American thrash veterans Metal Church have posted concerning news about their drummer's Stet Howland health. He has been hospitalized with a mysterious illness, still awaiting a diagnosis, and the band promises to keep fans updated on his condition.

The band explained: "A lot of our Metal Church fans have been asking about Stet Howland, so here is an update from September 20th, 2017: The best news is that physically, Stet is starting to feel a little better each day. He has moments of energy where he can hold a conversation and even stand and walk within the hospital room. He is getting an appetite back and eating almost two meals a day.

"Stet is still having severe 'episodes' a few times a day. These 'episodes' basically start with a fever and are followed by intense episodes of pain. The pain is literally incapacitating and it strikes his entire body. As the episode comes down, the pain localizes to one particular place in his body, sometimes an arm, sometimes a hip and eventually it levels off to a manageable level of pain. Stet was given a platelet transfusion on the 19th and his body has accepted them well and there is no internal bleeding. There is some fluid on his lungs that is not currently affecting his breathing. He has been moved to a bigger hospital that has a blood bank on site in case he develops a bleed and needs to be addressed quickly. Infectious Disease, Hematology and Oncology departments are working together. There have been literally 100's of blood tests ordered. He has had more CT scans and ultrasound and they completed a bone marrow biopsy.

"Stet is still in a holding pattern and fighting off new symptoms as they strike. The family are waiting patiently for a diagnosis and looking forward to Stet being stabilized so they can go home. All of your well wishes are really helping, so please keep them coming."

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Metal Church