Lydia update #7

Dear friends,

Lydia is holding her own. She is still breathing 90% oxygen and needing a lot of ventilator support, but her heart and blood vessels are functioning normally. Her deep lung washing from the other day turned out to have influenza A. So, that helps explain the severity and provides something to treat.

FAQ #1, when will she come home?
A: she will come home when she's better, and they don't have a crystal ball, but it is safe to say that she will not be coming home for at least 2 weeks, maybe 3 or 4. Everyone is still expecting a full recovery, but they remain on guard against unexpected problems.

I am going to start putting these notes on our (previously dormant) family blog page, http://kbwb.blogspot.com/ , rather than emailing them. Feel free to forward that link to others who know Lydia but whom I've forgotten to include in this email.

We have just been so incredibly touched by all the expressions of concern and love. Thanks to everyone who is helping out or praying for us or just being there for us. Our attending physician said today, "isn't it a pity that it seems to take something like this to let us realize how many people love us?" Thank you all, and I hope I become a better friend for having this chance to notice all your kindness. Plus, it has been said so often as to seem trite, but things like this do remind us what it means to be mortal and how we don't have guarantees that tomorrow we will see someone we love today. So go hug somebody you love. :)

Kevin Black