March 12, 2000

Dear Family,

I am writing this from the hospital where Skylar is having a
bone marrow transplant.

I arrived yesterday morning and Pam picked me up at the airport.
When we got to the hospital and Skylar's room, we entered the
first door into a small anteroom.  There we had to "scrub in"
using antibacterial handsoap.  Small disposable brushes are
provided for thoroughly scrubbing the hands.  Also a small tool
is in the same package for scraping dirt out of the fingernails.

Nothing really prepared me for the dreadful reality of this
situation.  It seems far worse than even Skylar's previous
surgeries.  Skye's skin has a deathly pallor; dark, splotchy red
and greying; dark circles under his eyes.  He has a hard time
staying awake.  His breathing is very labored, and he must wear
an oxygen mask to keep his blood oxygen at an acceptable level.

His skin is peeling all over his body; he itches incessantly.  The
overall skin condition seems to be improving somewhat, however.
I accused him jokingly of sneaking out to go surfing and getting
a sunburn (which he, quite seriously, denied).

He frequently feels as though he must vomit; when that feeling comes
on him, he will call out "bucket!" as a request for someone to bring
a plastic basin within reach just in case.  Often the feeling passes,
but not always.  My most shocking moments yesterday came when he
needed to suddenly climb out of bed, trailing assorted tubes, to sit
on the portable potty chair next to the bed.  "Bucket" he called,
removing his oxygen mask.  When I brought the basin near he vomited
and his nose began to bleed profusely.

It is a real challenge to remain calm and to speak gently and comfortingly
to a small child going through such an extreme circumstance.  Even with
the aid of a nurse, handling the bucket, grabbing paper towels and tissues,
trying to stop the bleeding, trying to gently wipe Skylar's bottom - I
could not have imagined just how intense this situation could be.  I have
begun to have a much greater appreciation for the struggle my dear wife Pam
and my daughter-in-law Suzanne have been going through during the last week
or so.

The time goes by so rapidly because there is just one major effort after
another.  For example, trying to persuade Skylar to take a required pill
can be a project that takes 45 minutes or more.  He must take the pill
(presently twice per day) and in his present mental and physical state it
is very difficult for him.  Sometimes threats of more uncomfortable
ways of taking the medicine motivate him; a couple of times, I promised
to do a jig for him if he would take the pills.

He is also suffering from a side-effect of the process called VOD (Venous
Occlusive Disease) which has impaired his liver functions - and so he is
quite jaundiced.  The "whites" of his eyes are very yellow.

We are thanking the Lord that Skylar's white blood cell counts have begun
to rise; this is definite evidence that the bone marrow is taking hold and
starting to grow.

Please ask the Lord to open up Skylar's blood circulation through his liver.
Please ask that the fluid be cleared out of his lungs and that his blood
oxygen level improve to the point where he won't need the oxygen mask.  Ask
the Lord to help Skylar cooperate with the many demands put upon him each
day (for his own good to speed his recovery).  Pray that the blood work which
shows lack of proper liver function will begin to show recovery in that area.

Thank you all for your faithful pray support for Skylar and all of us
during these times.  Thank you for your encouragement and your expressions
of love and support.  May the Lord bless you all richly.


-Dann