I've just talked to Daddy and Kelly, and there is much good news to report. To start with, Aaron has come safely out of what should be the last surgery on his leg. While he was under, they also took care of patching up a nasty cut he had on his right heel which should heal up just fine. Daddy said that Aaron was able to sleep off and on for most of the afternoon before he was taken to surgery, which is good for him. Dad also talked to the anesthesiologist, who was very encouraging as far as assuring Dad that the hallucinations and confusion Aaron is experiencing are extremely common and that he will snap out of it soon.
Kelly, our conquering hero, called a few minutes ago to talk. She said that today turned out to be the best day they've had since Aaron has been awake. Aaron, she said, is now consistently aware that he is in the United States and no longer thinks he is in Iraq. She also said that Aaron has already got something along the lines of a fan club following amongst the nurses and other Marines in the hospital, and that he has become the comedian of the intensive care unit.
"Today he's a lot better," she said. "There are people lining up waiting to talk to him because he is so funny. I wish I had a video camera, because we could put him on Comedy Central. The Secretary of the Navy came up and he was cracking him up, too. He's always trying to make jokes, and then when people laugh, Aaron does this laugh like he doesn't have energy to laugh all the way, but he wants to. He has his bad times, too, but it's getting a lot better."
Coming soon we'll have the full story of Kelly's midnight hitchiking trip from Philadelphia to Bethesda, which I have interviewed her about. For now, join us in prayer thanking God for Aaron's steady improvement and Kelly's good spirits in the midst of all of this. Please pray that Aaron will be able to sleep some tonight and will not have any trouble coming out of his anesthesia from the operation. Pray that the work that was done today on his leg and foot will be good and that he will heal properly with no complications. It is our hope that Aaron can be moved from ICU to a private room sometime in the next day or two.
Continue to pray that Mom, Dad, and Kelly will find time to rest and eat and take care of themselves in all of this. Also, pray for traveling mercies for Hannah and Audrey, who are scheduled to go to Maryland and see Aaron this weekend over their Easter holiday from school.
That will be all for tonight. Thank you all so much. Mom and Dad are so encouraged to know that you are all so faithfully praying for us. We love you all. More tomorrow.