Jan 8, 2009 9:08 p.m.

Mom, Matt and I spoke with the Dr. this evening. We got a baby step of good news. He said that Dad has improved over the past couple days. All the blood and urine cultures are coming back clear. The levels in the pancreas are elevated a little, but the pancreas is good. Kidney functions are improving and he is putting out a lot of fluid. However, there is a puzzle they are trying to figure out and they do know that he does not have Congestive Heart Failure. His lungs are still full of fluid and inflamed, they are not sure where the fluid is coming from or what is causing it. His Triglycerides are very high and his temp is running this evening 102.8 and the white blood counts are not elevated..like I said a puzzle. They are running more test tonight and additional Dr's will be seeing him tomorrow. They are going to do a breathing test tomorrow by removing him from the vent for 1 hour to monitor his breathing and then place him back on the vent. Dad is still on a drug induced sedation (semi coma). Like I said... it is a baby step of recovery, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

Thanks so much for all your prayers. We are not out of the woods yet so please continue to remember him. We have pictures hanging in his room of his 3 pugs, a picture of him with his his brothers and sisters Danny, Paul, Linda, and Faith, a picture of the entire Ashcraft family and, of course, a picture of him and Mom.... this is so when he awakes from his sedation he will have familiar faces of the family he loves so much. Instead of looking at strangers (ie: Dr's and nurses). Thanks to all for your love, support, emails, phone calls, and visits to the hospital. When someone is going through a crisis in their lives this is the time when they need their family and friends.

Love to you all, Phyllis, Perry, Matt and Ian Michael...we feel your love and prayers.