The last several updates have been specifically about the boys, and we thought folks might like to have some information about everyone.

Rebekah has returned to school and is in a Certified Nurse’s Assistant program. She seems to be doing well in the program, and her teacher (who knew something about her situation) complemented her on how well she was doing. The classes give her mind something to do besides grieve. She continues to need our prayers – that she can succeed in this program, and that her broken heart can continue to heal.

Ricky and Melissa are managing a hectic schedule. They are splitting their time in Meriden and in Boston, caring for all three of their sons. Their spirits are up because of the progress they see in the two younger boys. Little Ricky is playing baseball and doing very well, and his father is really proud of him. In the near future, they will move into an apartment with Rebekah in Meriden, and that is good – it will be very good to have something more like a home. There is room in the apartment for all three boys, and they will set up a things for the two younger boys, so that they have a place to come home. The house that had the fire is being repaired by the insurance, but it is unlikely that any one who lived there will ever want to return to that place.

Little Ricky is dealing with all of this as well as a five-year-old boy can be expected to deal with it. Sometimes, he is his normally cheerful self, but at other times he is struggling with anger and shock. Hunter was a treasured friend to all three of the boys, and his absence is painful and perplexing to Ricky. He’s also used to having two younger brothers to fill up his playtime, and their injury is also confusing. This is all very difficult for him.

Dan and Lois are, in Dan’s words, “being held up by God;” and he seems to be constantly surprised by the fact God can sustain them in such sorrow and grief. They are broken, but not destroyed. They continue to care for their daughters and grandchildren with intensity and integrity. Dan has returned to work and their sons are in school, which limits their ability to visit in Boston or Meriden. Their weekends are mostly spent on the road somewhere.

Tristyn and Trent continue their remarkable recovery. Tristyn is able to do more and more all the time. Trent seems to be facing greater challenges than his older brother. He has had an e coli infection, but that is being treated and he’s responding to treatment. He has been walking with assistance. But his most significant challenges are emotional and cognitive – he doesn’t seem to be expressing as wide of a range of emotions and just doesn’t seem to be himself. He is awake, but the fear that he may have suffered some harm to his brain lingers. Of course, he’s very young to be dealing with so great an injury, and what we are seeing may be grief and confusion. Keep his mind and emotions in your prayers.

Tristyn and Trent continue to improve. Their condition is no longer considered critical, and they are expected to move from the eighth floor to the seventh floor next week. The eighth floor is for patients who are in need of emergency medical treatment, whereas the seventh floor is more about continued sustained recovery.

They are no longer being given medication or sustenance intravenously; their pain management is oral now. Also, the amount of bandages on their bodies is radically reduced. They used to look like little teddy bear mummies, but now they look like little boys again. Injured little boys, but boys.

Tristyn is doing very well. He has been walking (with assistance) and he has a small bike/tricycle kind of thing that he’s been using on the burn ward. He is actively playing with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s. He told me the names of the four turtles, and pointed out which was which by the colors of their masks – he was very excited to share and show off his toys. I played with him a kind of peek-a-boo game, and for about five minutes I had him absolutely hooting and cackling with laughter. It was magic.

Trent is not doing quite as well as his brother. He is clearly uncomfortable, and he sits in his wheelchair leaning to one side- a posture that looks awkward. The medical staff says he isn’t in physical pain, because he’s still on enough pain medication to prevent physical pain (although he does sometimes become physically uncomfortable). Rather, he is in emotional/spiritual pain, because he doesn’t understand what’s going on. (He’s almost 3 years old.) Trent’s skin grafts do not seem to be taking as well as Tristyn’s have. Also, Trent’s burns are in a location that any movement at all will be painful – while Tristyn was burned on a greater amount of his body, his burns are apparently in easier to move locations than Trent’s. Every time Trent moves his upper body in any way, there is pulling on his injuries and discomfort. I was never able to get Trent to laugh as Tristyn did, but their father, Rick, did get Trent giggling while I was there.

Keep praying – particularly for little Trent and his poor heart. They are truly doing well, and our gratitude to God for how well they are progressing is profound. They are moving forward at a pace that only God and His power can explain. They continue to need God’s help. Keep them in your prayers.

-Ethan Brown

In the last 72 hours, both Trent and Tristyn have made stunning improvements that have had the doctors and medical staff amazed. We know that God has heard our prayers for them.

