REMEMBERING ANDREW HILLEKE

A time to be born...

2007-08-02T22:13:00.000-05:00

We have a new grandson, Benjamin Seth Hilleke! Thomas & Emily are the proud parents. Andrew found out about this baby on December 25, 2006. He had been sick for a day, and of course, God already had His divine plans for Andrew in motion. We are rejoicing in this new covenant child. He is already loved, blessed and special to the Lord.

Andrew's friends

2007-05-08T16:24:00.000-05:00

Dearest friends of Andrew,

So many of you came to Alexandria and Natchez. We were honored and humbled by your presence. We have written over 200 notes of thanks to you. Some of you are off of our address radar because of no land lines or school closings. We wanted to mention your names, so you would know that we saw you and appreciated you. Harper, Seth, Jonathan B, Jonathan L, Robert S, Percy, Brian, Brianna, Emily, Cindy, Kara, Andy L, Allie B(best wishes!), Jon N, Kat, David, Daniel S, Daniel M, Nat, Daniel Mc, Natalie, April, Connie, Will, Lane, Jake, Rachel, Kenny, Jason, Remy, Bethany, Matt, Kate M, Katie S, Sarah B, Andrew H, Joel, Drew, Jeff, Ben, Claire, Andrew V, Haley, Chris, Rashell and Luke. We've missed some names, but we won't forget you. We love you all and would love to see you here in Alexandria anytime.

God bless you,
Jim and Laura

2007-04-26T21:25:00.000-05:00

Dear ones,

We want to thank you all for your marvelous support over the last few months. Truly, you have been the "body of Christ" to us, as we have gone through this deep valley with our beloved Andrew.

We would like to tell you just a few things about Andrew's 24 years on this earth. When he was born, doctors shook their heads and said he may not live. After a few months, they said he may not walk or talk. Next, they said he certainly won't be able to function in a normal learning environment. In May 2006, Andrew graduated summa cum laude from Belhaven College with the highest gpa in the History department. It was a wonderful, supportive, stimulating environment for him. If Jim and I had known that his life would end after 24 years, we might never have let him leave home, and he would have missed such a rich, nurturing and enjoyable 4 years. When people began asking us how they might honor Andrew with a memorial gift, Belhaven College immediately came to our minds. The scholarship is for a student who has some type of handicap, and they have asked us to be on the committee to choose the student each year. Our prayer is that it would be as great a blessing for that one, as it was for Andrew.

The address: Belhaven College
P.O.Box 158
1500 Peachtree Street
Jackson, MS 39202

Attn. Andrew Hilleke Memorial Scholarship

To God be the glory

Jim and Laura

2007-04-25T23:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday!

Today, Andrew's second nephew was born. His name is Arthur Andrew Richey, and he weighed in at 7.5 lbs. Mother Sarah is well, little Arthur is healthy and loved, and Jarrod will be a wonderful father. God is good.

Sharing Photos of Andrew...

2007-04-15T23:00:00.000-05:00

Andrew and his sister,Sarah Richey, at a Jug Band event in Mississippi.

Andrew took some photos of himself with his "iCam"(webcam) on his Apple Computer
.

Another Photo that Andrew took with his iCam .

Andrew and his grandfather, Dick Ayres, Christmas Eve 2006.

Andrew and Belhaven Buds at Moe's.

If you have any photos that you would like to share or have us post then send them to sarahrichey@gmail.com or jarrodius@gmail.com. We'd love to post those. We got it started with these photos.

A Marvel to Many

2007-04-13T13:51:00.000-05:00

Our family was truly touched by the efforts of so many to come and support us as well as demonstrate their love for Andrew. He was someone extra special to more people than we imagined. The services were times of blessing. We were able to be sad with you yet rejoice in the eternal hope we possess in Christ. Andrew would have loved to see such a gathering of his favorite people.

Since many were unable to attend, I wanted to share with you the passages of Scripture read at the memorial worship service. They were uplifting truths to hear, and perhaps you might be encouraged by reading them in your own time.

