We Found a Happy Medium for Chase's Breathing Assistance

Since Chase has been back at home, he’s been breathing unassisted and doing fine for the most part. However, while sleeping next to him last night (it was my rotation), he seemed to have some apnea incidences that were somewhat concerning. He would take a few shallow breaths and then stop for a few seconds (long enough to drop his O2 level about 10 pts) and then breath normally again. Of course, this situation means a terrible night of lost sleep for whoever is watching over Chase and listening for his pulse-ox in the background. This was enough of a concern for us to look into the options for better monitoring and breathing assistance options going forward.

Before Chase was discharged from the hospital earlier this week, we asked about options like using a BIPAP or a portable ventilator and monitor at home; however, the roadblock was that Beaumont didn’t have a pediatric home ventilation program. They kept pointing out the fact that with any of this kind of equipment, we would need a respiratory therapist and a Pulminologist to follow his case at home and provide the necessary ongoing support.

We finally found an agency (Advent) that specializes in this kind of service and they completely agreed that Chase would be an ideal candidate. They recommended the use of nocturnal ventilation to enable Chase’s body to get better rest and give us the benefit of the monitoring at night as well as ongoing assistance with proactive respiratory therapy in our home. We were told this should also reduce the stress on his heart and hopefully keep his heart-rate from fluctuating so much at night. This is exactly what we were trying to get in place, yet we couldn’t find anyone at the local hospital who knew how to go about it (without transferring our case to Detroit Children’s or U of M, which we didn’t want to do).

With enough persistence, we were able to get Beaumont to agree to allow Advent to manage our case at home, including setting us up with the equipment (ventilator with built-in BIPAP and all the necessary monitoring). The only catch was that they wanted to observe Chase utilizing this equipment for 24 hours before writing the order. Unfortunately, this meant having to get Chase admitted again for the night. We explained to him that we were only doing this so that we could avoid having further hospital stays in the future and so that he could get all the care he needs at home.

Well, so far so good – as I left the hospital tonight, Chase was doing great on the portable vent. He’s sleeping much more deeply and peacefully. This will also mean that Carol and I will be able to rest better, knowing that Chase is ok through the night. We are extremely grateful to have found this “happy medium” and hopefully everything will go well through the rest of the night so that Chase can be back home again tomorrow. Once they write the order (assuming everything goes according to plan), we’ll probably also be able to get more support with his care on a regular basis.

Clinically, Chase is also making good progress again. He’s responding more every day with limited movement of his fingers, toes, hands, etc and today he seemed to be able to open and move his right eye. We’re extremely excited to see each baby step in his recovery once again. He never ceases to amaze us with his courage and determination. We hope to see this continue through the weekend, leading up to the prayer service on Sunday, Sept 3rd at 3 pm.
Meg and Max Koss 6311 Walker Drive
Troy, MI 48085

mk3013@yahoo.com
megkoss@comcast.net
tel:
tel2:
mobile: (248)828-4419
(248)840-2433 Meg Cell
(248)709-1278 Max Cell




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In preparation for this service, we’re continuing to use the novena prayers www.padrepiodevotions.org/index.asp?pagename=prayers and http://www.latinmass.bravepages.com/infant_jesus_of_prague.htm While I was saying these prayers next to Chase today, I asked him if St. Padre Pio was praying with him and he responded – yes! Then I asked if Padre with him at night during his prayers and he again indicated yes (with a thumbs up). Some day, when Chase can communicate better, we’ll come to know the rest of the story...

Thanks again for all the prayers and support. Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend and God Bless!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara

Chase is Back Home Again!

Chase continued to do well off the ventilator last night with stable vitals. This was simply amazing progress from the condition when he was admitted early Friday morning. Most of the medical staff were speechless (perhaps to avoid having to eat some words) particularly those who were so pessimistic on Friday afternoon. I’m sure this experience is another reminder to them that things aren’t in our control and in this case, Divine Intervention was certainly present.

Chase’s condition improved to the point that they were comfortable discharging him from the hospital this evening and allowing us to take him home with the training and experience that we’ve gained in caring for his trach, oxygenation, etc. Once again, the pace that we’ve been eased into this learning experience has been a real blessing – if it wasn’t for the last procedures we had done in late June (tracheotomy, shunt, etc.) this would’ve been a very difficult transition; however, we’re quite comfortable with it now and we’re very happy to have Chase back home.

