Posted by: candicebartsch | November 14, 2009

Hello again, Evan has stayed the same. He has not shown any improvement in his eating or his drinking. That is ok. We are looking forward to returning to the feeding clinic. Once flu season is over and it is safe for Evan to travel we will make the necessary arrangements. Evan has been very ill. We believe he caught the H1N1. John and Jen have been keeping a close watch over him. John had it first, then Eric and poor Jen and Evan came down with it at the same time. They are slowly improving. Not much to say. Hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving. We have so many things to be thankful for. God is good all of the time. God bless all of you. Candice

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Posted by: candicebartsch | September 22, 2009

Hello everyone, how time passes! Evan is in a new school. It doesn’t seem to be the best fit for him. Unfortunately, I am not sure there is another to choose from. Moving to such a small community has limited the available special needs programs they were able to get in Columbus. Jen is looking for an alternative. His eating is about the same. Drinking is still an issue. God knows. Regardless of how long it will take to accomplish our goal….every day we are one day closer to achieving it! We are so much further ahead. Evan no longer throws up after being fed. The drooling has stopped and the feeding tube no longer needs to be run during the night. What seems to be a little step taken is a giant step for our little guy! As you can tell, July has come and gone and with the move etc. it was impossibe to return to the clinic. I am thinking it will be in spring. Flu season will be over. God bless all of you. Candice

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Posted by: candicebartsch | August 28, 2009

Hi, I have had a few people ask me how long we will have to be at the clinic when Evan returns. Hopefully, it will not take near the time it took to get him eating. Usually, the drinking is not as difficult to teach. Our little guy doesn’t follow the usual. We do not have any idea how extensive the program will be until we return. I have also been asked when we plan on returning. Again, we don’t have an answer. Traveling during flu season with Evan is dangerous. As much as we would love to get it done, we have to use common sense and protect him. Evan’s immune system has been weakened from all the surgeries and the use of numerous antibiotics. When Jen feels it is safe for him to travel she will schedule the treatment. While we are waiting it offers us the time we need to raise more money. Airfare, treatment and housing are at the top of the list. The cost of the clinic is $4,000 per week (I know it will take at least three weeks). Housing is through the roof! Our last visit housing cost $2,500 per month. They stayed at a safe place but it was not fancy. Housing is very expensive in this area. I wish I could provide you with better information. A lot depends on Evan. We are praying he flys right through the next step. Until we are there and in the treatment we won’t have any idea what it will involve or how long it will take. He is worth it! Quality of life will not only be improved for Evan, it will make a tremendous difference for their family. What we take for granted, they pray for. Please remember us in your prayers. Any brain storming ideas for fund raisers would be appreciated. I think I have reached the end of my creativity. I am out of ideas. I would love to hear from you. Take care and God bless. Candice

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Posted by: candicebartsch | August 18, 2009

Hi, we are back from Ohio. We had a great visit! It was wonderful to get there and hard to leave. There was a lot of work to be done. John and Don worked on the new home while Jen and I cleaned and packed the house they are leaving. We were all busy! Jim kept the boys happy, he is so good with them! While we were there I was able to observe Evan’s feedings. He will have to return to the clinic at some point. He is consuming all of his calories by mouth and does show an interest in eating and drinking other foods. He just isn’t progressing as fast as we were hoping. Jen is keeping a great attitude (better than I could)! soooo…the fund raisers continue. The sale of the cook books was a success. Thanks again everyone for the support. The cost of the feeding clinic has now risen to $4,000 a week. That does not include the airfare or the housing or food etc. Evan’s quality of life is so improved since his first visit, we have to finish and get him to the next level. He has put on the pounds! I can hardly lift him! John and Jen’s new house is very nice. It has a lot a space for the kids to play. There’s not a lot of outside activities for them to visit (they would frequent the museums and the zoo often in Columbus). Shopping is limited. It is a small community. As I said, Evan will have to return to the feeding clinic. Jen has not scheduled the date at this time. Prayers are appreciated. Any fund raising ideas are also appreciated. Take care and I will try to update you as often as possible. Thanks, Candice

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Posted by: candicebartsch | August 3, 2009