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 116:12-19
Psalm 139
Romans 5:1-11
Psalm 71:5-7 "A Marvel to Many"

Here are the hymns as well:
Rejoice, the Lord is King
My Hope is in the Lord
All the Way My Savior Leads Me
For All the Saints

At the graveside service, my father mentioned that "life is about fellowship," the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with each other from all eternity, then God with us and then our fellowship with one another. It is how we are created to function. Not alone. Thank you for fellowshipping with us in this time, the best way to lift our spirits along with your own.

We closed everything by singing the doxology together, calling on all to join in praising the Lord, including Andrew who is now among the hosts of heaven.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen

A Side Request:
If any of you have stories or wity moments or pictures or lessons you learned through contact with Andrew, please email them to me (his sister) at sarahrichey@gmail.com
Such stories have been tremendously comforting for my family to read, and I would personally like to have them for reference in case I have opportunity to write or compile something about Andrew in the future.

Love and thanks to you all,
Sarah

Correction to Graveside Info on Thursday

2007-04-11T10:16:00.000-05:00

The Natchez graveside service is at the Natchez CITY Cemetery NOT the Natchez NATIONAL Cemetery. They are both on the same road. The address corrections have been made to the previous post. Directions to the family property remain the same.

The easiest way to get to the cemetery from the bridge is to go to the traffic light at the intersection of John R. Junkin (street leading from the bridge) and Canal. Turn left onto Canal and drive straight through town a long way until the street dead ends at Madison St.

Turn left onto Madison and immediately right onto Linton Ave. Follow Linton Avenue several blocks. You will cross Oak Street and see the Natchez Little Theatre on the right where Linton and Maple merge and become Cemetery Road, which just leads directly to the cemetery. Take the third gate into the cemetery and drive just past the side of the old office building. Folks will just have to park in the road and walk to the lot on a slope to the left of the road. There is a huge old cedar tree in that lot. It can't be missed.

If you are coming from US-84:
1. Turn LEFT onto US-61 S / US-84 W. <3.4>STRAIGHT to go onto DEVEREUX DR, keeping right, which becomes ST. CATHERINE. (If you find yourself on E. Franklin Street, continue straight anyway and you will come to S. Pine.)
3. Turn RIGHT onto S. Pine
4. Turn LEFT onto Madison
5. Turn RIGHT onto Linton Ave. Follow Linton Avenue several blocks. You will cross Oak Street and see the Natchez Little Theatre on the right where Linton and Maple merge and become Cemetery Road, which just leads directly to the cemetery. Take the third gate into the cemetery and drive just past the side of the old office building. Folks will just have to park in the road and walk to the lot on a slope to the left of the road. There is a huge old cedar tree in that lot. It can't be missed.

Funeral Arrangements

2007-04-09T23:09:00.000-05:00

Funeral Service
3:00 pm, Wednesday, April 11th at:

Grace Church
4900 Jackson Street Extension
Alexandria, Louisiana
71303

There will be a reception there immediately following the service. Everyone is most welcome to stay for refreshments and fellowship together.

Graveside Burial Service
11:30 am, Thursday, April 12th in Natchez, Mississippi at:

Natchez City Cemetery
2 Cemetery Road
Natchez, Mississippi
39120

Everyone is invited for food and fellowship immediately following at the family property, Roseland Plantation, just outside Natchez.

Directions from the cemetery to the property:
1: Start out going SOUTH on CEMETERY RD toward MAPLE ST. <0.1 miles
2: CEMETERY RD becomes MAPLE ST. <0.2 miles
3: Turn LEFT to stay on MAPLE ST. <0.1 miles
4: Turn RIGHT to stay on MAPLE ST. <0.1 miles
5: Turn LEFT onto W OAK ST. <0.7 miles
6: Turn RIGHT onto PINTARD ST. <0.1 miles
7: Turn RIGHT onto BRENHAM AVE. <0.3 miles
8: BRENHAM AVE becomes AUBURN AVE. <0.1 miles
9: Turn LEFT onto E FRANKLIN ST. <0.2 miles
10: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto MELROSE AVE. <0.1 miles
11: Turn LEFT onto LIBERTY RD / JOHN A QUITMAN BLVD. Continue to follow LIBERTY RD. AWAY from downtown Natchez <6.4 miles
12: End at 1 Ayres Rd
Natchez, Mississippi 39120

The property entrance will be on your left, a dark red gate with a sign "Roseland" in the middle. For maps, enter these addresses at mapquest.com

Precious in the Sight of God...

