October 15, 2005 - We are at Duke

Hello Everyone! We are sending this from Duke Medical Center. Since Erik's last surgery, there has been concern with some fluid collection around and under the incision site and about the efficiency of the shunt. Each day, he has appeared to be slowly complaining more and more. He has been sleeping more each day, the fluid appears to be increasing, and he has appeared to be uncomfortable. Yesterday we had an appointment with neurology and they advised us to go to the ER for a neurosurgery evaluation. 12 hours later, we were admitted and in a room. The thought was that this morning they would perform a shunt replacement. Once we met with our neurosurgeon, he decided to look more closely at the fluid collection to see what it is: spinal fluid, blood, or infection. Once they determine this, they will either clean the area and/or revise the shunt. If there is infection, they plan to take care of that first and then in a few days consider replacing the shunt. They are not sure that the enlarged ventricles and the fluid collection are connected so it appears we may be dealing with 2 issues. We wanted to ask for your prayers for Erik. Pray that all will go well this hospital stay and that he will return or surpass his good/new baseline soon. He is still moving everything and more responsive. This hospital trip, he actually complains about things when the nurses are around which is good to see! We will write more when we can! Love in Christ, Erik's Family

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely will help you, surely I will withhold you with my righteous right hand." Isiah 41:10 NASB