New Things Every Day

Elizabeth and Josh are slowly adding activities back to their schedules. Both children are back in the routine of school and are catching up on the lessons they missed. Elizabeth returned on Sunday to musical rehearsal and today to ballet. Stamina continues to be an issue for the entire family. Please pray that they would all have increased stamina each and every day. Please pray especially for Elizabeth as she returns to ballet today. Please pray for the public to see Jesus as they encounter the Van Swols and hear their story!

Sunday Worship

What a beautiful sight to see the entire Van Swol family on the same pew in church this morning! Praise the Lord for His many blessings!

Thanks from the Van Swols

I can't thank Alice Dorn enough for creating and maintaining this blog. She faithfully called and posted updates when we were too overwhelmed to do so. Thanks also to Dave and Ann Sealy who helped update Alice and took care of our family when we were too weary to think. They have been here almost every single day (sometimes more than once a day) serving us in every imaginable and unimaginable way. They have been angels ministering to our physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Thanks to nurse Mary Schwab as well for serving us in some pretty tough times. You are a very special nurse. Thanks to the Funkes, Culbertsons, Bradys, and Mark Litts for support of practical needs. Thanks to all for the cards, gifts, DVDs, and food. We have literally had 100's of cards and more food than we could even eat! When we actually sit and think of how much we are loved, we are baffled, overwhelmed, and humbled that you have chosen to love us "goofballs".(Mark's descriptive word!) We have learned to accept help. Truly you are the tangible expressions of God's grace to us and we can't express our gratitude enough to God for you. The children are doing so much better every day. Thank you for your prayers for them. You will never know this side of heaven what that has meant to us. Thank you from the bottom of our souls.

Smiles and Healing....

Josh has been back at school all week and doing extremely well. Elizabeth is back in her schooling routine as well. Elizabeth is healing very well - as is Josh. They are all trusting God to heal the scars...please pray with them to that end.

It was amazing to hear laughter and smiles in both Mark and Joanne's voices tonight...what a huge blessing. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Bandage Free...technically!

Josh and Elizabeth came home from the Burn Center almost completely bandage free! Praise God for His many, many blessings! Both children have extremely sensitive skin under their compression hose. They both have some small bandages over the most sensitive skin under the hose. Joshua was released to normal activity. Elizabeth is on limited activity for at least another week. The process was not without pain, though both children managed with only Motrin. They are both very tired from the process, but also very glad to be free of the bandages. The healing process will continue now. Please pray that their skin would be less and less sensitive each and every day. They will be seen at the Burn Center again in six weeks. Pray that there would be no scarring from the burns. Pray for increased stamina each day. Praise God for His many blessings!

A Big Day...

Today is a big day! Please pray for Josh and Elizabeth as they have an appointment at the Burn Center at 10:45 AM today. Pray for wisdom in pain management during and following the procedures. Pray that both children will have all bandages removed!

Thank you for your prayers!

More Good Days...

Sunday and Monday were good days! Josh went to Parent-Teen for the first time...and it went well! He also went to Science and Robotics at school on Monday. He was exhausted after that, so please pray for increased stamina. Elizabeth's spirits are good. Both children are looking forward to the removal of all bandages (hopefully) on Tuesday. Please pray for pain management during and after the procedures. Please pray for safe travel to and from Augusta!

Good Days...

Plural...GOOD DAYS! Friday, with Mark back at work and Joanne tending the home front alone, went much better than expected. Joanne even got some schooling done! Both Josh and Elizabeth ventured out for the first time Saturday - taking a ride to Sonic for a milkshake. Josh has a great perspective on everything that has happened. He is excited for Tuesday to come and anxiously awaiting the removal of the bandages. Elizabeth is concerned about scarring and a little more apprehensive about Tuesday. It is not a given that her bandages will be removed - but it is a possibility. She is bored - which is a good sign. Elizabeth is also struggling with itching associated with the healing process.

Joanne laughed on the phone today. It was a beautiful sound and one I look forward to hearing more often...

