A number of people have asked for an update on Ami Ortiz. For those that may not have heard, Ami is the 15-year-old boy who was severely injured in a terror attack on March 20.
He opened a package disguised as a gift but in fact it was a bomb. The blast was so strong, car windows three stories below were blown out. Miraculously, Ami survived the blast and the critical 24 to 48 hours after the explosion.
Now, he is entering another critical stage of his recovery. Since his injuries were so traumatic, doctors put Ami in a drug-induced coma so his body could stabilize.
Now they are trying to slowly bring Ami out of this coma. It's a delicate medical balancing act. For example, they need to wean Ami off of morphine so he can use his lungs and not develop pneumonia. But by doing so, Ami then experiences a great deal of pain.
He's also suffering from a high fever, high blood pressure and bleeding in different parts of his body. Some of that bleeding is behind one eye and in his lungs.
The bomb contained metal shrapnel and now Ami has 10 screws embedded in his lungs. Doctors are not sure if an operation to remove the screws would do more harm than good right now.
Now that he is re-gaining consciousness, he's also suffering from flashbacks. In addition, when they take his dressings off, sometimes this removes flesh. One of his legs was severely injured with a large loss of tissue.
Ami's situation has motivated believers from around the world to pray for his needs. In light of Ami's injuries, here are some suggested prayer requests:
- For Ami's fever and high blood pressure to subside.
- For healing for his lungs and that his injured eye would be restored.
- For the restoration of Ami's legs so this young aspiring basketball player will be able to play his favorite sport once again.
- For wisdom for the doctors as they help Ami through this difficult transition phase.
- For grace and peace upon his parents David and Leah and the entire Ortiz family.
- That the Lord will use the police to bring to justice those that committed this crime. So far, there has been no official announcement from the police..
- That the Lord will redeem this situation and continue to use what the enemy meant for evil and turn it to good.