Update on Lil Colonel Evan, an update to Warrior’s Code III

For those that didn’t sign up to see the updates on Evan that was linked in my previous post, but who wanted to know, I am including the last 3 here after the jump. He’s doing better, but keep up the spiritual warfare if you would.

You’re the fighter you’ve got the fire
The spirit of a warrior, the champion’s heart
You fight for your life because the fighter never quits
You make the most of the hand you’re dealt
Because the quitter never wins
No!

-Dropkick Murphy’s

Monday, May 11, 2009 8:46 AM, CDT
Evan is still hanging strong. His blood pressure did not respond to the blood transfusion and the IV fluids so he is now on dopamine. He began at a dose of 5 and then it was increased to 6 and now he is at 7. His BP still is in the 90s/50s. His heart rate is ranging from 120s to 140s which is still high and his temperature spiked at 102.9 but it is down to 100 right now with tylenol. He is sleepy but responsive to questions and commands.

I feel that he is getting a little better.
My friend Sharon (Steven’s mom) is 4 doors down from us in the ICU. Steven is stable but unchanged from before. She shared the link below with me this morning which made me very happy. There are about 6 pictures of Evan that you will see when you scroll through with Justin Leonard on the St. Jude website (stjude.org) Steven is in two of the pictures as well – he is sitting in a wheelchair in one and then standing to put with his mom’s help in another. Both boys looked great that day.

http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=25328844a0c15110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=9b6213c016118010VgnVCM1000000e2015acRCRD

Please send all of your prayers to Evan today.

Love,
Rachel

Monday, May 11, 2009 6:52 PM, CDT
From a child who was actively trying to die less than 24 hours ago, he has made a miraculous recovery. Evan is alert and awake and currently eating some sun chips. His sunny disposition has not yet returned but after all he has been through and his lack of sleep that is to be expected.

He is still on dopamine to help keep his blood pressure where it needs to be but the doctors are trying to wean it down right now. We hope it can be off by tomorrow. The source of his septic shock is still unknown. The preliminary cultures results are negative. Since he was so incredibly sick, he is still on three big gun antibiotics. We aren’t sure how long he will be on those.

Overall, the outlook is positive.

Two weeks ago I was very taken by a picture frame in the St. Jude gift shop. It simply said “Believe in miracles”. I had to buy it and immediately put a picture of Evan in it. I believe Evan had Angels watching over him last night. He was in bed with his pajamas on and I was about to turn off the light when something made me stop to take his temperature. I haven’t taken it since his 17 hour nap marathon several weeks ago. The temperature was going between 100.6 and 99.4 with my ear thermometer. My mom said to take it with the old fashioned oral one and that one read 100.4 – which constitutes an emergency in a child without any immune system. Evan did not feel warm and did not have any specific complaints at all except for a little spot on his leg. If I was not guided to take his temperature and he had not gotten such prompt treatment at St. Jude, he would surely have not survived the night.

God is good.

Thank you to everyone for their continued prayers – they are working!

Love,
Rachel

These are some military and patriotic sites praying for Evan. They call it spiritual warfare.
Blackfive Link – http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/05/spiritual-warfare-needed-ryan-pertile.html

This Ain’t Hell Link – http://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=10520

http://jihadgene-greatreader.blogspot.com/2009/05/prayer-warrriors-needed.html

http://www.armyparatrooper.org/dropzone/showthread.php?
t=18788

http://patriotsforamerica.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-best-post-ever-meet-our

The Victory Caucus http://victorycaucus.com/Blogs_New_Media/Blackfive_Spiritual_Warfare_Needed_-_Ryan_Pertile.htm

MAY 12th 8:39 AM

Well, another night has passed in the ICU. We are very thankful for two of the best nurses we have had at St. Jude – Regina and Terri. They have gone above and beyond in Evan’s care. We also had a fantastic nurse, Sheila, in the medicine room Sunday night when Evan decided to test our faith a bit.

Evan is doing well. He is still on the dopamine drip at 3 mcg/kg/min. They tried to wean him off last night but his blood pressure would not tolerate it. It dropped back down to the 70/30s. His spirits are much better today.

I am so thankful Alex arrived safely yesterday. He worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night and was on call both Friday and Sunday night. I was very nervous that he jumped in the car Monday morning and drove 10 hours with no sleep to see Evan. Thank you for the kindness and understanding of Alex’s partners at Lexington Radiology for all their kind words and support. They very graciously covered all of Alex’s shifts at work this week so he could spend time with Evan. I appreciate it more than anyone can know – having Alex here is a Godsend. He is such a rock of support and his presence during this crisis makes Evan and me feel so much better.

Here’s to the prayers and spiritual warfare coming Evan’s way. Bring it on!!!

Love,
Rachel

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