Prayers for Guidance

Hello everyone, first a quick update: Michael had a tracheostomy today which gives the doctors greater flexibility in taking him on and off the ventilator.  We also believe it will be more comfortable, and certainly not as disconcerting as the previous tubes in his mouth and throat.  He is still heavily sedated, and we are waiting for his lungs to continue to heal and stay clear.  We did discover a return of the adenovirus which had contributed to his original complications, though we don't know how strong it is.  We're praying that the returning adenovirus is minor, and that Mike's body will be able to fight it again.  

Now dear friends and family, we're specifically asking for your prayers as we work with our medical team here to set Michael's strategy for treatment.  As a part of the clinical rotations, we have a new doctor supervising Mike every 1-2 weeks, which can be a frustrating situation, especially when a trusted doctor rotates off of our case.  We are currently working with the doctors and the hospital to ensure greater stability in his treatment plan.  Michael remains in critical condition, and we work to find a balance between the accepted treatment protocol for his condition, and emerging strategies that may provide an chance to improve his prognosis.  More than anything, we're working with our medical team to develop a strategy of hope and positive expectation.

This is a very important juncture for his treatment, and we are convinced that not only medicine, but faith and positive thought are crucial to his recovery.  We've been meditating on the following thoughts, and we invite you to as well:

• Continued prayers for God's intervening grace in Michael's recovery
• Positive thoughts for our medical decisions and his recovery
• Visualizations of Michael's future endeavors and successes
• Grateful celebration of Michael's upcoming birthday (6/29), and visualization of birthdays to come

We cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for us, and we thank God for you everyday, dear friends and family.  Thank you.