Update from Madeline; May 6, 2007

Today I spoke with Nehemiah about Charley’s condition. He told me that since Tuesday, when Charley moved into the new comfort room on the 6th floor, Charley has become steadily stronger. For the last 4 days he has been off of the BI-PAP oxygen machine (the big face mask) and the volume on the little nose oxygen has been turned down from 8 to 1.5. So his breathing is really getting better. Also, the "Do Not Intubate" order has been reversed.

He still has nausea, and he gets his main nutrition from an IV feeding tube. Dr. Rosenthal is trying to strengthen his nutrition. Charley has started eating some fruits and vegetables, such as grapes and cucumbers, and he especially likes cactus juice. He is able to keep these foods down.

He feels better, he has more energy. On his first day in the comfort room he asked if he could go downstairs to look around the lobby and gift shop. Then on Thursday the doctor gave him permission to go downstairs. He went down in a wheelchair, but he was able to examine all of the shelves, and he went in the garden section so he could interact/play with the clowns. He is feeling stronger.

His spleen is still enlarged, but it hasn’t gotten any larger in the last weeks. His liver is normal, and his lungs are getting better.

Charley’s bone marrow does see some minor improvements. His Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is around 130. This is the measure of the real number of white blood cells that Charley has, which will fight infection. To be really effective the count should be around 500.

Deborah and Nehemiah have been actively researching information and various treatments from other cancer institutes, such as St Jude’s and the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Other types of treatments are still possibilities if the medical team believes that Charley is eligible for clinical trials.

A fund is being established by Deborah’s and Nehemiah’s Church to help with finances and expenses. Please pray for the success of this fund.

Prayer Requests:

* Please pray that Charley is able to continue to be without infection
* Please pray that Charley’s appetite comes back
* Please pray that Charley’s bone marrow continues to improve
* Please pray that Charley will be healed
* Please pray for wisdom for the medical team in making decisions for Charley healing
* Please pray for God’s help, strength, and wisdom for Deborah and Nehemiah in all that they do.