Henry Update:

Good news:

• His thyroid is looking much better!  The doctors have decided that for now Henry won't require thyroid meds daily, but instead on an "as needed" basis.  Wonderful news that that is one less med Henry will have to take daily, one less expense, etc.  He is already scheduled for a test in December to make sure that his thyroid functions ok without the meds, we are faithful those tests will come back with good news.
• They have started tapering the hydrocortisone.  This is one med that he will absolutely have to be off before they can even consider sending him home.  The tapering process takes several days, and we know that Henry hasn't loved being taken off some of his meds...so we praying that this one goes better. 

Not as good news:

• Henry has been losing weight, rather than gaining.  The doctors believe that while he is drinking wonderfully from a bottle, that the energy he is putting into drinking is causing him to burn off too much weight.  So, they are now back to some feedings through the feeding tube...right now alternating bottles with feeding tube.  This seems to be working.  He gained an ounce or two yesterday with this system.  We aren't sure how long it will be necessary for them to keep him on this schedule before starting to get him back to all bottle. 
• They are still working to decrease his dependency on one of his pain meds.  Overall, this process is going well, but yesterday he got a little agitated and needed a dose.  So, there is still some progress to be made there, but already they have been able to taper him back significantly. 

There is still progress to be made before Henry can go home, and at this point the doctors still aren't giving any indication of when that may be.  Of course, we don't want him sent home before he is ready, but we want him home already darn it!  Please continue to keep them in your prayers as we are waiting for Henry to take these last steps and for David & Dana's patience and strength as they wait.