October 21, 2013~

Meghan Reuter here.  Thought an update was in order, so here goes.  

Sorry I haven't written in here in a few weeks.  It's been tough and go at times, but finally, FINALLY, Aeryn Hope, our youngest child, has turned the corner and is now awake!  She is about to be released from the hospital; doctors are amazed at how far she's come since coming down with pneumonia back in September!  It's been miraculous!

While her medical problems will never go away (she was born with a deletion of her 18th chromosome, resulting in physical and mental disabilities), the fact that Aeryn is conscious and aware of her surroundings is an answer to prayer.  In fact, she got out of the Intensive Care the other day!!

I've been able to go home for a few hours every few days, to get things done, check on the mail, even go shopping and take care of our other two children, Timber Michael (5) and Sparrow Grace (10); I know it's been as hard on them as it has on me and Trent.  Poor Trent has had to pull double duty as both mamma and daddy because I had been at the hospital with Aeryn while she was so sick.

I just pray and hope that Aeryn continues to do as well as she has been doing lately.  Her health can change at the drop of a dime.  She has a low susceptibility to germs (sometimes keeping her at home is not an option) and is fed by way of a tube in her stomach (gastrostomy tube; we give her medications the same way), and has to have therapy (occupational and physical) several times a week to aid in her development.

This latest setback she had with the pneumonia will have an effect on her.  She will probably regress but with the right tools and assistance, she can catch up to where she is currently.  We will just have to work with her and be patient with her (and each other).

Just keep us in your prayers and pray that Aeryn continues to improve and stay well.  The upcoming flu season is always so hard on kids like her and I dread what may happen if we aren't careful, not only to her, but to Sparrow and Timber!  Thanks in advance!  God bless!

~Meghan.  

P.S.: I will update from time to time, so you can see how we are doing.