Friday, March 23, 2007, 7:23 p.m., D.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~

This is Bill Sandusky writing. Good news! :) Johnny is out of his coma; he has been moved out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where he continues to improve. He is still a little confused, but that is okay; it's the medication, plus he is always a little loopy after suffering a seizure. He'll be himself in a few days.

Johnny is still on the heart monitor and on the IVs (as well as the oxygen and catheter), but he no longer has the nose hose. We tried to get him to eat his dinner (clear liquids only until he gets his appetite bqck), but he really wasn't that hungry. He just wants to sleep or ask us questions pertaining to Rebekkah; we tell him not to worry about her now; just worry about himself, worry about getting better, worry about getting out of the hospital.

Johnny is dealing with Rebekkah's paralysis as best as he can; he somehow feels it is his fault. I keep telling him that it isn't his fault, but he isn't so easily convinced. Poor little guy is so broken up; I feel bad for him! I wish there was something we could do to alleviate his pain!

Louie is with me; but she left the room to get something to eat; she was hungry. She should be back in a few. She has been a saint through all of this madness; I personally don't know how she does it without going crazy! I have been a basketcase, watching Louie fret and pray, and she has gotten very little sleep. She is going to wear herself out to the grave if she isn't careful...

Ronee' is in a better mood, but we are still considering counseling for her. She has been depressed a lot lately since Rebekkah and Maddie were shot; she feels that it was her fault somehow. She is feeling a lot of the same feelings as her brother; she is feeling vulnerable. We feel bad for her, too.

This morning, before she went to school, she said she had a nightmare that Johnny died; in fact, I remember hearing her cry out in her sleep during the night; we just didn't pay much attention; sometimes she will do that because her arthritis will wake her up; it's natural for her to do this.

In other Johnny-related news, both Dr. Ram and Dr. Arjuwal said that Johnny did not have any brain damage as a result of the seizure, which is a miracle. He has all his neurological facilities intact, and he is slowly coming back to us.

Johnny sure gave us a scare the other day, I don't think I will get over it for a very long time to come. His face was so blue, and it was terrifying to hear him choking and gasping for air. It was terrifying seeing his body writhe in a tonic-clonic seizure, with no let up in between. That was when we called for the ambulance, especially when his face started turning a dark blueberry color and he started choking on his saliva.

Louie heard from Rebekkah today; she is in a little better mood, and she said that she and Maddie may be coming home from the hospital on a weekend pass. That would be great for both children, but poor Naomi has her hands full with the others; now with two of her children are seriously impaired for life, and it is going to be a very long time when they come back to where they were before getting shot--that is, if God allows it to happen. We just have to pray and believe for a Miracle!

Well, Louie has returned, and she got us some pizza. Now Johnny is sniffing the air, I am sure he wishes he could have some too, but we told him not until he is off the liquids. That did not sit well with him; he is now giving us a dirty look. LOL Poor little guy is so deprived--

I am going to go now while we eat; will write in here probably Sunday afternoon after we get back from church. Until then, take care and God bless!

~Bill. :)