Although he’s continuing to slowly respond and come out of his “deep sleep”, he still has a long way to go to even get back to where he was last week, before this hospitalization. Perhaps his body is slowly resorbing the fluid (including the recent tumor bleed) and this is enabling the pressure to gradually subside. Whether this is the case, or it’s simply Divine Intervention due to our faith and the multitude of Prayer Warriors who are staying vigilant in this cause, we’re extremely grateful to still have Chase with us and we remain hopeful that he will continue recovering.

We’ll keep you posted on Chase’s continued progress as we prepare for the prayer service next Sunday, Sept 3rd at 3 pm. The contact info is in the update from this past weekend. Anyone is welcome to attend and if not in person, you can join us in spirit as we continue to lift Chase in faith and light. In preparation for this service, we’ll be using the novena prayers below:

• Infant Jesus of Prague Novena


• Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

We plan to use these prayers during our group session on Thursday at 12 noon EST.

Thanks again for all the prayers and support – it really helped us through the toughest period we’ve had since Chase’s diagnosis. God Bless!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara

Keep Up the Great Work Prayer Warriors!

Chase’s progress and ongoing recovery never ceases to amaze us. We were just discussing options with the local staff regarding ventilators and / or BiPAP machines that we could use for Chase at home so he can get discharged soon. In order to figure out what he would need, we decided to take him off the hospital ventilator to see how his body responds and perhaps get some clues as to what kind of help Chase really needs with his breathing.

Praise the Lord once again! When we took the vent off, Chase started breathing fine on his own and has continued to do so for the past hour. In some ways, this causes a bit of a dilemma since it would be hard to justify getting this equipment sent home with us, as well as the nursing support. However, we really don’t want to find ourselves in another acute situation at home. Quite fortunately, we had a nurse with us the last time (Carol’s sister Cathy) – without that, the situation would’ve been even more scary. It was stressful enough as it was, so this time we’d like to have the equipment we need and to be trained on it, as well as the support on hand so that we’re self-sufficient (without ER paramedics).

Ironically, the same folks that were giving us a doom and gloom speech 3 days ago about the prospect of ever getting Chase discharged (without hospice) are now telling us that we might not have a medical basis to support getting a ventilator or other equipment or even private duty nursing – just a regular discharge?! It’s a good thing we’ve learned from the beginning not to take the advice of conventional practitioners too seriously or we probably wouldn’t have gotten this far (I couldn’t help but take that shot)...

In any event, please continue your fervent prayers for Chase. We’ll be collectively praying tonight again at 9 pm EST and asking reverently for Divine Intervention to continue these improvements and to provide a complete spontaneous remission that will finally remove this burden from Chase altogether. Thanks so much once again for holding us all in prayer during this extremely challenging time. God Bless!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann

Where There is Life, There is Hope!

Where There is Life, There is Hope! This comment, among many that we have received since Chase’s most recent setback rings continually in my mind. Despite the somewhat forceful suggestions that we received from the conventional medical practitioners that we are at the “end of the road” and should use the care of hospice, we’re keeping our faith as strong as ever that Chase will be healed and we’re already being rewarded.

Chase has started responding again, a little at a time. Yesterday he seemed to move a couple of his fingers ever so slightly and repeated it when I noticed and asked him to do it again. Today, he was even more responsive, moving his left toes and foot as well as the fingers on his left hand and his right shoulder and forearm (which is something he would’ve struggled to do a couple of weeks ago). Chase’s heartrate has remained stable for the past two days and he quickly got over his fever (within a day of it starting).

Although he hasn’t been able to open his eyes yet, he’s clearly indicating his cognition and presence. This is extremely encouraging since the improvements have happened so quickly after this setback due to the bleeding inside of his tumor. We are thrilled with our decision to stay the course and we’re pushing for the opportunity to take Chase back home with a ventilator so that he can get back on track with his recovery. We’re hoping that this can happen early this week, as soon as we can arrange for the ventilator to be provided and to be adequately trained on it.

Once again, we see some blessings in this recent turn of events. First of all, with the help of a ventilator, Chase’s body does not have to work so hard to maintain his O2 levels – prior to the vent, his respirations were extremely frequent and shallow (30-50 per minute), which meant that he was expending a lot of energy that we would prefer him to utilize in fighting the tumor. He was also very reluctant to get outside and around (probably due to embarrassment) – now we’ll be getting a specially designed wheelchair and a portable vent that will enable us to take him for walks to get fresh air, sunshine, etc. which we believe will help in his recovery.

