Caasie has denge fever.  I had never heard of dengue fever until just a few days ago and I am stumped as to how she got it.  Turns out it is common in places like India or Africa, but it can appear anywhere where there is a warmer climate, or where mosquitoes are most plentiful.   

Cassie had gone to Mexico on vacation and she apparently got bitten by a mosquito.  Cassie didn't pay too much attention to it, but a few days later, right after she returned home to south Texas (where we live), she came down with a severe headache, joint and muscle pains, a fever, and a rash that reminded me a little of measles.  

The disease worsened in a few days to the point where Cassie's blood pressure plummeted like a rock.  She collapsed while at work; an ambulance was called and Cassie was rushed to a nearby hospital.  Her blood pressure is still dangerously low.  She has been getting IV fluids and medicines in the hopes of raising it, not to mention, blood transfusions, because her blood platelet levels have been shitty at best.

In addition to all the above, Cassie has also been bleeding from her mouth, gums, throat, eyes, ears, nose, belly button, vagina, and rectum; this is because she has had plasma leakage (coupled with the low blood platelet levels and dangerously low blood pressure).  Her last episode of bleeding was earlier this morning, but doctors and nurses have finally seemed to have gotten a grip on it: Cassie hasn't had any more episodes, thank goodness, but her condition is still rather dicey.

Cassie can still have complications, but for now, my daughter is holding her own.  Still, it is hard seeing her lying in the ICU ward, hooked up to tubes, wires, and such, where her life-signs are constantly being watched by an ever-vigilent ICU staff, ready to pounce on her at a mometn's notice if something goes awry.  I have been praying to God for a miracle and while it hasn't happened just yet, I am still trusting in Him and holding on to hope.

I don't know how she will come out after all this is over, but one thing IS for certain: she will probably have a rather lengthy recovery, as the illness really knocked the stuffing out of her.  Just do me one thing before i go see her one last time for the night: keep Cassie in your prayers; she could really use a major touch from God!!  Thanks in advance!

Also pray for me; pray that I manage to keep my sanity!

~Sincerely, Beverlye, Cassie Renee' 's mother, Corpus Christi, Texas.

~To be continued.~