Update on Chris 01/03/06

Update:
God is Good.
Mandy and Jennifer (sister-in-law) were on their way to the hospital this morning and called the nurse on the way to check on Chris. The nurse said that they had lowered the percentage of oxygen from 100% to 60% and his oxygen levels have been at 94-97 which means that Chris is starting to breathe better. The doctor mentioned that we normally breathe about 21% oxygen so the more Chris exercises on breathing the more they can 'leverage' him off the oxygen. Also, as long as things continue to progress there is a chance that they can take him off the ventilation tube in the next couple days. The chest x-rays are looking better and the fever has not returned. Chris is also more responsive because the nurse lessened his sedation medicine and able to respond yes or no and recogizes family and friends that are visiting. His oxygen is no longer dropping with interaction. If you stop by please let him know you are there, it means alot to him.

When they got to the hospital they were able to meet with the doctor and asked what he thought. He thinks that it is viral pnuemonia when it was orginally thought to be bacterial and just like the common cold, viruses just have to run their course. The doctor thinks that he will recover from this virus. The doctor said that Chris is still considered critical but he said that Chris is very strong and stubborn and as long as a new complication does not intervene that he will move to breathing on his own and therapy such as sitting up and walking the hospital floors after the tube is removed. He is also very motivated that as long as Chris is healthy and we do not need to do chemo on any new areas they will be moving forward with the stem cell transplant. Please continue to pray for Chris and Thank You so much for helping with rides and meals.

Also, we are so blessed that so many of you have responded that we are getting a new oven so Praise God! Thank you everyone.