Sunshine Soldier

Pray hard warriors. They are taking Silas for another scan. They need to make sure that no new bleeds or blood clots are developing. And they need to see what his current bleeds and clots are doing.

Pray for no change or that the clots are dissipating.

Shout out to Dr. Savage who cared enough to subscribe to these updates! She has blessed us so much already with her energy, love for children and clear explanations (and drawings!). Yet another of our God’s most amazing provisions.

Anyone who has not had a chance to read Si’s story of how he came to know and love the Lord, scroll on down. It’s just under the updates. It’s called “My Testimony- by Silas”. You will be blessed!

Silas had a pretty good night last night. He was heavily sedated and temporarily paralyzed. His support team monitored him closely and had to give medications to help with his pressures. But overall he did well with no big scares.

Today, he is no longer paralyzed but heavily sedated. His blood pressure is a little lower than they would like. They tried a medication to help with that but his body did not like it so they took him off of it. They are trying a different medication now.

Dr. Savage is just staying the course. She still feels good about things. They hope to slowly take him off of sedation after he rests for a few days. Then we will be able to see where he is neurologically.

Please pray that Si’s body responds better to his new blood pressure medication. Pray that he continues to rest peacefully. Pray that his skull heals. Pray that his brain has not and will not be injured.

Please pray for our whole family. For peace and comfort. For Ryan and I. For Si’s siblings- Caleb, Cheyenne, Collin and Alexa. For his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

If you have not had a chance to read about how Silas came to know and love the Lord, scroll on down below the updates and read his testimony. There are thousands of people reading these updates and praying for Silas. What a blessing and an encouragement. For those of you who have not ever had the privilege of meeting him, you can scroll on down even more and read “Sweet Silas”. I posted that on February 26. His 14th birthday.

Thank you all! Your prayers are strengthening all of us!

Si’s pressures went up a bit so they have put him on a medication that paralyzes his body along with still giving him a medication for sedation. His pressures are now stable.

Please pray that he will continue to be stable with no more added medications.

Our Silas knows and loves the Lord. If you have not had a chance to read his testimony, please scroll on down. You will be blessed.

We just met with Si’s pediatric neurologist, Dr. Savage. She is the lead on his care.

She said his brain looks really good. She does not believe there is any damage to his actual brain. Of course, he has not had an MRI yet so she can’t be 100% certain.

She is not worried about the pressure levels. She believes strongly that what he needs is rest. With no stimulation. She does not want him to have any guests at all (besides Ryan and I) for the next week. Then, they will re-examine. But, she is very hopeful that he will be just fine.

Please pray for healing for Si’s skull. Please pray that the swelling goes down. Pray that the medicine works to break down the clots without causing any more bleeding. Please pray for Ryan and I. For strength. For wisdom. For peace.

Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty. There is nothing our God cannot do.

If you have not had a chance to read Si’s testimony, scroll on down. You will be blessed by it.

Pressures are back down to a normal range. Praise Jesus!!!

The storm has begun. His pressures are staying too high. They need better access to his veins so they can administer more meds more easily. They will put in a pic line or a midline. They will also increase sedation and try a different kind.

Please pray!

Ryan and I were pretty much ordered to go home tonight. Well, not ordered but strongly encouraged. So, if things remain steady that’s the plan. I also went home last night to see my other babies and answer ALL the questions.

They are going to keep Silas sedated today and make sure that the swelling stays appropriate. The best way to ensure that is uninterrupted rest. We are not supposed to engage with him at all. I have soooooooo much to tell him so that is a tall order!

He looks good. He looks peaceful. Please continue to pray for the brain swelling to remain appropriate. Please pray for a peaceful mind for Silas.

On the home front, our family and neighbors and friends are making sure Caleb has a special day. And I even got to do birthday waffles with him this morning. Our other children are rockstars. They are working so hard to help. Collin got up this morning and emptied the dishwasher immediately. He even dried the lids with a hand towel like Ryan does. Please pray for them too…. Caleb, Cheyenne, Collin and Alexa. They are each processing in their own way. And it’s hard on their little hearts.

Just as I was about to hit “update” our nurse made us aware of a situation that may happen to Silas called “storming”. Basically, as his brain reaches peak swelling his vitals may go crazy. They have drugs to give him if that happens. But please pray for no storming. Please pray that if it does occur, Ryan and I can be calm and have real peace in our hearts.

Also, if you want to send cards for Silas our address is: 11705 North Williamsburg Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934

Si’s CT from this morning came back with no change which is good. They will start to bring him off sedation at some point today. We are not supposed to stimulate his brain at all today. No talking to him but we can hold his hand. The room needs to stay very quiet.

I know many of you want to visit Silas. Not yet friends. But cards would be amazing.

And pray pray pray!!!! We are feeling them in such a big way!!!

Side note: If you have not had a chance to read Si’s testimony, scroll on down… It will bless you!

Good morning! I have high hopes for today. We will be approaching 48 hours since this all began at around noon today. That means we officially begin day 3. And Silas is holding steady. His pressures have been high but not too high. They have the sedation turned up for now so his brain can heal.

Please continue to pray for healing for Silas and for protection for his brain. Please pray that all that wonderful scripture that he has learned is in the front of his mind and that his heart is encouraged.

Please pray for our other children, Si’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and for Ryan and I. For strength and renewed hope.

Silas is the leader of our children. He sets the tone. They all adore him. They are so worried but they are watching all of this and taking every bit of it in. They see what God is doing. I got to tell them that 5531 people read Si’s testimony yesterday. They were so thrilled that so many are being touched by their brother and are praying for him. Please pray for Caleb today. It’s his 17th birthday. Silas is his rock so the struggle is real right now.

Thank you for your prayers. So many people have told me that they are praying without ceasing. Thank you. Please continue to lift our boy up.

Side note: And I will always say, at the end of each post, to scroll on down and read Si’s testimony.

Well, the outpouring of love just goes on and on. I love you all so much. I so wish I could personally reply to the hundreds of texts I am getting. But I know you all understand. Thank you.

I have heard from people in every single walk of my life and beyond….. church, neighbors, school, swim team, etc. So many people that I have never met are praying for sweet Silas. Thank you. It is such a comfort to me. To all of us.

Silas is doing well. His pressure is back down to a more comfortable level. He is still heavily sedated. His vitals are very good. He just got all cleaned up and is resting comfortably. His medical team has made several attempts to lower his sedation but each time that has caused his pressure to rise. We are trying again now though. If his pressure goes up they will up the sedation again.

Please continue to pray for healing for Silas. Please pray for comfort for him. Pray that he will not be afraid. Pray that he will be able to get the “bolt” and ventilator out tomorrow so we can hear his sweet voice.

Please pray for Ryan and I. For strength and courage. We will likely be here 5 to 7 days.

Thank you. Thank you. To each one of you who have cared enough to be impacted by all of this. Thank you for praying and for sharing so others can pray.

If you have not gotten a chance to read about how Silas came to know and love the Lord, scroll on down. It’s titled “My testimony- by Silas”.