2007-04-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Most Beloved Friends and Family,

Late last night, our Lord and Savior chose to take Andrew to Himself. We are comforted by the knowledge that Andrew is now well and without trial in the presence of his Lord. For those of you who knew him well, you know that Andrew is certainly enjoying heaven with great zeal, probably interviewing ancestors about family history and asking his most gracious heavenly Father a myriad of fascinating questions. His faith was true, his salvation sealed.

Of course, we are saddened to lose Andrew's presence here among us, but we know the Lord's timing is always perfect and purposeful, even in death. He has planned and given us every moment He intended us to have with Andrew, and we are grateful. We will miss him together now but be reunited with him again in the life everlasting.

Your outpouring of love and support these last months has been both moving and strengthening to us. It is wonderful to know how many people Andrew has touched in his life. We thank you for letting us know what he meant to you and for loving us for his sake. Whenever he had good days, we would tell him often of the support and encouragement you all sent his way. He knew he was not alone, and we were not alone either.

Now, let us thank the Lord together for giving us the time he has with such a remarkable person, comfort each other with the knowledge of Andrew's salvation, and pray that the Lord would lift us up to continue to serve His purpose on this earth while we yet remain.

Thank you for everything you have done for Andrew and for us,
Andrew's Family

If possible, we will post funeral information here soon.

2007-04-08T22:30:00.000-05:00

As of Sunday night, Andrew is still in critical condition in Houston with his parents, Laura and Jim. The Hillekes are visiting him in ICU every 20 minute slot that they are allowed. The doctors in Houston are doing what they can for Andrew, but as always, our Lord gives and sustains our lives.

Echoing what Steve Wilkins said in the previous post, continue to pray for Andrew and his entire family that we would continue to trust in the Lord who works all things for our good.

-Jarrod Richey
(Andrew's brother-in-law)

2007-04-07T15:14:00.000-05:00

This is a summary given by one of Andrew's uncles, Steve Wilkins, on Andrew's condition as of Saturday morning:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Just a quick note regarding Andrew Hilleke. The doctors have had to give him numerous transfusions over the last 24 hours because of serious internal bleeding. The oxygen level in his body is dangerously low and consequently, he is in very critical condition. Please pray for Andrew that he might be enabled to trust in the Lord and not be afraid and pray for his parents, Laura and Jimmy, and the entire Hilleke family.

God bless,
Steve Wilkins

Laura's brother, Steve Ayres, drove Laura back to Houston, TX to Be with Jim and Andrew.

2007-04-05T08:39:00.000-05:00

Doctors have not started the weaning yet. We are waiting and praying. Pray that Andrew will "hear" our scripture reading, words of encouragement, hymns and prayers in his heart of hearts.

Love,
Laura

2007-04-03T22:10:00.000-05:00

Depending on how Andrew is doing, doctors might start the weaning process from the ecmo tomorrow. I think our prayer lives have all been transformed, so thank you in advance for supporting us in your prayers. Here are some wonderful verses that Jim and I found individually that describe Andrew so well. Read Psalm 71:1-8.
Love,Laura

2007-04-01T22:11:00.000-05:00

Andrew's doctors want to leave him on the machine until Wednesday so his lungs can heal. At that time, they will try to start to put him back on the ventilator. Pray that it will be successful. Our dear friends, the Tassins and the Monclas have been up to support us. We are surrounded by kindness on every side.

Laura

2007-03-29T21:09:00.000-06:00

Dear ones,

Andrew is stable today on this life-saving machine, ecmo. Jim and I are staying with my aunt and uncle in Houston who have opened their home and arms to us. Andrew's doctor is a lung transplant specialist, so we couldn't ask for more earthly wisdom. Pray that our great Physician will heal his lungs, body and mind, and take care of our other loved ones while we are apart.

Love,
Laura

2007-03-28T16:02:00.000-06:00

Andrew made it through the procedure hooking up the ECMO machine. Doctors plan on keeping him hooked up to it for several weeks, which means he'll be sedated for a while to prevent panic or irritation on his part. His blood oxygen is now about the highest it's been his whole life. We hope this will assist his body greatly for recovery.

