Below are the 15 most recent journal entries recorded in idariosantos' LiveJournal:

Saturday, November 8th, 2008
8:00 am	Idario’s Update Artur is just starting to walking by himself. It is wonderful. His mom never stopped crying. Everybody is very happy. It was a long wait. He was in the Ronald McDonald House hall and his mom left him playing with his crutches and told him “whenever you want, you get into the house and go to restroom”. Soraya and I were watching TV, and suddenly we saw a little person walking behind us and heading to our apartment restroom with no apparatus. Then we realized that he was walking for the first time in his life after 6 years of fighting. We are very pleased to have him walking. He is the best fighter that I have ever seen in my life. Everything would not be happening if we didn’t have a great support from Children’s Institute, Pioneer School, Shriner’s Hospital of Erie, Dr. Strauss, Stamps Family and all of you who have been supporting our journey. This November 13th we are going to Shriner’s to have his legs evaluated from the orthopedic time. He may need to have knee surgery soon. Artur is doing great at school. He is fluent in English and having great progress as a beginning reader. His brain is getting everything very fast. We are very proud of him. God has been blessing him each second of his life. Thank you all of you who never forget to pray for him.
Tuesday, December 4th, 2007
4:51 pm	Artur's Leg Surgery Artur was admitted at Shriner's Hospital of Erie yesterday. Earlier this morning, he had his leg surgery. Dr. Sanders explained to us what he had to do. Basically, he cut Artur's tendons (both legs) over his ankles and a little bit above his knees in the hamstrings. Artur is getting better. He is drinking some juice and eating some crackers. He is complaining a lot about the pain. The hospital is providing some medicine to give him some relief. He is a great boy. We're probably heading back to Pittsburgh tomorrow. He'll be home doing some therapy which has to be checked by Children's Institute once a week. On January 7th, he has to come back to Erie and have one week of rehab as an inpatient. After this, he is supposed to go to Children's Institute to stay in rehab. For how long? Only God knows. Artur is doing his best and we are trying to keep him in good shape. Thanks at all. God blesses you every day. Without you we couldn't achieve this miracle. SPECIAL THANKS TO SHRINER'S HOSPITAL STAFF. Thanks a lot. Idario and family
Sunday, December 2nd, 2007
6:33 pm	Update on Artur's Surgeries Hi everyone, Artur finally underwent his stomach muscle surgery at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is recovering well. He restarted classes at Pioneer School yesterday. He was scheduled to have his leg surgery at Shriner's Hospital of Erie in January. The doctors decided to push ahead to December 4th. I hope this will be his last surgery and will put him in good shape to help him to walk by himself. Artur says that the doctors will fix his legs, and he will walk like his brother Vinicius. We'll spend a number of days at Shriner's Hospital. After the surgery, he'll have casts over his ankles and they will put braces over his knees. He won't be able to put his feet on the floor for approximately 6 weeks. It will be hard for him. But, we have to do this. Although this next step is not easy, our family is praying every day and asking God to give us support to get us through this. Artur is the strongest kid in the world. He never gives up. Thanks everyone.
Tuesday, August 14th, 2007
11:35 pm	Hi everyone, Artur is doing a great job. He is improving his skills so that we can't imagine how he is learning the English language so fast. He is still under rehabilitation at the wonderful Children's Institute. Ellen (his therapist) is doing an amazing job. This week, our wonderful friend Bill Campbell drove us to Erie to have an evaluation for Artur's legs and why he is not walking without help. The exam is called motion analysis. The "crew" at Shriners treated us like we are their family. It was awesome. We give lots of thanks to Dr. Kevin (Physical Therapist), Dustin Bruening (Biomechanical Engineer), Daniel Gloekler and Michelle DeRooy. We also want to thank Mr. Richard Brzuz (Administrator). They are very helpful. We are very confident that Artur is in great hands. We'll see Dr. Sanders next month to discuss the exam. In my opinion, he will undergo some surgery sooner or later. Dr. Strauss, Camila and Ellen are following each step. They are all helping us to make the main decisions about Artur's life. Thanks, everyone. God bless everybody. Idario Santos
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007
10:51 pm	Happy 2007 It’s Necessary to live with the dream and the certainty that all things will change. It’s Necessary to open our eyes and realize that the good things are inside us: desire does not need reason, nor feelings need cause. It’s Important to live each moment and learn with it, because life is in the eyes of those who know how to see. We wish that, in 2007, you fulfuill all of your dreams and find in each day new things to do and new dreams to pursue. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!! Santos Family
Saturday, November 25th, 2006
11:38 am	Thanksgiving It is time to appreciate those around us. How can I say thank you for those which gave me a chance of life? I remembered when Mom was praying to God and asking him to give me the opportunity to grow up as normal kid. I also remember when I only had to eat a disgusting formula just to keep me alive. How hard was it to my Dad hold this? He was working a lot and praying to keep me safe. But without you I couldn’t get my life back. Without you I couldn’t bring my parents' smiles back. Without you I couldn’t realize that some day in my whole life I would play with my brother Vinicius. You really are angels of God. God is so proud to have people like you. I’d like to say how happy I am. How you are so important to me. I just hope that one day God give me a chance to do something for someone in need. THANKS, GOD. THANKS, EVERYONE THANKS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THANKS… Artur Santos
Sunday, August 27th, 2006
1:41 pm	First Anniversary Dear Friends, Today completes the first year since Artur underwent his transplant. We are so happy about this. You are important in our story; with you, we have the support to continue our battle for Artur. We know that good friends have made the difference. With His angels, God does His miracles. Artur is a miracle. We will never forget the angels of God. We are celebrating this special day. As Artur says, he has a new “battery,” and he is very happy for this. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Sincerely, Artur's parents
Wednesday, July 5th, 2006
8:00 pm	Artur is very excited, because he'll start his classes in this July 5th in a special program. Elizabeth, the therapist from Children's Hospital, took off his feet braces. Now he is using a special brace at night. After the Botox application, he improved a lot. He can put his heel on the floor, and he can walk better with his walker. This month, a special article about our family was published by Pitt Magazine. It's a wonderful article. Click here: http://www.univ-relations.pitt.edu/pittmag/spring2006/feature4.html Idario needs to find a job inan academic field or a non-profit organization. God bless everybody.
