Dear Family and Friends,

Mom/Miriam has been having unexpected intermittent contact dermatitis. She developed skin rash in her face and chest. The last time this occurred, it was due to the hospital gown. The rash disappeared five minutes after changing her into her own clothes. This second rash has been more troubling and difficult to pin point. I think it is a combination of hospital gown/sheets/towels/washcloth AND her Aveeno Baby Bath Liquid Soap. This evening, she developed another facial rash. This happened 1 hour or so after giving her a full bath. I am thankful to the Lord that I went back to see her after dinner. I happen to use Aveeno to wipe and clean her face. I did that last week and she had the same redness to her face. It cleared after wiping her face with plain drinking water.   I will continue to watch and observe her. 

I have some good news. The areas of skin breakdowns are completely gone and her intermittent lower GI bleeding has resolved. She has not developed  urinary tract infection since  March. 
Miriam remains more wakeful and has been making some sounds. No words just sounds. I remain hopeful that God will one day restore her to complete physical restoration and neurological recovery. Mark 11:24 " Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." 

Doris, Jim and Mom came to visit Miriam for a week and they helped Howie move into his college dorm this evening. Howie went to see his mom and to say goodbye to her. It was a  an emotional moment. He thanked mom/Miriam and told her that he will never depart from the Lord. He shared Psalm 68:5 with us because we are all thankful to have a God who is described us "a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows".  Miriam lost her dad at age 4 and the Lord has been her heavenly Father all these years. He has never abandoned her and He will never turn His back on her and her family.

Thank you for your unceasing prayers and patience.

In His Time,

Dad/Alex