Erik

Our family visited Erik today. Today is Erik's 14th birthday; he is in the hospital after suffering from a brain aneurysm the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Subsequently, he went into kidney failure. He is a sweet young man, and I don't say that just because he's ill. My daughter Katie, soon to be 14, has known Erik since they were toddlers. At a summer outing for preschoolers, I was laying in the grass with the kids looking at clouds when Erik decided the most comfortable place to lay was on my legs. That's what kind of kid he still is - physically affectionate, cheerful, unabashed, blonde-haired, with an impish grin and he plays a mean trumpet. He and Katie are in band together and challenge each other back and forth for first chair.
Erik is making progress. The dialysis is draining his body of excess fluid, the cat-scan looks good and he is responsive, thought not totally awake. The meds and the strain on his body keeps him mostly sedated, although he knows you're there. The strain on the family is great, but their faith in God and the support of family and friends keeps them going.
The kids at school have rallied to his cause; Katie and another classmate have made and passed out countless necklaces with painted bottle caps, with an 'E' on them; the students have also made and are wearing t-shirts that say 'Pray For Erik' (this at a public school - they're not all bad!). Teachers and students have visited, sent hundreds of cards as well as balloons and gifts. Erik is a well-loved and deeply missed young man.
Please pray for Erik and his parents, siblings, and the physicians and staff at Nationwide Children's Hospital.