Update on Luke

Thank you so much for all of your prayers!  We saw so much of God's mercy and goodness yesterday in spite of such sight-threatening developments with Luke's eye.

The infection was not MRSA (so thankful!), but it turns out that this infection had spread extensively, including the socket and a bit beyond.  Yesterday, the pressure on Luke's optic nerve had alarmingly increased and his pupil was not responding to the exam.  The team of doctors decided Luke needed surgery done to relieve the pressure on the eye because it was putting him at risk of losing his sight.

We were advised there was only one doctor in our state who even did this surgery, and PRAISE BE TO GOD, she was at the hospital that day!  They bumped aside 10 other scheduled surgeries and got Luke in right away.

The surgery lasted around 2-1/2 hours with overall postive results.  The doctors said Luke had the nastiest sinus infection that had spread to the eye and beyond.  There is an abscess near the brain that they, of  course, could not get to, but the hope is that with everything else cleared out, that abscess will begin to drain and heal.

We wonder at it all....how did it come to this so fast...Luke never even complained of sinus pain even though he was getting over a cold.  There are lots of questions we could ask, but I keep reminding myself there are much better things to do with this time....like praising God for all the good He's shown us through this.

Luke will be in the hospital until at least early next week if all goes smoothly...longer if there are any changes in his progress.  He will most likely be on antibiotics long term at home administered through a port.  He'll be on nasal steroids long term (these do not affect him systemically like oral Prednisone would) as well as having to have daily nasal flushes.

He was so sick, and he still has quite a way to go to be our laughing and joking little boy, but we're so thankful for the mercies God has poured out on us thus far.  I truly can't wait to share the rest of them with you.

For now, these are our specific prayer requests.

~that Luke's sight would be preserved and as perfect as before.

~that the abscess in the brain would drain and not have any ill effects

~that the infection would clear completely SOON

~that we would all continue to focus on God's goodness instead of interrupted plans

~that, in the midst of another medical crisis while still facing several more medical issues within our home, I especially would not give in to discouragement or feelings of being overwhelmed, but would instead savor each minute of His plans for us, delighting in my children, blessing my husband, and glorifying Him

~a cheerful heart for little Luke...he's very down at being in the hospital.  He just wants to be, understandably so, with his family.

Your prayers mean so much more to us than you can imagine.  How encouraging it was to my heart to read your sweet wishes and promises of prayer.  Thank you.  Thank you.

I'm headed to the hospital for most of the day and will try to post another update by tonight or tomorrow morning.

Much love and thanks,