Update 5/2 4:20pm

Gary called, and it sounds like Dylan needs our prayers now. The doctors wanted to run the dialysis machine today, but they weren't able to because Dylan's blood pressure has dropped too low. It's important that they perform the dialysis to remove the excess fluid from his body. Dylan now weighs 185 lbs, much of which is fluid weight. Fortunately, the fluid seems to be largely concentrated in his lower body now, rather than in his lungs as before, but we need to pray that his blood pressure will rise so that dialysis will be possible to remove this fluid before it accumulates around his lungs. According to Gary, the fluid is building up at a moderate pace, so it will be important that Dylan receive dialysis tomorrow, since today will not be possible.

Gary and Debbie also received the results from a biopsy of Dylan's colon, which showed Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD) in his colon. The disease is a complication often found in bone marrow transplant patients and can last up to 5 years following a transplant. Doctors hope to be able to treat it with medication only, but there is some concern how Dylan's liver will be able to handle the medication. Please pray for the medication to be effective and well-received by his liver.

The Shugarts could really use our prayers right now. Let's pray that God would give Gary and Debbie the strength to face another setback and to continue caring for Dylan and representing Christ so well at the hospital. Let's pray that their faith in the Lord would be strong and that as they commit their concerns to Him, they would experience His peace that passes all understanding to guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Gary expressed today how grateful he was for all of the comments you have left on the blog. He and Debbie read them every night before they go to bed, and using their laptop at the hospital, they even read them to Dylan by his bedside. Although Dylan isn't often able to respond, there's a likelihood that he's able to understand very much of what Gary and Debbie are saying to him. I think it would be especially appropriate if we left Dylan words of encouragement today.

Kyle