2007-03-28T10:50:00.000-06:00

This morning, Andrew is undergoing a surgical procedure to set him up on an ECMO machine. This machine can be used to take over heart and lung function while the organs recover. In Andrew's case, it will only operate as lungs since his heart is fine. His blood will be run through this machine constantly, oxygenating it for him. The lungs will have total rest, and work will be taken off some of his other organs (such as kidneys). This procedure is only available for adults at a few dozen places in the US, exactly the sort of advantage to having Andrew in Houston. His doctors agree that this is the best treatment option for the moment. It can be sustained for days or weeks, depending on what the patient needs.

The trip to Houston was hard on Andrew, but at least he's there and can be given the best possible care. My parents also made it safely. Thank you for remembering and praying for them on their journey.

Answer to Prayer

2007-03-27T16:25:00.000-06:00

Last night, we received confirmation of an open room for Andrew in Houston. During the night, his blood oxygen level improved slightly in answer to our prayer for strength for the journey. He was flown into Houston early this afternoon where my parents were waiting for him. As I write this, they are going in to ICU to visit him and see his condition from the trip. He's already had an x-ray since his arrival there. I'll post if any results show from that.

Doctors there have had some success with steriods at this point in such an illness. It is still a very experimental thing to do, but it is not risky to the patient. The blood sugar levels have to be monitered closely, but no complications are expected from it other than that. Andrew was put on such steriods last night right before we heard news of the room in Houston. They plan to continue this treatment now that he's arrived.

Andrew's condition remains critical, but the Lord is faithful in providing this opportunity for special treatment. Please ask the Lord for healing in Andrew's lungs that he may receive the essential oxygen for any kind of recovery to take place. Pray also for my parents who are now away from home in such a time of uncertainty.

Much love to you all,
Sarah

2007-03-25T15:27:00.000-06:00

Dear friends,
We are not in Houston yet. Everything was on standby for the trip Friday, but no bed opened up in time. If one opens tomorrow and Andrew is well enough, we will make the trip. He will be flown there escorted by an EMT and a nurse. Mom and Dad will drive to meet them there.

We had a scare yesterday, but Andrew is holding steady. His oxygen levels went down. The oxygen purity was turned up as high as possible, but nothing can be done to force his body to absorb it. Some of the doctor's believed he would not live but a few more hours. Others were more optimistic. Today, his oxygen is back up a little bit. The Lord has sustained him once again. As long as his numbers do not go down again, the trip to Houston is still the plan. It has indeed been an emotional roller-coaster for all involved.

Please continue to ask the Lord to strengthen Andrew for the journey to Houston. Thanks for your loving support.

~Sarah

2007-03-21T19:47:00.000-06:00

Hello, dear ones,

It looks like, Lord willing, we will be taking Andrew to Methodist Hospital in Houston on Friday. Pray for strength for him to endure the trip and supernatural wisdom for his new doctors. Also, pray that we will decide on the perfect place to stay. I am comforted by Psalm 139.

Love,
Laura

Going to Houston

2007-03-20T16:24:00.000-06:00

Dear friends,
After today's tests, Andrew's doctors in Alexandria have recommended, along with other family and friends who are doctors, that he be transported to Houston, Texas. It's time to go to the specialists and technology available in Houston where they see a very unique array of patients. His doctors in Alexandria have been most exceptional in their skill and devoted to his care.

It will take several days of paperwork, doctor transfers and an available ICU room in Houston for Andrew to leave Louisiana. If all goes smoothly, he will most likely be moved early next week. Our prayer is that Andrew be strengthened for the journey. We are doing the most humanly possible by moving him. He is in the Lord's hands.

