Prayers for Alyssa

On By John Morehouse

Last Updated on January 14, 2014 by John Morehouse

Every now and then you’ll hear a story or know of an event that has transpired that causes you to do all that you can to help them out.  This is one of those times.

I’m borrowing the verbiage from my friend Tami, who wants to get as many people praying and thinking about this young woman, Alyssa, who is very sick. Alyssa is 15 years old, lives in my town and has even baby sat for one of my boys a couple of years ago.

I would ask that after reading the story, if you decide to pray for Alyssa, would you please leave a comment as to where you are located.  I’d like to show Alyssa & her family all of the people around the world that would be thinking & praying for her.

I’ll notate dates with “JM”. I’ve also changed/removed names of other family members from the post to respect their privacy.

EDIT:
I’ve moved some of the updates from Tami to their own posts so that it’s easier to keep things in order.

1/12/14 – Update #1: Prayers for Alyssa
1/14/14 – Update #2: Prayers for Alyssa
1/14/14 – Update #3: Prayers for Alyssa

From Tami:

alyssaThis is Alyssa. I thought it would be nice for people to put a face to the name. I will try to condense her story as much as possible. Just remember, her condition is very serious.

For those who don’t know, Alyssa was diagnosed Sunday (JM: 1/5/14) night with Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension. This basically means she has high blood pressure caused by restrictions of the arteries in the lungs causing pressure to build in the lungs which then causes the heart to work harder to pump the blood through the lungs causing the heart muscle to weaken or fail. The idiopathic part means they don’t know why.

Alyssa had a procedure done on Wednesday night to see what her pressure was. Normal pressure on the right side of the heart, for her, should be 25-30 her pressure is 125. This is bad news because it is causing the left side to basically be empty and not properly pump blood in and out to where it needs to be.

They also put a port in to administer drugs through and started her on a medicine to try to reduce the pressure. She started at 6ml and was increased every 2 hours until she got to 14ml. This caused her to be very uncomfortable and nausea, vomiting, and fainting. The Dr said if he didn’t see improvements in a week she would be transferred to a hospital out of state to await a lung transplant.

They started her on a second medicine on Thursday, that they are hoping will also help with the pressure. They have also contacted a Dr in Dallas to introduce Alyssa and her case so in the event it is needed Dallas would be ready for her.

She continues to have nausea, vomiting, and fainting and is very uncomfortable. They have also now started her on a 3rd medicine.

The medicine is not doing what we had hoped for however it has stabilized her and increased the blood flow. Now they are hoping for a small improvement and to keep her stable to transfer her next week to Dallas to wait for a transplant.

Alyssa’s condition has continued to deteriorate each day. Please pray for Alyssa and her family!

and from an updated post also from Tami from 1/11/14:

It has been an extremely ruff couple of days and nights. Alyssa is very uncomfortable and has a lot of nausea and vomiting. When she vomits it makes her faint. This has made it extremely difficult to get much more than a 10-15 min cat nap at a time.

They got her to the full 14ml of the first medicine and have started her on 2 other meds. They have also increased the first med to 18ml now. These meds are what is causing the vomiting and discomfort but are needed to stabilize her. They have her on 4 anti nausea meds that had been sort of keeping the vomiting to 1.5-2 hours apart but are not doing so well now. Last night she began to have blood in the vomit which they believe is from her liver stretching. They are also worried she may have aspirated so they are monitoring her for that as well. They are now going to try yet another anti nausea medicine in hopes that it will stop the vomiting so she can get some rest.

Alyssa will be transferred either Monday or Tuesday (JM: 1/13/14 or 1/14/14) to Houston (we originally thought Dallas) to wait for a double lung transplant and now a heart transplant as well (they say the average wait time is 10-30 months). They are getting together a cardiac team to travel with her to keep her condition stable. The Dr from Houston is working with her Dr’s here on how much and what meds to give.

Tina and Jeff (JM: Mom & Step-father) will travel with her as well but Jeff will return home after they are situated so that he can continue to work and give Alyssa’s sister and brother some sort of normalcy. They are currently staying with their grandparents.

I would like to answer a few questions that have been asked ( sorry I am trying to give you all the information but get lost in what to say sometimes). 1st Alyssa is 15. 2nd Alyssa was not born with this and they don’t know if it is hereditary. This is why it is idiopathic. They don’t know. 3rd There were no symptoms really other than a slight cough. She was fine on Saturday and on Sunday she was vomiting and passed out and that is when this nightmare began. Her condition has deteriorated quickly over the six days since it started.

Please, everyone pray that Alyssa can stop vomiting and get some rest and that she will hold on until a heart and lungs can be found. Also pray for her family that they have strength and peace and that they also get some rest so that they can be there for all of Alyssa’s needs.

One other request please share Alyssa’s story so we can get as many prayers for her during this journey.

Also if you have questions you can ask and I will try to answer them as soon as I can.

