Here are the updates on my dear sister Achia:
Saturday March 28: Please pray for my sister Achia. She was in the ER all day yesterday. They could not figure out what was wrong, but my parents felt she was in pain. Achia is blind and can't talk so it was hard to know. Achia has a very high pain tolerance. She didn't open her eyes and was agitated.
Things got serious as her blood pressure went down and heart rate went up. They finally figured out her bowels were twisted and she went into emergency surgery. They had to stabilize her first.
Achia is very sick. She survived the surgery but they had to take out 3/4 of her small intestine. They left her partially open to do surgery again Sunday to see if the remaining 1/4 survived. Achia is sedated and has a breathing tube. They are trying to balance her meds and low blood pressure. It is touch and go. If she survives her life will be very different.
Please pray for my parents as they love Achia so much. They do not want her to suffer. I hurt for them.
Pray for Josh and I to know what to do. We are praying about going to be with them. We are in Portugal right now for FIC leadership meetings.
[3/30, 5:26 AM]: Hello everyone. Thank you for all your prayers. I know none of this is about me but I feel totally stressed over the decisions and situation.
First of all, Achia had her second surgery which was more positive than the first. She is still in ICU and still left open for a third surgery on Tuesday. Last I heard she'll be in ICU or the hospital for a couple weeks, she'll have a feeding tube and a colostomy. Our prayer continues to be, don't let her suffer Lord. I'm praying be merciful.
We are still in Portugal. Our meetings ended Friday but we planned a five day vacation before going back to Uganda. We're thankful for time to figure out what to do and how to do it. My family has requested we come to be with them and help. We had to cancel our original tickets and are trying to book tickets to Michigan. It's a lot of decisions, money and time traveling. We decided to do a one way ticket because of all the unknowns but we hope to be there two weeks. This is very unsettling for all of us. We didn't pack for this, didn't leave things in Uganda in order, and the kids homeschool. Pray for peace and provision. Thanks!
[3/30, 8:05 AM]: Just got an update. Achia is not doing well. Her kidneys aren't functioning we'll, blood pressure down in the 40s and her feet are cold. My parents are praying for wisdom to know if they should give her heart meds or let her go.
We will try to get tickets for a flight tomorrow.
Thanks for praying.
[3/31, 3:41 AM]: We're in the airport sad to leave our beautiful vacation and feel sick going to go and face the sad reality that my sister is dying.
We have about 16 hours of travel before we land in GR at 8:30pm. We plan to settle our kids at home then Josh and I will go to the hospital.
Hospice has been called in for Achia. We believe God is being merciful to Achia but it is terribly hard for everyone to understand and let go. My parents are amazing and as always showing selfless love to Achia. Please pray for them as they grieve and trust God.
Thank you.
[4/1, 4:56 PM] Mandy Shaarda:
Hello from Michigan! We made it at 12:30 last night. Thank you for praying for us.
This is Achia's care bridge page that you can see updates.
Achia has a lot of visitors which dad and mom love. Everyone knows it's a holy place in Achia's room.
Josh and I came up about 8am. She had a rough night but was comfortable and asleep when we were here. Lots of family came, lots of tears, and love. Our kids came up around 11am. Hard but they did well. Makai played in the waiting room but did come and see Achia too.
This afternoon they took Achia's breathing tube out. She did well and is more awake now. They can now hold Achia and my mom is now napping with Achia in Achia's bed. Achia loves her touches. Does everyone's hearts good.
But the waiting. I hear my sister and parents on a roller coaster of emotions. Now that she a little more Achia again they want to keep her again. But the reality is her stomach is still open, she'll never be able to eat again and be forever hooked to tubes. Painful to keep saying goodbye and not want the final goodbye. Could be any day or two weeks.
Trusting in the Lord who defeated death, our Risen lord and Savior.
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