April, 2007 - Update

Look at my new hair-do!


Me & my grandma enjoying the sun...

Micah is doing pretty well these days although he may have a little cold right now. At the last update, the pediatric orthopedic doctor at CHOC said that Micah was going to need surgery to release the muscles in his hips and legs. Micah saw another doctor for a second opinion and his advice was basically the same. It was said, though, that Micah will most likely need repeat surgeries and that one of the drawbacks of doing this surgery is that they can cut too much muscle which could permanently affect his ability to walk later in life.

After the first doctor’s recommendation for surgery, Stephanie called the Institutes in Pennsylvania to talk with them about their recommendations. It is their general belief that this type of surgery is not ideal for a child because it damages vital muscles needed to walk, crawl, etc. and because they believe that with proper therapies, the brain can be re-patterned and the muscles can relax on their own. I know there are much better explanations than the ones I am giving for their general disapproval of this type of surgery. The good news is that they have asked us to bring Micah to them for a very extensive assessment by their team of specialists. We are bringing all of his xrays, MRI’s, CatScan results, etc. for them to review. They usually do not allow someone to come for this type of an assessment for sometimes up to 1 ½ years after they have done their home therapy program and had remarkable results. However, due to the decision about the surgery that has to be made very soon, and the fact that Micah is only 7 months old and his brain is so impressionable, they are allowing Micah to come now. This is a miracle in itself…that they would step up the process for Micah’s benefit! They will assess him and then give their opinion on whether they feel this surgery is best for Micah. They told Stephanie that they feel that the surgery should only be done as a last resort. After they have seen Micah, they most likely will put him on an intensive home therapy program to help re-pattern his brain. Hopefully, the Lord willing, his brain will soon begin to tell his body what it needs to be doing and he will begin another leg of his journey to healing. We will be going to Pennsylvania from April 24^th-28^th. If you would like to visit the Institutes website, you may find them at iahp.org.

Since finishing his steroid treatments, Micah has not had any more seizures. We are praying that they are completely and forever gone.

Micah is eating baby food now. He loves his food! He still only takes a minimal amount but he does very well with what he does eat. He is not taking the bottle well again and takes most of his fluid feedings through the tube.

Chris recently gave Micah is first haircut! He looks just like a little man now….so darling! Micah still continues to bring joy to his family and everyone he meets! He is a most precious gift from God to all of us.

As we continue to wait with expectation for the next miracle that God will do, we ask that you would continue to join us in prayer. We continue, just as the Lord has directed us, to persist in prayer for Micah's healing.

Please pray for the following:

PRAY THAT MICAH WOULD BEGIN TAKING THE BOTTLE AGAIN & THAT HE WOULD TAKE IN SUFFICIENT AMOUNTS OF MILK.

PRAY FOR PROTECTION OVER MICAH AGAINST ANY INFECTIONS OR ILLNESSES.

PRAY FOR A COMPLETE HEALING OF MICAH’S BLINDNESS.

PRAY FOR WISDOM, DISCERNMENT & PEACE OVER THE DECISION OF MICAH’S SURGERY.

PRAY FOR HEALING OF MICAH’S BODY AND MUSCLES. PRAY THAT GOD WOULD TAKE AWAY ALL SPASTICITY IN ANY & ALL OF HIS MUSCLES & THAT GOD WOULD GIVE MICAH FULL USE OF ALL OF HIS BODY PARTS.

PRAY FOR A COMPLETE HEALING & RESTORATION OF HIS BRAIN.

PRAY FOR STEPHANIE & CHRIS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE ALL THEY NEED PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY & FINANCIALLY.

ASK GOD HOW HE WOULD HAVE YOU PRAY FOR THEIR RELATIONSHIP.

PRAY FOR THE UPCOMING TRIP TO PENNSYLVANIA FOR A SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT OF MICAH & WISDOM FOR HIS TREATMENT.

AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY – THANK GOD FOR ALL OF THE MIRACLES HE HAS ALREADY PERFORMED FOR MICAH AND FOR THE PRECIOUS LIFE OF THIS CHILD HE HAS ENTRUSTED TO US.

I will be updating again after we return from Pennsylvania to let you know how it went.

May God’s abundant blessings be with all of you. Thank you for praying for our grandson.

Love, Grandma Teri