Update 4/30 4:30pm

Gary just relayed an update. Not much has changed in Dylan's condition since the procedure this morning. He is sedated and resting now, and Gary and Debbie are with him. The doctors expect to keep him sedated for another 1-2 days.

It seems that there have been a series of different problems these past weeks with various organs--kidney, lungs, colon, etc.--which have prevented doctors from making progress on the liver issue, which is the reason Dylan was initially admitted. While this may seem frustrating to us as human beings, we should trust that this whole process is operating on God's infinitely wise timetable, and what appear to be unforeseen setbacks to us do not take Him by surprise. Let's continue to pray that God would sustain Gary and Debbie with the faith needed to handle whatever comes their way.

Also, please pray for safe travel for Gary and Debbie's families, who are traveling in from GA today.

Update 4/30 12:15pm

Good news--the doctors just came in and informed Gary and Debbie that the procedure to remove the air from Dylan's colon was successful. The tube insertion went very well and didn't aggravate any additional bleeding. This is an answer to prayer. In fact, the doctors were even able to leave the tube in his colon in case future air removal is needed.

The cause of the pressure buildup, they suspect, is normal bacteria in the colon that produce air, which Dylan isn't able to expel b/c his bowels are not working properly. Doctors are trying to figure out now why Dylan's bowels are not operating as they should. Pray for wisdom as they attempt this diagnosis. Dylan is sedated for now and resting in his room.

Update 4/30 11:25am

Here's the latest update on Dylan. Gary and Debbie would certainly appreciate your prayers.

The doctors are performing a procedure right now to try to alleviate some of the pressure in Dylan's colon. They think that the expanded colon is pressing up against other organs and may be the cause of some of Dylan's symptoms. However, they're not sure what is causing the air pressure to build up in the colon. The procedure itself is somewhat dangerous, in that they will be inserting a tube to try to remove the air, which could cause bleeding. We need to pray for skillful insertion of the tube by the doctors and wisdom to discover the cause of the air pressure.

The CT scan also revealed that there were no noticeable tears or ruptures in Dylan's colon. That's good news. Also, Dylan's heart rate has increased to normal levels, and he is maintaining that heart rate on his own w/o the help of medicine. He is still using a ventilator to breathe. We'll let you know more as info becomes available.

Kyle

Update 4/30 9:00am

I just received a call from one of the UNC hospital chaplains. She informed me that this morning Dylan's heart rate and blood pressure dropped very suddenly and doctors placed Dylan on a ventilator. They're planning to do a CT scan very soon. I asked the chaplain if she could give me an idea of the seriousness of Dylan's condition, and she said that she didn't know. I'm headed up to the hospital now and will post more updates as they become available. We need to lift Dylan, Gary, and Debbie up in our prayers this morning.
Kyle

April 29, 2008 5:30pm

Hi friends and family! I spent the day with the Shugart Family and a lot was done over the course of 5 hours. A colonoscopy was done today and several biopsies and samples were taken for testing. It could be 1 of 3 things: 1) Infection in the colon 2) Graph vs. Host Disease or 3) an insult to the colon due to his low blood pressure. The results should be back tomorrow, hopefully. He is still quite uncomfortable with a lot of pressure in his abdomen. Please pray that he can get some relief from this gas pressure and not be too uncomfortable to keep him from resting tonight. Dylan was not on dialysis but they were using the dialysis machine to clean his blood. Fluid is building back up in his feet and legs. They will start dialysis again tonight or tomorrow. Please keep praying for comfort, rest & more sleep for everyone. Thanks!  God Bless. Psm 33:18-22

Update 4/28 3:00pm

A short update on Dylan: Gary said that Dylan was able to sleep soundly through the night last night and that in fact, he slept until 10:30 this morning. This is certainly a praise, as Dylan had been getting very little sleep over the past week. Gary and Debbie also got a good night's rest and are beginning to feel somewhat recovered from their sleep-deprived past week.

The doctors will run more tests and X-rays on Dylan today as they consider how to treat him and his infection. Let's be in prayer for them to have wisdom.

Update 4/27 5:40pm

Gary just called with the latest on Dylan. Today, doctors discovered a urinary tract infection, which they believe is the likely cause of his blood pressure problems, rather than the dialysis. Because of this, there is some discussion about continuing the dialysis longer.

However, the infection is definitely a setback. The doctors plan to use antibiotics and fluids to flush it out of Dylan's system, but because of the problems with his liver, the infection is more serious than it would be in someone with a healthy liver.

On a positive note, Dylan is sleeping now and has been for the past hour. This is good, since he hasn't slept in two days.

Let's pray for Dylan to continue to get sleep and for this infection to go away.

