[Epley Update] April 19, 2006

[Russ and Flossie Epley]

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you for bearing with me each day as I report on how Russ is doing 
and continue to solicit your prayers. It is healing for me to be able 
to share with you my faith journey and the power of prayer is 
unmeasureable. Russ has always valued prayer, but even more so in 
recent years. I tell him everyday that many people are praying for him.

When I walked into Russ' room today I noticed that there was fresh 
blood in the sack that collects fluid from Russ' stomach. That means 
his ulcer is bleeding. At first I thought, "Oh that too. It feels like 
everything that could go wrong is going wrong." Then I quickly 
remembered that Russ' brain did not swell in those initial days so he 
didn't have to have surgery. As far as I know he doesn't have any bed 
sores. And Russ is still alive and I believe will live through this 
experience. We haven't had any earthquakes that I have felt since Russ 
has been hospitalized there on the seventh floor. When I have a times 
of rejoicing with Russ it seems every time Mark 10:20b comes to 
mind–"Rejoice that your names are written in heaven." There are many 
things to rejoice about, but that's at the top of the list. Regardless 
of what happens in this short time we have on earth, we have an 
eternity with Christ to look forward to. In this time of crisis I can't 
help but be preoccupied with what really matters in life.

Today I was able to talk to Russ' neurologist. He explained that Russ 
is in stable condition. His brain is not deteriorating and his 
pneumonia is not getting worse. His ulcer is bleeding slightly but not 
excessively. Russ is showing some signs of understanding simple 
commands. The doctor said that when the nurses told him to turn to his 
side, he made an attempt to do so. This is an encouraging sign that his 
brain is still functioning even though we have no way of knowing to 
what degree.

I told the doctor that since God made Russ in the first place I am 
praying that He will renew each cell in his body. I am ready to accept 
any disability that God may choose to give Russ, but I also believe 
that God can do a miracle in his body.

Russ has had a fever of around 100 degrees for two weeks. That wears a 
person down but he hasn't given up. I appreciate Russ' fighting spirit 
and tell him how much I appreciate his impressive work ethic that his 
hard-working parents cultivated in him as he grew up on a farm. I told 
the doctor that both Russ and I are willing to work hard. I recognize 
it's going to take more than hard work, but I think that will help.

The hospital staff tried to take Russ off oxygen but he was not ready 
to breathe on his own yet. They will try again on Friday (4/21) or 
Monday (4/24) to remove the respirator to see if he is able to breathe 
unassisted. After he is off the respirator they will evaluate his 
ability to swallow to see if he will be able to eat.

If possible they hope to again give him nourishment through the tube in 
his nose that goes directly to his stomach. The doctor commented on how 
amazing our bodies are and that the advantage of putting food directly 
into the stomach is that our stomachs know just what our bodies need 
and reject excess.

Dr. Yatsushige will be gone all next week. He has been invited to San 
Francisco to give a presentation to a convention of neurologists. Isn't 
God gracious to give Russ a doctor whose expertise is valued worldwide? 
While he is gone, Russ will temporarily be under the care of another 
doctor. Please pray that God will direct the hospital to choose a 
skilled doctor with whom I will be able to communicate well. I'm 
learning many medical vocabulary words I've never needed to know before 
both in English and Japanese, but I have really appreciated having an 
English-speaking doctor.

I'm sorry this has gotten so long. I only see the doctor two or three 
times a week so I had a lot to report. Again, thank you for your 
prayers.

Rejoicing in God's many provisions,
Flossie Epley