Asa update. . .

Some of you have been waiting along side of us for Asa's genetic blood tests to come back. After jumping through a bunch of hoops today, I finally found out that his test results were. . .(drumroll). . .



still pending. The doctor didn't know what was taking them so long as they don't usually take this long, but that didn't change the outcome. So we continue to wait. He has a follow-up appointment in the beginning of February, so maybe by then, we'll know something more. We'll keep you posted.

A Prayer Request for Christopher



Please keep my nephew, Christopher in your prayers today. He has a doctors appointment with his neurologist (in Houston), an EEG scheduled and then he's off to do bloodwork--not much fun for an 8-year old. I spoke to Marian a little bit ago and she said he was fine, just a little nervous. Christopher has been 3 years without a seizure and so today's EEG will measure the activity in his brain to make sure he hasn't been having small or "petite maul" seizures. If everything comes back clear, then Christopher will get to ween off of his meds, which is exciting, but also a little scary. Please pray however the Spirit leads you. Thanks.

I LOVE YOU CHRISTOPHER!

An Asa Funny



When my mom showed up at the hospital to see Asa, she walked in wearing her famous "grandchildren" necklace. (She's wearing it here with Asa.) Asa was instantly attracted to it and hopped up on her lap and started asking who was who. It just so happens that "Asa" hangs exactly in the middle of this awesome necklace and so the first one he pointed to was himself. He then asked about the two on either side of him. One was Ayden, the other Joshua. He then looked up at my mom, affectionately known as Savta (pronounced "Softa"--Hebrew for grandmother), and asked, "Where's Jack?"

OK, I know Asa has been back home (again) for a week now,



but I'm just now getting to the blog. Sorry. He had a doctor's appointment today to check his enzyme levels. His lipase count was down from the last count of around 653 (I think) to 425 today (normal would be around 100). So, it is still elevated some, which might explain his several complaints of pain yesterday, but nowhere near the levels we saw before. They ran some genetic tests before we left the hospital, but it will be at least another week before we know any of those results. He now has a GI doc in Houston. They told us that a child of his age with 2 bouts of pancreatitis in such a short time of each other will buy him a GI doctor for a while. Please continue to keep him (and us) in your prayers. I think Kevin and I are both feeling a little "antsy" about the upcoming results of the genetic tests. We are trying to rest in the will of our Heavenly Father, whatever that may be, but admittedly, we are anxious, weary and struggling some. On a more positive note, Asa looks great and 99% of the time says he is feeling great. Today when we got to the doctor's office, he looked up at me and said, "My tummy's not hurting mommy, so we can go home now." He really has been such a trooper through this whole ordeal.

. . .We started back to school this week. Aunt Marian took school pictures for us. Here are my favorites:

Austin (11 years old)



Addison (9 years old)



Anna-Kate (7 years old)



Ayden (5 years old)



Asa (2 years old)



All of them together



Thanks Mar for the great pix. You are such a blessing in so many ways. I appreciate all you do for us. What a great wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend you are! I love you.

Asa is all smiles


Asa & Austin


Marian, Aunt Fav, Hannah & Aun Oui

This is Marian again posting for Hannah:
Wade and I along with Carol Stanley took the rest of the Ayers' children as well as the Coleman clan to Houston yesterday to visit Asa, Kevin and Hannah. Asa had an MRI done yesterday so that the drs. could look at his pancreas and gall bladder in more detail. They thought that possibly there was something wrong with the gall bladder as well, but the MRI showed that his gall bladder was great and that his pancreas was the only thing that was showing any signs of swelling and inflammation. The drs. are going to do some more bloodwork and some genetic testing today. Earlier in the week they were projecting that Asa would be in the hospital at least until Friday, and possibly through the weekend. That is still what they are saying. Yesterday, Asa's enzyme count was at 500 and the goal for a little guy his age is less than 100. So there is definite improvement (from 15,500 all the way down to 500), but I don't think they will let him go this time until his numbers come into the normal range. As far as Asa's pain he has not had much. He has a couple of spells a day that last for 10 seconds or so each time, but other than that he is in good spirits. The drs. seem to be pretty impressed with this fact saying that Asa should be in so much pain, they can't understand why he isn't doubled over more than he is. This to me is a testimony of God's grace, mercy and goodness. Asa has had no pain medication for which everyone is very thankful. So that's what I know for now. All the kiddos had a great time getting to see Asa and being in the hospital. Two of my sisters (Jenna & Wyndi affectionately known as "Aunt Fav" and "Aun Oui") flew in from Houston. They arrived on Tuesday and are staying until Friday. All of the children are getting royally spoiled by their 2 aunts. Aunt Fav and Aun Oui took many of them to McDonald's last night which is within the hospital, but still a pretty big venture to undertake. They also gave each child some kind of toy. I think Aunt Fav and Aun Oui (French for Aunt Yes) are renting a car to come to Bryan today to hang out some more and to do some more spoiling. Our church family has been great also lending a helping hand in many ways. My mom is flying in (all the way from Albania) and arriving tonight. She is going to stay a couple of weeks, I think. Thank you so much for all of your prayers.