Again, bless you all for your fervent prayers. If sheer number of loving friends and prayers guaranteed a person's health, Andrew would be singing and dancing right now. As the Lord promised, he is guarding our hearts and minds in peace as all of this by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving is being lifted up to Him.
~Sarah

Results

2007-03-20T12:37:00.000-06:00

Well, the bronchoscopy went fine, but nothing was found to explain Andrew's breathing difficulties. A CAT scan of his skull and chest was performed as well just in case something might show up. We'll have those results in the next few days.
Andrew's white blood cell count is still elevated. That means that there is an infection somewhere in his body, even with him on so many antibiotics and such. They are checking everything they can. We were hoping this test would show something to explain it all. The next step is unknown at this point. Perhaps the CAT scan results will show something helpful. We'll keep you informed. Thanks so much for your prayers.

Bronchoscopy

2007-03-19T15:59:00.000-06:00

Each time the pulmonologist lowers Andrew's respirator breaths below a certain point, Andrew is unable to compensate for the difference. This causes him to have sort of anxiety/panic attacks, and the respirator must be turned up again. This problem has presented itself over and over again in response to weaning him off of the respirator. As far as the doctors can tell, it is the lack of oxygen that causes these attacks, not the other way around. In other words, Andrew is not simply panicking to the point that he is unable to breathe well. Rather, something is preventing him from doing so. Unable to pinpoint why this is happening in Andrew's exact case, his pulmonologist has ordered a bronchoscopy for late tomorrow morning. He will go down into Andrew's lungs with a small camera to see if any fluids or other unwelcome guests are present which could cause such a problem. The respirator still remains one of if not the biggest hurdles to Andrew's recovery. If they can find the culprit tomorrow, it could lead to a big step in jumping this hurdle. Please pray that the Lord would be pleased to reveal the problem to Andrew's doctor's. He alone knows what it is. What a reminder that even medicine/science is a blessing given to us by the Lord and that it is no match for the vast wisdom and knowledge He possesses of His universe, the sparrow that falls to the ground or His child like Andrew sick in the hospital.

Another Try at the Respirator

2007-03-14T14:15:00.000-06:00

Today, Andrew's respirator was turned down the tiniest bit. His doctor is going to try a different and slower approach this time. He is given full support by the machine, but it will allow him to take breaths whenever he wants to himself. Before, the respirator simply took over his breaths whenever he started one. We are told that the longer he is on the respirator, the harder it will be to wean him off of it. He is very dependent on it now and gets panicky if it is turned down too fast. This new weaning approach will at least allow him to excercise his lungs when he is alert or simply feels up to it. Some excercise is better than none, of course.
Today seemed to be one of his better days in a while as he is adjusting decently to the new seizure medicine. He even felt like watching an episode of one of his favorite tv shows, Stargate Atlantis, on the little dvd player we brought up there for him.

2007-03-11T12:30:00.000-06:00

Andrew's new medicine has kept him seizure free since Tuesday night. This is quite an answer to prayer since he was having seizures daily, and we were running out of treatment options for it.
It is a relief to have him watched more carefully back in ICU though he seems anxious to be doing something more physical as when he was in the rehab portion of the hospital. Please ask the Lord to preserve Andrew's physical strength while he is restrained from much movement.

What's Going On?

2007-03-07T16:39:00.000-06:00

A number of people have expressed confusion about Andrew's condition. Is he better, worse, going nowhere? It seems that we have shared all the progress and encouraging news possible on this blog while neglecting to say that his condition remains very serious. It is still a battle for his life at times. Recent complications are mainly from being bed-ridden for so long - kidney stones, urinary infection, skin rash from medication, etc... They are treatable, but they slow his recovery and weaken his body as time and medicine are spent trying to figure out the problem instead of working toward physical rehabilitation. We do not want Andrew to lose strength of mind and heart as he waits for a chance to move forward again. The quality of Andrew's life will never be the same, but we do not want it to be an unbearable quality of life for him, even today.

If the Lord desires Andrew to live on, please pray that His mercies in preserving Andrew's quality of life would increase greatly. Andrew needs renewed strength from Him whose mercies are new every morning. As always, his condition is wholly dependent upon the Lord. It remains a mystery what God has planned for Andrew, and as his family, we simply thank Him that today is another day with our dear son, brother, grandson, friend.

2007-03-07T12:13:00.000-06:00

Thank you for your continued prayers for Andrew. He is back in the ICU because of seizures. The monitoring is constant, so we are somewhat relieved not to think we have to be alert to every little change ourselves. Yesterday's prayer for Andrew's doctors can be found in Daniel 2, and God did shine His light on the problem.

