March 5, 2001

Dear Family and Friends,

Last Thursday, Dan noticed his head moving around in the halo. Candi took him to the hospital on Friday, and it was officially confirmed…Dan had a few (more) screws loose! The doctor tightened all the screws on his halo, which Dan describes as feeling “like having your head in a vice”. Sounds painful!! 7 ½ days and counting!

Dan and Candi are very happy with Dan’s new caregiver! Collin is definitely an answer to prayer!! He comes to the house Monday – Friday mornings and a few evenings a week also to relieve Candi of all the routine responsibilities with Dan. He gets along so well with Dan that he is already up to practical jokes. Collin has done the UNTHINKABLE…he put a Giants towel on the ceiling above Dan’s bed! (Go Collin!) Dan’s vowing to stand on his bed to get the towel down and take it to PacBell Park for a ceremonial burning.

Dan is still working hard on his physical therapy. He is getting better at standing for transfers and can also transfer with the sliding board with minimal assistance! He is also very excited because now he is able to cross his right ankle over his left knee.

Candi has asked for prayer for Dan’s left shoulder, which has some tightness in the joint. She has also asked for prayer for a friend from the hospital. The family needs to find an affordable, wheelchair accessible house in Santa Cruz County soon. Please remember this family in your prayers and if you know of a possible home, please respond to one of the e-mail links on this site.

One major concern that remains at the top of our prayer list is the stress that Dan and Candi are under watching the medical expenses accumulate daily. We know that God will provide, but patience is sometimes difficult in these circumstances. Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Many expressed a desire to help Dan and Candi while Dan was in the hospital. If you would like to help out financially (every little bit helps!), please make checks payable to: “Franklin Funds” and designate in the memo section: “Gift for Dan Whitney”. Any unused money will be donated to a needy cause.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”

Janet Hadley