Dareen Willis-Oliver here.  Thought another Caden update was in due order, so here goes nothing ...

Unfortunately, it seems to be back to square one.  Caden Drew Bollinger, the young boy who had been burned over 80% of his body by some teenaged thugs (who are now in jail as I write this), has suffered yet another setback. 

This time his temperature rose to over 106 degrees; he was having as many as ten seizures in a day, so doctors have packed him in ice and are again closely monitoring his condition.  They put him into another drug-induced coma, so his poor, battered body can rest and recover from this latest medical crisis.

Needless to say, Caden has been returned to the Intensive Care unit, where his family continues to keep vigil (the mother and dad; his younger brother and sister are being watched by loving relatives).

This happened two days ago.  He is in extremely critical condition; he had been in fair condition, but then he started running a fever; his temperature went higher, thus, causing the seizures, as massive infection has overtaken his body; doctors don't know if he will survive this latest setback; if he does, there might be the possibility of brain damage or lasting disability.

It has been a nightmare for me and especially for his family; we still continue to keep him in constant prayer.  I have alerted the local churches of this situation; they were more than sorry to hear this bad news.

I know Caden is a fighter, but I know he must be tired of having to suffer so much in the way of pain and/or agony.  If he would happen to die, maybe it would be for the best, because that would mean this long road of suffering would at last be over, and he would be in Heaven, with Jesus, with a brand new body, one free of pain and disability.

Yet I want this little boy to live and learn to fight past his scars and disabilities and prove to others that people can survive just about anything life throws at them, even terrible tragedy like this young man has had to endure these last six months.

I wish I had more in the way of better news, but doctors said there'd be days where he'd be going along, just fine, in his recovery, and there'd be others when problems would creep in and threaten his life.  Now is such a time.  If there was anybody who needed prayer right now, it would be young Caden Bollinger, his family, and  his friends!

A little boy who didn't ask to be in this predicament shouldn't have to suffer so needlessly!  It's during times like this when life doesn't seem fair, especially to a child who has already suffered far too much in his brief life!

I will continue to keep you posted, as things develop.  Hopefully the next time I write, Caden will improve once again and be well on the road to getting better!  I was so sorry to hear this; ever since I got the news two days ago, I have been crying (or on the constant verge of tears)!

~Sincerely, Caden's "prayer angel", Dareen.  :(

*to be continued.*