{ Andrew's Progress }

Dear Family and Friends, I wanted to give you a brief updated on how Andrew is doing. We are not quite to the 24 hour mark yet and while the cardiac part seems to be going well, he seems to be having some trouble breathing. They have had him on oxygen and helium and that seemed to help. They took him off that this morning and he is having a hard time again. They have called in an ENT to check his lungs. I also think he is still in quite a bit of pain and while I see the nurses wanting to be conservative in this area, when the "Doctors" come in they want the pain controlled more for him. So the Morphine continues and the 5 lines are still staying in. He has one in each hand, 1 in his chest , 1 in his neck and another in his little you know what. I will admit to being a bit nervous because of the breathing issue. The staff is quite taken with Andrew. I believe he is the only Asian boy here on the floor. I also must say that the staff here at this hospital has been nothing short of excellent. That has been comforting. I have been able to share our adoption stories with several people here. I am hoping it has planted some seeds in their hearts. ;) However, for some here, the outcome is not that encouraging. It is very clear to me by "over hearing" some of the conversations from Doctors, nurses and families on this floor..... that some of these children are not going to survive. I have seen parents and families members crying. I have never witnessed anything of this magnitude before. It is a bit overwhelming at times. While I don't think we are at that kind of serious level, I do know that Andrew's Doctor is clearly worried about the "Strider" that Andrew has that is keeping him from breathing well. I would like to ask you to please continue to pray for him. I am choosing NOT to post any pictures at is time because I feel it is too unsettling for some to see him like this. Especially my immediate family. Thank you again for your emails and comments on my FB. It has helped me stay encouraged and to not feel so alone. Love you all....