Reiki and Decisions

To Charley’s Family and Friends,

I had the privilege to spending a few hours with Deborah, Nehemiah, and Charley today. Charley was sleeping and without the Bi-pap for most of the time I was there. He woke up instantly when Pastor Don arrived! Charley was alert and enjoyed watching his new Ultraman VCDs from his family in China. Charley watched Ultraman when he was in the hospital in Beijing and even though the audio is in Japanese, he knows all of the characters’ names!

Doctor Rosenthal, a specialist in Integrated Therapy, met with Charley’s parents to discuss his nutrition needs. He feels that it is very important for Charley to be able to eat foods with antioxidants. Charley has been enjoying some cactus juice and occasionally asks for some fruit, but his nausea has kept him from having an adequate appetite for over three months. Dr. Rosenthal is suggesting some therapeutic means to help Charley to relax so that he can swallow more nutritious drinks. Charley will begin Reiki therapy. Reiki involves healing with energy through hands.

After the meeting with Dr. Rosenthal, Deborah and Nehemiah faced the major decision of whether to transfer Charley to the comfort room on the 6th floor, where he may feel more physically comfortable, or to have him stay in the ICU for a few more days, where he can remain under the care of the same doctors and nurses who have taken care of him for the past couple of weeks. (The latter plan would also allow them to continue the current plans of caring for Charley’s nutritional needs.)

Luckily, Pastor Don was there to provide a message from the scriptures. James 1:5 states, “If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you.” Moments after Pastor Don’s message and prayer, Charley’s doctors told Deborah and Nehemiah that it may be best for Charley to stay a little while longer in the ICU. Praise the Lord for giving Charley’s family the answer and taking that burden off of their shoulders!

Doctor Sallan, Charley's attending doctor, stopped by later Monday afternoon. He examined Charley and noted that Charley's spleen remained the same size. His lungs were improving.

Prayer Request:
* Deborah and Nehemiah continue to ask God for help in making their decisions.
* That the condition of Charley's spleen and lungs can continue to improve.
* That Charley can continue to feel the support of his family and friends at his side.

-Erin