Thursday, August 3, 2006~

Dear Maria~

I was so sorry to hear that Opri isn't doing well; how awful! Is there anything I can do for you besides keep you in prayer? I will gladly pray for Opri; he certainly needs a miracle about now!

I wish I knew what I could do; I feel so helpless! I did stop by Nashville Baptist and see Opri in the ICU; it was so hard seeing him lying there in bed, hooked up to tubes and looking helpless! It brought back some painful memories, memories of when some of my OWN children were in medical crisis! I pray and hope for a Miracle for your son; please, by all means, do keep us posted!

The children are aware that Opri is sick; I did tell them, and they have been busy making get well cards for him, and also have been writing notes of encouragement for you. Be on the lookout for them within the next few days!

They have been very sad, and Ronee' has been especially bothered by the situation. You know how much she loves your Opri, and she has always had high regards for him. He has been a wonderful friend to her (all of my children, really!), and we, the parents, feel a lot of love for him, too! He is a champion of courage, and he has been through rough times before, all we can do is hope and pray that Opri gets a new kidney before it is too late...

Johnny is at camp; he doesn't know about this yet. He has been doing okay, but he has his bad days as well as his good days. He is holding on, in terms of how his MD is doing (no weaker, thank goodness, but no stronger, either; it's at an even keel), but he has been dealing with the news of his girlfriend, Rebekkah, news that wasn't good.

Rebekkah has a little-known disability (pain insensitivity disorder), and she has very little sensation to pain. When she hits or burns her leg or any other part of her body, she isn't aware of it, and she can get infections or terrible bruises/cuts if she falls or bumps against any object. Well, she ended up doing just that, and she got terrible infections in her legs; she ended up losing not one, but both of them, and she has had to learn to adjust to living life as a double amputee.

Things here are okay, but we are busy with the children, and we are getting ready to add to the family yet again: a little boy from Israel named Gabriel Abrahiam will be joining our brood around Christmas time (though it may be much sooner, thanks to the unrest that is currently going on in Israel). I have been busy working and trying to get the children's school supplies in order, and also trying to keep up with the bills and the grocery shopping, both, of which, are proving to be Hurculean tasks! LOL

Well, Maria, I will go for now. I am going to be taking the children for their pre-school shots and checkups; we will be with the doctor's all day long. Take care, and again, let us know if you need anything! Also keep us posted on Opri's situation! We are keeping y'all in our thoughts and prayers!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend next door, Louie May Sandusky. :(