Update 4-October 9, 2008

Where to start?
 
First, the balloon machine was removed from Robert yesterday around 6:30 pm and that went very very well! He has received a great amount of rest over the last 10 hours and it is well needed. There's another tube that will be removed today that's not critical, but will bring him more comfort. He's off of the majority of the meds he was on, he's lungs are cleared, there's not any bleeding, he's still responsive to commands, he's very physically weak and will be on his back limited for a while, he still has a gastric-tube and tracheotomy, he's oxygen levels are excellent and he's respiratory is at 60%... so things are getting better. He looks like himself, his eyes were a deep grey, but are back to his crystal blue! His skin tone is normal, we're keeping him shaved and cleaned daily. He's very big on cleanliness; one of the nurses noticed how well manicured his hands and feet were and our family couldn't help but giggle as she then became very attentive to his appearance, because he is after all very peculiar about taking care of himself! He's very well taken care of here and I couldn't ask for him to have ended up in a better hospital.
 
We have wonderful doctors and nurses surronding him! Please keep praying for their healing hands and to bless them for their self-less acts. They are all optomistic and ask that we continue to be considering on Sunday he had only a 5% survival rate. Yesterday was the first I heard of this figure and it was a lot to take in, but if you know my dad he's all or nothing. So that 5% is turning into 100% for this tough guy! My father is truly a miracle and I ask that everyone continue to pray and pray hard because his fight isn't over. The doctors still state that he isn't in the clear, but my Jesus is carrying him through this for something big!  
 
Please pray for his brain, that God will place a calming hand on his strong-will so that he will rest and not get over anxious, for the doctors and nurses, that this will be a witness to those around us, that Silvia stays strong and healthy (she is our strong tower right now), that Ashley will stay strong as she goes back to school next week and will be without her parents, that my brother is comforted beyond understanding, and that our entire family is lifted by God's grace as we've united during this time.
 
I can not tell you how blessed I am to read all of your emails and encouraging words. There are so many of you who want to help and I don't know how to thank you for reaching out during this tough time. Please for now, just pray and keep praying. That's what is needed most and when the time comes, if the Lord lays something on your heart to do for us, you'll know and you can contact us anytime! Our hotel has been accomodated for the next several weeks, we've been blessed with snacks and goodies (that has helped out a ton, having snacks at the hospital and the hotel, so you're more than welcome to contribute in that sense), the plants and flowers and 'trophey' are all beautiful and heart warming!  
 
Everyone continues to about visiting. I'll be completely honest and share that when my dad is ill he doesn't like to be talked to or even acknowledged, he likes complete silence and dark; so you are more than welcome to come visit the family, but now that he is aware of what's happening we don't want to aggrevate him too much. As you know he's such a responsible man, he'll feel obligated to acknowledge you and just get frustrated that he can't speak to you. We don't want to frustrate him! Although, if you do come we will walk you to his room and allow you to stand outside his door so you can see how well he looks and speak some blessing over him.
 
Again, pray! That's all I ask, and in turn I ask that God will bless each of you abundently for all you've done, all of the caring and prayers, and all that is to come! 
 
I really wish I was a medical person to offer sepcifics, but certain terms just are not sticking with me. So what I can gather, each day he takes a baby step forward and as long as he's moving forward I don't mind the pace! God is good all the time and is walking with him, so he's safe!