Final Update

We apologize for not updating this sooner, but we've been settling into the "normal" chaos of having two children and adjusting to a new normal of life at home.

It has been a difficult road, but we are finally out of the woods on Shannan's health crisis. She was officially released from care last Tuesday. We do have an ongoing blood pressure issue to deal with, but that should be fairly manageable.

We want to extend a big thank you to everyone who has helped us get through this crisis in any way, whether it was through prayer, gifts of service/ time or of baby items or other financial means. It has all meant a lot to us.

Even though the worst of this crisis is over, there are still things we need prayer for. They fall into three main areas:

1) Re-entry into normal family life; We all still have some emotional and inter-relational things to iron out as we adjust to our new family dynamics.

2) Health; Shannan still has high blood pressure. Please pray that we can manage it well and that there will be no long-term damage.

3) Financial; The expense of going through this is going to be very hard on us, particularly due to the general state of the economy as well as how it trickles down to us personally.

I want to re-print the thank-you we submitted to Montavilla to be published in the bulletin. This goes out to all of you, whether you attend Montavilla or not.


We want to send out a big thank you to Montavilla, Summit fellowships and many other individuals and churches that have been praying and assisting in many other ways. You have truly been a blessing to us as the body of Christ in this difficult time. God has done a mighty work in this, and not only in our lives, but also in the lives of those watching from the “outside”. I've been contemplating our acts of service as believers in Jesus Christ. We are in awe over the number of people that have contributed to Shannan's recovery and the health and wholeness of our family. I am reminded that our service is not only to each other, but first and foremost to the Father; faithful acts of obedience and ministry to Him. It is to His honor and glory that you have stepped forward and served. A family may benefit tangibly, but He delights the most.
We appreciate greatly everything everyone has done; no matter how small it may have seemed to you, it has been huge for us. We know God is blessed as well; as we have been by your generosity, love and care for us. May God multiply the blessings you have given us back to you many times. We love you all.

Weekly Schedule

It looks like Shannan is ready to take some big steps in caring for the little ones. She has canceled overnights and has been tackling them on her own for a few days.

Breastfeeding continues to be slow but she's hoping that without dialysis her supply will increase. We can all be praying for that.

With the lack of sleep overnights bring, she is needing help during the afternoon hours of the day. So far this week has filled up, except for Wednesday. If you are interested in helping Wednesday afternoon, just let me know (theahls@gmail.com) and we can see what Shannan needs.

Thanks for all the prayer support, in home care and financial donations. It is all very much appreciated.

Dinner's this week:
Tuesday
Karin S.
Thursday
Horvath family
Saturday
Liesl C.


Any Questions? Just send me an e-mail.

Brief update.

We got the lab results back from Friday. Everything is looking good kidney-wise; creatinine is continuing to fall on its own and was down to 1.8 (from 2.8 Monday). Just 0.5 left to go and we're back in normal range. Only two doses of BP medication so far this week.
We're looking forward to having this dialysis catheter out. (Except having it removed is quite painful...)

What an unbelievably great family you all are.

Care Needs for Mon. Oct. 25 - Fri. Oct. 31

**NEW NOTE:
I talked with Shannan about what she hopes to be able to accomplish this week on her own. The afternoons seem to be the most exhausting time. She's going to attempt to tackle overnights on her own but knows that with little sleep at night, the days will be hard. If anyone can fill in the afternoons this week, that is where it's most needed. THANKS AGAIN.

I've been contemplating our acts of service as believer's in Jesus Christ. I am in awe over the amount of people that have contributed to Shannan's recovery and the health and wholeness of their family. I am reminded that our service is not to just them, but first and foremost to the Father. A faithful act of obedience and ministry to Him. It is to His honor and glory that we have stepped forward and served. A family may benefit in the tangible, but He delights the most.

I thank you and they thank you.

We are attempting to wean care based on Shannan's capability. Here are then needs we see for this week:

Wednesday Overnight
Kathleen (thanks!)

Monday
10a - 12p (Aletha b. cleaning)
12p - 6p Edie S.

Tuesday
12pa - 6p baby care

Wednesday
8:30 - 6 baby care

Thursday
12 - 6p (taken Liesl C.)

Friday
10a - 12p (steffani d. cleaning)
12p - 6p

Short Progress report

After meeting with the nephrologist, they are planning on discontinuing the dialysis.

They are going to do lab tests Friday and Monday to make sure the values are still improving. If they show continued improvement, they will schedule an appointment to remove the dialysis catheter. Shannan's blood pressure has been coming down, and the Dr. reduced the medication dosage.

Shannan Update: Good News!

The physician's assistant called this afternoon with the results from the kidney tests this morning before dialysis. Creatinine was at 2.8! This was after two days off of dialysis. The criteria for stopping dialysis was that this value was below 3.0 (normal range is 0 .7-1.3) They also said her kidney function is up to 20% (which doesn't sound that great, but apparently no one has 100%). It was down to 8% when she was in the hospital.

Edit: I wasn't aware of this yesterday, but apparently 20% is the normal level of kidney function!

Shannan has not taken one of her two blood pressure medications since yesterday (Monday) morning, and her blood pressure has been holding steady in the normal range.

We had already scheduled an appointment with the nephrologist Tuesday at 3 pm, so we'll have a chance to talk with her and find out if this really means we're done with dialysis; and if it does, what other follow up care will need to be done and for how long. Thanks for continuing to pray as we watch God continue to work this miracle.

Weekly Schedule Mon. 19th - Sat. 10/25

Here is the weekly schedule for this week. PRAISE God for all the help!

Monday
Keri K 8:30 - 6 p
Cleaning - Karin S. 10 -12
Overnight: Havilah Hoffman

Tuesday
Hannah C. 8:30 - 2 p
Donna H. 2p - 6p
Overnight: Amanda P.
Dinner: Hawkins

Wednesday
Hannah C. 8:30 - 12p
Debi R. 12 - 6
Overnight: Steffani D.

Thursday
Jennifer B. 8:30 - 2:30p
Hannah C. 2:30 p - 6p
Overnight: Kathleen
Dinner: Surface

Friday
Cleaning Teresa H. 10 - 12
Corrie A. 12 - 6

Saturday
Dinner: Childer

Thank you for all your help!!!!