Both boys are now off the ventilators, and though they are sleeping with a small amount of supporting oxygen, they are breathing on their own. They continue on morphine for their pain and variset (sp) for pain and to inhibit their memory of their pain. Both will very likely lose part of an ear each, and will require skin grafting surgery on their ears, and plastic surgery later.

Both boys have been allowed to wake up some, have opened their eyes, and both have spoken. They are both responsive to questions, most often by nodding, though sometimes by speaking. Both boys digestive systems are at work again – Tristyn saw Trent eating and whispered, “hungry.” Some food was given to him, and his digestive system (which has been dormant until now) kicked in on that meal.

But the most exciting developments have come in the fact that they have seen and are interacting with each other. They were taken into the same room, and both were thrilled to see each other, and Tristyn waved to his little brother. Seeing one another seems to have triggered a new level of confidence in them, and started them down a path of improvement.

They mostly use their hands and nods/gestures to communicate. If they can avoid it, they are not talking. Their voices are very weak, which may be the result of the time they spent ventilated, or it may be from damage to their vocal cords. They are not finely coordinated, and their movements are very slow. They are, however, showing some signs of being little boys. For instance, yesterday, Tristyn played with some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and though it wasn’t terrifically exuberant play, it was play. As you can see in the attached pictures, both boys can smile really big.

Both boys are undergoing the beginnings of physical therapy. Mostly, it’s movement of their arms and legs to make sure that their skin does not become too tight. The caregivers put shoes on Tristyn’s feet, and he stood with assistance.

Sadly, both boys do have memories of the fire. Trent fell asleep while his family was with him, and he woke up a short time crying and saying “Fire! Fire!” Tristyn has been using the words “fire,” “bed” and “scared,” suggesting that he remembers the fire in his bed and being afraid. A psychologist at the hospital will be talking with Melissa and Rick on how to help them with these terrible, frightening memories.

The medical staff cannot believe how the boys are “flying” through their recovery at this point. There are still potential complications – if they were to get sick, even a minor illness like a cold could significantly threaten their compromised bodies. They continue to need prayer and care. Please continue your ministry of prayer to these little ones and their families.

Yesterday Tristyn had another skin graft surgery. He did fine, and his condition is about the same.

Trent also had surgery, and his included retrying to remove the tube in his throat. They were able to remove it successfully, and Trent is breathing on his own now! That he is currently free from the ventilator is wonderful. Melissa and Ricky were in Meriden yesterday evening when they recieved a phone call that Trent was quietly saying “Daddy”. Needless to say, Melissa and Ricky were quickly in the car on their way to Boston to see their little boy. There is still much progress to be made, but we need to thank the Lord for this blessing.

Both boys are doing better than the medical staff expected at this point.
Please continue praying ferverently for their little bodies to heal.

Trent (2):
-Is digesting food
-Has tears in response to pain
-Seems calmed by touch and talking
-Will have another skin graft for his ear area
-Ventilator settings have been slowly lowered
-Will have surgery Tuesday to remove his breathing tube entirely, and see how he does.

Tristyn (4):
-Is not digesting food yet
-Is not weeping
-Heart races when touched
-Maintains a slight fever
-Has a blood infection that they feel was caught early and is treatable.

Little Ricky is struggling. This even thas cause great tumult in his life. (He went from being with three playmates at home, to not being with the other boys. He was living with extended family for a while instead of Mom and Dad, etc.) He has started 1st grade in Meriden, and Melissa and Ricky are trying to spend more time with him.

Please also remember Kenny. He is suffering a terrible loss too. He and Hunter were very close, and enjoyed spending time together everyday. Kenny was an amazing uncle to Hunter.

Dan must return to work on Wednesday. Pray that Dan is able to do the work that is necessary there, and that he is still able to be a constant source of support for his family.

Tristyn has developed a blood infection. That is a serious matter which needs much prayer. Also, the medication they have been recieving to sedate them into a “twilight” state has become increasingly less effective as their small bodies grow accustomed to it. They have become increasingly more mobile, such as arm movements, small pushing, pulling, twisting, etc. All of which can be damaging to their bodies repair and skin grafts. In an effort to prevent the the medication from becoming completely inneffectual (and thwarting a type of dependence) the medical staff will be lowering the dosage of this medication on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Because of this, the boys will be even easier to rouse, and will not be allowed visitors. (which create sitimuli to their minds and senses)