Previously... (on Michael)

Last Monday morning, Nov. 19...

Beloved,

Michael was admitted to the Children's hospital last night (Sunday night), upon the urging of his doctor. He seems to have developed a severe reaction to a prescribed medicine. Supposedly, he had high Uric acid and possibly gout. But it sounds like the medicine may have caused this new problem. The doctors are not ruling out other causes but they seem to think the medicine (Allopurinol) may have caused this reaction.

His eyes became puffy and mucousy, his throat, mouth, gums and lips began to swell and blister. He could barely open his mouth without cracking his lips and bleeding. He was in great pain yesterday. Couldn't eat and barely even drink. It was hard for him to swallow his pills. He also had fever and some chicken-pox like blisters appeared on his face, head arms and body. Not too many, but obviously not normal. His mucous glands were affected.

They gave him morphine to alleviate his pain quickly (after 2 hours of waiting in the emergency room - it seemed much longer). And they put IV in so he gets fluid and pain killers via the veins. It was a relief when he started to feel the effect of the pain killer. Not all the pain was gone as of last night, though. They had to to give him some more pain killers last night (midnight). Liz is there with him right now.

Some specialists are supposed to check him out. Even an eye specialist. Supposedly this type of problem can affect the eyes. They are also running some more tests. They are not ruling out other causes, such as strep throat and other allergies. (They asked if we had animals - we have 3 cats and 1 dog but we've had them for over 3 years).

He's the biggest "kid" at the Children's hospital. He's 6'1. But no matter what size he is, he's still not invincible. As of 10am this morning, his condition had not yet improved.

Pray that God will have compassion on him. Please pray that he will start to heal soon. And pray that none of his organs (esp. his eyes) are permanently affected by this.

I will keep you all posted. Thank you for praying.

Bob