Hospital

Just a quick note (Cindy will fill in the details):

     On Thursday morning at around 3:30 a.m. Atticus had a seizure and was unresponsive.  He went limp and would not wake up.   Atticus and Cindy rode in an ambulance to go to the hospital.   At about 9:30 a.m., one of the doctors gave him a spinal tap, and the spinal fluid, which normally drips out through the puncture, shot out of his back in a steady stream.  After relieving the pressure, Atti immediately became responsive and asked "who's messing with my underwear?"  When the doctors laughed, he responded with, "laugh it up fuzzball" - classic Atticus.

    This morning, the neurosurgeon put a shunt in his brain so that the spinal fluid can drain into his stomach, which is good because it will alleviate much of the pain he has been having the past couple weeks.  Having said that, we have learned that Atti now has cancer in his spinal fluid, which brings more complications/symptoms.  On top of that, since he now has the shunt, the cancer cells from his spinal fluid will now flow into his stomach.

   I know that all sounds like terrible news, and it is, but Atticus is still with us and for that, we are so thankful.  When we first got to the hospital, we were told that he probably would not make it.  Fortunately, Atticus had other plans. The doctors are optimistic that he should be able to spend a few more weeks/months with him.  He is out of ICU, and is resting.

    Please pray for Atticus at this time.  He has been in pain during the last little while, and while he handles it with little complaint, we can tell that it is weighing on him.  Please join with us in asking the Lord to allow Atticus to heal as well as possible, so that he can spend the last weeks/months of his life in as little pain as possible.      (I know that wasn't such a quick note, but Cindy will still fill in the details).  Eric.