Please praise our Heavenly Father with the Van Swols for the good days that they have had! Please pray that each day would continue to be an improvement. Please pray that the itching would lessen. Please pray that both children would be able to have all bandages removed on Tuesday and that the whole family would be emotionally ready for all that Tuesday brings.

Happy Birthday Josh!

Happy 13th Birthday to Joshua today!! Send him greetings here on the blog or by any other means you have of contacting him! Wishing Josh a wonderful day of celebrating being 13! What a special young man who has been so brave! Josh has a kind heart and great sense of humor! Happy Birthday Joshua!

A quote from Joanne, "Happy 13th Birthday to my sweet, and I do mean amazingly sweet and witty, son! We are blessed to be the parents of such a wise son. You bring such joy to everyone's life that you touch! We love you!"

A Good Day....

Ladies and gentleman, the post title is a direct quote, "It has been a good day!" Wow...what music to the ears! Joshua and Elizabeth worked on school work today...and so did Anna! Both children are on only Motrin now. They have finally found a prescription anti-itch medication that is controlling the itch and helping them sleep at night. Mark has continued to work on physical therapy with Elizabeth today. She continues to make progress. Everyone is eating well...lots of healthy food. Mark goes back to work tomorrow morning.

Please praise God for the good day today! Please pray for:
-Mark as he returns to work - stamina, energy and focus.
-Joanne as she cares for the children - stamina, energy and focus.
-Elizabeth's physical therapy to continue with great progress.
-Josh as he returns to school possibly Wednesday of next week.
-Josh's classmates as he returns to school.
-emotional readiness of the whole family for the bandage removal on Tuesday next week.
-energy level of both children. They tire very easily at this point.

Thank you for your prayers...you are a blessing!

PS Watch the blog for a special announcement in the morning...someone at the Van Swol household is having a special day....

Prayers Answered...

Great news! Josh came home today with NO BANDAGES on his arms! God is faithful...and He is hearing the prayers of many on behalf of the Van Swols. The doctor was very pleased with Josh's progress and healing.

Elizabeth continues with her physical therapy and is getting more mobility every day. Her mobility has been encouraged by the kind loan of a Wii. She loves playing tennis and it is terrific for her therapy! Please pray for continued encouragement and stamina for Elizabeth as walking and moving are not pain free.

Elizabeth and Josh will both go back to the Burn Center next Tuesday. Please pray that they will have all bandages removed at that time.

Prayer...

Please pray today as Joshua undergoes anesthesia to have his bandages removed and re-wrapped. Please pray for strength and courage. Please pray that he will have fewer bandages tonight than he had this morning.

Walking....

Elizabeth is walking independently! Joshua is walking independently! Praise God! It is still very painful but both children are walking. Elizabeth is working on her arm and wrist movement as well. Please pray for Mark and Joanne as they work with and encourage the children to continue movement.

Everyone got a restful night's sleep last night! Praise Him!

Joshua is struggling with the itching associated with healing. He has his bandages taken off and re-wrapped on Wednesday. Please pray that he would come home with a few less bandages. Please pray that they can find a way to control the itching.

Please pray for another restful night for all. Please praise God for the progress being made.

Thank you all - you are a huge blessing to the Van Swol family. They know you are out there - and they can feel the prayers. Please continue!

Mobility...and Good News!

Elizabeth did very well yesterday. She was very calm before surgery which was a huge answer to prayer. After yesterday's re-wrap, Elizabeth now has the thumb and first two fingers on her right hand free which means she can hold a cup on her own! She is understandably very tired and emotional today. The doctors have also encouraged her to begin walking which is causing considerable pain.

Joshua began walking yesterday - and while it is painful he is continuing to try to walk more. He will have his bandages changed on Wednesday this week. He is off all pain medication except Motrin. Josh is smiling more today which is a good sign. After beginning to walk, Joshua is much more independent than he has been.

Nights are still rough. Sleep happens in little bursts and the itching is much worse at night.

Mark will return to work on Friday for a half day.

