May 11, 2000

Dear Family,

Here's some recent news about Skylar.

A couple of nights ago Skye had a rough night; they had to put an oxygen mask on
him to help his breathing. An x-ray showed some more lung congestion. I was very
distressed at this news, and began praying more urgently again.

The next day the respiratory therapists worked with him some more on breathing
exercises and they gave him some more "percussion" -- that is, a lot of thumping
on his chest to help dislodge congestion. He had the percussion treatments
almost every day while he was on the ventilator.

They also increased his dosage of "lasix" (sp?) which is a diuretic intended to
reduce excess fluids.

Thank the Lord, recent x-rays show improvement in his lungs, and they have
discontinued the percussion treatments.

In other news, Skylar has been losing some weight in spite of the feeding tube
-- and he has shown little or no appetite even though he is being encouraged to eat 
a liquid diet by mouth. Uncle and Nana report that much of the liquid diet items are 
pretty tasteless, so this is not too surprising; however, weight loss is a serious 
matter.

So yesterday they inserted yet another NG (nasal gastric) tube, this one ending in 
Skylar's stomach. They have begun feeding him some through this tube as well as 
continuing the feeding through the tube that goes directly into his duodenum (sp?).

By directing some food to his stomach they hope to encourage the digestive functions
resident there, which will help get Skylar over his nausea and perhaps allow his 
appetite to return somewhat.

Finally, Skylar continues to exercise and to stand for short periods daily. Yesterday 
he shuffled a little, and today traveled a little ways in some sort of "walker". He 
also sat up in a chair for some while today. I spoke with him by telephone last night, 
trying to encourage him to work hard at exercising and to eat more. I tried to remind
him of the goal - getting to the point where he will be able to leave the hospital.

Please continue to pray for increased strength, weight, appetite, and motivation for
Skylar, as well as for no further lung congestion. Pray that he may be able to get to 
the point of being able to go home as soon as possible. I will be so thankful when he 
can leave the hospital behind!

In fact, it is my great, great desire that Skylar would soon be able to spend some
extended time at "Nana and Papa's Rehabilitation Facility" -- i.e. at our house. I
really believe that if Skylar could spend time here (where he remembers some of the
earliest experiences of his young life) it would do him a world of good. Please pray 
with me that our gracious, generous Lord would make this possible soon, and that 
Skylar's mom would agree to this idea.

Thank you for your continued prayer support and encouragement.

Love in Christ,

-Dann