Class,

Here’s an update on Nathan McClean (right) from his homepage at caringbridge,

Stem Cell Transplant 1 is underway, and we are so glad to be here. We have had most of day 1, today’s medicine. Little man is very full of life, shouting the He-Man mantra, I Have the Power!!! (He-Man is a 1980’s cartoon we bought on DVD at Wal-mart last week). He is Amanda’s son.

There are children in this world whom God loves very much, and whom their parents love very much, that would have no chance if a medical situation like this hit their family. There are families with small children in this world that hardly have enough food, much less the resources to fight something like what Nathan has. I don’t know the answer, but we need to remember the poor people in this world.

We had our first family video conference today: Nana (Lucille), Jordan, and Greta at home, and us up here at the hospital. We would like to thank Dr. Steve Wellum and his Adult Bible Fellowship class at Ninth and O Baptist Church here in Louisville for donating all the equipment to us to do this. This webcam capability is totally going to carry Nathan through the tough times of the coming weeks. We are very indebted to Dr. Wellum’s Sunday School class for this. Thank you very much.

Nathan is on a really tight regime for a few days. He must Tee-tee every two hours around the clock for 4 days. He has to take a clear-water bath every four hours around the clock. He is on a low-bacteria diet, and he is already on many medicines. Anyone entering his room has a special hand-washing procedure, and supposedly (you wouldn’t know it today) visitors/medical personnel to his room are limited. We are so happy to be here.

It doesn’t sound like it as I write this but I assure you, if the path to life dips down briefly into the abyss, you take it gladly. We love our son. Jesus said, “whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” The path to life is never easy, but you would take it, too. Reach the Day.

Go here for more photos of Nathan with his family.