Thanks,
Kyle

April 27, 2008 1:30pm

Dylan has had a rough couple of nights and is very uncomfortable. Please pray that he gets some restful sleep.  Dylan's blood pressure has been elevated today and the doctors are going to try to lower it with medicine. If they can't then Dylan will have to be taken off dialysis as this is a major contributor to causing the blood pressure to rise. The doctors were planning on taking Dylan off dialysis tomorrow, Monday 4/28 and see how his kidneys perform. If Dylan remains at a constant weight then fluid is not being stored and the kidney is working well. Please pray that if Dylan is taken off dialysis whether it is today or Monday that the kidneys will function on their own.  Also last night Dylan pulled the feeding tube out from his nose and the doctors just put it back in at noon. He will have to undergo an x-ray to make sure it is positioned in the proper place. Dylan keeps asking when he is going home. Gary and Debbie are trying to explain to him that he is going to be here for a while. Due to Dylan's clouded state he is having trouble processing this truth. Continue to pray for Gary and Debbie's strength: emotionally, physically and spiritually to be steadfast in their faith and the Lord.

4/26 4:20pm

The Rices spoke with Debbie this afternoon and emailed us this update. Through the dialysis, Dylan has had 30 pounds of fluid removed. The feeding tube is still in place, but on his own, he was able to drink broth and a small amount of a "slushy." The dialysis will continue at least another 24 hours and Doctors will then consider ceasing the process. Dylan stayed awake all day Friday but did not sleep as well as hoped for Friday night. His memory continues to return but the events of last week are still a blurr to him. Dylan even asked if he could get up and walk today but due to the number of tubes, monitors and his own weakness, walking will be contine to be postponed for now. Obviously Gary and Debbie are encouraged at Dylan's progress, but at the same time, they are extremely drained physically and emotionally. However, they rejoice at God's goodness in the darkest hours of the past week through today's progress. Nothing was said in regards to the condition of his liver.

Update 4/25 8:30pm

Gary called tonight with an update. The best news is that Dylan's lungs are completely clear of all fluid. Dylan is also more talkative today than in days past. Gary said that he and Debbie spent most of the day in the room just talking with Dylan. I'm sure that was a welcome blessing for them. Dylan is still a little disoriented, but doctors have assured them that won't linger. He'll continue the dialysis treatment for several more days, Lord willing, before being moved back to a room in the bone marrow unit.

A few more highlights:
The feeding tube is in and working now.
Dylan's liver numbers are maintaining, which is a good sign.
Gary and Debbie's families are leaving tomorrow morning, so we can pray for them to have a safe trip back to Georgia.

Update 4/25 4:45pm

For those of you checking back for an update, we still haven't heard from Gary or Debbie today. We've left them voicemails and will post an update as soon as we can after we hear from them.

I join you in rejoicing in what our God is doing. Let's keep the Shugarts in our prayers!

Update 4/24 8:55pm

There's more good news on Dylan. The CT scan revealed no infection, and much of his disorientation is gone. Turns out that was a lingering effect of the medications in his system, which his liver was slow to process. He's now much more alert and able to converse with Gary and Debbie. He's also able to breathe on his own, so doctors have taken him off of the oxygen. Dylan has also lost 23 lbs. of fluid, and the amount of fluid in his lungs is significantly less. Doctors still want him to lose another 27 lbs., however.

Dylan will be in ICU for another 5 days, after which he'll be moved to the bone marrow unit. Doctors aren't sure how long he'll be there. During his remaining time in ICU, Dylan will be hooked up to a dialysis machine. The dialysis machines are for priority patients, so Gary asked that we pray that Dylan will be able to keep the machine, even though he's improving.

A few other bits of info:
Dylan's liver is still the same.
He's not in any discomfort right now (other than perhaps the feeding tube)
He's regaining his strength
Gary and Debbie will get another good night's rest tonight

Update 4/24 11:50 am

Gary called in with another update this morning. Dylan continues to be more alert than in previous days, although he's still disoriented at times. He remembered several facts and names and even asked to see his grandmother. Gary was able to read to him from the Scriptures and a devotional book, and the Shugarts had a time of family devotions at the hospital. Given how bad things were in previous days, I'm sure this was a real blessing for Gary and Debbie. Dylan is still breathing well and a good bit of the fluid has been removed from his body, although the doctors still have not said how much. Removing the rest of it could be a lengthy process, according to Gary, but things are headed in the right direction. Gary and Debbie were able to check the blog last night, and he asked that I express his gratitude to each one of you who has been praying for them. As he reminded me this morning, God is good and does what is best not only when He grants what we are asking, but even when He doesn't. He would have been good even if Dylan's health had not improved, but in this case, they praise Him that He has seen fit to grant the prayers of His people.

