Out of ICU!

Friends,
For the first time in his 3 1/2 weeks Samuel is out of an intensive care unit!

They moved him today up to the regular cardiac kids floor - 7C (room #781). They removed most of his lines and have taken out the chest tube, pacing wires and urinary catheter. He's still on a little O2 (at least he was earlier today) but should be off of that soon. He's up to full feeds again and the doctors said he had no need for intensive care. He'll still be closely monitored, but we will be much more free to hold him and will be directly involved in his care now. 7C is in many ways a transitional step between ICU and home. He's in his own room and we'll have the option to spend the night with him if we want to. If all goes well, we might be looking at being discharged to home this week.

We're on our way back up to hospital after being 25 minutes late to worship this morning (we were able to hold him and didn't want to put him down), and having a great lunch with old friends. Our older two traveled well to MD yesterday and are enjoying their time with their cousins. Thank you for your continued faithfulness in prayer for us. We are quit excited to have Samuel out of the PCICU, but also a little apprehensive about being more 'in charge' of his care as we've only know him with lots of doctors and nurses around.

Grateful for & dependent on your prayers and many expressions of support and love,
grant