August 31 Update

O God, for another day, for another morning, for another hour, for another minute, for another chance to live and serve Thee, I am truly grateful.

One of our prayer warriors sent this prayer in another email regarding a cancer survivor, and with it being only minutes away from Jodie's birthday - those words make me think of Jodie and how grateful I am for her and to have been able to have her in my life for 23 years. This is probably the most special birthday to me because so many times we get caught up in the excitement of "birthdays" and getting presents that it's often forgotten to just be thankful and how blessed we are to have life and spend it with people we love, those who God has blessed us with.

Tonight I'm more grateful and thankful than ever to be able to celebrate this birthday with Jodie. I was only 3 years old on the day she was born but I do remember it. I remember pouting because everybody kept telling me that I wouldn't be the baby anymore and I'd get a new sibling (my dad wanted it to be a surprise but my mom didn't so she found out and didn't tell anyone - except that Beth found the "pink" baby clothes Mama had hid in her closet). Beth, Bubby and I stayed at my grandparent's house while Mama was in the hospital and if I close my eyes I remember being there and remembering what their house looked like. I remember wondering what it would be like to have a new sister (because I already had one and she was just fine) - I didn't really realize what all this new baby stuff was going to be like. I had no idea that very "baby" would become my best friend. She, Beth and I have always been best friends - and sisters - we got to have our cake and eat it too. For that I am also grateful. Plus we have the best brother any 3 girls could have ever hoped for. What lucky parents we have! (ha)

Anyway, I guess I'm just rambling on but I wanted to share with you that because I wouldn't trade these 23 years with Jodie for all the riches in the world. And I thank God that He let us keep her - that's how I know He has great plans for her and I have faith that His divine healing will overflow upon her. We've all been racking our brains trying to decide what to get Jodie for her birthday, wanting to get her something she would need(we usually don't have this problem because she always picks things out and tells us what she wants) - and then tonight I got an email from the same prayer warrior that I mentioned above and she said she was sending Jodie the best present she could offer - PRAYER. And I realized - (duh) - That's ALL she needs! Sure, she'll enjoy the presents, but at this point all she needs is prayer.

Thank you all for those prayers that you've been sending up for Jodie since April 3rd. God is still listening and healing. Thank you also to the many of you who have sent her birthday cards - my mailbox has never been this full with mail (other than bills) and I read them all to her in the 1:00 afternoon visit today. I could tell she perked up when I was reading them to her and showing them to her. I just wanted to remind her how loved she is and how many people are praying for her. She's such a fighter. And I want you all to know that Jodie knows who is healing her - Jodie is a Christian, too, and she has faith - she's got God on her side! When we pray over her, she closes her eyes - isn't than amazing to know that she's praying along with us!

Now to recap you on her week - Since I emailed you last Wednesday: On Thursday Jodie had surgery to remove all the shunt tubes since she had an infection. The surgery went well and she recovered well. On Friday, the doctors decided that the fluid was not draining off Jodie's brain as quickly as they wanted it to in order to allow Jodie the relief her brain needed.

On Friday afternoon they inserted a lumbar catheter and were able to drain even more fluid over the weekend. Total so far: about half a bag of fluid from the lumbar drain and almost a full bag from her ventricular catheter in her brain. Jodie still has the infection so the doctors decided to use the ventricular catheter in her brain to administer the antibiotics. We were hoping that Jodie would be able to go to a regular room today, but she was spiking a fever last night and the nurse said this would probably keep her in the NSICU (Neuro Science ICU) for a few days longer. This afternoon, her nurse said she may be moved either tomorrow or the next day, depending on the doctors orders and if she keeps off the fever. One thing good about being in ICU is the continuous monitoring of Jodie by the nurses. Thank God she is responsive and obviously knows us when we get to visit her. To quote one of her friends from yesterday, “Jodie looks like an Olympic athlete compared to these other folks in here!)." That made us feel better since she had such a rough week—hopefully there will soon be positive news about her condition. It's also been rough on us to have to experience all this again - being back in the ICU has made us even more grateful and blessed for how far Jodie has come and what all she has been through. She's such a miracle!

Like I said earlier, I read her birthday cards to her today and will read them again to her tomorrow. Thank you all for thinking of her and praying for her on her birthday.

I will continue to keep you updated on her progress and her recovery.