We continue to cling to your prayers. It appears that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Since Liz had a nephrostomy tube placed into the kidney, she has improved. She is also receiving claforan (third generation cephalosporin for those interested) intravenously. Her temp was down with a maximum of 37.6 C. yesterday. Her blood pressure rose a bit, and now they have stopped the saline iv and she is getting drugs through the heparin lock. I have been very pleased to see an excellent urinary output through the nephrostomy tube now, with the blood slowly clearing (which is normal).

So much for the technical stuff. If Liz is without fever for 1-2 days more, she might be discharged on oral antibiotics if appropriate sensitivities are found. With the nephrostomy tube in place, the urologist now favors the lithotripsy (ultrasound blasting), which might be done as an out-patient. We will see. Please pray for the clearing of the infection and then the successful blasting of the stones causing difficulties. What to do with the other stones which are quiescent is another question.

Thanks for your prayers. Many, many have written saying that they are praying. Thanks so much. I will not be able to answer each e-mail personally, but will have to thank you with a general thanks. It has been an incredible help to have Kim here. Not only does she make sure that her dad eats something, but she sees things that can help Mom that I don't see. We have enjoyed having a chance to chat more than in years. We also appreciate Ethan's support allowing Kim to come, the older kids who have taken extra work to keep the household going, and the senior Champlins and Jonathan and Sherrie for helping there as well so that Kim can be here.