Subject: 10/02/02 Update from Kraig, Loren and Keren

Date: Wed, 02 Oct 2002 11:46:12 -0400

From: Kraig Warnemuende <ad6075@wayne.edu>

Dear all,

Today is a better day than yesterday. Actually yesterday improved greatly once we got to the hospital and were able to be with Keren again. Just watching her breathe is an encouragement--and she's been doing really well with that. We got to hold her again, too, and we're always holding her hands when she's in the isolette. We also talk to her and sing to her a lot. She's just so irresistible!

I think I mentioned in yesterday's email that there was a couple in our church who had had a little girl with trisomy 18. Yesterday they came to visit us, and we got to talk for a good hour or so. What an encouragement!!! It was so helpful to talk with a couple who had been through what we're facing, and who had had almost three good years with their little girl. They gave us some great books to read and some other resources, and I know they themselves will be invaluable. It's amazing to think that there are two of us in our church who have had to face the same crisis--in some ways it seems almost unfair that we are the second. Not only do we benefit from their knowledge, but our entire church family is familiar with the syndrome. We came away from our talk with Dave and Linda with much more confidence that we will be able to have Keren at home for a while.

Keren's doctors are also getting us all ready so that Keren can come home--in fact, it may be by the end of this week! Kraig's been great about making sure we aren't moving faster than we are prepared for; obviously there is so much we don't know. But we are realizing, too, that part of our fears are normal first-time parent fears, and the doctors are sensitive to that, too, and so also firm. We know that home with us is the best place for Keren. One thing the doctors are setting up for us is a day/night stay on the pediatric floor as kind of a "halfway house." There we will be with Keren and taking care of her completely, but nurses and doctors are available if needed. We're really looking forward to bringing Keren home, but it's scary, too. Please pray that we will be wise in our decisions!!!

I think that's the scoop for now. We still will get photos to you--Kraig's going to be setting up our website with photos soon, so that you can go view them. We'll let you know when that's up.

Thank you for all you continued prayer and encouragement. It is SOOOO helpful!!!

Much love,

Loren, for Kraig and Keren