When Derick and Jill got married in 2014, he was the picture of health. He was all dimples and scruff, and of course Jill looked absolutely wonderful as well.
But in the short two and a half years since then, Derick’s appearance has changed drastically—and it’s not just the man bun he’s been rocking!
When Jill and Derick were in Central America doing their mission work, fans noticed that with every new update, Derick seemed to be looking worse and worse. Fans thought he looked gaunt and suspected that his hair was falling out.
With the threat of the Zika virus, many were worried that they’d jeopardized their health for far too long. Then, in a blog post in July, Jill wrote that they planned to return to Arkansas temporarily. “Health is something we don’t take for granted, especially on the mission field in another country in an environment we’re not used to.”
“Derick and I are generally very healthy people but when you’re eating, drinking and living in a different place than the one you grew up, it’s not uncommon to come down with the ‘traveler’s stuff or other bacteria/viruses in the local jungle area.”
Though no one in the Dillard family contracted Zika, Derick’s mysterious illness still lingered even after they returned to the States.
In a new trailer for Counting On, Derick shares a little bit more about his health issues. The video shows the little family out for some fresh air, with Jill bicycling with Israel, and Derick running ahead of them.
“It feels great to be home and run like I used to. But it is difficult sometimes.” Derick then stops running and starts gagging and throwing up.
“It makes him feel ‘gaggy,’ is what we call it,” Jill tells the TLC cameras. So they decide to consult a professional about Derick’s problems.
Derick said, “I’m excited to talk to the doctor about what he thinks might be going on.”
With another baby Dillard on the way, Derick’s family needs him to be at full health!