The vent will also necessitate the help of a respiratory therapist, which is actually quite welcomed so that we can get some occasional breaks (we very rarely ever get to leave together and this should enable an occasional “date”). The additional set of hands will also be a big relief even when we are around to help with things like getting Chase washed up, exercised, etc.

One of the main sources of our inspiration through this most recent challenge is a relative of Saint Padre Pio. Over the past few months, we received several references to St. Pio (who we had never heard of) from various sources. One of the recent reference was a real eye-opener: in a book about the extraordinary life of Pope John Paul II, it mentioned that when he was asked to pray for someone back home in Poland who had a terminal condition that was very urgent, he sent the prayer request to Padre Pio who he had a very high regard for and the person had a very quick “spontaneous remission”. It struck me that if that’s who the Holy Father turned to for help with prayers in a time of need, we ought to consider it.

But even this wasn’t enough to keep our attention on accepting this help of intercession, until St. Pio’s relative contacted us after having heard about Chase and told us that she is praying for him (another Prayer Warrior) and sent us some St. Pio’s prayer cards. Then we began reading about the story of Padre Pio which is truly amazing, and the prayers that he suggests are incredibly moving, particularly the prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which he used incessantly to pray for anyone seeking his help. www.padrepiodevotions.org/index.asp?pagename=prayers

Ironically, this is essentially the same set of prayers that we were requested to use in preparation for our upcoming prayer healing service for Chase, http://www.latinmass.bravepages.com/infant_jesus_of_prague.htm Thus, we welcome any / all of Chase’s Prayer Warriors to join us in using these prayers, as we reverently ask for Divine Intervention to provide a spontaneous remission and finally remove this burden from Chase, who has bravely carried this cross for over a year. Thanks again for all your support and God Bless!

Love and gratitude,

John & Carol
Chase & Barbara Ann

Chase is in the Beaumont ECU Again

Well with the grace of God we were able to get Chase back home safely last night, but it was a very stressful return trip. Fortunately, we had an oxygen tank with us during the flight because Chase was having difficulties maintaining his O2 levels (again, with the blessing of having a pulse oximeter with us, we were able to stay on top of his condition). It was particularly stressful because we knew we didn’t have enough oxygen to get through the entire flight and during the layover for re-fueling, we had to scramble to get another tank and refill the one we had. Then, in mid-flight when the first tank ran out, we struggled to get the second tank on-line because of course they required different fittings and it took a few tries to get it working, while Chases O2 was dropping again – we got it working just in time (again by the grace of God – a fatal situation at that point would have just been devastating to all of us in the plane).

After all that, we managed to get back home and I was praying next to Chase in bed as he has been less and less responsive over the past couple of days. During the prayers, I asked him if he was comfortable and he gave a thumbs-up, which was very heart-warming so I called Carol over to see him responding. Unfortunately, immediately after this, his O2 levels started dropping once again. Luckily Carol’s sister Cathy (the nurse practitioner) was on-site and quickly used her stethoscope to check his breathing. We were frantically alarmed to find out that he wasn’t breathing at all – once again, we had what we needed at his bedside and began using a breathing bag connected to the oxygen concentrator to keep him going while we called the paramedics. They quickly got us into the ER at Beaumont where Chase was admitted.

They did a quick CT scan and found a couple of indications of bleeding inside the tumor. According to Dr. Burzynski, this isn’t too surprising, particularly as a tumor begins to break down since it has less mass (more like a sponge or jello) and some blood vessels will break and bleed. However, the net result is more pressure on a very difficult and tenuous situation to start with. The slight additional pressure was enough to push against the Thalamus and nerves that control autonomic functions, such as breathing. With the use of a respirator, Chase’s vitals have been stable for the most part (some concerning fluctuations of his heart rate that seem to be getting under control). He also had a fever of 102 (the highest he’s had since his diagnosis) so they started him on some anti-biotics while doing some blood cultures to try and figure out what the issue is (they’re concerned that it may not be infection, just a reflection of his declining condition). The fever seems to have subsided at the moment but we won’t have the results of the blood cultures for another day or two.