Hello, Evan is doing well. He asked for a drink and told Jen he was hungary one day! That is progress! Don, Jim and I will be flying to Ohio this coming Thurs. I can hardly wait to see them. God is so good to us. Thanks again everyone. I don’t even know how to express what I am feeling. All of you have blessed us beyond words. Candice

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Posted by: candicebartsch | July 19, 2009

Hi everyone, it has been a very long time. Evan is making small progress. His eating is about the same. The drinking is coming slowly. John, Jen and family are doing well. Evan has started back in therapy and in preschool. I am not sure when Evan will return to Los Altos for further treatment. After eating for these few months, he is expected to be able to improve on the drinking. This has all been well worth the money, time and effort! Thank you again for all your help! Please keep him in your prayers. We will be flying to Ohio in a couple of weeks. I have not seen his progress. I am excited to see how far he has come. The home feedings are very difficult. The consistancy and making of Evan’s food is vital for his success. That is a lot of stress and pressure on Jen. As is any part of life, we all have better and worse days. Our little guy is a trooper and so are his parents (especially Jen). Someday he will come to us and ask for a bite of whatever we may be eating….what an amazing day that will be! I can hardly wait! Take care and I will keep you posted! Thanks, Candice

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Posted by: candicebartsch | June 13, 2009

Hi, Jen and Evan made it home safe and sound! They are doing great! I spoke with the nurse last Sunday, she was excited to see the progress Evan has made. She couldn’t get over the fact he no longer drools! She commented how wonderful Jen was doing with the feedings. I also talked with Jen and she is sooo happy to be home. Things are great there. They sold their house (lost a little money), but, they are relieved from the stress. Now they can prepare for the move to Portsmouth. The closing won’t be until the end of August. That will be great for Evan. He will be able to finish his therapy and his summer classes. Isn’t it wonderful to hear such positive in their lives? Thank you, Jesus! God is so great and loving! The world looks pretty awesome to us right now! I will keep you posted on Evan’s progress. He still needs lots of improvement on drinking. Jen said he lost ground (he was hardly getting any down prior to going home). I guess he is drinking less than 1oz. now. We still need prayer. We are hoping the drinking will come on its own. If he can master this, Jen won’t have to return to the clinic. May God bless all of you and I pray you have a great summer! Candice

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Posted by: candicebartsch | June 6, 2009

Hello everyone, I spoke briefly with Jen today. All is well and she is ready to go home. There are a few last minute things to be done. She will have a very difficult morning. She will need to feed Evan twice before leaving for the airport. When she does get home the feeding will continue as it did in the clinic. Please don’t stop praying. Changes in feeding can completly disrupt Evan. It is common for problems to arise. Please cover this in prayer. Feedings must be consistant and done using the same procedure. Jen is concerned he will get home and try to refuse to eat. He can put up a good fight. All of them need a peaceful return to their normal life and Evan needs to continue to eat. There is a long road ahead, he is eating and soon he will be able to sit down and eat a dinner with his family. Thank you, Jesus! I don’t know how often I will be posting. I will try to keep you updated. I want to give them a few days to just be a family. Take care, Candice

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Posted by: candicebartsch | June 5, 2009

Hi, I talked with Jen yesterday, she was excited over spirit night. I wish I could have seen John dressed in the cow costume! Ha ha! I will have to go to the restraunt when we visit them this summer. Thank you, all of the cell group. I heard John wasn’t the only one who dressed in the cow suit. Jen and Evan are hanging in there. Very anxious to get home. Sometime this summer they will return to work on his drinking. May God Bless all of you and your families. Candice

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Posted by: candicebartsch | June 2, 2009

Hi, I spoke with Jen tonight. She is packing and is looking forward to going home. Evan is doing well. Things seem to be settling down some. Jen learned how to make the food today. Sounds very complicated. Her days are going by very quickly. That is a good thing! Before they know it she will be home. She is planning to go back sometime in July for the drinking. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Evan just decided to do it on his own? Please remember to pray for the fund raiser tomorrow night. It will begin at 6:00 pm east coast time. (3:00 pm for my time). When I hear the outcome, I will pass it on. What a blessing this group is to John, Jen and family. I will try to keep you updated. Candice

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