November 14th Update!

Hey everyone – it’s me again! Here’s the Friday update on Smiley: Steve called Patti a little while ago, and she also talked to Dr. Moon. Smiley is still in ICU at the Daerim St. Mary’s Hospital. He is resting well. He is sleeping most of the time because of the pain medicine. They are going to be giving him blood, platelets, and a protein treatment (I can’t pronounce or spell the name J) today. Dr. Moon did not want to start the stem cell treatment yet because he did not want Smiley’s body to go into shock. He felt like Smiley needed the blood transfusion before they started the other treatment. He wants to take it as slow as he needs to in order to do what’s best for Smiley. They will start the stem cell harvesting at some point after Smiley has the blood, platelets, and protein treatment.

Steve told Patti that the hospital is very modern and clean. He has been very impressed with the hospital, doctors, and staff! He assured Patti that they are taking very good care of Smiley! Steve has been able to fellowship with the other Americans (the 14th floor of the hotel is made up of American patients and their families that have come for medical care.) Steve met a guy from Atlanta, and he helped Steve get an international cell phone. I’m trying to work on a way that Steve will be able to get in touch with Patti more often without it being so expensive. When Smiley starts getting stronger and better, I want to make sure that he can talk to Patti and the boys as often as he wants without having to worry about the cost! The plan for all of that is in the works! For now, Steve is just going to call once a day to give updates. Of course, he will call more often if there are changes to report or any news that Patti needs to know right away. I promise to pass along the information as soon as we receive it each day!

IMPORTANT BREAKING NEWS J: There is a blood drive today at Blue Ridge High School in the auxiliary gym during school hours. The BRHS ROTC holds a blood drive each month, and today’s blood drive is for Smiley. If you go, please tell them that you are giving blood for Barry M. Howell (Smiley). Please take time from your day and donate blood for Smiley. He had to have many blood transfusions over the past few weeks, and the family will receive credit towards the cost of that blood if you make sure to donate in Smiley’s name! Thanks!

Also, don’t forget the yard sale tomorrow at Wholesale Tire from 7:00 am until :) We will have t-shirts, car stickers and prayer bands (someone called them “prayer bands” yesterday and I think that is a very appropriate description of the bracelets!!) All of these items are a great way to financially support the Howell family, but they are also great ways to remind us of Smiley and to pray for him each day!!

God’s will continues to be done through Smiley Howell. What a wonderful representative from Greer, South Carolina to be in Korea. I know that God’s spirit that we all felt so strongly at that airport is also affecting people who have come in contact with Smiley and Steve in Korea. Keep the faith – I am confident that God is working miracles in people’s lives through this experience. We may never know how many hearts have been changed through Smiley and his miracle trip! The effect is surely spanning the globe!

I want to share a verse with all of you. I have a journal that a friend gave to me when Dad had his heart surgery in May. I used it to write down information about his surgery and to keep up with phone numbers of friends and family. I pulled it out on Wednesday because I thought it would be the perfect place to keep all of my notes, phone numbers, and email addresses that I need during Smiley’s trip. The page that I turned to had the following scripture: Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I highlighted it. Smiley has not given up his fight with cancer. We must all continue to work together to do good things. I promised Smiley that I would work hard for him while he was gone. I thank each and every one of you for working hard, too! We are all so blessed to be a part of such a special cause, in such a special community, for such a special man. Let’s not give up, but continue to do God’s work in all that we do!

Please continue praying for Smiley, Steve, and Smiley’s family! I know you will!!

Love and thanks to you all :)

I’ll be in touch…

Leigh

PS – See you all tomorrow at the yard sale – don’t worry, the rain will stop – I just know it!!