5/17 Update

I have been contemplating sending a quick update with a couple of details for prayer requests and finally gave in since many of you in the past have been very quick to let us know that you want to know what to pray about with Carissa.

Carissa has hit a couple of challenges recently. Her blood counts are very anemic again so she is being treated with iron supplements and some special diet items. We go back to the hematologist on Thursday for a followup and to get some test results back. If her blood work is not headed in the right direction there is a possiblity of some pretty serious testing in the near future to find a cause. They do not feel this anemia is connected with the anemia she had in the first few months of her life.

Carissa also has really slowed on gaining weight and has slowed developmentally just because she seems weaker than she has been in the recent past. The iron supplement seems to be suppressing her appetite so we are in a little bit of a circle of frustration right now.

Carissa continues to be a very good-natured baby. She is quick to flash that toothless smile. She has also started sleeping through the night much more often than her once a quarter pace she was on for the first year and we are very thankful for that.

Thanks in advance for you prayers. We are scheduled to go on vacation the end of the week as long as everything stays on track. I will try to update everyone as to the results we find out Thursday before we leave for vacation.

Please know that we really are incredibly thankful for y'alls prayers as well as just the opportunity to experience these challenges with Carissa's health.

Yours and His,
Terry