5/19 update

Pamela was there this afternoon when the head of the Hematology department came by to talk about Carissa. Her numbers were basically a little higher or steady today on her blood counts. However, under the microscope there are some cells that don't look exactly right. They might be immature cells but there is some concern that they are "peculiar" instead so they are going to draw additional blood tomorrow to run a test that will determine if this could be an indication of something else like some sort of blood cancer. The test will not say if Carissa has some sort of blood cancer, just if that is a possibility. If the test indicates that then they will attempt to obtain some bone marrow to test. That is very likely a very painful process for a newborn and is very difficult to do. The doctor used the needle in a haystack analogy.

The Hematologist also gave a clarification on the hematology report that came back that the doctors had interpreted as her having NAIT, neonatal alloimmune thrombecytopenia, and said that actually she either does not have that or she has a variation of it that they are really not familiar with, so we really don't have a main diagnosis on what was/is going on with Carissa's platelets.

Carissa actually took 5 feedings in a row totally by bottle but has acted very tired at the last 2 feedings. We don't know if she is just worn out from bottle feeding, is tired from having blood drawn every day, or is tired from something to do with her blood. Like many of you have suggested to us, all the unknown is really challenging. Carissa is also looking a little paler these days. Once again that could be from the same issues just mentioned with her tiredness or form something completely different.

• Please thank God for the progress that Carissa has made and for those working diligently to help her.
• Please pray that Carissa's blood and circulatory system will improve and that she will be able to produce and maintain all her blood components properly.
• Please pray that Carissa will not be found to have cells that indicate cancer and will not have to have her bone marrow sampled.
• Please pray for Dante and him mom, Misty.
• Please pray that we will keep giving all this to the Lord thankfully and that we will have that peace that passes all understanding. We really are thankful to be having these issues now compared to what was predicted for Carissa before she was born.
• Please pray that God will continue to get the glory for Carissa's healing.

The first verse of the Bible is "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The Almighty God who spoke the world into being is the same God that we are asking to heal Carissa.

Thank y'all so much for your prayers and we ask you sincerely to continue,

Terry