With all of this taking place, we received a lot of counsel about worst case scenarios and conversations that we really didn’t want to have related to the degree of intervention we want utilized to support Chase. Since he’s not really responding at the moment, they’re fearing the worst and trying to prepare us. We just had another MRI done to be able to give Dr. Burzynski the benefit of the latest data before assessing what has been happening that led to Chase’s progression of symptoms. Hopefully, he continues to see signs of breakdown (although this is a very difficult balance at the moment because with the further breakdown comes inflammation and more symptoms). We’re really at the most critical juncture there could be – the effect of the tumor on Chase’s brainstem is at the “breaking point”. We need more guidance on the recent changes in the shape of the tumor and what is the recommended course of action once again.

At this point (as we’ve known all along), the situation is truly in God’s hands. We are continuing to pray for Chase’s recovery and the strength to accept God’s will with love in our hearts. We can’t help but relate to Jesus’ agony in the garden as he said, “My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it”. This is extremely hard to accept at times, but we are comforted in knowing that no matter what happens, Chase is going to be in the good Lord’s hands.

Please pray for us to receive the right guidance on how to proceed and for our understanding and acceptance of God’s will for Chase. There is a prayer service being planned for September 3rd at 3 pm and the Koss family has asked us to invite anyone interested in attending at their home (this is a prayer group that is associated with some people who have done a pilgrimage to Medjugorje and are responding to a calling to continue spreading the messages of conversion). They will be collectively holding our intentions for Chase’s healing in prayer during the service.

Meg and Max Koss
6311 Walker Drive
Troy, MI 48085

mk3013@yahoo.com
megkoss@comcast.net
tel: (248)828-4419

Thanks so much once again for holding us all in prayer during this extremely challenging time. God Bless!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann

Chase Needs Our Prayers More Than Ever!

We’ve been in Vancouver since last weekend – thanks once again to TMW and his extremely hospitable crew. Although Chase wasn’t doing great prior to our departure, we wanted to take the opportunity extended to us for more quantum healing sessions. Fortunately, the flight went well (no vomiting this time) and we were excited about the prospect of making some more progress at this critical juncture in Chase’s recovery.

Unfortunately, we don’t have much good news to report. The most positive thing that we’ve been able to ascertain is that the tumor hasn’t grown once again (which certainly isn’t bad news); however, the issue is that with the recent breakdown and fluid accumulation, the tumor is starting to change shape. Although this isn’t that surprising with the dynamic state of the tumor transition – the real issue is that with any change in shape comes cranial pressure on different nerves. Lately, that’s been affecting Chase’s left side even more (progressive weakness is continuing) and it has been making it more difficult for him to swallow again. Since he has a feeding tube, the swallowing isn’t critical (he’s still getting all the fluid he needs); however, all of this progression of symptoms is frustrating Chase even more (which is totally understandable) and making it harder to lift his spirits.

Over the past two days, Chase’s sodium level has been extremely elevated, which we caught through his blood tests. This is the first time we’ve run into this problem since our diet has been low in sodium all along, so it’s hard to figure out what this is attributable to. The net result is that all of his electrolytes are out of wack, we’ve had to stop the anti-neoplastons, and Chase’s system is completely run down. In addition, the increased cranial pressure has led to a lot more nausea and vomiting. Although this has happened in the past, this time around we have good monitoring equipment (including a pule-oximeter) and we’re seeing the detrimental effect it’s having on Chase’s heart rate – it’s been running dangerously low from time to time. We now have him on a consistent flow of fluids to balance out the electrolyte issue and hoping that everything will be back to normal soon (ideally by the morning).

The worst part of the trip is the final feedback that we’ve received after the quantum healing sessions. Since the situation is so precarious right now, due to the high cranial pressure, our quantum healer is not comfortable doing any treatments. He’s quite concerned about what could happen if more pressure is applied in the wrong place at the wrong time. After reflecting on this, we tend to agree and appreciate his candid feedback. Nevertheless, that takes away one more avenue for accelerating Chase’s recovery that we were hoping to continue using. This is still a possibility down the road, once things get stabilized again, but we really need this to happen soon. The affects of the recent progression of symptoms is very stressful on everyone, particularly Carol. Please keep her in your prayers as you continue to lift Chase on his way through this extremely challenging journey.

We’re sticking to the schedule of 12 noon EST on Thursday for our collective prayer / visualizations. We need all the help we can get right now – we’re planning on flying back home tomorrow (Thursday) at 11 am local (2 pm EST) and we’re very concerned about how the trip will be for Chase (especially the added atmospheric pressure). Please pray that our journey is safe and that Chase gets stable again and back on the road to recovery. Thanks so much for your ongoing support!

