Update March 4, 2008--Status Report of Hyperbaric Treatments

Dear Praying Friends,

Even though February is the shortest month of the year, it seemed like a long month for my mother and R: they spent their time driving to San Antonio and back. Both of them also managed to get the flu that's been hitting all over the country.

Sierra Rose, now 5 1/2 months old, has had 19 hyperbaric treatments; she is scheduled to receive 21 more treatments. Even though there was no guarantee that hyperbaric therapy would be beneficial, we are happy to report small improvements. Here are our observations:

1. Sierra's arm muscles are not as tight as they were before.
2. Sierra has better head control. It's still not perfect, but she can lift her head and turn it from side to side.
3. Sierra, when she was put face down on a blanket this past week, began lifting her head and chest off the floor.
4. Sierra can slowly but surely crawl a few feet across a blanket placed on the floor.

Prayer:
-Safe travel for all the trips to San Antonio and back home again
-Continued progress in Sierra's development
-Health for all the family

Praise:
-Safe travel for all the trips to San Antonio and back home again
-Continued progress in Sierra's development
-God's provision in numerous ways

Thanks for all your love and support. We are blessed to have you as our friends.

--MK for the family

Update February 12, 2008--First Week Finished, Second Week Started

Dear Friends,

Thank you for praying through this new phase of Sierra Rose's life. She finished her first week of hyperbaric treatments and began her second week yesterday. At this point, the plan is for her to continue being treated through the first week of April.

Thank you so much for your generosity. God has provided abundantly. He has also provided safety during the long commutes. For example, R's car had a flat tire last Wednesday. The flat didn't occur anywhere on the highway, but at the house. Upon closer examination, R realized that the tire was not repairable--it had metal protruding from the rubber. God took care of that situation and provided the right amount to get new tires.

Several friends and even strangers have offered R, Sierra, and my mother places to stay while in San Antonio. So far, though, they have been able to stay at a motel very close to the treatment site. The motel has a significantly discounted rate for people receiving hyperbaric treatment. Because the motel is so close, they can avoid the bad San Antonio traffic.

People at the hyperbaric facility have been friendly and caring. This is an additional blessing.

Sierra's legs appear to be getting stronger. Also, she is turning to her sides more frequently. We're not sure if this is due to the treatments or not, but it's good either way.

Thank you for being faithful in praying. God is still working.

--MK

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