Author: Rick

The news on Howard is that he has been diagnosed with Viral Encephalitis caused by West Nile Virus. He’s been released to go home as there’s nothing more they can do for him in hospital. Recovery is uncertain. Merrill says “he’s still totally out of it”. Below is an email just in from Katie his daughter who also is part of the staff at the Bible School. She says it’s untreatable.

t.

===========================================

Well, it finally came, a diagnosis. The doctors received some tests back and my dad tested positive for West Nile. This is very unexpected, and has thrown us for a loop, but they’re sure that is what has caused his symptoms. It’s very rare and doesn’t affect most people this badly, but it has my dad. So now what? Well, they told us it is viral and untreatable. What he needs now is physical and cognitive therapy, and time. So this morning my Mum asked if there was any reason to remain in the hospital, if they were going to do anything else, and they said no. So she asked for my Dad to be released and they’re now back “home.” We have a good friend here in San Carlos that will be doing zoom therapy starting Monday and we will continue to pray that the swelling in his brain goes down and that he becomes his normal self again! The doctors said it could take a while, even up to a year for my dad to recover. Crazy.

Please pray for my Mum as she becomes his primary care giver. He still has double vision, is very off balance, is still very tired, and sometimes still confused. My Mum is happy that he will be more mobile and able to sit outside and work on recovery from the comfort of “home.” We’re so thankful for all the prayers, and please continue to pray that he will recover completely. There are still many unknowns, but we continue to trust in our heavenly Father for complete healing, encouragement, and wisdom for this road to recovery.

Denver and I have been busy prepping the school for a missions course that starts Monday, among other things! Life is intense, but good! Thanks again for standing with us in this difficult time, we continue to feel at peace, and though we have been confused by this diagnosis, we’re thankful for an answer and a plan for recovery.

I hope this finds you encouraged, whatever your days have held. And I’m so thankful we have an amazing, faithful God walking with us in everything! So incredible the hope we have.

Bye for now,
-Katie

I just received this update on dear ole Howie which Susan texted me today. It says:

“So this afternoon they finally confirmed (what I thought all along) that Howard has encephalitis. The don’t know if it is viral or bacterial. He is responding to antibiotics. It sure is slow though. One doc mentioned steroids so I’m thinking that may be what they do. From what I’ve read it’s not a speedy recovery.”

“Kidneys are recovering well. Just so very thankful we can move forward now!!!”

The 24 hour time period the doctors gave in which Howard was to either survive or not have passed and he has improved! Thank you for praying. Susan wrote me this evening that the doctors say his kidneys are a little better. He had kidney failure because of the dye for the MRI.

The MRI revealed fluid around the brain causing inflammation and swelling. He is seeing double vision, dizzy and often can’t distinguish between reality and hallucination. The doctors don’t know what is causing the fluid build up. But Susan said this evening that he had a better day today and was lucid pretty much all day.

He’s not out of the woods yet, but it was sure good to get some better news today. Susan (Howard’s wife) is with him in the hospital. They gave her a bed next to Howard. She is exhausted but said she is so thankful the crisis is over.

Again, thanks so much for your prayers,

t.

A note from Susan today regarding Howard:

“The results of the MRI they did Thursday shows inflammation around the whole brain. They somewhere changed from fluid to inflammation. Which is way way better. Inflammation they can treat. Fluid they have to drain. It doesn’t go away.”

“And they are still saying it’s a mystery and there are so many doctors interested and working on his case.”

“He still sees double but not all the time. No dizziness and balance is better. Just has a hard time seeing some things like the phone and his coordination is still off.”

“He may have permanent damage to his kidneys. But they are functioning he now gets up to go to the bathroom. Yesterday the first day.”

“Please thank everyone for praying!!!”

My dear friend and co-worker Howard, whom you’ve heard me reference many times as he is the director of the Bible school in Mexico, as we speak is in critical condition fighting for his life in Kelowna General Hospital. After an MRI, spinal tap and various other tests, the 6 doctors that are tending to him are stumped as to this mysterious condition. He continues to spiral rapidly downward, incoherent, hallucinating in and out of consciousness. This all came about withing the last week.

Strangely, at this very same time, his brother Murray is on his last leg in hospice care in Australia dying of cancer. Howard has served God his whole life. Murray rejected God some 40 years ago, living as an atheist and in the recent few years developed cancer. He spoke to Merrill earlier today saying goodbye and said he feels the end is just days away as he has stopped eating as well. You can imagine the flurry of emotions which must be flooding the Dyck family now with this additional and totally unexpected decline in Howard’s health. It’s just a shock. It’s strange and yet I sense somehow that this is more than a coincidence as Howard and Murray were the closest both in age, similarities and also friendship though Howard is a strong, dedicated believer and Murray a dedicated atheist. In his younger years Murray believed in God.

Please pray that God soften Murray’s heart at this very moment and move him even to pray for his brother’s healing. Please pray that God miraculously heals them both. I don’t know what Mexico looks like this year without Howard. This is all so unexpected. God hears every sincere prayer no matter how small.

Howard’s doctors apparently gave Howard about 24 hours to live unless something drastically changes.

t.