Update 4/24 9:00am

I spoke with Gary this morning, and Dylan is "holding his own" today. He's still on dialysis, and they will find out later today how much more fluid has been removed from Dylan's lungs. His liver has not worsened and seems pretty stable. The doctors also did the CT scan late last night on Dylan's stomach, and Gary and Debbie are awaiting results from that. The purpose of the scan was to check for possible infection. Doctors also inserted the feeding tube, and while Dylan is not especially fond of it, he has been alert enough to understand why Gary and Debbie have said it is necessary. We should pray that the nutrition Dylan receives from the feeding tube helps him regain his strength and begin to heal. On the whole, Dylan seems more alert today than yesterday, although there is still some disorientation. He's swollen and not particularly comfortable right now, but he's not any worse.

Gary and Debbie were also able to get 5-6 hours of sleep last night. Not a lot, but certainly an improvement on earlier this week. Pray for them to have continued strength and energy. They've been through an emotionally and physically exhausting week.

Kyle

Update 4/23 10:00pm

Well, the update as of tonight is that I haven't received an update. For now, we're assuming that things are the same. I'll check back in with Gary tomorrow morning and post whatever I find out. Often, Gary and Debbie are very busy meeting with doctors and caring for Dylan, and it's hard to return voice messages. Many of you may have left voice messages over the past few days, and while they would like to return them all, there simply isn't time. Posting on the blog is actually a better way for them to hear from you. They are so grateful for all the outpouring of love and support. It has been great to see how God has specifically answered many of the things you've been praying for. Let's keep it up!

Update 4/23 1:00pm

Thanks to everyone for your prayers. The doctors just informed Gary that Dylan's lungs were 50% better from yesterday in terms of the fluid that is in them. In fact, b/c of this progress, they don't think a bronchoscopy will be necessary. However, they are concerned that Dylan is still confused and disoriented. They want to check to see if an infection could be contributing to these problems, and they'll conduct a CT scan on Dylan's head for this purpose today. Pray that the scan would be conclusive in helping the doctors determine where the infection is located so that they can know how to treat it.

According to Gary, we should still pray that Dylan's liver will begin to heal and function on its own. The other option is a liver transplant, and Dylan simply isn't able to handle one right now. He's improving, but he's still in need of our prayers.

I will need to leave the hospital soon, and updates may be less frequent than they were yesterday. However, I'll pass along information as soon as I'm able. We saw Debbie today also, and she looked much-refreshed after a good night of sleep. Gary's parents and Debbie's sister and brother-in-law arrived safely last night, and they've been a big encouragement to Gary and Debbie. Let's keep praying that Dylan will continue to improve.

Kyle

Update 4/23 11:25am

Good morning, all. We just got to the hospital and talked to Gary. Turns out there's some more good news this morning. The dialysis was effective at removing some fluid from Dylan's lungs, and the hope is that as it continues to run today, more will be removed. According to Gary, Dylan is more alert and able to recognize them.

The feeding tube that doctors planned to insert has not been inserted yet b/c doctors are planning to do a bronchoscopy today as well. Because both of these procedures require sedation, the doctors want to do them both at once and only sedate Dylan one time. Pray that the feeding tube will provide the nutrition Dylan needs to regain some strength. Doctors will also do an EKG this morning. Will let you know once we hear the results from that.

The nurses told Gary that Dylan rested very well last night, and Gary observed that he seems much more comfortable. The fact that he rested is a very good thing b/c he hasn't gotten much more sleep than Gary and Debbie these past few days. Along those lines, Gary and Debbie were also able to sleep well last night and get some much-needed rest. He greeted us with a smile today and seemed to be refreshed. Let's pray that God will allow them several more nights of rest like this. I'm sure they're still operating with a big sleep deficit. Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement for them.

Kyle

4/22 9:45pm

Dylan is resting, his vitals are improved from earlier today. The chances are high that they will put in the feeding tube tonight. They will continue dialysis throughout the night, however he is still very sick. Pray for a restful night for Gary and Debbie as they will be staying at a hotel tonight close by.

Update 4/22 6:05pm

I just saw Gary, and there's a bit of good news this evening. The doctors in ICU have put Dylan on a slower dialysis process that is less taxing on his body. They believe that by doing this, they can run the dialysis treatment for 24-48 hours and remove a good bit of fluid. Let's pray that this is just what takes place. Gary and Debbie have been very pleased with the ICU staff and the individual attention they've been able to give Dylan. I think they are confident that he's in very capable hands.

Another piece of good news is that Dylan was more responsive this afternoon and even recognized Gary and Debbie. I'm sure that was a morale booster for them.

