Friday Morning

It turns out that Dad's infection is a staph infection, which is a bit more serious than previously thought, and will require a stiffer antibiotic regimen. Please pray that Dad will be able to hold up under both the illness and the cure here--which is of course our general petition in all this: that Dad's cancer would be defeated, and that the he would be able to endure the treatment.

His blood counts are still sliding. The platelets continue to be a big concern, and he received yet another transfusion yesterday. His white blood cell numbers are also extremely low--he is in fact just about neutropenic. The prayer is for protection against other infections now that his immune system is essentially non-existent.

The plan is for Roger and Karen to remain at the hospital through the weekend, so that the doctors can continue to monitor this infection and Dad's blood situation. Mom has full-blown cold now; the hope is that she will recover quickly and not pass it along to Dad. Both of them are obviously exhausted at this point. Pray for the deepest possible rest and for a special grace to uplift them.

Let me renew our thanks to all of you for your prayers, help and love. My parents have been sustained and heartened by it.