A few days later ... but still at MRC

Ya I’m still here in the MRC and I have my last appointment tonight! So I should know pretty soon what’s gonna happen! I’m gonna be fine and hopefully go home to the mission on Sunday! … at least that’s my plan haha. but just wanted to say I love you and I'm doing fine :) love ya! MAHAL KITA!

Email from LDS Doctor - Dr. Morrison

Dear Lowe Family,

We are proceeding through the necessary tests for your daughter and have a consult with the neurologist to discuss her electroencephalogram results later this afternoon.  She continues to rest in the Missionary  Recovery Center and has been stable while so doing.   I will be in communication with you regarding all of her results  when they are available.  I just wanted to  let you know that she is doing well.  She is an impressive missionary.   

Thank you,

Elder Craig W. Morrison

Week 64 - Manila MRC

Hey everyone!

I'm still alive!! Whoooo! haha I'm sorry if I worried you guys... definitely not on my list of things I had planned to do haha. But ya so this past week has been a crazy one.

Sunday - Woke up, had personal and companionship prayer, went to the kitchen to wash left over dishes before I got ready for church, got sick and passed out, ended myself up in the emergency room and then the ICU. It was weird because I recognized everything from when I got sick last year at this time. I was happy to see all my nurses from before though! They all remembered me and were a big comfort to me while I was in the hospital by myself. I  was really happy because I gave a book of mormon to one of them last year and he said he was still reading it when he had time and actually went to church with his cousin! 

Monday: Still in the ICU... had a heartbeat of 40 per minute and a blood pressure of 80/60... apparently thats not good? go figures... haha. Later that day President and Sister Dhale came and visited me as well as my district and my zone leaders and Elder and Sister Gorringe. 

Tuesday: Woke up in the ICU again after spending the whole night throwing up. My bestie Elder Penano and his comp Elder Elenio came and visited me in the hospital which made me feel a lot happier and better, I also got to talk to Sister Burt on the phone which made me feel tons better too. Tuesday night I got released into a private room and got to leave the ICU! Best feeling ever. 

Wednesday: Stayed the whole day in the hospital connected to my IV BUT I got released from the hospital after persuading my doctor that I would be ok haha. (I had an important MLC meeting the next morning!) Sister and President Dahle came and picked me up and took me to the mission home where I stayed for the next 3 days to rest and recover. (yes mom i promise I did rest and drink lots of water AND take my vitamins AND my medicine :) haha) 

Saturday-Today: Then they came to the decision (against my will haha just kidding) that I needed to be sent to Manila because the doctors found problems in my results with my heart and also my EEG (my brain scan) came back abnormal... ya, everybody's dream to have their brain results come back abnormal haha. I mean i'm not surprised, but i didn't think it was that bad haha. No, but what happened was, they found some brain waves that were irregular which could be causing me to have mini seizures which could be the cause of fainting problems... at least thats what the doctors in Olongapo said, so that's why i'm here in Manila to be checked out at St Luke's Hospital which is like the 12th best hospital in the world.   SO I am now here at the MRC (missionary recovery center) where they send missionaries from all over the Philippines if they get really sick or have a serious health problem. Right now there are 8 of us, 4 elders and 4 sisters, Me and elder Fepuali are repp'n Olongapo mission, 3 from Quezon mission, one from Tacloban mission and one from San Paublo. Ive really learned alot from the whole experience and my testimony just grows everyday. I love you guys and feel your prayers! Don’t worry about me! :) I'll be fine in no time :) 

LOVE YOU!

love,

Sister Lowe

First Email from Manila (MRC)

Hey mom! just wanted to let you know that I made it safely to Manila and I'm here in the MRC next to the Manila MTC. Its like a place of recovery for missionaries here in the Philippines. There are 8 of us here (4 sisters and 4 elders.) There are 2 of us here from the Olongapo mission so at least I know someone.  But everyone’s pretty nice, it’s just weird because most of them are getting a medical release and are excited to go home while I’m here and just waiting to get the okay to go back to Olongapo haha. 

I had 2 appointments yesterday at St Luke’s and it was really helpful. I go back for a couple more tests on Monday I think to rule out some last possibilities.  But I really feel like I wont get sent home so I’m excited about that.  Well, I can email again tomorrow but they just wanted me to email and let you know that I’m ok :) love you and talk to you soon! :)

love,

Sister Lowe

Letter from LDS Doctor Morrison

Dear Lowe Family,

I have just had a long conversation with Sr. Lowe’s mission president’s wife, Sr. Dahle, who informs me that Sr. Lowe is  resting and asleep in the mission home.  I assume you have the lab reports from your daughter’s hospital stay and that she was discharged from the hospital  today.  In reference to all of your appropriate questions,  I can say that these reports were made available to me over the phone by Sr. Dahle only a few minutes ago.  Dr. Ablong has not returned my calls to her and I have had to rely on information  passed to me by Sr. Dahle.  I assure you that your daughter has had the testing available at this hospital  to allow the doctors to make the decision that she is stable enough to be discharged at this time.  The question which really needs to be answered  is when will she be able to travel.  Sr. Dahle will accompany Sr. Lowe to her appointment tomorrow and  again ask the doctor to call me  directly.  We would like to able to have her  examined by additional specialists at St. Luke’s Hosp. in Quezon City, a nationally prominent referral center hospital  with available sub-specialists.  This would be helpful in answering all of your questions and all of our questions in ensuring the best possible care for your daughter.  These plans would include transporting her personally when the time is best to ensure your daughter’s  well being.

Please be assured that she is being cared for and watched over at this time.

If you would like to contact me at any time, please email  or phone (cwmorrison@ldschurch.org     or 0917  869 4391).

Jessica is Relocated to Manila

Jessica called Friday night to let us know that she is going to Manila on Saturday to see the neurologist and cardiologist there.

She sounded upset - at first we were excited for her to be going to see some specialist so that we could get some answers, but then she told us that she has to take everything with her in case she has to come home from there.  She was in tears because she wouldn't get to say good bye to all the people she's met and come to love while serving in Olongapo.

I told her she is going to be fine!  We looked about both worst case and best case scenario, and in both cases it will okay!  It will be God's will and we hope to soon find out what His plan for her is.

Bother Morrison or Brother Ferrin drove her to Manila where she is staying at the Missionary Recovery Center (MRC) right next to the Manila MTC.  She was seen by both a cardiologist and a neurologist on Saturday early evening.  It is amazing that they took the time to see her then.  This first appointment was just a consultation.  She goes back on Tuesday for tests and results.

Doctor Appointment on Friday

Jessica went back to the doctors on Friday.  After her doctor's appointment the Mission President's wife and Sister Gorringe took Jessica to get a taco and a blizzard at DQ.

Here is the email I received from Brother Gorringe:

Non technical update. Sister Dahle and Sister Gorringe were with her for her appointment with Doctor DeLeon. President and I joined them for lunch. She had soft tacos and loved them. After that she had a DQ Blizzard. We took her home and she assisted Sister Gorringe in the office the balance of the day. 

Observation: Early on, she was tired, but improved as the day wore on. Amazing what a little ice cream will do. When she left the office for the mission home in the early evening, she looked, sounded and acted completely normal. I assume Sister Dahle has told you of the doctor's report and what the next step is.

I have included two pictures that I will post on Facebook for the missionaries families. They were taken yesterday at Mission Leaders Conference. As you can see, she looks fine. She is with Sister Quinlan Hess. I hope this gives you a little comfort.

We love her too,

Elder Gary Gorringe

Financial & Executive Secretary

Philippines Olongapo Mission