The following is shared with permission, minor edits have been made.
Deacon is the grandson of our friends Paul and Cindy.
Deacon is the grandson of our friends Paul and Cindy.
This is our son, Deacon Joel Dolby. He is almost 11 years old. Deacon has Pans or Pandas Syndrome (auto immune disease that affects the brain). Our world got flipped upside down this past January. Deacon, one Sunday in January, attempted killing himself several times. That's where our journey begins.
Since the thoughts and attempts couldn't stop, Deacon was taken to hospital in London, ON for answers. We were given some, but still something wasn't right. Through some friends, God showed up and opened some doors. Deacon is seeing the leading doctor for Pandas here in Chatham. Since then, and many appointments later, Deacon is on a ton of meds; always changing due to circumstances.
This July we had to call the police on our son because of a 4-hour flare up; that was heart breaking. Deacon was getting better and then we had a setback. Everything around us effects our immune system and for Deacon that much more. Deacon started school in September and now it is being paused. He is in a zombie- like state and can hardly function.
He has a very important procedure called IVIG in December. This is a blood transfusion to help bring up his immune system. Please pray that a bed opens sooner, so this can happen sooner. Please pray for our family. I can't explain all the ups and downs, I can't explain the pain and hurt we have all had. But to watch/listen to your son ask questions about heaven because he can't take it anymore; "Dad my head hurts, it won't stop"; "mom, why am I here, what is heaven going to be like, I want to go soon" -- wow, those moments I can't even begin to explain.
During this last year our faith has been tested but has not failed; my mental state has been tested and affected, but not failed. We've been affected physically from Deacon, but God continues to give us strength.
We've been tested financially. My wife paused her work career for 6 months to give everything to our son, then figured out a way to start 2 new careers and support our son when he was home. Now we are being asked again to trust God completely as our son and school are being paused, and who knows what the future looks like?
Thank you for all who have prayed and continue to pray for our son Deacon. Please pray for my daughter Nevaeh too, she has been a champ through all of this, and for Sarah and myself for wisdom, strength, discernment, patience -- for a miracle in Deacon's life, for our financial situation and possible future treatments that could assist him.
God is good all the time! God bless and have a blessed Christmas season.
If anyone wants a look into our lives, watch "Brain on Fire" on Netflix or "Stolen Childhood" on YouTube.
Since the thoughts and attempts couldn't stop, Deacon was taken to hospital in London, ON for answers. We were given some, but still something wasn't right. Through some friends, God showed up and opened some doors. Deacon is seeing the leading doctor for Pandas here in Chatham. Since then, and many appointments later, Deacon is on a ton of meds; always changing due to circumstances.
This July we had to call the police on our son because of a 4-hour flare up; that was heart breaking. Deacon was getting better and then we had a setback. Everything around us effects our immune system and for Deacon that much more. Deacon started school in September and now it is being paused. He is in a zombie- like state and can hardly function.
He has a very important procedure called IVIG in December. This is a blood transfusion to help bring up his immune system. Please pray that a bed opens sooner, so this can happen sooner. Please pray for our family. I can't explain all the ups and downs, I can't explain the pain and hurt we have all had. But to watch/listen to your son ask questions about heaven because he can't take it anymore; "Dad my head hurts, it won't stop"; "mom, why am I here, what is heaven going to be like, I want to go soon" -- wow, those moments I can't even begin to explain.
During this last year our faith has been tested but has not failed; my mental state has been tested and affected, but not failed. We've been affected physically from Deacon, but God continues to give us strength.
We've been tested financially. My wife paused her work career for 6 months to give everything to our son, then figured out a way to start 2 new careers and support our son when he was home. Now we are being asked again to trust God completely as our son and school are being paused, and who knows what the future looks like?
Thank you for all who have prayed and continue to pray for our son Deacon. Please pray for my daughter Nevaeh too, she has been a champ through all of this, and for Sarah and myself for wisdom, strength, discernment, patience -- for a miracle in Deacon's life, for our financial situation and possible future treatments that could assist him.
God is good all the time! God bless and have a blessed Christmas season.
If anyone wants a look into our lives, watch "Brain on Fire" on Netflix or "Stolen Childhood" on YouTube.
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