Winkie has had his last tube removed now. His heavy stitches were also removed, and some lighter ones put in instead. So, 9 abdominal drainage tubes and 1 pleural cavity drainage tube later, he is free to walk about the hospital without the worry of tubes coming out of him. His abdominal muscles are still severed vertically, of course, and it’s not easy for him to sit up on his own. But at least he doesn’t have the tubes to worry about when getting up or moving about. His voice is also coming back. He’s not quite able to write properly again, yet. His hands are a little shaky, and his legs tremble if he stands for too long. But we are encouraging his excercise, and it’s good to see him eating some solid food again. Step by step, he’s coming closer to being able to leave the hospital and return to his home in New Zealand. A word from Winkie “Think of what it means to discover you can’t talk, or walk, or sing, or write or move without having people hold you, connected to up to 10 tubes. One by one, those faculties, have to be brought back into full use. Today the last tube came out. Enough skin had to heal for them to be able to set up the final operation, which ought to take place in the next six months, where the layers of muscle across the front of the abdomen have to be sewn back together. In such a long battle, people often lose heart. But I am confident from your prayer, words of encouragement, the scripture you have sent and other support that this last hurdle will be overcome to bring great glory to Him.” Winkie also wanted me to add, that the reason (again, in case you didn’t catch it earlier in the blog) he needs a 4th surgery later on down the road is, during his post-3rd surgery, the doctors were draining the infection out of his abdominal cavity. Resewing the muscles would necessitate a removal of the drainage tubes, and seeing as he almost died, getting rid of the infection was priority #1. Therefore his muscles were left severed and only the skin was sewn back up. He has asked me not to post any pictures of the post-surgical wound, but I can tell you that it runs about the full length of his abdomen- about 12 inches. When I showed him a picture (before he could easily look down and see it for himself) of the stitching job, he said, “Football.” Sadly, folks, that is what his abdomen looked like. And it is still healing. He’s not allowed to lift anything heavy until this 4th surgery is performed. And he’ll have to get it later because his body simply isn’t up for the battle necessary to recover from such an operation at this time- if done now it could possibly kill him. Please pray for God’s guidance as to the where and when of this 4th surgery. We want to avoid as much trama and drama as possible. I plan to go to New Zealand with Mom and Dad and help with Dad’s recovery for at least 3 weeks. Thank you again for your prayers. The prayers of God’s saints have really been felt. And we can tell God has been listening.” William Pratney Posted by Israel Anderson