March 17, 2000

Dear Family,

It is Friday afternoon and I just saw Pam off from the parking lot.  She is
on her way to pick up our son Chris from the airport.  We had a somewhat more
restful night last night; thank you for all your prayers on our behalf.

Shortly before Pam left, I sat in a room with about a dozen doctors and
therapists around a large table for a patient care conference; Suzanne
and I were prompted to ask any questions we might have about Skylar.

The doctors are seeing some indications of improvement in Skylar's condition.
He spent much of yesterday in a face-down position, which seemed to improve
the results of ventilation.  Consequently, they were able to reduce the
percentage of oxygen they are delivering and also his breath rate.  They
still need to be able to reduce the air pressure they are delivering.

These things are important because too much oxygen or too much pressure
can be damaging to his lungs.  Other ongoing risks include the onset of
infection at various points in his body.  Also he continues to be about
the same regarding VOD (Veinous Occlusive Disease) which is reducing the
ability of his liver to clean his blood.  He is retaining too much fluid.
They are treating him with various diuretics to reduce the amount of excess
fluid in his lungs and throughout his body. Skylar's lung X-Rays still
look about the same.

I continue to sing for Skylar.  This morning to celebrate his improvement
I read Psalm 136 to him, and after that Psalm 103.  I told him that these
songs were so old that I wasn't around when people knew what tune should
go with them, but that if I ever learn the tune I will sing them for him.

The also reduced the amount of paralysis drugs they are giving him... this
has resulted in him being able to move a slight amount, and so I have seen
his head and arms move a bit from time to time.  This is good to see, and good
for him as long as it does not get to the point where he tries to pull out
any of his tubes.

We are encouraged and are thanking and praising the Lord for these signs of
hope.  We are still distressed, having lost and found hope for our son more
than once now.  Thank you for all your kind expressions of love and concern
and for lifting us up to God's throne of grace. Join us in giving thanks for
these hopeful signs.

Please ask the Lord to continue to improve Skylar's ability to breath.  Please
ask for the VOD to show definite signs of improvement.  Please ask that the
fluid recede from Skylar's lungs and that any damage there may be healed
and recover so that he will be able to breath on his own.

Thank you all for helping us by bearing our burdens with us.  You are surely
"fulfilling the law of Christ" by doing so.

Love,

-Dann (for us all)