For those that might not know, my second son Simon had a rough start in life and spent the first 5 weeks of his life in the NICU.  I know that I had a lot of folks praying for #TeamBabyNinja (that’s a story for another post)  during this time and that meant the absolute world to my family and I.

So, Please Please take 30 seconds out of your day and send a quick prayer for Alyssa.  I know that Alyssa and her family will very much appreciate every single thought & prayer.

Don’t forget to leave a comment as to where you are located.  I’ll be compiling the list to get it to Alyssa’s family.  I’ll also be trying to keep things updated for those that want to know so check back to this posted for updated information.

Take a moment to tell those in your life that you love them.  You never know when things might change.  All it takes is a single heartbeat and it’s changed forever.

 

© 2014, John Morehouse. All rights reserved.

267 Replies to “Prayers for Alyssa”

  3. Sending wishes for a speedy resolution, prayers and loving thoughts. Please know there are many, many, many people pulling for you 🙂 Thinking of you in Sutherlin, Oregon

  4. Praying for Alyssa and family, as well as the team of doctors and nurses caring for her…from Columbus, Ohio

  7. From my facebook page…prayers from colorado. Also placed on prayer chain that reaches 12 states

  9. Praying for you and your family Alyssa from Denver NC. God heals all, sometimes doctors are His instrument.

  11. Prayers and strength for this beautiful girl, Syracuse, Nebraska.

  15. Alyssa , Hi Girlie, it’s Jill, Danyelle’s Mom ,,, I just wanted to let you know Your every thought is heard and God is Hard at work , I will continue to pray for you and your family,,What an AMAZING GIRL YOU ARE:) It is because of you that so many people have knocked on God’s door,,they have come to his light because of “YOU” Some of those people are as old as dirty ,,Lol and some are very young ,,But because of YOU the gift Of Love,Hope and Faith ,,is being asked for and shared 🙂 You are a Divine Angel to bring so many to God ,,Your Prayers come from near and far , and so many willing to help that in it’s self is a miracle,,Alyssa I have seen God Grant miracles, Danyelle’s Little brother Dean at 15 had his journey with cancer Dean is 23 now , So with that My Divine Little Angel ,,know YOU are God’s Gift To Us All 🙂 As God holds you close to His Heart , Know How Amazing YOU ARE 🙂

  17. Dear lil Angel Alyssa, God is right there with you, holding you precious one in His arms. He will be there with you thru this whole ordeal. My prayers for you, your parents, all your drs. And nurses and any and everyone on Team Alyssa! Just remember God loves you and is right there with you. Prayers from Grand Lake, Oklahoma

  18. Stay vigilant. Be encouraged. Faith is not denying reality but acknowledging there is a greater reality. That being that through Christs death and ressurection we are free. No longer bound to the restrictions of this lost and dying world but rather we have hope and life and relationship with God the Father who has justice for all but mercy upon those He chooses. I pray for Gods mercy. For Gods Grace. For His favor. For your strength and for the strength of your mom and dad and family. For healing. For peace in this storm. For all things to work together. I shall continue to pray for your complete healing. In Jesus name , Amen.

  31. Sending prayers of healing and comfort for God’s child, Alyssa. From Rosemount, MN

  33. My thoughts and prayers go out to Alyssa and her family!! Praying you get some rest and get better!!

  34. Hang in there Alyssa and family! God is with you at every moment even if you can’t feel His presence. He loves us all immensely! I’m getting this in Steubenville, Ohio.

  35. Alyssa, I am now 19 i can somewhat relate to some of the pain and suffering you are experiencing from my own health problems, i am still trying to find a cure and it has been tough, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and i know god has a plan for you and your family i just hope it is to make you a survivor! You are so young and you have so much ahead of you. Keep on fighting girl! You can do this! and with prayers and good doctors i hope god reaches out to you! You have so many people rite by your side you are NOT alone! <3

    xoxo-Emily

  41. Hi…praying for you! I had pulmonary hypertension and had to have a double lung transplant almost 6 years ago….hang in there! It can be a bumpy road, but it is one that you cherish so much more! Wesminster, CO.

  42. Every sinue in her body is seen by you, Lord. You know the plans you have for her and how to relieve this inflammation in her lungs and heart. I rebuke anything that is not of You and ask your Holy Spirit to move with mighty and majestic power on this child. I prayer her healed and that such evidence is now beginning to show to those around her. I pray in the only truly risen King, Jesus. When the King speaks, it is done. AMEN

  43. Praying for Alyssa and Family Philipians 4-13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,

  44. Praying for you Alyssa and your family, May our Lord give you strength and healing in Jesus name I pray.

  45. Pingback: Update #3: Prayers for Alyssa | John Morehouse | sqlrus.com

  47. I am not religious but everyone will be in my thoughts in this time of need of finding inner strength in ourselves for good of others… keep your heads up and stay optimistic good things come to positive thinkers!

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