The Last Few Days. . . .

Ryland Reese - 7 years old

Ryland has had a lot happen the last few days. This Thursday the doctors decided that in order to keep his good lung strong (the left one), they would have to go ahead and puncture it to drain off the fluid that has been building up. They could not do it with a needle for fear of collapsing it, so they had to make an incision on the side of it. They also decided to turn Ryland on his stomach and side every few hours to get the fluid moving around so it would rise to the surface where it could be drained out. When they went to move him from his stomach to his back again, he was not ready for the change. It took several hours to get his heart rate, oxygen levels, and his body to settle back down. With each turn after that, his body dealt better and better with every move.

Ryland has been waking up more often, but is really scared and disoriented. He gets really mad and tries to talk, but can't. So, he starts biting the tubes in his mouth and grinding his teeth. They are having to sedate him when he wakes up to keep him from moving around too much, and to help him stay calm.

Saturday we heard that he had a really good night on Friday, and that his oxygen levels are almost down to regular room air!! The doctors are going to give him about a week to let his lungs heal and his body to gain some strength back. Then, they are still talking about surgery if he is stable enough to handle it. That's all the news we've heard so far, but we'll keep updating!

Let's continue to stand in the gap for the Reese family! Keep praying that Ryland's body will continue to heal and that he would be at peace as he gains back strength. Pray that Shane and Shana would be able to rest their own bodies and minds, knowing that God is in control and watching over them. Pray that God would continue to lead and guide the doctors as they care for Ryland and that they would have supernatural wisdom in making decisions for him. Let's keep believing for a miracle in the Reese family!!

Ryland Update #2

This evening Shane said that things were going a little bit better. Ryland is still in coma, but not as deep of one. He has started to respond a little bit by wiggling around, which is a really good sign! The doctors did find a small cyst in the lower right portion of the lung (the 1/4 that they might need to remove), and will try to prod it and let it drain tomorrow. Ryland will also undergo a cat scan tomorrow to get a better view of which portions exactly are damaged by the bacteria.

Let's continue to pray for a complete healing of Ryland's body, especially for the right portion of the lung. We're standing in faith that his cat scan will come back clean and there will be no permanent damage. Pray for the doctors that are treating him, that they will have supernatural wisdom concerning his care, and will be lead to make right choices for him during this critical turning point. As for Shane and Shana, pray that their expectancy will remain high as they continue to watch and wait. May their faith be strengthened as they watch the miracle of healing in their son unfold!

Ryland Update #1

We spoke to Shane and Shana today, and Ryland has had a big break through! The doctors did a culture on the bacteria and figured out exactly which strand of pneumonia it is, and which medicine it responds to the best. So, Ryland is not taking the five antibiotics that he was on yesterday. He is now only taking penicillin. His fever has also came down to a 99.8.

He is still in a coma, but has started breathing more on his own. Instead of being on 100 percent oxygen, he is now on 60 percent, which is the lowest percentage you can be on before being taken off of the ventilator. Ryland's body is getting stronger and starting to respond very well to the medication. His improvements are small, but are beginning the road to recovery.

Continue to pray for Ryland to have a complete and total healing in his body. We are even believing that the surgery won't be necessary as his body continues to heal. Also, pray for Shane and Shana. They need continued prayers for strength and peace of mind. Today they were encouraged and uplifted at the good news, and the support and prayers of everyone. Let's continue to pray this sweet little boy's healing into existence!!

****PLEASE PRAY****

Our friends, Shane and Shana, from Amarillo desperately need prayers right now! Their sweet little boy, Ryland, is in intensive care right with a bacterial strand of pneumonia. Normally for a 7 year old this would not be a life threatening thing, but Rylan has down syndrome and with that has a weaker immune system right of the bat. His body has not been able to kick the pneumonia, even with the medication and being comatose. The doctors are waiting for him to get a little bit stronger so that they can do surgery to remove the lower 1/4 of his right lung that has been too badly damaged by the bacteria and is no longer usable.

Please pray that Ryland's body will strengthen and fight off the pneumonia. We are also believing that he will have a complete and total healing. Pray for his parents, Shane and Shana, who are worn out, tired, and living every minute on the edge of their seats with Ryland's condition the way that it is right now. Pray that they will have peace of mind, knowing that God is in control.

For those of you in Amarillo who feel compelled to go and be with them, they are at BSA in the ICU critical care unit, room 4. Shane and Shana are already appreciative of all the people praying already. Let's keep it up until something changes!!

Still Honeymoonin'

Yesterday was Mike and I's anniversary. It's hard to believe that we've been married for 3 years. Time seems to be flying by! I am so thankful to have married my best friend in the whole world! He makes life much more fun! It's strange how you can love someone so much, and then look back and see how your love has grown and deepened for them when you didn't think it was humanly possible to love them more. We talked yesterday about how we can't imagine our lives without each other. I couldn't do life without my partner in crime!!


We celebrated our anniversary early during Christmas break by taking a few days off from everything and hung out in San Antonio. It was a much needed break, and we fully took advantage of just hanging out with each other. It was so relaxing! Yesterday, we celebrated by going out to eat at this little quaint Italian restaurant called Don Comillo's. It is WONDERFUL!!! Those of you who know me best know that I don't care for Italian food much, but I would eat this food any day! All in all, we had a great anniversary and are looking forward to many, many more!!!

Ist Trimester Down! 2 to go!

Hi everyone! Just an update: I am officially through my first trimester and working on the second! The first trimester couldn't have been any better! I did not have any morning sickness, and thanks to my chiropractor, my handsome husband, I have not had any backaches or pains! I'm not showing yet, so I don't have belly pics. Sorry!

Baby Vennell weighs about 1/2 an ounce now and is about the size of a plum!

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes. . . .

Yep, that's right! We're pregnant! We are so excited to be parents! I am 10 weeks now, and can finally post about it! It was so hard not telling anybody for a while until we were able to go back to Amarillo and tell our families. Yesterday I had my 10 week Dr. appointment and was able to hear the heartbeat. It was so incredible!!!

Keep us in your prayers as we are about to embark on several changes this year! We are praying for wisdom and discernment as we become first time parents. We are so excited for what's to come!