April 20, 2006 Erik's Update

Hello Everyone! We wanted to let you know about a few prayer requests for Erik. We ventured to the beach Easter weekend. This was a big step for us - traveling with the whole family. We made it there fine Friday but 2 hours after arrival, Erik had a seizure. The same thing happened the same time Saturday night. This was upsetting since he has been seizure free since November. We contacted his physicians and they said this is something that happens when medications are decreased. The decision was made to adjust his dosages and so far, so good. We have appointments scheduled for a CT scan, EEG, and MRI over the next few weeks to give us the chance to rule out any complications. Please pray that we will be able to keep things settled with medication and that these tests will show stability. Another prayer request relates to his vision and the impact of the past year's events on his vision. We have been working with Erik for a while trying to get him to visually focus on objects and respond. Sometimes it seemed like he was seeing great and other times he just did not appear interested in even trying to focus. Anyway, he has recently been diagnosed with a visual impairment. His optic nerve and all other physical components involved with seeing are healthy - it is just the brains ability to interpret what the eyes are seeing that is impaired. Our understanding is that of all of the things he could struggle with visually from the surgery, shunts, and infection, that the type of impairment he has is the easiest to address and attempt to correct. We are excited to know that there are things we can do to help him more rapidly progress. We are strategizing to work towards stimulating him and positioning objects so that it is easier for him to focus. Our understanding is that overcoming the type of impairment he has can come quickly or recovery can gradually take place. We thank God for all of our children because they are each unique and special in many ways. We know that Erik has been placed in our care so that we can see him fulfill who he is for a greater purpose in life. Our lives have been touched by so many of you in very unique and special ways and we know that Erik is more than just a child who has overcome so many obstacles in his short life. God has shown us that he has love, God's grace, determination, and above all else . . . hope. Please pray for rapid visual healing for Erik as well as for him to continue to gain gross motor strength and remain seizure free! Love in Christ, Erik's Family '); //--> Valerie McGee Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 11:18 am Post subject: Still Praying.................. Just wanted to pop in and say "HI" and let you know we are still praying. I am glad your family got to the beach, I am sorry to hear about the seizures though. I hate seizures they are kind of scary. One of my best friends growing up had seizures. Anyway, just wanted to say "HI" Did I ever give you Joshuas carepage? Email me if you want me to send you a link. Have you heard the new casting crowns song "I'll praise you in the storm", you'll like it. OK gotta go. Love to all. Valerie

April 13, 2006 Looking Good!

Hello Everyone! Things are going well here! Erik is getting stronger every day. We are fortunate to have great nursing care and therapists! The home therapy has been wonderful. Erik continues to get better with his eating and we are slowly increasing his liquids by mouth. Once he is able to take adequate liquids by mouth, we can get the NG tube out (nose). We are noticing that as his head control improves, so does his eating. It is amazing how it all fits together and how everything has to be "in sync" for things to work. Well, we want to wish everyone a Happy Easter! Remember to thank God for the blessings and miracles we have experienced this year. What a year it has been! Take care . . . Erik's Family