Also, many of you have been praying that God would give Gary and Debbie wisdom on when to take a break and get some sleep. It looks like He providentially answered that question today--ICU rules prohibit all visitors (even family) from being with the patient between 9pm and 9am. Gary and Debbie will check into a local hotel and be able to get 9-10 hrs of much-needed sleep tonight. Out of courtesy to them, I'd suggest not calling on their cell phones between 10pm and 7:30am.

Gary and Debbie's families are en route from Georgia as we speak. I think they should arrive before Gary and Debbie go to the hotel tonight.

Finally, doctors said that if the dialysis treatment over these next 24-48 hrs. is not effective at removing fluid, this could indicate a possible infection. Gary asked what they would do if this proved to be the case, and the doctors said that their method of treatment would depend on the type of infection. However, Gary seemed to believe there was a likelihood that an infection could be treated with medication.

Gary had a chance to sit down and read all of your comments to this point. I could tell it really encouraged him to see how friends from so many places were praying for him. He just left the waiting room and is going to relay your messages of encouragement to Debbie. Thanks again for ministering to them! Keep praying that their faith would remain strong.

Kyle

Update 4/22 5:00pm

Still no word from Gary and Debbie. The dialysis started later than I expected today (about 3:00pm), although I'm not sure the reason for the delay. According to Gary, Dylan is only strong enough for about 3-4 hours of dialysis because the treatment raises his heart rate and blood pressure. I expect that the dialysis will run through 6:00 or 7:00pm. If there's an update at that time (or sooner), I'll post it. In the meantime, we should be praying that the dialysis would be very effective at removing fluid from Dylan's lungs. Thanks to all for your prayers.

Update 4/22 2:00pm

For those checking back for updates, there's still no update right now on Dylan. Gary and Debbie are with him while he receives his dialysis treatment, and I'm in the waiting room at the hospital. They've had to move out of the room they've been in and will likely move to a new room in the ICU area following the dialysis. Please continue to pray for Gary and Debbie, that their faith would remain strong and that they would experience God's peace that passes all understanding to sustain them (Phil. 4:6-7). While most of us cannot comprehend the difficulty of what they've been through in these past several days, our God is up to the task of comforting and sustaining His children. He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3). Thanks to the network of supporters all around the country who are praying for them.

Kyle

Update 4/22 10:50am

Gary just called with an urgent prayer request. Dylan's breathing has gotten worse, and he is unable to acknowledge anyone at this time. The doctors are taking him right now for dialysis, but they are not sure whether his heart can handle it. The Shugarts need our prayers now as much as ever!

Update 4/22 9:30am

Gary just called and said that the doctors are putting Dylan in ICU this morning because of breathing problems. Because he is retaining so much fluid, part of which has begun to build up in his lungs, Dylan's breathing is very labored at this time. The doctors will use another dialysis treatment to remedy this, although one was not originally scheduled for today. Currently, Dylan is only able to use a portion of his lungs for breathing, so we need to pray that the dialysis treatment would be effective at removing the rest of the fluid from his lungs. Please join us in praying for Dylan in this way today.

Also, although they still had to stay up most of the night with Dylan, Gary and Debbie were able to get about 3.5 hours of sleep last night. Let's pray for opportunities for them to get more sleep soon!

Gary and Debbie both want to express how much they appreciate all of your prayers and support. It really means a lot to them. Thanks!

Kyle

4/21 Update

Hello all,

Several of us were talking today about the best way to get information concerning Dylan to the most folks in the least amount of time. The answer was this blog. We hope it's helpful to you, and even more so, that your comments will be helpful to Dylan, Gary, and Debbie.

Here's the update for today (4/21): Dylan had a dialysis treatment this morning, but b/c of a high heart rate, the dialysis did not last as long as the doctors would have hoped. As a result there is still some fluid buildup that remains. Doctors also did an endoscopy to check for internal bleeding, but didn't find anything.

The doctors would like to insert a feeding tube for Dylan so that he gets the nutrition he needs and gets rid of the fluid he's retaining, but the real challenge with this will be the discomfort of the tube and keeping it in place. Pray for a solution to this problem.

So far, there's no change today in Dylan's liver function. The doctors said that there could either be a very slow process of healing for the liver, or it could rapidly deteriorate. Of course, we're praying for the former. As of now, the doctors are concerned that Dylan is not healthy enough to undergo a transplant. Let's pray that 1) the liver will heal itself, and 2) that Dylan will begin getting stronger just in case a transplant is needed. A piece of good news is that doctors said that Dylan's kidney looked just fine today.

Other prayer requests: Gary and Debbie (along w/ Dylan) got no sleep last night. They're running on only a few hours sleep in the last 48 hrs. Pray for time to sleep and wisdom to work out a schedule for sleeping and being with Dylan. Gary and Debbie will be trying to make these decisions soon.

We'll post more updates in the future as they become available. Thanks to all of you for your faithful prayers!

Kyle