July 31, 2006 Help us pray this away...

Greetings! Just a quick note to let you know how Erik is doing. We brought him home last Friday (7/21). He seemed better on Saturday but started complaining again Saturday evening. The week went okay for Erik but he was not "bouncing back" like we hoped he would. Last Friday evening (7/2 he vomited. Saturday we gave him medicine to help with nausea and he did okay throughout the day. He still complained but no vomiting. We stopped the medicine to see if the vomiting would return. Early Sunday morning the vomiting was back. We took him to Duke where they discovered that his small intestine is enlarged. At this point, they suspect Small Bowel Obstruction. This is something that most of the time in children results from scar tissue from previous surgeries inhibiting the bowel from functioning properly. For now, they are trying to keep Erik hydrated while relieving stomach bloating/pressure to see if he improves. They are getting additional x-rays and should they find something definitive, they will take appropriate action. What we all hope is that this will correct itself. If is does not correct itself, surgery may be required. We really want to avoid surgery because this will produce additional scar tissue which is not desirable since this may have been what initially caused this problem, and recovery from abdominal surgery would be difficult for Erik. The best thing for healing after abdominal surgery is walking which Erik cannot do. . . YET!!!! Please pray for the following: -- For the small intestine to correct itself -- For the solution to be non-surgical -- For this to be resolved quickly without recurrence -- For protection over Erik from future complications The enemy never gives up. These experiences cause us to realize that Erik will one day do great things. If this were not true, why would satan be trying so hard to harm him and set him back? We will remain strong and trusting of our Lord. Our faith will not weaken but instead it will be strengthened through this trial. Thank you for your prayers and support! Erik's Family Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.