Flamanda

Flamanda was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. She is doing well. She is eating babyfood well but they left the feeding tube in with formula going in for extra nutrition. She has a doctor appointment with the surgeon in 2 weeks. They will decide then if she still needs the feeding tube in depending on how well she is getting fluids in. The surgeon was happy with how her head was looking. It should continue to slowly drain fluid. She can close her eyes all the way now which she couldnt do before as her eyes are not bulging out as much. The surgeon was impressed at how she tracked objects and how alert she was.
Continue to pray for healing and that the drainage hole stays open.
Thanks,
Steph

Flamanda/Jerica

Flamanda had her surgery yesterday and everything went great. Her head is draining well. It is starting to shrink down and she was able to close her eyes all the way when she was sleeping. She is not eating well most likely due to sore throat. They will keep her until Fri or Saturday. The host mom and one of her older children have a hospital apartment across the street from the hospital to stay at until she goes home. They are sad to be away from their family at Thanksgiving but doing great. She said the nurses are spoiling Flamanda.
Our biggest prayer request is that the drainage hole stays open. If it closes they will have to put in a shunt and it will make it much more difficult to maintain that in Haiti for her mother.

I also received a new update on Jerica. The fluid is builiding in her head which is not good. She is not eating on her own. They are trying to get ahold of her parents to see if they want her back as they do not feel there is much chance for her now. I am very sad to hear this news.
Pray for wisdom in her case and for all involved to make the right decisions for her.

Thanks,
Steph

Jerica

I received a new update on our piti piti baby. I think she looks so good in this picture!

From the orphanage,
Jeri is actually doing pretty well, considering everything she has been through. She's keeping almost all of her formula down and when I weighed her today she was 4 lbs. 1 oz (up from 3 lbs. 4.8 oz last Tuesday). She's still not interested in sucking very much at all, so almost all of it is going in her tube. But she's having regular wet and dirty diapers, so that's a blessing. Her temperature is up to within the normal range, so she doesn't need to be under a light 24/7. She's not crying yet, but is making more noises that are closer to cries. She's also moving around much more. She is on both Lasix and Acetazolamide to help with the swelling in her brain. She has definitely improved over the past week, though is still in a critical stage. I attached pictures from when I changed her tube yesterday.

Steph

Georgey

Hands That Heal has a new patient comming tomorrow night from Haiti. His name is Georgey. He is 11 years old and we have been told he is a very pleasant child. He will be seeing a urologist in Indy and having genetic counseling done. Georgey was born with ambiguous genetalia. His care will be life altering for him and will require a very dedicated family with a lot of sensitivity to his emotional needs as we are not yet sure what all will be required to fix his specific needs until he arrives and testing can be done. Rebekah and her family will be keeping Georgey for a few weeks until we can find a longer term family for him. More information will be available as he arrives. If you are in the northern Indiana or Indy area and are interested in hosting him or know someone that might be, or would like more information on him please contact either Rebekah or Stephanie. Rebekah is also in need of clothing for Georgey. We are guessing he is a size 8-10 slim. Shoes and underwear are also a need. If you are in or near Ft.Wayne and can help with this please contact Rebekah.Prayer for Rebekah's family and for Georgey's transition would be very appreciated. His case will be very delicate and we do not have a lot of details yet.
Thanks,
Steph

Birthday Boy

My baby turned 10 on Saturday! Unbelievable that my youngest child is in double digits now. We had cake and a few presents. Family party to come later. He was so excited!!
We love you Nick~

Perseverance

Nick got an award at school last week for Perseverance! Every week they give out awards to students based on the lifeskill they are working on for that week. If perseverance doesnt sum up Nick and school I dont know what does. He has had a rough couple of weeks but had been doing better than he ever has before. School will be filled with many ups and downs for Nick and us. Ive heard change of seasons is rough for autistic people and if you know Nick you know he hates clothing! Long pants and socks make him uncomfortable unfortunately.

We are so happy with his teacher and helpers this year. They do a great job helping him. We are very blessed to live where we do.

Way to go Nick!!!! We love you.

Steph

Flamanda

Flamanda is doing very well. We found out today that she is having her surgery on the 23rd at 1:30. The doctor has her MRI and says everything is a go for surgery. She is eatting a ton and generally doing very well. They expect her to be in the hospital for a few days if all goes well.
Steph

Jerica

I got a new update on Jerica. They have taken her out of the hospital and back to Children of the Promise. She is only taking small amts of formula through her NG tube, not crying, and is very cold. Her lab work is all normal and her Hgb is up to 10 from 6 when she got to the hospital. She is HIV negative. They are working with her the best they can. It is up to God now. They have not given up hope on her.
Steph

Not Good News on Jerica

I received a new update today. It sounds like as soon as she turned a good corner she has turned back the other way. She is now apparently not eating again, not crying and is very cold. They are thinking about just taking her back to Children of the Promise and continuing care there instead of the hospital and hoping for the best. They are wanting info to contact the parents if she passes. It doesnt sound good. I want to say something positive about what her life has been so far but I just dont feel it comming to me. What I really feel is that if I had been there earlier or we had care there weekly she would actually have had a chance.
I have been having some withdrawl as I usually do when I return it has just hit me later than usual this time. I think, what are we doing here in the U.S.? Watching TV, going out to eat, mundane daily life things. Going to work to have just enough money to pay the bills. Homework, videogames, cartoons, and computer fill my kids lives. Is this what God wants us to be doing? I think of so much that we could accomplish in Haiti, lives saved and improved, people being brought to Christ. Children that we could help to not suffer and die and starve to death.
I try to do as much as I can here but it is very limited. Then I think would I really be able to sacrifice my lifestyle and comfort here. Could I sacrifice it for my kids until they are 18. I am selfish and lazy here most of the time. I want so badly to be there helping, doing more. I want to be able to look at God and say I did everything in my power to save them and tell them about you. I love my family here so much. People think when I say I want to be there it is because I dont want to be with them here. It isnt that at all. I guess I just cant explain it.
All I can do is pray.
I hope that Jerica will live but maybe that isnt what God wants. I guess I am just feeling frustrated, helpless and useless here right now.
Steph

New info on Jerica

I received an update on Jerica today. She is doing much better! She is taking food by mouth now and just getting supplement by the tube. She is more alert and will be going back to Children of the Promise hopefully this weekend. It sounds like she has definately turned the corner! Praise God.

Steph

Update on Sendy

I received these pics of Sendy yesterday and an update that she is responding well to the antibiotics. She had apparently had a stroke prior to getting her shunt. She does not use her lt. arm and hand much and is very weak in her lt. leg. They think she will never walk unassisted. She is able to feed herself now. They are hoping that the team from Miami can replace her shunt in a few weeks when they come. If not there is a doctor they use that can place a shunt in Haiti now.