Goodbye Vader-mask

Dear Friends,

Coltrane has had a wonderful night and day.  This morning, the doctors took off the vader-mask and let Coltrane try a CPAP nasal cannula.  He has been off the mask for 5 hours and is still holding strong.  We will continue to assess him and hopefully will be able to begin weaning him from that soon.  We are finally able to see Coltrane's beautiful face.

Besides the breathing issues, Coltrane's recovery is going very well.  He is needing pain medicine less often and his vitals have stayed good.  Once he gets the CPAP off, he has been given permission to eat again.  

Today, I got news from the oncologist that the pathology from the resected tumor was "impressive".  It is showing dead tissue.  The oncologist wants to take this information before a board of doctors and will give us more information about the radiation that is to come.  

As you can see, God is working in Coltrane.  Your prayers have held us up during these few days of ups and downs.  We so appreciate your intercession for us and we want to continue to ask you for your prayers.  Please pray for Coltrane to feel well physically and emotionally.  Please pray for the rest of our family as we are separated during our stay in ICU and pray for a successful wean from the CPAP.  We appreciate and love you all.

"The Lord  your God, who goes before you, will Himself fight for you...you will see how the Lord your God will carry you, as a man carries his child..." (Deut. 1:30-31)

Love, 

Sonja, Justin, Jackson, and Coltrane the Warrior