Monday, June 5th, 2006
7:51 pm	Artur was discharged last Friday night from the Children’s Hospital. He had clinic today and his liver levels are little bit high. He still uses steroids and 3 mg of Prograf as well as other medicines. The doctors injected Botox in his legs and put casts in his feet to help him to walk by himself. He looks puffy, but he is doing well. He is always asking to go to Walmart to buy a toy airplane. Thank you for following his story. He is so happy, because he is home. God bless your family. Sincerely, Idario, Soraya, Vinicius and Artur
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006
1:16 pm	Artur is still in the hospital, the doctors did a new biopsy in the morning. His liver levels are high. They're starting a new medicine (Prograf), and they put a feed tube in his stomach through his nose. He lost more than 5 pounds. However, he looks good. We hope this problem will be solved as soon as possible.
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006
8:50 am	Artur is in trouble. He got a virus and his liver levels are high. This Monday, the doctors in the Children’s Hospital will do a liver biopsy. He has been hospitalized since Wednesday because he was vomiting a lot. Now he is better, he stopped vomiting and then ate just a little bit. Tomorrow, I’m going to GOLF CLASSIC AUCTION in Penn Valley. The Stamps Family invited our whole family. However, since Artur is in the hospital, I’m going with Vinicius (our oldest son) and one American friend who will drive us there.
Monday, January 30th, 2006
5:32 pm	We are so happy about Artur's development. Today he had appointment with Dr. Russell at Children’s Hospital. She thinks he will need more doses of Botox in his legs. He is so smart! He can understand everything. We are so happy with him. He still impatient at Children’s Institute for rehabilitation, he has therapies twice a week and clinic at Children’s hospital twice a month. It’s very hard and expensive for us to take a cab for every appointment, because we don’t have car. I am still looking for job, but I haven't found it yet. But most important is Artur keeps improving so well. I must say thank you very much for every donation and everyone's prayers.
Tuesday, December 27th, 2005
4:51 pm	A couple days ago Artur had a little problem and he needed to stay as an in patient in Children’s Hospital for 3 days. His liver levels were imbalanced and the doctors found bacteria in his body. Now he is Ok. He still an in patient in Children’s Institute. He will be an outpatient on Thursday – 29. He is improving very well. We are amazed with the Botox results. During the Christmas we have a pass for him stay with his family. He had a wonderful time with his family. However, he needed to sleep in Children’s Institute, and we really need a car for his necessities. Last Sunday night we request a cab, but it did not come. So, I call to Antonio and Ray (friends), and they helped us. In this season it’s very hard for Artur to wait for a bus. Artur and my family had a article in Tribune-Review newspaper. Clique here to see the article: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_407532.html.
Monday, December 12th, 2005
4:57 pm	In the last week the Institute doctor injected Botox in Artur's legs. It was very hard for us. But we know it is very important for him. We are amazed with the results. Now he can put his feet on the floor. He uses a little bicycle and he cycles by himself. Other thing. He recovered the power to suck. He is starting to use a straw again. We have more: He learned a part of the songs in English "Let It Snow" and "Jingle Bells".
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2005
5:00 pm	Our son Artur Santos was born in Brazil on January 18, 2002 with a rare disease known as Maple Syrup Urine Disease, or MSUD. MSUD, in simple terms, is a metabolic disorder that intoxicates the blood and destroys the white mass of the brain (myelin). Artur was in a coma for 31 days when he was finally diagnosed. And after the diagnosis, we faced ourselves with a big problem, as our home country does not offer treatment for this kind of disease. Also after the diagnosis, we found out that Artur needed a very expensive baby formula that was available only in the United States and two other countries. We sold everything we had to keep him alive, as 95% of his meals were based on that formula. But even in the midst of the worst difficulties, God has never left us alone. We expressed our concerns to Dr. Strauss as to the costs involved in the surgery and subsequent treatment, that we knew were very high, and he told us he would help us. We returned to Brazil and took several steps to raise money to save our son. At the same time, Dr. Strauss contacted foundations and obtained donations from the First Hand Foundation and the AJS Foundation. It was a tough fight, but after 11 months, we were able to raise the money for the surgery. In the past month of July, Artur was evaluated at the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, and in September he was called for the surgery. He had the surgery, which went well, but unfortunately he had some complications after it. My son's kidneys did not function very well, which resulted in retention of a great amount of fluid in his body that ended up going to his brain. Twenty days after surgery, he started to give some signs of recovery, but still, nobody would find out that he had this fluid in his brain. Once more, I asked Dr. Strauss for help. He promptly came to Pittsburgh to help our son, and after examining him, he found out what was wrong. Dr. Strauss is truly a blessed man. He told us that Artur had developed a reversible encephalopathy (a disease of the brain), and that he would need some time for his body to absorb all the fluid that was in his brain. Our son remains at the Children's Institute for recovery. Our family is living at the Ronald McDonald House and is in need of help. We already received many donations, such as non-perishable items and clothes that will keep us warm in the winter. Now we ask for your prayers for our son Artur and for monetary donations while I try to obtain a work visa: Thank you very much, The Santos Family