Update...He's There!

Hey everyone. Just wanted to give you all an update on Smiley. They arrived safely in Korea. It is now after 10 pm over there. Smiley had an okay trip, but the long flight was tough. He wasn't able to move around as much as he needed to. He is in the hospital now - he is in critical condition. They have put him in ICU in order to be able to give him the best care possible. Smiley was in critical condition before he took the trip - the doctors here just did not call it that. Dr. Moon did have to go ahead and take his trip to Florida. Patti has just talked to him. He assured her that Smiley is being taken care of by the best team of doctors and nurses. He is not there right now, but he is in constant contact with them regarding Smiley's health. The staff at the hospital know exactly what they are supposed to be doing to keep Smiley out of pain and comfortable. Right now, their goal is to get him stronger and get him ready to start treatments. In the morning (tonight for us), they will begin the stem cell process. They have to harvest the stem cells. The stem cell process can be started now - it does not depend on Smiley's strength. Dr. Moon will return to Korea in a couple of days. When he returns, he will hopefully be able to start the additional treatments for Smiley.

We all knew that the trip would be tough on Smiley's body. What we all need to remember and hold on to is that Smiley was in very, very bad shape here, but there was nothing that doctors here could do for him. Although he is in critical condition, he is now in a hospital with doctors and staff that can begin trying to help him. Right now, Smiley is where he wished to go - a country that has given him hope.

I believe in miracles. Like I've said before, Smiley, like all of us, is in God's hands. We, as his family, friends and community that love him so much, have provided the opportunity for God to work a miracle in Smiley if that is His plan. There is a reason for all of this to happen - Smiley's illness, Smiley's suffering, Smiley's courageness and fight, Smiley's faith in God through all of this, the community outpouring of support, Smiley's trip to Korea, and hopefully Smiley's healing in Korea. None of us understand any of it, but it is all a part of God's plan. We cannot lose any faith now. Please pray more than ever for Smiley. And please pray that God will bless his doctors in a special way as they treat him.

Please continue to pray for Smiley's miracle! God hears our prayers and Smiley feels our prayers! Keep Smiley's family in your prayers - this is a very hard time. Sometimes our faith is tested in ways that we can't imagine. This is one of those times for Smiley's family and they have let their faith shine!

Also, please pray for Steve. He is understandably frustrated, and it is even more difficult with the language barriers. He has met some fellow Americans at the hotel. He is going to try to get some rest, and he will be back at the hospital at 8:00 am their time to see Smiley. What a courageous man that Steve Berry is! We all need to remember what a wonderful sacrifice he is making on this journey to help out his friend!

Hope is not lost, my friends! I believe in all my heart that Smiley willl proudly walk off of that plane in December - a healthier man with an unbelievable story to share!

We probably won't have any other information until later on. I will email as soon as I know of any updated news. Keep praying!

Love and thanks to you all :)

Leigh