Thank you for praying...they are seeing improvement and prayers are being answered! Praise God for answered prayer!

Please pray:
-for both kids to walk through the pain.
-for both kids to eat well and stay hydrated.
-for Mark and Joanne's stamina - both emotional and physical.
-for Joshua as he has his bandages changed on Wednesday.
-for quick, miraculous and complete healing of all.

Day 6

Mark and Joanne are trying to achieve a delicate balance between pain management and nausea. After consolation with the surgeon at the Burn Center, it was decided that tomorrow (Sunday) Elizabeth will undergo anesthesia to change her bandages at the Burn Center in Augusta. Mark will accompany her to Augusta and Joanne will stay home with Joshua. Joshua will have his bandages changed on Wednesday as scheduled. Mark’s parents stayed with Anna and Matthew today as Mark and Joanne both went to Augusta with the children.

Please pray for Elizabeth tomorrow as she has her bandages changed. Please pray for a restful night for all.

Reality

The Van Swols were made aware this afternoon of the plans for next Wednesday's visit to the Burn Clinic. The plan is for the wounds to be unwrapped, checked and rewrapped. This news was very discouraging to all of them because they had expected the wraps to come off on Wednesday. Joshua and Elizabeth are understandably tired of being dependent on others and to think that it will have to continue longer than they thought is difficult. Please pray that God will heal them quicker than expected and that the whole family will be emotionally ready for Wednesday.

Day 5

Last night was a better night. This morning, Joshua woke up with a cough. Any sickness at this point is a concern for all. Elizabeth is still experiencing fear. Please continue to pray - specifically for the cough to go away and for Elizabeth to not be fearful.

How Can I Help?

If you live near and would like to help in some way, please contact Ann Sealy or Debbie Funke. This blog will continue to be updated with their progress as well. Because of the risk of potential infection, they are asking for no visitors at this time. If you would like to send a greeting please feel free to leave a comment on the blog, send a card by mail or send an email. (If you need an address please leave a comment with your email address and someone will be in touch.) Please understand that they can’t answer all of the mail right now, but it is much appreciated.

How Can I Pray?

Pray requests include:
· Pain management
· Moods
· Strength, endurance and wisdom for Joanne and Mark as they care for the children
· Matt and Anna - to stay well
· Supernaturally quick healing without scaring
· Elizabeth – no fear
· Elizabeth and Joshua need to eat well and stay hydrated
· Emotional healing

Day 4

Both Joshua and Elizabeth are at home and on pain medicine. Unfortunately, the pain medicine has caused nausea and vomiting. They are now trying to achieve a balance of pain relief vs. nausea and vomiting. Moods come in waves of discouragement, frustration, fear and hope for Elizabeth and frustration, boredom and hope for Joshua. Mark is at home with Joanne helping care for both children at least through next Wednesday. They plan to see their surgeon on Wednesday to change their bandages.

What Happened?

On Monday, August 31, while lighting a bonfire, there was a “flashback” that burned Elizabeth and Joshua. Mark and Joanne immediately took both children to the hospital in Greenwood. From there, the children were airlifted in separate helicopters to the Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. Because of the number of personnel required to fly in the helicopters, there was not room for Mark and Joanne. The crews were able to get the pain under control quickly and the kids actually enjoyed the ride…a first for both of them. At the Burn Center (one of the premier centers in the nation), the pain continued to be managed and their wounds rewrapped. The wounds were kept moist with chlorinated water all night to keep infection away. Mark and Joanne were able to be with them at the Burn Center through the night. On Tuesday morning, both Joshua and Elizabeth underwent surgery to scrape away the burned skin and cover the wounds with pig skin. The pig skin coats the wounds and eases pain during healing. They were able to come home Tuesday night with oral pain medicine.

Elizabeth’s burns are on her arms, hands, fingers, legs, and face covering approximately 20% of her body. All of her burns are first and second degree burns, the most severe on her arms. Joshua’s burns are on his arms, hands, legs and face. His burns cover about 15% of his body, the most severe on his legs.