April 9, 2008 - Erik continues to progress . . .

Hello all! WOW - so much has happened in the last month . . . let me think back . . . Erik is doing well. He continues to struggle with some seizure activity which we are trying to address with medication adjustments. Please keep this in your prayers. We were also pleased that Erik was approved for nursing, supplies, etc. for another year as he has received in the past. YEAH!!! This is an answered prayer because he is making progress and we were afraid that some of his services would be reduced or taken away which could slow future progress. This month, we also were excited to see some progress on another front. It was publicised about 3 weeks ago that Duke infused stem cells in a pediatric patient with positive results. Take a look at the video ( http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3924774n). We started following clinical trials related to stem cell research over a year ago (Wake Forest and Harvard for Parkinson's patients) so naturally we found it fascinating and exciting that they recently performed the procedure right here at Duke . . . on a child no less! We are following up with the doctors and at this point, they are only infusing stem cells if they were saved from the cord blood at the time of birth. We did not save Erik's cord blood. For some reason, God did not move us to save it so perhaps this is not God's plan for Erik. Time will tell! Please pray with us about this and the possibility of this or other therapies for Erik. It is exciting that we are able to think about things to advance him opposed to last year at this time we were thinking of things to make him more comfortable and sustain him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God is also sharing with us through our dreams lately. In our family/household, there have been at least 3 reports in the past 2-3 weeks of dreams/visions where Erik is talking, walking, etc. This is interesting to us because now we get to wait to see if these are dreams, reflections, or visions. We pray that they are visions and look forward to seeing them come true!! God has shown us visions before so this should be no different! God is also giving us "previews" of things Erik will soon do. Recently, in his sleep, he has laughed/giggled like we have ever heard him laugh/giggle before! We thought it was Nick when we heard it! We remember that before Erik started his laugh (not quite a hearty giggle), he did it right after seizures or in his sleep - unconscious state. He also continues to get more and more appropriate in his responses to us and his surroundings. For example, week before last, when his NG tube tape was removed, he cried a sad, "normal" cry instead of just vocalizing like he normally does. He also looked at us when he did it which is important. These may seem like small things but for Erik, these are major steps! This is cause and effect which we have been told - multiple times - will be hard for Erik to regain. Well, continue to pray for the seizures to go away as well as TOTAL restoration for Erik! In Christ's love, Erik's Family