Well, after a week with no internet access, I'm breaking the silence. As I mentioned when I was posting from England, last week I rushed to Louisiana where my father-in-law had a dismal health prognosis (viral encephalitis, with recovery very unlikely).
First, I want to thank all of you who sent me your wishes, prayers, and supportive messages during the last week (I did have access to email, thanks to my Crackberry).
I'm happy to report that my father-in-law is doing much better than anyone predicted. He's breathing on his own, talking, recognizes the family, and expected to leave the ICU after the weekend.
There is still a long road ahead of him and it'll be weeks (if not months) before they can accurately gauge the long term effects of this bout with encephalitis. But he's still with us and he's getting better.
Never underestimate the power of the human spirit.