The other day I was sitting in Ben's room and I was thinking about how fragile life is, and how so much of what you always considered "constant" really isn't that at all. The boy across the hall from Ben's room isn't doing well. Just yesterday he was sitting up sipping a Dr. Pepper and looking well. Today doctors and nurses are running in and out, wheeling in the machine that starts your heart again after it has stopped. Meanwhile his family gathers and looks on, grief and frantic worry in their faces. I know how they feel. We have been there. Today has been a pretty good day for Ben; but I think back to the days that haven't been so good and I remember the stress and heartache we felt. There is no better way to describe this experience than to say it is a rollercoaster. And today, while we are gently coasting down a smooth-ish, all-be-it rather long, hill, my heart hurts for the children and families who are suffering. There are so many sick children and babies here; it is truly humbling and makes you look at life and priorities a little differently. Please keep them all in your prayers as well.

P.S. Ben had another echo today...valves look the same as the last echo and mitral regurgitation is as bad as well. He also has a small blood clot in the right side of his heart. They will increase his blood thinners and hopefully it won't move into his lungs. We are hopeful that he will start gaining weight soon and get some strength back. I'll keep postin' when I can.