April 14-16 UPDATES

April 14, 2005 – THE TUBE IS GONE

After much deliberation, consultation, and meeting of the minds, an "OK" was given to remove the chest 
tube. No sooner had everyone assembled in my room for the ceremony of the removal of the tube, when 
Jan picked up her camera to find the batteries were dead so she ran to the gift shop and back in record 
time with a new set of batteries.

Meanwhile, Dr. Derek Linderman, the now famous doc who saved my life by inserting the chest tube 
a week ago and Dr. Ben Heavrin prepared me for the "pulling of the tube."

After a few stitches were snipped it was a matter of Dr. Linderman’s pulling out the tube, once I had 
taken a deep breath and hummed. The next thing I knew – it was out.

You mean that long thing was in my side?

Dr. Linderman and Dr. Heavener made sure everything was fine.

We have been thankful for the great nursing care we have received while here 
in the ICU of University Hospital.

Mary Ann, our daytime nurse the past few days has been a good source of encouragement.

Kim, our night time nurse during the first couple of nights made a big difference during 
a critical time.

"Cat" is my physical therapist at University Hospital, making sure I did not 
become a "couch potato" during my stay in ICU, of course it's hard to keep 
the Michelin Man down.

Thank you for praying with us through this long ordeal at University Hospital. We are currently awaiting 
word to go back to NJMC but in the meantime, have much for which to thank the Lord.

Psalm 40:1 (NLT) I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. 
Psalm 116:1 (NLT) I love the Lord because he hears and answers my prayers.

Thank you for praying with us and for us. God has been good -- ALL THE TIME.

April 15, 2005 – "WE’RE BACK!"

It took a while but we are thankful that everything fell into place, the doctors were satisfied with the stability 
of my lung that had collapsed and gave us a release about noon from the University Hospital ICU. It was a 
bitter-sweet occasion. We were glad to be free but were sad to leave so many new friends.

Bob and one of the attending physicians, "Dr. Mike"

Nothing like having a doctor who is ready to act as "goofy" as the "Michelin Man"

Returning to National Jewish Medical Center was like coming home to friends. The nurses had everything ready 
for us and made us feel like we had made a great return. We were thankful for this first stage on our return to 
our real home. We’ve been amazed at the countless blessings we have enjoyed in the midst of a very difficult 
valley experience. My Uncle, Robert Russell sent and email today and shared some scripture that he felt would 
be a great encouragement. (Right on Uncle Bob!)

Ephesians 3:19-21 (NLT) May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully 
understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. [20] Now glory 
be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would 
ever dare to ask or hope. [21] May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.

Speaking of my uncle, his daughter, my cousin Lois and her son, Caleb 
stopped by University Hospital to visit us yesterday.

As we rest up from the ICU / lung collapse / "Michelin Man" experience, we are thankful the team of doctors 
here at NJMC is still processing the lung biopsy and will be working with us next week on a treatment plan. 
Please continue to pray for wisdom and a "break-through" for the doctors. As Dr. Huitt just assured us that 
the best people are "on this case" and are covering everything possible as they look for the break through 
that we all long for so much.

Jan and I are tentatively planning on leaving here on Wednesday. Of course, there is nothing concrete on 
that date, just a hope and determination. We have decided to make the most of the time "together" as we 
drive home. The doctors have concluded flying home would be too dangerous and although we have had 
several offers to fly out here and drive us back home, we believe the time together away from a hospital 
and an opportunity to take in a few sights along the way – since we missed out on so many in the Denver 
area would do us good. We appreciate the thoughtfulness and will appreciate your prayers as we try to 
build up in strength and rest in preparation for next week’s journey.

Thank you for your prayers, your emails, your concern, and your love.

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN, PLEASE

April 16, 2005 – "PLANS, NEWS, AND CHANGE"

It’s amazing how we make our plans and God gives direction that often is different from what we plan but
is for our best.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

It seemed we had things all planned out as of last night after our return from University Hospital ICU to
the NJMC. We met with Dr. Chuck Daley who was glad to have us back at NJMC and said that he along
with Dr. Scott Worthen would be working at finding a solution to my problems from the lung biopsy.
Although he gave us some good insight into what was happening, we almost felt like we were going home
without the answers for which we were looking and going home feeling much worse than I did when I
arrived on March 15^th. That is not to say we are disappointed with any of the work of the National Jewish
Medical Center. On the contrary, we have been thankful for the thorough way which my case has been
handled – we are just disappointed that there has not been conclusive evidence about any one direction.

Based on that we had concluded the best way to travel home would be to leave on Wednesday which would
be the soonest we could have all the oxygen stops arranged between Denver and Orlando and we would
rent a car and drive just taking our time. That may still be the case but this morning after meeting with
Dr. Scott Worthen we have had a somewhat different perspective on things.

We were greatly encouraged by a meeting this morning with Dr. Scott Worthen who has taken on my case.
He has spent days studying the slides from my biopsy and talked with us at great length about what he feels
is behind all the symptoms I have. He said that I have all the indication of having a rare disease called
"Diffuse Pan Bronchialitis." Focusing on this disease as the root of the problem gives him some direction
regarding treatment. Although the treatment will be a long journey, Dr. Worthen presented some hope of
getting things under control as he has seen success in the treatment of others with this disease. He also said
that he wanted to base a decision on our traveling home by car or plane on a CT scan later in the week to
show whether my lung could handle the flight or not. He thinks I should be able to fly home safely later in
the week (if the CT scan shows there is no extra air in the lung/chest wall area) plus he wants me to be here
through the first regimen of treatment.

Bob and Dr. Worthen who is not only a great scientist but also a caring doctor.

So here we go again, trying to get ahead by making our plans but we must be ready to change according
to God’s leading.

We have been praying and know you have been praying that the doctors would get some clear direction.
As Dr. Worthen explained his thought process, his work, and his conclusions, we sensed an answer to prayer
and that God was in this matter

Thank you for continuing to pray.