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Previous News: June 2, 2007
It's been a while since the last update, mainly because things have been going so smoothly for Shadrack. In April, the month following his surgery, he was told to visit the doctor twice a week. This was to monitor blood sugar, the healing of the incision, and ensure that he was recovering properly after the surgery. Everything went great in April, so the visits were reduced to once per week for May.
In May, blood sugar and other important indicators were checked every week. Although the blood sugar got a little high (which can be brought down with tweaks to his diet), the success of the surgery was confirmed. Shadrack has none of the problems caused by the brain abscess ever since the surgery. Hallelujah!
 Cards from Cornerstone Shadrack was excited to get hand-made cards from the children at Cornerstone Church in Houston, Texas. The kids at Cornerstone had heard a presentation about Shadrack and wanted to show him that they were thinking about him.
Mama Margaret has initiated the paperwork to become Shadrack's guardian (there has been no response from Aunt Theodora despite repeated attempts at contact). Margaret became a paralegal years ago to better assist mistreated and abandoned children, so she is familiar with the processes and paperwork required.
Because of the numerous appointments and continued prescriptions for Shadrack following his surgery, the money in the Shadrack fund is now down to $122 and will probably run out in July.
Although the number of visits will gradually to go down, there will continue to be some medical expenses for the foreseeable future. If you would like to contribute to Shadrack's ongoing medical care, all donations would be appreciated. Please click here to find out more.
Previous News: April 4, 2007
Shadrack is recovering well. He is full of smiles, songs and dancing. A temporary side-effect of the surgery is nosebleeds, and he had to go to the clinic yesterday because he was having a little trouble with this problem.
Also, Shadrack wasn't used to the different kinds of foods they served at the hospital, so he's had a bit of tummy trouble. But these are very minor issues and overall he's doing incredibly well.
Tomorrow Shadrack gets his stitches out and will return over the next few days to make sure the incision doesn't get infected.
Previous News: April 3, 2007
Wonderful news -- Shadrack has been released from the hospital. The final bills were paid today. What a journey!
Now Shadrack can feel what it is like to be a normal boy, without the constant danger of seizures and terrible headaches. His future has been transformed to one of hope and optimism for a full and healthy life.
Previous News: April 2, 2007
Shadrack is expected to be released from the hospital in the next day or two (April 3rd or 4th). He's feeling better every day and is no longer wearing the bandages on his head. Please see pictures on the left that were sent today (Monday, April 2nd). Thank you again for your prayers and concerns.
Previous News: March 30, 2007
Mama Margaret writes today that everything is going well with Shadrack. He's healing up from his surgery and feeling well. She sent the pictures on the left.
Previous News: March 29, 2007
I called Mama Margaret at 12:30 PM Nairobi time. She was at the hospital with Shadrack. She said the surgery lasted about 4 hours, and was considered successful. She said already today Shadrack is smiling, talking, and walking. I was certainly thrilled to hear that.
Shadrack will be in the hospital 7-10 days as he recovers from the surgery. There are only two visiting periods allowed, at noon and 5:00 PM. The plan during the hospital stay is that Mama Margaret will visit from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM each day, and Edwin will visit in the evenings from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Please check back every few days for regular updates.
Your prayers and concern are deeply appreciated.
Previous News: March 28, 2007
The short version is that we won't know until tomorrow how the surgery went. If you want to hear more, please read on.
They started the surgery today on Shadrack at a little after 5:00 PM Nairobi time (9:00 AM Houston time). The surgeon told Mama Margaret it was a time-consuming procedure that could take several hours.
I called Margaret at 6:30 PM Nairobi time and he was still in surgery. She was in route home from the hospital at that time, after spending the day at the hospital, and Edwin was taking over staying at the hospital through the evening.
I called again at 9:45 PM Nairobi time, and Shadrack was still in surgery. Although it was felt the surgery wouldn't last a whole lot longer, we weren't sure exactly how much longer, and I and I wasn't going to be able to call for several more hours until late into the night Nairobi time.
So we decided I'd call back first thing Thursday morning to see how everything turned out. I sure wish I had more news at this time, but as far as I know, everything is going as expected.
Thank you for your continued prayers -- for Shadrack, Mama Margaret, the surgeon, and Shadrack's aunts and cousins.
Previous News: March 25, 2007
A quick update: Shadrack's surgery is now paid for and he is scheduled to be admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, March 28, for his surgery. Thank you for your prayers and interest.
We're truly in the home stretch now. Updates on Shadrack's status and progress will be made available this week as soon as we know how the surgery goes. Your continued prayers are deeply appreciated.
Previous News: March 18, 2007
It's been a very eventful week. On Tuesday, March 13th, Mama Margaret took Shadrack to the hospital to get the results of his March 5th MRI. Unlike the inconclusive CT scan which was done in November 2006, the MRI provided the doctors the information they needed.
Margaret was told she needed to talk to the primary surgeon, Dr. Lumbanga, to finalize the surgery plans. Unfortunately, he was busy with surgeries and Margaret waited to speak with him all day to no avail. She made another appointment to speak with Dr. Lumbanga on Thursday, March 15th. After many more hours of waiting, she got the information she needed.
There were two options for the surgery. The best option costs a bit more, at $3,700, but can be scheduled sooner and will include a better recovery facility. After careful discussions and reflection, and considering the seriousness of Shadrack's condition, it was decided that this was the way to go.
Meanwhile, the wonderful news is that with the recent special offering at Cornerstone Methodist, together with funds that had already been raised, there is enough money to pay for the surgery. Praise the Lord!
Thanks to everyone who joined in this effort, through prayer, hands-on assistance, and giving. Many people from all over the world played important parts in making this dream a reality.
In the next few weeks, we will see the surgery scheduled, and if all goes according to plan, the surgery itself should take place before the end of March. Stay tuned for more news soon. It will be posted as it becomes available.
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