Dear All,

Was given a reminder...to cease for a time thinking about the next step or long road ahead for Dylan; but rather to thank God that he has been brought out of critical condition...brought to this next phase. Trouble with a capital T can force one to have an open mind.

"I will take the bread of salvation...what can I render to the Lord for all He has given me? I will take the chalice of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. *Praising*, I will call upon Him and I shall be saved from my enemies."

At the least, worry is the enemy of one's serenity!

I forgot how much Our Lord loves to be thanked. This will be a good place to rest for a time...even for an hour. I forgot that the state of thanksgiving itself will draw grace down to help sort out the next steps.

That can sound crazy even to believers, but it's true.

+ + + + + + + + +

Today I will bring perky Genevieve (5) and Damien (4) to visit Dylan. It will be good for all of us!

Dylan is being brought to move and get up each day. The amazement he had upon his first walk 30 feet with no assistance other than nurse handling IV, was something. He continues to be meek, sweet, grateful and patient thru his trials.

The hope is that moving will make him hungry as well. 2 days ago he'd eaten his first thing since July 3rd. Yesterday midday he drank almost an entire yogurt smoothie, plus had ice cream (woo hoo!) He also did try to eat a few spoonfuls yesterday eve...all to the backround of The Godfather (2 days ago: pesto-pasta bite /peasant bread), and last eve, Godfather II (lemon ice/peasant bread). Which we enjoyed the ethnic symmetry of.

There's a couch in his room parallel to his bed, and I pull down this little bedrail, which is the length from head to torso - so we can see each other by simply turning head to side, as each lays on our own perch. I've come to be able to read what he needs in this way, w/ a turn of the head...I, too, can get my rest in this position. Everytime the bed piece is removed I say, "now I'm in solidarity with you." I've never figured out how to put the rail back up again, but so far he hasn't fallen out of bed.

The fevers continue...a CAT scan was done to check if empyema had returned, but all seems normal.

Respiration therapy...nebulizer to open airways...a lung exercize apparatus in the form of a game, complete with scores and child pictures, which he thinks is neat. Someone (?) dropped off a stuffed dog back in ICU time, which he really likes (still a boy!) As well as the mail and visits.

Morphine reintroduced, then dropped again in favor of viko something-or-other...he seemed disoriented last night, but dropped off peacefully. Much pain in the back...so it shall be coughing for 6 weeks now + the inflammation (pluerisy) and etc; ...per most recent report from the pulminary specialist, directly to Dylan himself: 6 weeks to clear crud from lungs, 6 months to get feeling strong, a year to feel like he did prior to sickness.

He has been understandly sobered by this news, as have his friends (whom I admire and respect for their devotion and support of both him, me, and the family!)

Thank you all so much for being with Dylan and us via these communications and by your assisitance, thoughts, messages, prayers.

Hugs,

Donna