Saturday Dec 5th

Shay is resting and his vitals are good. The experimental medicine given to lower the level of bilirueben in Shay's liver does appear to be working. Shay's bilirueben level was down all the ways to 15 today. It had been at 33. The X-Rays on his chest did not show any improvement in his lungs between yesterday and today. Shay is a lot more alert now and can answer all of your questions with a yes or a no. Eventually he should be able to whisper and maybe even talk as he adjusts to the trach. The biggest problem for Shay at this point is methadone withdrawals. Shay has been receiving so much pain medicine that his body is going through major withdrawals much like a drug addict would go through. This is causing Shay to be very sick to his stomach. On top of that he is still coughing up a bunch of crud so he is having to deal with some vomiting. All in all though Shay is doing very good.

In addition to praying for Shay's liver I want everyone to begin praying for Shay's mental health. Now that he is becoming more alert he is becoming more aware of his situation. Shay is not one that likes to be in the hospital but the reality is that he will be here for a long time. I am certainly not complaining because it is a great alternative to the unthinkable. However its going to be a mental battle for Shay so please pray for his mental health as well.

Shay was visited by friends from Fair Grove today and you can tell that this really lifts his spirits. The students at Fair Grove made Shay a video on Friday and we were able to play that for him yesterday and today. Shay's eyes got really big. I think that he was really shocked by the outpouring of support. I know everyone has heard me brag on the students of Fair Grove already but I am going to do it again. Fair Grove students and staff are simply the best!