God Bless!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann

Preparing for More Quantum Healing Sessions

Chase seems to have stabilized again, although he has had some recent bouts with nausea and this has caused his feeding tube to get displaced and / or plugged a couple of times. Carol has stepped up, once again, to develop another nursing skill so that we can take care of this at home and have some more independence. Chase really likes having his mommy for a nurse, since it makes him the most comfortable and relaxed. We’re still debating about whether to get the stomach peg-tube since it would be easier to handle, but requires yet another surgery (which we’ve been hoping to be able to avoid with steady improvements in swallowing). However, the recent changes in Chase’s condition don’t seem to be moving in the right direction (at least in that area).

According to our energy practitioner and Neuro-modulation-technique (NMT) practitioners, the recent progression of symptoms aren’t related to tumor growth but the byproduct of breakdown and the reaction of Chase’s immune system in working feverishly to purge the liquid byproduct of the tumor. Our Naturopath also concurs with this assessment and is suggesting that we concentrate on helping Chase’s lymphatic system to filter out the “sludge” – we’re working with a masseuse specializing in lymph massage as well as adding some supplements to help with the circulation.

Please add these intentions to our Prayer / Visualization sessions (starting with today at noon EST). Thanks for supporting us all in Chase’s recovery. We’re keeping the faith and we believe it’s only a matter of time before he’s showing clear signs of significant improvement. We’re heading back to Vancouver this weekend for 4 days of quantum healing sessions and we look forward to reporting on Chase’s continued progress. Thanks again and God Bless!

Love and gratitude,

John & Carol
Chase & Barbara Ann

Chase's Protocol

The files containing Chase's protocol have been uploaded and can be accessed with the following links to the Yahoo group:

• Chase's Protocol


• Chase's Schedule of Supplements

What a Year it's Been!

Yesterday we passed the one year mark of Chase’s diagnosis – what a bitter sweet milestone. Bitter of course because of how long this recovery is taking and how challenging it’s been; however, it’s sweet knowing that we’re continuing to defy the conventional medical wisdom. We were told on Aug 11th, 2005 that without radiation and / or chemo Chase had 4-6 months and that with these devastating treatments, the most we could hope for was 12-18 months.

Well, needless to say, they didn’t know much about the character of our little Trooper! He’s been quite a fighter and an inspiration the whole way. He’s done all we could ask to defeat this terrible condition. The files posted on his Yahoo group show what Chase’s current protocol entails, which tends to change on a weekly basis, with the input of his Nutritionist, Naturopath, Energy Practitioner, Homeopath, the Burzynski Clinic, etc.

We continue to see small but positive feedback signs that Chase is on the road to recovery. Nevertheless, it’s a continuous challenge. Lately, he’s had some involuntary nervous movement in his left leg, which is quite concerning and frustrating for him (it makes him shake and spill when he’s drinking, which is one of the things he still enjoys being able to do). Anyhow, he’s working through it and we continually remind him that all of this is just temporary.

We know that this entire situation has been full of blessings for us all and when we stop to consider them, we realize that more good is coming of this than we could’ve imagined. Of course, we never would’ve signed up for this situation, but we’re firm believers that whatever God has in store for us is in our highest good. Either He answers our prayers and Chase gets completely healed soon, or He has an even better plan in store for Chase and all of us – that’s essentially the “win-win” proposition that we have.

Thanks so much for supporting us through this difficult challenge and lifting Chase in prayer. We couldn’t have gotten this far without the tremendous outpouring of support! We’re continuing to stick with the schedule for our collective Prayer / Visualization Sessions on Monday evenings at 9 pm EST and Thursdays at 12 noon EST. During this next session, we’ll be visualizing the reduction in swelling, related to the removal of toxins in the necrosis “blisters”. Thanks for joining with us and we’ll soon have the webcast sessions set up so that those who are interested can follow the same visualization sequence that we do. Thanks again and God Bless!

Love and gratitude,

John & Carol
Chase & Barbara Ann

Chase is Recovering from a Difficult Day

Yesterday was just one of those days where just about everything goes wrong. First Chase’s foley catheter came out for some unknown reason. Then he had bouts of nausea again (vomited 3 different times) and after lunch his feeding tube came out. So he didn’t get any nutrition or supplements until this morning when we had a home care nurse get us set-up again.