Love to all,
Laura

2007-02-28T16:50:00.000-06:00

Dear ones,

Andrew has pneumonia and a kidney stone. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, and the Lord delivers him out of them all". We pray that Andrew's deliverance will be out of his sickbed and into the life he enjoys again.

Love,
Laura

2007-02-28T07:22:00.000-06:00

Thank you for praying. Andrew's scan was clear, and he has developed a urinary tract infection. That could account for at least part of his rough day. I'm told that is not uncommon in a bed ridden patient. David is recovering well at home, and Sarah and Baby Boy are fine as well. Thank you for bearing our burdens with us.

Laura

2007-02-27T18:05:00.000-06:00

Hello, all,

Please pray for Andrew fervently. His oxygen level is down, and doctors are doing a catscan now to see what is the problem.

Laura

2007-02-26T20:56:00.000-06:00

Andrew stayed on something called c-pap all weekend. This is a good step off of the ventilator. Please pray for that to continue. Pray for Jim and me to be strong for Andrew and the rest of our dear family. Also, I desire to "be anxious for nothing", not an easy thing under the best of circumstances. Pray especially for David tomorrow, as he has a minor health problem to be taken care of.

I appreciate you all,
Laura

Walking

2007-02-23T23:04:00.000-06:00

Tonight, Andrew walked 5 steps forward and backward for 15 minutes. He does so well with his dad. I told him he's a most remarkable physical therapist, not to mention father and husband. Vent weaning is going forward. Please pray that we will know where to take Andrew for intensive rehab when the time is right.

Love,
Laura

2007-02-22T19:17:00.000-06:00

Thank you for your prayers and calls concerning Andrew's attitude toward therapy. Today, it took a good turn, so keep it up! The vent progress continues forward at a snail's pace. A thousand years is but a day for God, I keep reminding myself.

Tomorrow, Thomas, Emily, Samson, Laura Belle and Baby are coming. Our families are such blessings.

Love to all,
Laura

2007-02-20T15:53:00.000-06:00

Dear ones,

The respirator weaning is going VERY SLOWLY but in the right direction.We have a new prayer request. Andrew is not going to like reading this in the future. He is very partial to southern women and always has been. Most of his very nice therapists do not fit into this category. Consequently, he may be "playing possum" in his therapy sessions. Please pray that he will participate and benefit in every way with his occupational, physical and speech therapy. Thank you for your continuing prayers. I love to hear about them.

Love,
Laura

2007-02-18T07:59:00.000-06:00

Good morning, all! Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Now that Andrew is more awake, we are busy all of the time with him. He throws his legs over the side of the bed and pulls out the vent when no one is looking. Very scary, but supposedly good signs, they tell me. His youthful friends will appreciate the movie David finally found that has kept his full attention, Princess Mononoke? "Chinese cartoons" his nurse calls it.

My sister Anne is here for the weekend, and it's a great help, especially since someone needs to be with him all day. He has indicated to us that he remembers his college major, his job, numerous friends' faces and about 8 emotions, especially frustration. Leigh's friend Kym has given us numerous helpful suggestions for how to give him ways to convey his wants.Communication continues to be difficult, and we're trying a sensitive mouse today with the computer. Our pattern of health and awareness seems to be a good day, a bad day and a couple of neutral days. So, you can see the speed of progress.

Please pray that he will be weaned off of the vent. That is still our #1 holdback as far as communication, strength and mobility, I believe. Pray for Baby ? and Emily who has 165 days until her due date. Also, pray for Baby Boy and Sarah who has just over 60 days to her due date. Yesterday, she had a short-lived attack but was able to control it at home. I'm very thankful for your concern and prayers.

