May 25, 2006

We think Silas is finally going home tomorrow. He isn't actually released yet but we are as sure as we can be-which isn't that sure, of course. :) Doctor Newman is back. She had Silas when he was on ECMO and we love her. She thinks, like we do, that the eating thing will work itself out when the nurses don't have to micro manage every drop he ingests. It seems to be a timing thing with him. He needs longer periods of sleep before he wakes up hungry. Doctor Newman enjoyed seeing Silas' face without tubes for the first time. She agreed with us that he is pretty cute, and a real bruiser.

Please pray for Tanaya. She is going on four hours sleep each night and not getting any naps during the day. I will have her family come stay with me until Silas finds a routine. Please pray for the other children, too, as they are still exhibiting behavior problems due to the absence of their parents for so long. Pray for us to have wisdom in helping them cope.

Tanaya will have to be very careful not to expose Silas anywhere for the next three months, the doctors say. No church, nobody's home, stores, or basically nowhere. Nobody can go near him with sniffles. (Please pray for the other kids to be healthy for a long time!) This will be hard because we want to expose him to all his wonderful prayer partners. But be patient. We'll give him a welcome home party when we can.

Silas will need to come back to Portland occasionally, and he has several new doctors in Medford that we have yet to meet. He will be a busy guy, for being under house arrest. Please continue to pray for him and his complete recovery.

Thank you and God bless you for praying.

Love, Jeannie