Chase seemed to be “dragging” through most of the day, probably just recovering from all the stress and difficulty of the previous day. However, by the evening he was in better spirits and wanted to play Monopoly (his favorite lately). It must be something about the money and properties that fascinates him.

Anyhow, thanks to all of Chase’s Prayer Warriors who participated in the prayer / visualization session this afternoon as he seems to be getting back on track. We’re keeping the faith and lifting him up in light, hoping that he’ll have a good weekend and be back on the upward climb to a full recovery.

Love and gratitude,

John & Carol
Chase & Barbara Ann

Dr. Burzynski Concurs with Chase's Progress

The feedback from the Burzynski Clinic is that the changes in Chase’s tumor are consistent with what they would expect as it is going through the degradation process. Although the conventional doctors haven’t seen this before, Dr. Burzynski has and he’s confident that things are progressing in the right direction with Chase’s recovery. He is particularly pleased that there was no more mass in the lesion with an increase in the amount of fluid / necrosis.

Ironically, the changes in the tumor were precisely what was described during our Quantum Healing sessions. We truly believe that we’re finally gaining momentum with Chase’s recovery and we appreciate all the support from Chase’s Prayer Warriors who are devoutly participating in the prayer / visualization sessions!

We’ll be together in spirit again tonight at 9 pm EST as we put our collective intention to support Chase’s central nervous system in filtering out the liquid in the tumor. Our Nutritionist recently described how this is what Chase’s body will do through the spinal fluid once his neurological system recognizes the additional necrosis. This is very exciting as we continue to see a continuous stream of small steps forward in Chase’s recovery. Thanks for your ongoing support!

God Bless!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann

Chase's MRI Reflected his Clinical Improvements

We just got the info back from Chase’s MRI scan - overall not bad. There was certainly no more growth or increased size from the last scan (June 16th), which in itself is a relief, considering the previous two showed considerable growth and progression of symptoms.

The Radiologist was gracious enough to spend a lot of time going over the various slides. The changes seem to closely replicate what we’ve been seeing in terms of Chase’s improvements in clinical symptoms, including(1) reduced inflammation (2) considerably more liquid - necrosis / breakdown, particularly in the upper areas of the tumor, which is completely new from the previous scans (3) less overall density or mass in the tumor.

Of course, conventional medicine can't explain these changes and they grasp for some explanations - such as the fact that the recent shunt implant reduced the pressure in the upper areas of the brain so the fluid that was beginning accumulate in the lower part (near the Pons) migrated to the midbrain (i.e. this isn’t new fluid); however, we don’t “buy” this explanation, considering the changes in clinical symptoms.

We’re anxious to get the impression of the Radiologist from the Burzynski Clinic, since they’ve seen far more cases of regression and success in beating this condition than conventional Oncologists. We’re hoping to get their feedback tomorrow and we’ll post what we find out.

Overall, we’re very encouraged and keeping the faith, expecting Chase to continue his climb up the mountain of recovery, God willing! In our prayers / visualizations, please ask that Chase receive more strength and vitality in order to keep up the good work and accelerate his recovery. Thanks for your ongoing support!

God Bless!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann

Chase has another MRI Tomorrow

Chase is continuing to show signs of slow but steady progress. His sessions with the Physical Therapist for the past two days have been great. She has a small farm, so she brought a saddle to our house and put it over a large cushion to get Chase to try balancing himself. Although he was reluctant at first, once we got him going it was a great experience as it really worked a lot of the muscles that he hasn't used in a while. His spirits also continue to be much better - I think he's excited to see the improvements as well.

We have the MRI tomorrow afternoon - we're really looking forward to it and seeing the changes in the tumor. We'll fill you in as soon as we get the results. The Radiologist has been great to work with - he usually makes the time to sit down with us right away and go over the scan. Hopefully, he'll be available again tomorrow and we can get immediate feedback.

Please join us once again for 10-15 minutes of collective prayer and visualization for Chase’s healing tomorrow at 12 noon EST. This will be just before we take Chase in for the scan. We’re praying that all goes well and that the scan confirms the improvements that we’ve been seeing in his clinical symptoms. Thanks for lifting Chase in prayer and helping us to keep the faith that he is on the way to a complete recovery!

God Bless!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara Ann