Refined by the Fire in August

As of 8/10/15

The second opinion from another surgeon last week was SO valuable. He wants to do a few tests on Silas (for you medical nerds: "manometry" and "ganglion cell biopsy" are the tests he'll have while under anesthesia), and he recommends an injection of... wait for it... BOTOX! Yes, it's true. Botox injected in his intestine might actually be the resolution to the problems Silas has faced over the past 2 years. It could help relax an over-active sphincter that might be the culprit for all the troubles (the manometry test will also tell us a few things).

Silas is still recovering from the repercussions of his stomach flu in early July. His energy is definitely back, but his appetite and "regularity" in stooling are far from regular which makes him feel nauseated and he acts irritable.

We are praying that the surgeon will have time to do this botox thing sooner rather than later so Silas can make better progress healing. Thanks for all the love and support!

As of 8/14/15

Thanks for praying! The surgeon was able to squeeze us in for this Monday 8/17 at 10am, however he is on call for emergencies that day, so if an emergency arrises it will take priority over Silas. Pray that doesn't happen!! Silas really needs this procedure sooner rather than later. Again, this is quick manometry test, ganglion cell biopsy, and botox injection into the intestine (scroll down to the last post in "How We Got Here" to find out more details). Should be 15 minutes total under anesthesia. Pray for protection of his brain from long term affects of anesthesia, and also for accurate test results and that the botox would help!

As of 8/20/15

I am always amazed at how God hears our prayers! There were no emergencies, so the surgeon was able to do the procedure as planned! Also, the botox injection went fine and he reacted to the anesthesia great. The cell biopsy showed normal ganglion cells, so no need for any surgeries - YAY!!!!! The botox takes a few days to be effective, so we are just seeing improvement today and yesterday, and let me say how wonderful it is so far. He really seems to be feeling better and "going" much more easily and more often, which means we don't have to "help" him in any way or give him medications anymore. Pray that it only continues to improve and there are no problems in the future. Hopefully this will be a last step in solving his problems and he can be on the road to normalcy.

PS: our family was evacuated from our home at Hume Lake right after Silas' procedure because of the nearing of the "Rough Fire". We are staying with Jenine's parents in Orange County until we are allowed to return home again.

Photo taken by a Hume staff member while on a plane on Thursday 8/20 at 4pm.
The billows of smoke dwarf Hume Lake, which is immediately to the left of the fire.
We have been praying for the wind to blow East to keep the fire away and allow
firefighters to create more protective barriers.