FAITH VICTORIA - ANOTHER BATTLE DAY VICTORY!In our August newsletter, we had told you about Faith Victoria, a 22-month old who was found face down in a swimming pool by her grandparents. Her grandparents did CPR until the ambulance arrived and took her to the hospital. While in the hospital, Faith’s life was threatened by a medical futility policy. She is now at home, but still in a coma and on a ventilator.
The below update was recently written by her grandmother, Linda. It describes the family’s fight for this precious little one’s life. Please join us in praying for Faith Victoria and her family as their battle continues.
Since Rachel, Faith's Mother, is holding her now and is a bit tired after an intense day, she wanted me - Mom, to get this out to all of you faithful ones who have carried Rachel and Tim through this day and brought forth another victory. What should have been a routine overnight stay at the hospital where doctors who were overseeing Faith’s care – her pulmonologist – endocrinologist – GI doctor and nutritionist would go over her condition and make necessary adjustments so that she would be on track again to thrive, turned out to be another fight to keep her alive.
The night before going to St. Joseph's Hospital, Rachel had deep concerns about going back to a place where the “futility law” was in place. (All hospitals have it.) However, because the doctors that they had at this point seemed to all be on the same team to help Faith; so after wrestling a bit, Rachel and Tim decided it would be ok. In fact, while sharing her concerns with the Lord, she felt He made it clear that she wasn’t to run in fear, but she must face the giants and slay them if necessary!
So, Rachel spent the night and day with Faith, while Tim had to go to work as a fireman. First thing in the morning, a doctor came in who they call an intensivist. Rachel started to feel a little uneasy when he, not being the pulmonologist, started to turn down Faith's ventilator. He then went to deal with her trach and also the suctioner that is attached to her trach. He was rough and Rachel told him so.
Later, he came in and told Rachel that he was having a problem with Faith’s case. It was clear that he was leaning toward thinking she should be a candidate for the futility law. Rachel knew then why she had been uneasy and could feel the darkness behind his words. He was in a quandary with Faith having regular times of spontaneous breathing. He didn’t seem to care that three weeks ago she was not moving and now not only her toes wiggled, but her feet were moving more and more. (Rachel did tell us later that Faith just didn’t “perform for him”.) Rachel knew where he was heading and made it clear that she knew about the futility law and she and her husband would have no part of it. In fact, they were prepared to bring awareness to that evil law. Again, like at All Children’s Hospital, she spoke Truth that God was the Creator and it was His domain to decide when life begins and when it ends.
After he left, the Lord put it upon her heart to call the respiratory therapist who worked with her pulmonologist and had been so helpful in caring for Faith. When she explained what had happened, he said bluntly to “fire the guy”. “Rachel, he doesn’t get it – he isn’t a Christian!” Not knowing before that he was a believer in Christ, Rachel immediately knew why the Lord had her call him. He understood – he knew why they were fighting for their daughter, and agreed – he knew Jesus Christ! He told Rachel to show the doctor the video of Faith breathing above the ventilator and of her toes and feet moving. He also said encouragingly that he has seen a number of children who are in Faith’s condition who have fully recovered!
Rachel then talked to the pulmonologist, also a believer in Jesus, and he said he would talk to the intensivist and explain the situation – whatever that meant. Earlier that day when Rachel and the nurse were doing a routine change of Faith’s trach, they noticed some blood around the opening. Shortly after that, Rachel heard Faith gurgling. When she suctioned Faith, pools of blood came up. That had never happened! She knew right away that it was the rough treatment the doctor had done earlier when he was doing his “examination”. Thank the Lord they had to do the routine trach change. Rachel confronted the doctor with this and he said calmly that it would be noted.
The battle was clearly on and ONCE AGAIN THE LORD INTERVENED! The nurse who was on with Faith during last night, and came back on this night, told Rachel that last night she had checked Faith’s breathing a number of times and that she was breathing above the ventilator! She was careful to note this in her chart.
Shortly after that, Dr. Intensivist came in and his whole demeanor had changed. He talked about how Faith was doing well and that the nutritionist had made some recommendations to a change in her diet. But, her blood work came back normal, and she would be good to go home tomorrow. Rachel confronted him with his earlier ominous outlook. He denied it. She told him that it was undeniable. Had the giant been slain?
So, we ask, “What is going on?” What is the Lord doing here?” One thing for sure, this little girl is baffling the medical world with her spirit seemingly strong in knowing when to breathe or move or push back any darkness that is trying to take her life. The Lord is keeping His hand on this precious child, and He has not let her go.
We also are seeing very clearly that those who are believers in Jesus and even those who are not quite there, but might want to be, see clearly that all life is precious and where there is life, there is hope – that there is a miracle working God who loves to do the impossible and no matter what the professionals say, our God is King and Lord and is sovereign. He is calling His people to trust Him and watch Him do the impossible.
Throughout the day the Lord had given Rachel through many different sources that “God is our refuge and very present help in time of trouble!” He proved that to be true once again!
We are also seeing that more and more whether it is in the medical field or the political arena or any arena that there is no more grey area. It is black or white – light or darkness – life or death - truth or lies! You are either a Christian and listen to the voice of Truth of God’s Holy Spirit, or you are a non believer and listen to the father of lies.
So, little Faith Victoria, we know that Lord is using you in many ways. Oh God - unify your people – bring us ever closer to You – sharpen us – open our eyes to Your Truth, and continue to shine Your light on the darkness, and bring those You are calling into Your kingdom of light.
He told Rachel that she was going to slay a giant. It seems like whatever was trying to take Faith out today, was annihilated once again. Thank you, Jesus! And thank you all for your continued love and prayers. Little girl, wiggle those toes and move those feet, continue to breathe and we will wait until the Lord rises you up so the world will see His glory! In His hands – in His way - in His time! |