REQUEST FOR THE WORLD

This is a picture of my beloved youngest grandson, Matthew Travis. It was taken Christmas morning, 2010. Ten days ago, Travis became ill with what the doctor supposed was a wicked stomach virus going around in Austin. His elementary school had 170 children out sick with the virus. Five days later, he was still running a high fever and had been unable to hold any food or drink on his stomach. He complained that his stomach hurt. His mother Amy called the pediatrician again, made an appointment for the next morning, but as his illness progressed that day, the doctor told her to take Travis to the emergency room at Dell Children's Medical Center as he more than likely was dehydrated. His dad, Matthew, stayed at home with his little sister Kelly.

Thanks to modern technology, and the iPod, Amy was able to keep us informed via emails and text messages of the happenings at the emergency room. Travis is not a rowdy child. In fact, for the most part he is very quiet and sweet natured. He was not screaming or crying out in pain (he softly moans), so when another "emergency" came in, it took priority over Travis. It was after 11 at night before they finally did blood work and an ultrasound. By this time, his appendix had ruptured. He went into surgery at nearly one in the morning. That was last Thursday, January 20th.

Today is the fifth day of Travis's hospitalization. This morning they will do a CT scan, as he is not doing as well as expected. Travis is still in a lot of pain, and is running fever. His abdomen is so extended it prevents his lungs from operating properly and he must be on oxygen. They put a P.I.C.C. Line in so that he may have the massive amount of antibiotics they are dosing him with and not cause his veins to collapse. He has not had food or drink in over a week, being fed through an IV line. Every day, they get this little pain ridden eight year old out of bed, IV in tow, and have him walk the halls, hoping to get his system started "moving" again.

The doctors fear he may have an abscess, which will require more surgery to drain it. The drain

line may have to remain in for some time. I'm sure he will take this in stride, as his mother says he has not complained once at all the procedures he's suffered. He takes it all bravely and is so stoic, one has to believe he is an "old soul", who has been through this or worse before.

We are hoping Travis will be able to go home later this week. When he does, he will have Home Health Care come in to attend to his medical needs. And this Grandmommy will be there to help love him back to health. Maybe by then some chocolate chip cookies will tempt his missing appetite.

I'm sending this out at this time to ask all of you who haven't already been praying for this young boy, to please add your prayers for his healing. Envision with me a healthy, whole, and happy child -- back in school, and at home with his loving family.

I will update you on his progress.

Peace, love, and healing,

Marilyn