Saturday August 25, 2007

Dear Friends of Charley,

Charley has had some changes in his treatment plan this week. On Tuesday, he started his clinical trial drugs, rapamycin and methylprednisone, that were to help Charley to be more sensitized to steroids. After 3 days, Charley was taken off the trial because his blast levels kept increasing and needed he chemotherapy. Charley is still on the medicine, along with a newly added low-dose chemo, cytoxan (CTX). It is sort of encouraging that his WBC did not increase since late Thursday.

Charley’s parents are grateful to God for a miracle this week. For reasons unknown to his doctors, Charley went 3 days with no nose bleeding and without needing a platelet transfusion while Charley’s white blood count and blasts are still high. This is the longest time Charley has been without a platelet transfusion in months! Praise God for blessing Charley with such surprises!

Deborah and Nehemiah are so grateful for the healing prayers that many are bringing to Charley’s bedside. Their prayers and words of faith and encouragement have been a strong source for strength for them. This morning, Pastor Bill came to Charley’s room for a healing service. Tonight, Deborah and Erin attended Pastor Bill’s “Maturing in Christ” service in Waltham as Nehemiah, Teresa and David attended yesterday’s meeting. Tonight’s meeting dedicated 20 minutes to a special prayer for Charley. Furthermore, a group of intercessors in China have joined Charley’s prayer network around the clock today.

This evening, Charley will probably be busy watching his new Transformer DVDs from his grandparents in China!

Prayer Requests: * Praise God for Charley’s stable platelet levels in past few days. May he have more miracles in store for Charley! * The new chemo will help reduce Charley’s elevated WBC and blast levels. * God will continue to fill Charley’s room with faith, prayer and praise. Meditation: “The Lord says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.” (II Kings 20:5, Bible)