Dear Praying Warriors,
We have been keeping Anna hydrated an well fed these last few days. We will be stopping her feed at 11:00PM. She remains healthy, engaged in her activities, and as always a great joy to be around!! We noticed that she is teething, pray that this excess saliva would not make her breathing difficult.
Tomorrow surgery is scheduled for 7:30 AM. We will be leaving Colorado Springs around 4:15 AM. The surgery is said to take about 4 hours. After general anesthesia they will place an epidural in her spine to numb the legs for the following two days. After the surgery she will be transferred to the icu for two days for close monitoring. The primary complications are excessive blood loss and difficulty breathing from the heavy sedation. She will have forced air through her bipap machine (that she uses every night) this will be in place for about 48 hours straight. After the ICU, she will be transferred to a recovery/regular hospital room for her remaining two days. To more fully understand the “how” and the “why” of this surgery, click on this link to watch a computer animated video made by our hospital.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Many graces have been poured out for us. Through the treasury of God’s generosity, a hotel suite walking distance to the hospital was reserved in our name for 4 nights. So lindsey and i will rotate being with Anna and having the best rest possible without driving 1.5 hours to be home. Secondly, About a month ago we received a "mini-blessing jar" from a family who knows what is like to raise a child even more medically involved than Anna. They filled it with money for when we need "a lift up from our circumstances" like a coffee, music, etc. Something to promote eye-to-eye time with my bride. I plan on bringing this in the hopes that the hospital still has those pecan sweet rolls that we share over a cup of coffee during Anna’s inpatient stays there. Thirdly, May Dennis and Nancy meet the needs and have a joyous time with our younger two kids. They have what my bride calls a "ministry of availability" keeping time open so God can ask them to fill it as needs come up. Praise God for them. Lastly, Lindsey and Simon made a picture book titled "where did mom and dad go?" For Renee who may struggle with our time apart. theses things are worth their weight in gold and encourage our hearts.
As a parent the surgeon’s words are on repeat as we try to wait and surrender all these burdens to Jesus. “This is probably the biggest surgery Anna will ever face." "It's worse than spinal surgery in many ways." "It would be concerning if you weren't anxious...it's a big surgery." After acknowledging these statements, in response, we cling to Anna’s life verse. “ Be gracious to us God, we wait for you. Be our strength every day and our salvation in times of trouble.” Isaiah 33:2.
We would greatly appreciate your prayers for these times. Below are some specific ways to pray:
-Pray for Dr. Sayan De and his surgical team: to be led by The Holy Spirit, steady hands, a clear mind, and great communication and team work.
-Pray for Anna to rest in God’s hands, to receive His peace, and sense His presence as she goes through this pain and the accompanying disorientation.
-Pray for Nancy and Dennis who will be watching Simon and Renee for 5 days. Pray for Renee that she will sleep well at Dennis and Nancy’s house, continues safety and good relationships.
-Pray against these common complications and risks of the surgery: significant blood loss (resulting in need for blood transfusion), pulmonary distress (due to anesthesia, intubation, and being bed bound), infection, nerve and muscle damage in the surrounding areas, the femur bone healing incorrectly, and bed sores and skin breakdown.
-Pray for God’s mercy, healing and comfort post surgery. We hope By God’s grace Anna will not experiance The expected muscle spasms and cramping in her hips and legs that is a typical response to the operating.
-Pray for our family’s health and against catching ANY type of germs during her hospital stay and 6 week recovery.
-Pray for strength and physical rest for Nic and I. That we would be attentive to Anna and address all her needs. She will require scheduled pain meds every 3 hours, in addition to her respiratory and feeding needs for at least the first week of recovery and we hope to gain a night nurse to help with this in God’s timing.
-Praise for all those people who are the very hands and feet of Jesus to us through this, for prayer Warriors new and old, all glory to God.
God is going to take care of us,
-Nic, Lindsey, Anna, Simon, Renee
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