Love,
Laura

2007-02-12T22:43:00.000-06:00

We've had an enormous day at the hospital. Andrew typed his name on the computer this morning. Tonight, he stood by the bed with Jim's support for 3 minutes! What an encouragement! Thank goodness for fathers. Andrew's been trying to get out of bed all afternoon, and I've been explaining how that's a bad idea. Jim said okay, let's do it. Tonight, I told Anne that very few people are privileged to see miracles, and I hope she'll never forget.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

Love,
Laura

The Respirator

2007-02-11T21:37:00.000-06:00

As you all may have figured, the respirator is Andrew's most important challenge to beat at this point. Once he's off of it, he will be open to more therapy options. We were told recently that this weaning proccess normally takes weeks upon weeks to accomplish fully. Perhaps this will give you all a better idea of how to pray for him in the coming weeks as well as keep us all from hoping faster than Andrew can realistically keep up. A day or two off the respirator is great but only a baby step. We are asking the Lord to continue to strengthen him and give us patience as we wait for him to be restored more fully.

2007-02-09T23:09:00.000-06:00

Dear loved ones,

As you know, we've been too busy to update, but I've been lifted by your prayers and support. Sarah is continuing to do well at home. Pray for "Baby Boy" to grow big and strong for 76 more days. Sarah needs her rest and plenty of fat free calories, if there is such a thing. Mr. Ted Richey is recovering well at home after his surgery.

My sister Leigh Lucas is here for the weekend, and it's a great blessing. Andrew is back on the vent for a few days. It was too tiring for him to breathe on his own, so he will rest over the weekend and start again on Monday. He thoroughly enjoyed a new Josh Groban cd tonight. He probably needs a little down time from all of our stimulating him.

Thank you for showing your love and concern for us in so many ways. I appreciate all of you and hope to meet you all some day.

Laura

Progress

2007-02-07T15:57:00.000-06:00

Andrew has made wonderful progress these last few days. The respiratory therapist has taken him off the respirator during the day both today and yesterday. He handled it very well. He is back on it at night to ensure a good rest. In the afternoons he is placed in a chair for a few hours with a strap to be sure he stays up. He continues to lift his arms, make faces and stay awake for longer periods of time. Please pray that Andrew will not be frustrated or too worn out by his therapy and the current hindrances to communication (his respirator and tracheaotomy).
I (Sarah) am home from the hospital and currently pain free. Doctors are hoping the pain can be managed long enough for baby to grow more before surgery is necessary. They've given me medicine for flare ups and put me on a low-fat diet to help prevent them in the first place. Please pray I will be able to carry this baby to full term without pain from my gallbladder.
Thanks again for all your prayers and support.
~Sarah

Andrew's Sister: Sarah Richey-Update

2007-02-05T23:30:00.000-06:00

Sarah is at St. Francis in Monroe, LA. We have been there since very early Sunday morning. As Mrs. Laura said in her previous post, she has gallstones. Being 28 weeks pregnant they don't want to do the very routine procedure of removing her gallbladder until she has the baby. One of the main factors in contemplating surgery is her pain level and persistence. We thought we might be discharged today(Monday), but her pain flared back up. Right now she is perky and comfortable with some "drugs." We are taking it day to day, as to what we might want or need to do. Please pray for her health. My parents were good nurses and comfort yesterday and today and Mrs. Laura is currently here with Sarah in Monroe. "Little Guy" inside of Sarah is doing well. The nurses listen his heartbeat every couple of hours and it usually is very fast with frequent kicking being noticeable. We did get to see him in an ultrasound of her gallbladder. He was grabbing his ankle and moving all around.

Please continue to pray for Wisdom for us and the doctors. Peace to sleep and rest despite the temptation to worry and overthink. Also, pray for my father, Ted Richey, who is having abdominal surgery on Wednesday. The Lord is good and has been merciful to us in many ways known to us and many that we aren't aware.

-Jarrod Richey
(Andrew's Brother-in-Law)

2007-02-04T20:31:00.000-06:00

Dear friends and relations,

We have had a good sabbath with Andrew. Tonight, one of his doctors came in and asked if he wanted to watch football. Those of you who know him well will not be surprised to hear that he made a terrible face! I've never been so glad to see a dirty look in all my life! My great friend Pam Womack is here for a few days to help in every way.

We have another very important prayer request. Our daughter Sarah is 6 months pregnant and has gallstones. She is in the hospital for observation and treatment for pain. Pray for her and "Baby Boy". The best answer to prayer would be to wait until after baby is born to do the surgery. Thank you for all of your prayers for my three loved ones.

