Thursday, September 27, 2007, 10:50 p.m., D.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~

Dear Donna Sue~

It was a surprise to hear from you; thank you for taking the time to write, and especially thanks for your concern about my son, Johnathon, during this time of illness. It is very much appreciated.

I am happy to report that Johnny has been improving; so much, in fact, today he was moved to the Progressive Care Unit. He is now out of the Pediatric ICU! He no longer has to breathe with a ventilator, and the nasogastric tube that's been supplying his nutritional needs since his admission on 9/22/07 has been removed. He only has his catheter tube and an I.V. line. Oh, and his oxygen; but then he has to use that just about all the time.

Still, all in all, he has gotten much better; he has been awake part of the day today; even managed to eat some liquid food (not a lot, mind you, but he did take some, which is a big improvement). He is very weak, and he will probably remain so for a while; the seizures really took a lot out of him. It will be a while before he is back to where he was prior to becoming sick.

I am glad that things are looking up for Bethlehem and M'Bute'. God has been good to your family. He's been good to mine; He got Johnny through his seizures, and my babies are growing inside me, using my bladder as a kickball! LOL I'm always having to use the porta-potty! LOL (Still on bedrest; it's getting more difficult for me to get around, so when I AM up, I have to use a wheelchair. It's a drag, but at least I can still get around, even if I do have to use my wheels!)

Ronee' has been doing wonderfully, but now I think she is trying to flare. She's been feeling rather poorly these past few days (aching joints, general malaise, low grade fever, etc.), but other than that she is okay. She did break her leg on 8/1/07 (fell in a hole); she just got her cast off a few weeks ago, and she is about to go back to using her canes. Her leg has been healing nicely.

We have several new children in our family: a little baby boy (Emir Muhammed) from Iraq, Opal Lee (five) from China, Emma-Ruth (eight and a half) from Vietnam, and Habir Vijay (five) from India. They have since assimilated themselves into our family; they are learning English quickly and have since gotten used to their new lives here in America. We also adopted a little three-year-old (another boy) from Finland (Bjorn Wilhem), and we have a six-year-old foster child (still another boy) named Vincente from New York State staying with us.

The children already here in the family have taken to their new brothers and sisters, and they just dote on them; they can't get enough of them!

Speaking of boys, I am pregnant with twin boys. Their names will be Isaiah Cameron and Ian Charles; both are due around Christmas time. So far my pregnancy has been progressing well, but my belly has gotten so huge; I swear I am giving birth to ELEPHANTS, not boys! LOL No wonder I am on bedrest; too hard for me to get around easily!

I did not plan to become pregnant after I'd lost my three original children; it just--happened. Bill and I both say it was a "happy accident"; now they will be here in a few short months, and we are getting the house ready for their arrival. The kids are already counting the days to when their new baby brothers will be coming; they cannot wait!

I am still writing books (have six out now), and am still doing my journaling. I am still active in my church (Christ Community Assembly of God), and life has been good to us--or was, until this past Saturday when Johnny got so sick. It has been a rough week, but I think we've made it through the worst of it. I just hope that this is the last time any of the kids get sick; I don't think my heart can take any more medical crises!

Well, how is the weather there in Georgia? Have you gotten any needed rain? As I write and look out the window in my room, I am watching the rain falling down. Yes, it's finally raining here in Nashville; everyone is so relieved to finally see some needed moisture. We are in the midst of a severe drought; it's going to take more than a few inches of rain to bust it. We'll take any rain we can get! :) I am happy, no, estatic, to see the wet roadways!

I am going to go now; getting sleepy. Took my evening meds, they are starting to kick me in the tail. I will write in here again; take care, and sorry for the delay in writing; I hope you understand that with a family like mine, what free time is a rare and precious commodity. Now that I am off work due to the advancing pregnancy, I have been taking every advantage of sleeping in late and getting my e-mails answered as soon as possible.

God bless and write back soon! I love you!

(((HUGS))) As always, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May Sandusky. :)