Monday, Sept. 22 Just another "Jerry" update. This afternoon the doctors did insert one tube on each of Jerry's sides to continually drain the fluid from around his lungs. It immediately drained about 1 liter from each side again. The fluid is not in the lungs, but in the cavity area outside of the lungs in the chest wall. This allows his lungs to be able to inflate and breathe easier. The fluid drained is infected with a staph infection - which scared me intensely when I heard it, but the doctor assured me that Jerry is on massive amounts of strong antibiotics. He also has the beginnings of an infection in his colon which oddly enough is caused by taking so many antibiotics - in which you take another antibiotic to clear that infection. Please pray for all infections to clear and that no new infections will form anywhere and especially around the tubes that have been placed in his sides for the fluid drainage. And, please pray for continued strength for me as the days are now beginning to be so long. I am longing to just be able to talk to him again and miss "my Jerry" (he is completely sedated). Also pray for his lungs to heal and his oxygen levels to balance correctly. We are praying that he can heal enough to be able to come off the ventilator so he can "wake up" and open his eyes and talk. We are taking it one step at a time, and one day at a time, and tomorrow will be a whole new day - I still have such hope! I cannot thank you enough for the outpouring of love and support we've received and all your words of encouragment through cards and e-mails. As I stayed with Jerry last night at the hospital, I was texting back and forth all night with my brother and sister as they stayed up the entire night with me (in Memphis, TN) and prayed for a miracle for Jerry. Several of my friends have told me today that they also were up most of the night praying for Jerry and his healing. I love you all so dearly! Even as we see small improvements we know that your prayers are working. God never tires from his children praying to him, in fact He asks us to be persistent in our prayers and not to give up. I truly am believing and praying for Jerry's health to be totally restored. Please continue to pray along with me. Love, Candy Jeremiah 29:11