Supporting Joanne and Chase Family

Joanne Chase is the young daughter of Rusty and Ellerslie Alumni, Charity Chase. For the last month they have been dealing with Joanne’s serious medical issues that have been difficult to diagnose and created unexpected financial challenges.

This page has been set up by the Ellerslie Mission Society Alumni to support one of their own. We also hope other friends, family and church will participate. Please feel free to share this need with anyone who might help.

Joanne's issues have meant being in and out of the hospital frequently this month with mysterious unconsciousness and other concerning symptoms. She is

currently admitted to Helen Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan where they are monitoring her health and running a battery of tests to try and discover what is at the root of her unknown illness.

Charity is staying with Joanne at the hospital which is a long distance from their home. As you can imagine this is a trying time for every family member.

While they are counting their blessings with Rusty's ability to return to a long time job it came right after losing a home business due to red tape and losing seniority where he was. That means he cannot take any time off to be with his family.

Childcare for their other six young children is being handled by friends.

While the full extent of their expenses are unknown at this time, they are hopeful that the majority of medical expenses will be covered by insurance. However, we, as the body of Christ are seeking to bless and stand with this family as they face the unknown by giving financially to cover gas, food, and other necessities to relieve a fraction of the stress they are facing in the midst of this storm. The family covets your prayers as well.

Here are a few of Charity’s prayer requests:

*Please pray for my Rusty as it is difficult for him not to be able to choose where he needs to be.

*Please be praying Isaiah 40:30-31 over Joanne that she will be healed of these syncope episodes

*Pray for the doctors to have wisdom and get to the root of what is causing this.

*Pray for our other children and their peace and salvation.

Update: Sunday Afternoon/Evening

We are thankful for the good news today that Joanne's brain is not being injured by any of this. The EEG and MRI came back with normal results.

At this point, they are diagnosing Joanne with non-epileptic seizures and talking about referring us to other specialties beyond neurology.

We have a big assessment tomorrow and will know better what kind of rehabilitation Joanne will need.

Wednesday update Day six:

We learned quite a bit yesterday. The doctors say that Joanne has a disorder of the parasympathetic nervous system. The physician that we spoke with yesterday is hoping to do more testing and observation to see if Joanne has other underlying issues. With all that being said, the doctors are saying that Joanne will need up to 3 more weeks of acute care and 24 hour supervision. I am thankful for the care that she is receiving, but I cried at the news. Today, Rusty's boss got special permission for him to be off of work. We are so thankful for this answer to prayer!

The family is facing several more weeks of care and treatment. To get current updates please visit Charity’s Facebook page below.  

Please prayerfully consider how you can help this family during this difficult time.  Even a little bit shows God’s love extended to this grateful family by the body of Christ. 

https://www.facebook.com/rusty.chase.543?mibextid=LQQJ4d