Rice Grains

As most of you are aware, Sharon has been in the hospital for the last week. She was admitted due to stomach and muscle pain and after blood tests, it was determined that she had a bacterial infection in her blood (septacemia). Since then she's experienced blurred vision in one eye, leakage in her mitral valve of the heart, fluid on her lungs, swelling of the gall bladder, and low blood pressure among other things. She spent three days in a lot of pain in the ICU. On Sunday, March 23rd she was moved back to a normal, private room and has made significant improvement since then. She is currently experiencing joint swelling. Her eyesight is slowly improving. She has been treated throughout with antibiotics and will be in the hospital for at least another 10 days for continued treatment. She's in really good spirits and is being well taken care of. Samitivej Hospital is one of the best health care facilities in Bangkok and foreigners from other countries often come there for treatment. She has a great team of specialists looking after her. Also this week, someone from our team is with Sharon 24 hours a day (the hospital has asked us to do that for one week and then we'll do a regular visitation schedule after that).

For now, Sharon doesn't have e-mail access. We'll post another update soon with more information about how to contact her and leave messages. Also feel free to leave her messages here on the blog. She has her computer and should be able to see them soon.

Thank you for all your prayers during this time. Sharon has felt them and is so grateful for all your love and support. Here are a few pictures of her from 3/24.
-Blessings, Candice Mast (a member of Sharon's team)

Her first morning out of the ICU, Sharon finally got to sit up in a chair and talk to her brothers and sister- in- law.

Here is Sharon on her IV with one of her many kind, friendly and efficient nurses (most of the staff speaks English very well.)

Having some lunch. Sharon's appetite has been slowly coming back. She is also getting protein through her IV.

With her cardiologist, Dr. Apichai and her "breathing toy" that helps her expand her lungs.

Sharon is now able to have some visitors and some of her Thai friends have been stopping by (many have also called, very concerned about her). Here she is with one of her students and friends, Pen.