Love,
Laura

Resting

2007-02-02T21:42:00.000-06:00

Please keep emailing! I come in at night and check the computer for your
words of encouragement. It means so much. Andrew had a neutral day, Jim
says. Yesterday was so busy, it seems he needed a day off. Anne is reading
The Magician's Nephew to Andrew. Next Tuesday, Feb. 6, she will be 12. She
is a wonderful young lady and a great sister.

Our next big goal is to be weaned off of the respirator. Andrew seems to
respond to men the best. Any of you men with a little spare time, we would
love to see you. We are in room 519 at Rapides Regional. I appreciate all of
you.

Love,
Laura

2007-01-31T22:17:00.000-06:00

Andrew is out of icu and settled in the rehab wing. The feeding tube in the
throat has been replaced with a PEG tube that puts the nutrition directly
into the stomach. That has many advantages for him, and we are happy with
progress. Tomorrow, he will begin with all of his therapists, and we believe
he is ready to move forward. Thank you for your love and prayers, and please
continue to lift him up to our Lord.

The peg tube is now in.

2007-01-31T19:20:00.000-06:00

Out of ICU

2007-01-31T08:03:00.000-06:00

Andrew is now moved to the rehab floor of the hospital! He slept through the whole thing and most of the day yesterday since he's on Benadryl.
This morning, he will be receiving a different kind of feeding tube, a PEG tube that goes straight to his stomach through the side. This will allow doctors to begin removing objects from his mouth and throat, a step toward allowing speech to occur. The procedure is relatively quick, and the tube is easily removed once a patient is ready to eat normally again. Please pray that everything runs smoothly.

2007-01-29T22:28:00.000-06:00

Today's most exciting bit of news was Andrew's movement on command. When asked to move his arm, he was able to do so after a few moments. For the past three days, his sporadic movements have increased slightly. He moves his left arm (the stronger of the two), his legs, his neck to turn toward sound and his feet (for the first time today) in response to tickling. Smiles and other facial expressions have become more frequent. It is like seeing a bit of his personality once again. He has a long way to go, but each little thing is an encouragement. Movement from ICU has been delayed by paperwork only, so he will be moved to the rehab floor of the hospital very soon. Please pray that this move will be seamless and comfortable for Andrew as he is unable to communicate with us. Pray also that the Lord would strengthen him as physical therapists and family begin more direct and intense stimulation for his recovery.

Our hope is in the Lord

2007-01-27T19:31:00.000-06:00

Andrew's terrible rash is better, as well as the pneumonia. His fever is down to a manageable number. Today, he moved his arms and hands for the first time since Jan. 10. Of course, we are bombarding him with words of love and encouragement. Our next step is to move to the rehab floor where he can receive more visitors and therapy of all sorts. Our family and friends mean so much to us.

2007-01-26T09:33:00.000-06:00

Dear friends and family,
Taking Andrew off the antibiotics did not relieve his fever, but it could also be caused by the medication he's on to prevent seizures. As of today, he will be off of that medication, which we hope will also lessen his sluggishness.
He is now first on the list to be moved to the rehab wing as soon as his fever is gone, which may take the weekend.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
~Sarah (Hilleke) Richey

2007-01-25T14:01:00.001-06:00

Dear friends and relations,

Andrew smiled twice yesterday at someone or something. You can imagine how
that made our day. Doctors believe his fever and rash are due to 30 days of
very strong antibiotics. May that be our hope and prayer so that he can move
to the rehab wing soon.

Love you all,
Laura

As of Right Now:

2007-01-24T23:00:00.000-06:00

We spend our time at the hospital. We talk, pray, sing, read and start over again. I'm still standing and functioning, so the Lord, indeed, is holding me upright. In a few days, Andrew is moving to the rehab floor. There will be a variety of therapists, and weaning off of the respirator will be an important goal. . . .One of my comforts is that I know Andrew's hope is in the Lord. . . . He is resting in the Lord, and he knows we all love him tremendously.

--Laura Hilleke

Hilleke Family Photo Christmas 2006

2007-01-24T22:50:00.000-06:00

This photo was orchestrated and taken by Andrew right after our Christmas gift exchange.