Sierra Rose Update February 4, 2008--Change of Plans

Dear Friends,

Thank you for praying for Sierra Rose and the rest of the family. The first treatment went well this morning. Sierra is the youngest patient this hyperbaric place has ever treated, so the people were very cautious and took their time adjusting the pressure of the machine.

The hyperbarics technicians have been talking with a doctor who has experience in using hyperbaric treatment for infants. He recommended that Sierra be given only one treatment per day instead of two because she is so young. This means that Sierra's treatment period will last 2 months instead of 1 month as originally expected. Because there will only be one treatment per day, R and Sierra will commute to and from most of the treatment sessions rather than staying in a hotel. This will take more time and gas but will save hotel expenses and will allow the family to be together more.

The doctor who has been talking with the hyperbaric technicians has taken an interest in Sierra's case. He wants to see the results of her previous EEG and wants her to be tested after 20 treatments to see if there is any sign of improvement.

Thank you for praying so faithfully all these months. God has been working and will continue to work.

--MK

Update February 1, 2008--Leaving Town in 2 Days

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continued prayers and inquires about Sierra Rose. She is now over four months old and is a blessing to those who have met her and even to countless others who have not met her but are still praying for her.

On Sunday afternoon, R and my mother will be taking Sierra to San Antonio to begin her hyperbaric treatments on Monday. Please pray for safe travel and for protection while they are in the big city. Please pray also for these treatments. There is no guarantee that they will be of any benefit, but we are asking God for another miracle--we are asking Him to work His healing power in Sierra's life so that we can see improvement.

Here's something about which we can thank God: Sierra's stomach feeding valve was removed today. Yes, that's right! The doctor said that it could come out because Sierra is still drinking and still gaining weight.

Keep up the prayers. God is using this precious little baby in all of our lives.

--MK

Update January 24, 2008--New Treatment Option

Dear Friends,

Below is an e-mail update that R and J sent out yesterday evening.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

--MK



Dear Friends,


As many of you are aware, last week we were told that in addition to not being able to see, Sierra Rose would probably never be able to walk or talk. We have been in much prayer over this and believe that the Lord does not want us to give up on our precious little one.

After doing research, R found out about hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbaric_oxygen_chamber). HBOT is a pressurized chamber in which patients receive 100% oxygen. While in the hyperbaric chamber, the oxygen molecules are pushed closer together allowing the red blood cells to carry more concentrated oxygen. Some of the oxygen is able to dissolve into the plasma which can get into areas where the red blood cells cannot.


In some instances, HBOT can help brain tissue grow and rejuvenate brain cells. We began calling places that offer HBOT and all of them say that since Sierra is still very young, there is greater chance that this might be beneficial for the development of her brain. The family is all in agreement that this should be tried. We realize that God is in control, and we want His will to be done. Whatever the outcome, we will still praise Him and give Him the glory.

Initially, Sierra will need 40 treatments. We are going to take her to San Antonio Hyperbarics (http://www.sanantoniohyperbarics.com) which is just north of San Antonio. The treatments will be given to her twice a day, 5 days a week. She will begin on February 4.

Sierra's blog will contain updated information on how things are going. Once again thank you for your continued prayers.

In Christ, J and R F

Prayer Requests:

-Please pray that God will use the therapy in Sierra's life to bring glory to His name
-Please pray for R and Sierra as they spend the time in San Antonio and for their drive back and forth on the weekends (also for S, M, and D as they will be spending part of the time with them.)
-Please pray for J as he holds down the fort at home while his wife and daughter are away.

January 19, 2008--Update to Prayer Request

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your tremendous outpouring of support. We are extremely blessed to have such wonderful friends and family members who have called, written notes, and visited. Most of all, we thank you for lifting up in prayer Sierra Rose and the rest of the family. R and J are doing well; they really appreciate your support.

We won't know the extent of Sierra's abilities and disabilities until she reaches different stages in her life. Because of God's grace, she is alive today and has been able to do several things that we were told she might not be able to do. With His grace, she can continue making progress.

--MK for the K and F Families

Update January 16, 2008

Dear Friends,

There haven't been any updates about Sierra Rose recently because there really hasn't been any news to report. Unfortunately, that changed today. R took Sierra to a neurologist appointment this morning. His news was sobering. He said that Sierra's brain has not been growing and that she will not be able to walk, talk, or develop as she should.

Please pray for Sierra Rose and all the family. Handling the news is very difficult--we all need God's grace to be poured upon us.

--MK

Update December 11, 2007

Yes, I'm finally posting an update on Sierra Rose.

Here's the current information regarding Sierra:

-Doctors removed her external tube and installed something they call a button. This is a feeding valve that protrudes from Sierra's stomach. It is much less cumbersome than the tube with the container at the end.

-The good news is that Sierra hasn't had to use this valve. She has been drinking from bottle.

-Sierra has been drinking very well--and she has the weight gain to prove it. The last I heard, she weighed 10 pounds and a few ounces.

-Sierra's doctors want to keep the valve in for a few months. From what R understood, swallowing is a reflex for young babies. After about 3 months of age it becomes voluntary and isn't a reflex anymore. They need to make sure that she will swallow voluntarily before removing the valve.

-Sierra's next ophthalmologist appointment is in March.

Thank you for your continued prayers. Thank you for asking how Sierra Rose is doing. She will be 3 months old next week. I'll try to post a current photograph to the blogsite later this week or early next week.

--MK

Update November 15, 2007 with SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST

Well, I didn't expect to have to post another update so soon. Yesterday R took Sierra Rose to the eye doctor. In the examination, he found cloudiness behind Sierra's eyes. He said that the optic nerve had been damaged. He was not very hopeful regarding her vision. In 3 months, Sierra will have another eye appointment. We should know more information at that time.

Right now, R and J are faced with raising a blind or mostly blind daughter unless God decides it is better to intervene. The very One who created the eyes can certainly heal them. He has already performed several miracles in Sierra Rose's life--we're asking for another miracle. Will you join with us in prayer? If He chooses not to restore Sierra's sight, please pray that He will give everyone the grace to accept His decision.

--MK