Saturday Update
Well, poor Jack is hanging in there and slowly getting better, but he still is having quite a bit of trouble with vomiting (please just be patient if I'm spelling that wrong -- I don't know when I've had opportunity to write it so many times!). Again, Rob and Tammy have been told that the tumor had been pressing on a part of his brain that would cause vomiting, so the subsequent swelling of his brain after the surgery will also cause vomiting. Jack has had a LOT of trouble with that today. Tammy says that other indicators are all slowly getting better, but the vomiting has been a big problem today.
DJ and Sophie have been with them today and were scheduled to leave today, but DJ got upset last night and would really like to wait until Jack is all the way better. They will still be leaving tomorrow. Tammy predicted that would probably be hard on DJ. Sophie seems to be doing okay with all of it, but doesn't look at Jack too much or pay much attention to him. Perhaps it's just all too much.
His little tongue is still somewhat swollen, but continues to slowly go down. His eyes are partly open and he's fairly aware of everyone around him. Physical therapy came to see if he could sit up for a while, and he did for almost an hour.
Pray that Jack's body continues to mend and heal appropriately -- that the vomiting can subside, that his tongue swelling will go down, that his digestive system begins to function well.
Pray for the level of care Jack receives; that each nurse will be attentive and loving.
Pray for DJ and Sophie as they come back to Abilene tomorrow to be at peace now that they have seen the gravity of the situation.
Pray that Jack can be moved out of the ICU.
DJ and Sophie have been with them today and were scheduled to leave today, but DJ got upset last night and would really like to wait until Jack is all the way better. They will still be leaving tomorrow. Tammy predicted that would probably be hard on DJ. Sophie seems to be doing okay with all of it, but doesn't look at Jack too much or pay much attention to him. Perhaps it's just all too much.
His little tongue is still somewhat swollen, but continues to slowly go down. His eyes are partly open and he's fairly aware of everyone around him. Physical therapy came to see if he could sit up for a while, and he did for almost an hour.
Pray that Jack's body continues to mend and heal appropriately -- that the vomiting can subside, that his tongue swelling will go down, that his digestive system begins to function well.
Pray for the level of care Jack receives; that each nurse will be attentive and loving.
Pray for DJ and Sophie as they come back to Abilene tomorrow to be at peace now that they have seen the gravity of the situation.
Pray that Jack can be moved out of the ICU.
Comments
As we just read the latest update from Sarah, we will continue to pray for all of you. DJ and Sophie will definitely be in our prayers as they come back to Abilene.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share the details of Jack's recovery with all of us. He is such a hero to each and every one and you are both teaching us such great lessons in faith.
Hang in there and we will keep sending the prayers up to heaven!
Love,
Craig, Shellie, Brittany & Ashley
Love,
David, Karise, Keely & Kinlie
Dear Sophie & DJ,
Your lights are shining,too! It is hard to see Jack hurting. I know you want to fix it in a snap because you love him so much. You are such a good brother and sister. You are famous,too. Everyone says how good you are to visit Jack and to talk to God about him being sick. It is okay to be really mad about him being sick. It is okay to cry about it,too. Tell God everything. He loves you and He wants to know how you feel, even the bad stuff, okay?It is okay to tell your family,too. You can even email us if you want to.We love you and ask for God to help your heart not to hurt. We ask God to help you to feel calm and peaceful inside about Jack. It is hard because you love him so much. We love you and we miss you so much. We wish we could hug you right now. Sing a song to Jack for us, please.
Love & Hugs.
David, Karise, Keely & Kinlie
I am sorry that your day has been so hard. I hope that tomorrow will be better. We love you and are thinking of you all day long. We check this site at least 100 times a day to see what is going on.
Rob and Tammy and Elaine,
I hope that you are getting some rest. These days must be so long for you. How fortunate Jack, DJ and Sophie are to have all of you.
DJ & Sophie,
I am sure that you were so happy to see your brother. It is so hard when someone you love so much is hurting. I know that you probably do not want to leave his side. Hopefully before long he will be back home with you. We love you and are so sorry that you are going through this. Your cousins say hi and they miss you! Sophie,
Logan has the pink care bear all ready to send back to you. She thinks that you probably need it right now. You are such a sweetie.
We will continue to watch for updates. This website is so wonderful, it keeps everyone updated without feeling like they are bugging anyone. I am sure that Tamara appreciates it. By the way Tamara, your note today was so wonderful. You are great, thank you for being there and taking care of DJ and Sophie.
We love you all,
Cari
We are members of RGM Security in Suriname, South America. We worked for Mr. Marcelain, your grandfather. We feel like you are not a stranger to us, because Mr. Marcelain had so many pictures of his grandchildren on one wall in his office. We used to think this man must have 50 grandchildern. But then we learned it was just four.
We have a question for you Jack. Sophie is your twin sister, how come you are so much bigger? Did you steal her food?
Your grandfather told us that you would go running with him. We hope that man did not make you run as hard or far like he did us.
We sometimes tricked your grandfater. After an operation if he would call us into his office we knew it was to discipline us for doing something wrong. We would walk in look at one of the pictures on the wall and ask him How is Jack to day? or have you spoken to Laren? He would then talk about you and forget why he called us in his office. So little man you have done us a favor now it is our turn. All of us and our familes are praying to God Almighty that he heal you fully. We want you to come to Suriname and we will take you to one of our Amerindian villages and teach you how to live in the jungle.
RGM Security
"A" team
In reading the latest update it makes one grateful that technology has developed to be able to manage and deal with such finese these things that happen. Thank the Lord for enabling the surgeon to develop the skills to heal.
Our prayers and love are with you all and an extra portion for Jack. Hope each day is a little better for Jack and therefor for you both, also for Elaine, DJ and Sophie.
I will continue to check
for updates
Love to you all Greta, Veronica, Greg, Emma, Rachel, Jack, Debbie, Brett, Melissa and Samantha
We have kept up with you this week through this blog site. Thank you for taking time to keep everyone informed.
Our constant prayers go up for Jack, Sophie, DJ, and you and for Bob and Rama.
May God give you all the healing we seek. Please let us know if there is anything we can do back here in Abilene for you.
Bob and Teanie
Mark Hanner family
I am sorry you are sick. I have been throwing up too. I got a virus but I know I haven't been as sick as you. I hope you get better real soon. We miss seeing you. Your Buddy, Tyler H.
Charlie and Michelle
And be with DJ and Sophie. It will be harder for them now, because they know now how sick Jack is. Please give them peace and hope, too, and assurance that Jack will get well and come back home and back to his own, real, healthy self.
And please comfort Tammy and Rob, and all of Jack's family. Give them hope and confidence too, and help them visualize the day that Jack will be completely well, more well than before, since that troublesome tumor is gone.
Bless us all and make our sadness draw us closer to you.
Gay
I had a look at your blogsite today at the recommendation of Denise Waldrop, an old friend from Birmingham. As I read your news and looked at Jack's pictures, I knew that this could be my six year old, and how much it would mean to me to know others were praying.
I have prayed for him tonight from Ghana, West Africa -- where we are currently "refugees" from our mission work in Togo.
By the way, I was a member at Southern Hills in my grad school days (1987-93), and its been good to see comments from some familiar names.
God bless,
Anthony Parker
Love you all.