MORE Exciting News!!

This friday, Feb 5th, Tate will have his next Remicaid infusion at UCSF and then afterward will have an outpatient surgery to REMOVE his broviac line!!! He is both eating normally and maintaining weight without any TPN so this central line(which has been used to nourished him for the past 9 months) is no longer needed!! We are a bit excited and Tate is counting down the days to have a "free chest"! We are just rejoicing in all of God's goodness to us...and still thanking Him for all those who have prayed....May we use each circumstance in our lives to bring God the honor He deserves....with love, Ann and all the Bartholows

More Good News

Tate had actually lost 10 lbs from the surgery but we are seeing some increase in his weight each day as he continues to eat!....still with NO negative side effects! We are thrilled with his statements of "I'm hungry" about every two hours...Thank you Lord! I am preparing food constantly(school subject..food..school subject...food..etc!) and am obviously excited to do it! It is a good reminder of what perspective does to attitude! Tate can't eat a lot at one time, although he has definitely been surprising us. We see the doctor next Tuesday to evaluate where to go from here...of course, Tate's desire is that the broviac line in his chest would be able to be removed soon...and we are feeling encouraged with that hope! Thanks for praying! Ann

Excellent Progress!

Tate actually was feeling so good he was able to attend campus day classes today! He has been eating real food and is feeling hungrier all the time...two nights with no TPN will do that to him! So far, NO side effects...His incision is healing well and he has had no pain from eating...he is not yet close to eating enough for full sustainance, but each step has brought much encouragement! He even decided to go with Drew to a school Basketball game tonight! We are thanking God for this continued and truly amazing progress and for each of you praying!
with love, Ann
"Now to Him who is ABLE to do exceeding abundantly beyond ALL that we ask or think...to Him be the glory..." Eph 3:20 (emphasis by me)

Tate is coming Home tonight!!

Well, it is exciting to see God unveiling His plan! This morning, after he had been visited by the doctors,Tate tried calling each of us with the good news that he was coming home today!(we had our phones off while in Church!). When he finally got through to us, we all thought he had pushed his medication button one to many times! It was nearly 2:00 before we could confirm with his nurse that he indeed was being sent home after they finished his TPN at 5:oo pm...so Paul went down to bring him home! Of course, Tate is quite thrilled with the prospect of a quiet night back in his own bed! I am in Awe at our God and His provision! However, if the truth be fully told(which I am about to do), I am also apprehensive as they have not yet even given him really solid food AND they have decided that we will NOT give him any more TPN...we will just see how it goes and just "watch" for abdominal pain or fever... we have always been told that he would be weaned slowly off of TPN, so this is a pretty big change! After a year of hooking him up every night, all of a sudden the responsibility of nourishing him again is back on me..tonight! That is where the apprehension comes in..HOWEVER, our God is much bigger than my fear! So I smile as I say that and choose to walk confidently in His Power and not my own! Thank you for your continued prayer on our behalf...with much love, Ann and all

Tate is doing Well!

Paul arrived home this morning just in time to coach Paulie's game at 9 am...Tate had been up walking(required to prevent blood clots) a few times last night!..thankfully he can push a button and give himself pain medication! They started him on jello this morning and yogurt for lunch...so far, so good...it is just a test now to see if the intestines heal properly and he can eat...we are thanking God as we watch each step unfold! Tate has spent the day alone down there and has so far only called once for some "encouragement". Drew and Mae plan to visit tomorrow and spend the afternoon with him...Paul relished the shower and is looking forward to a good night sleep..the baby in Tate's room(and the mother and father who alternate staying could benefit from prayer..the baby's lungs are aspirated regularly all night long and there is a lot of crying...God knew what He was doing by placing Tate in that room as he loves little kids and has great compassion..pray for opportunity to share the hope of Christ with them as Paul said it is obvious they are under great strain relationally...Thank you for your continued prayers..we are so encouraged by your love for us....In Christ, Ann

Surgery successsful!

Thanks to all the prayer warriors today. The surgery went much longer than expected due to a lot of inflammation in the area of intestines to be removed, but according to the surgeons it was completed successfully. We spent about three hours in recovery and just an hour ago got into our room. Tate is very out of it, sleeping most of the time even with the football game on. He seems to have the pain under control for now and is sleeping peacefully.
We have a small double room and are sharing it with a young girl and her mother so it should be an interesting night!

Thanks again for all your prayers and concern!
Paul

Update 1-4-10

Dear Praying Friends,

I have put this update off far too long as I have been truly relishing a Christmas Season with no hospital or emergency room visits..We have had a blessed fall with few "medical adventures" as we call them! Tate is feeling well overall and has gained 40+ lbs since he was put on TPN over a year ago... After not growing at all for four years, we have been very thankful for this progress! However, because there are significant risks to being fed long term by IV every night, the next step God has set before us is another endo/colonoscopy on the 4th of January , followed by surgery to remove the most diseased part of his intestines on the 7th of January..both will take place at UCSF and we are told he will probably be in the hospital about a week after the surgery. We would appreciate prayer on Tate's behalf...we are asking God for a successful surgery with the result of him being able to sustain himself "normally" again...we are also asking that we would be faithful witnesses to our Savior and a light for Him wherever and whatever the circumstances, with hearts and minds totally surrendered to God's Perfect Plan for us. Happy New Year! What a treasure it is to know that God is in control!

Love in Christ, Ann Bartholow