Former D-backs pitcher Evan Marshall, wife ask for prayers for infant son with unknown illness

Former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Evan Marshall and his wife Allison are asking for prayers and hoping for answers for their ill 4-month-old son.

In an Instagram post Sunday, Allison Marshall explained that they rushed their son, Ryan, to a hospital in Columbus, Ohio, three days earlier after he appeared to be choking and not responding.

"When we got to the ER we learned very quickly that what Ryan was experiencing was seizures," she wrote. "In less than 24 hours our baby went through 12-15 seizures, had a CT scan, and was attached to an EEG. Thankfully with the EEG we were able to identify right away that yes they are seizures and begin his dosages of Keppra. So far (3 days in) his body has responded to the medications."

Allison Marshall said Ryan has undergone blood, urine, eye and bone exams, as well as ultrasounds on his organs and an MRI, in order to discover the cause of the seizures. "(A)t this point we are trying to rule out things rather than us having any type of answers of what caused the seizures and also paying more attention to other little things that they’re finding in his lab and test results," she wrote.

"This kid is our world. He’s our morning and night. Before this he was a healthy, happy, beautiful baby boy. He still is. We thought we lost our baby boy on Thursday and thankfully God put this child in the right hands at the right moment. Right now we are just scared for the unknown with him and his future.

"If at all you have a moment- if you could pray for our 4 month old. Could you pray for the doctors, the specialists, and his lab and test results. Pray we can get some type of answer so we can give Ryan the help he needs and deserves. Pray the doctors overlooking him don’t overlook or miss anything. Pray for continued growth and development for this happy little guy. Pray we never lose sight of Gods plan or his love and protection for our little RPM."

 

We have been extremely hesitant on what to share and how to update all of those who have been praying and sending thoughts to our sweet baby boy. Evan and I fully believe in the power of prayer and right now we need all we can get for our sweet angel, Ryan. On Thursday Ryan was rushed to the ER (we are currently in Columbus) with what we thought at the time was him choking and not responding. When we got to the ER we learned very quickly that what Ryan was experiencing was seizures. In less than 24 hours our baby went through 12-15 seizures, had a CT scan, and was attached to an EEG. Thankfully with the EEG we were able to identify right away that yes they are seizures and begin his dosages of keppra. So far (3 days in) his body has responded to the medications. These past few days have been all unknowns and just constant emotions. Ryan has had multiple urinary tests, blood work and vitals, eye exams, bone exams, ultra sounds on all of his organs, MRI- at this point we are trying to rule out things rather than us having any type of answers of what caused the seizures and also paying more attention to other little things that they’re finding in his lab and test results. This kid is our world. He’s our morning and night. Before this he was a healthy, happy, beautiful baby boy. He still is. We thought we lost our baby boy on Thursday and thankfully God put this child in the right hands at the right moment. Right now we are just scared for the unknown with him and his future. If at all you have a moment- if you could pray for our 4 month old. Could you pray for the doctors, the specialists, and his lab and test results. Pray we can get some type of answer so we can give Ryan the help he needs and deserves. Pray the doctors overlooking him don’t overlook or miss anything. Pray for continued growth and development for this happy little guy. Pray we never lose sight of Gods plan or his love and protection for our little RPM.

A post shared by Allison (Wegner) Marshall (@alliemarshall2242) on Aug 19, 2018 at 10:06pm PDT

Thoughts and prayers for @allieweg2242 and my little boy pic.twitter.com/LVze13DtT1

— Evan Marshall (@emarsh31) August 20, 2018

The 28-year-old Marshall was selected by the Diamondbacks in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He went 4-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 85 relief appearances with the D-backs from 2014-16. He now plays in the Cleveland Indians' system and was activated from the disabled list earlier this month after recovering from an elbow injury. He currently plays for the Indians' Triple-A affiliate in Columbus.

In 2015, Marshall nearly died when he was hit in the face with a line drive during a game with Triple-A Reno, the Diamondbacks' minor-league affiliate. "It was terrifying, absolutely terrifying," Allison told ESPN two weeks after the incident. "We're going on two years of marriage. I've known this kid for six years and to be told you may lose your spouse."