several years ago and suffered a stroke while he was still in the hospital. He was left with very limited eye site. He was unable to drive or read and we all know how difficult that would be, especially for a pastor. God completely healed him and he suffers no effects. It was a dark vally for a while, but God came through.
We had a lady in Buford, Ga bring us some xray pictures last month and also brought up her little year old baby. She said my husband had prayed for the baby while he was in the womb and unknowing to him, the baby had club feet. He just simply asked God to heal the baby(not knowing anything was the matter with it) She brought the xrays of the club foot in the womb and the darling baby with perfect feet.
OUR GOD IS AWESOME!!!!
All of you are in our prayers. Thank you for being so informative.

I miss seeing you on my blog. I see your comments as I "float around". Would love to hear from you. Love you..

Anonymous said...

I pray that the Lord will put the right person in Timo's life to help him see the hand of God in this & to help him through this tough time. I remember a sermon from Elder Bro Simoneaux called the " Mumps & Mealse of the soul" in 1991 it was I believe. I still believe the Lord can do a miracle. We are praying Timo. You will get through this.

Sis Rhonda Burgess
Flowery Branch GA

Anonymous said...

We are praying for Timo, we believe in miracles and we have a lot of our friends and church members praying and passing the need around for people to donate, we live in Tyler TX and attend to Tyler Tabernacle, we have been AIMers to Mexico for over 5 years and we are soon to reach the intermediate Appointment, May God Bless you.