Thanks again for your prayers.  But we are not out of the woods yet.  My husband went back in to the doctor because he felt his breathing was getting more difficult and they finally (FINALLY) did a chest x-ray.  He is pre-pneumonia, with fluid in the bottom of his right lung.  The tissue around his heart is a bit inflamed (as we suspected) and his lungs look cloudy in general.  I'm upset because I thought the doctor should have done a chest x-ray 2 days ago when Todd first went in.  Since he's had something like this before, you'd think they'd take that simple precaution to x-ray him.  Anyway, they gave him a shot of an antibiotic, and prescribed him another antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory (NSAID).  Please pray that his breathing will improve.  They said if his breathing gets more difficult in the next couple of days, they'll need to send him to Portland (2 hrs away) because they can't help him here!  Sometimes it is difficult to live in a little town of 10,000 people where med. facilities are sometimes limited.  I really don't want him to have to go, you know?  Please pray that God would heal him quickly enough at least for him to be able to stay home to recover.  Is it selfish to plead with God to heal your husband?  At least his fever is down to 101 (it has been 102 to nearly 103!)  It is so hard to see him so miserable.  He does smile and can sit up for a few hours, which are good signs.  I went to the store and bought him food that I know he likes but hasn't had in awhile (we are constantly trying to improve our diet).  He had a bologna sandwich for dinner (ugh!!) but at least he ate!  I'd give him nearly anything he wanted at this point.  I'm trying not to worry and agonize over this but it's hard not to.  This is serious stuff.  My husband has already gone through something like this before though not this bad, AND he's been through melanoma surgeries as well.  Never a dull moment, let me tell you!  I've explained to the kids as much as necessary, they've been a bit upset obviously and I don't like leaving them in the dark.  If we have to pick up and head to Portland, I didn't want them to be surprised.  I have to believe that he'll get better.  I have to! 

God, in His glorious mercy, gave me an excellent idea today.  I have prayed with my kids many times for their dad and today, I thought of this:  A family prayer chain.  I made a list of times, hourly, and the kids filled in their names in two different time slots and I filled in my name in the remaining slots.  Now, at the top of the hour, we remind each other who's turn it is to pray for daddy.  I added a sample prayer at the bottom of the list for reference.  It's been really cool.  My husband smiled when he heard Alec running off, calling, "Carmen, it's your turn to pray for Daddy!"  Todd told the kids how much he appreciated their prayers and that it was helping.  I'm so happy that the Lord turned this time in our lives into a lesson for our kids to think and pray about someone besides themselves.  I'm glad to be turning their hearts to the Lord, hopefully, it will help them not to worry about their dad.  And I like knowing he's being prayed for hourly (at least!)

Let's hope for a big improvement tomorrow, though I'd be thrilled with just a little improvement.  Please God, hear our prayers.