Tuesday Evening Update

Lindsay is still be monitored very closely and being cared for by the amazing staff of Children's Hospital. Obviously she is in critical condition and we are having to take things moment by moment. Let me offer some specific ways for you to pray:

1. As you pray for Laura, please pray that she will be able to not dwell on the image of Lindsay collapsing in her arms. She told me earlier that she keeps rehashing that picture and beating herself up that she missed something. Pray that God will continue to sustain her as she still has not had time to even process all that has occured with her miscarriage.

2. Pray for Tanner and his adjustment to this situation. For a three year old, he has been a real trooper in being at the hospital nine days. The kids are trying to pray through how to bring some normalcy to his life at this point, and certainly they don't want him to think he is an intrusion.

3. Pray for Jon that God will give him strength. He has done so well in even sleeping in the room at nights. He hates hospitals as much as I do, so I know that this is majorly out of his comfort zone.

4. Pray for Jan, Phyllis and Warren. It is hard on grandparents!!! Pray for the Lord to sustain Jan as she is feeling emotionally spent right now but wants to be there for the kids.

Warren asked the doctors if this was a short-term set-back. The doctor said she could be looking at several days or maybe even a week on the heart and lung machine, and additional weeks in the hospital.

A number of folks have asked about financial concerns. We believe that they are going to be adequately covered, however, if Jon isn't able to work, he does not get compensated. Their church took an offering for them on the weekend which will be a big help.

Tomorrow I am planning to ask the Keswick Board if it would be possible to set up a fund so that folks can contribute through America's KESWICK. I will put the information on the blog some time tomorrow.

This morning in my Freedom Fighter blog I journaled from STREAMS IN THE DESERT on the topic of TRUST ... "The strength of our faith is in direct proportion to our level of belief that God will do exactly what HE has promised. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, impressions, outward appearances, nor the probability or improbability of an event. If we try to couple these things with faith, we are no longer resting on the Word of God, because faith is not dependent on them. Faith rests on the pure Word of God alone. And when we take Him at HIS Word, our hearts are at peace." The hymnwriter said, "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus! Just to take HIM at HIS WORD. Just to rest upon HIS promise! Just to know, 'Thus saith the Lord!'"

We don't understand! We can't trace His plan. But WHAT we can do at this point, moment by moment, is to trust HIS heart.

Your prayers and notes mean more than you will EVER know. Please keep them coming.

We are IN HIS GRIP!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Lindsay went into cardiac distress this afternoon and has been taken back to Cardiac ICU. They had to open up her chest and put her own the heart and lung machine. Obviously this has been a very traumatic couple of hours for Laura, Jon, Tanner and Jan. We don't have a clue what the next steps are at this point, but we do trust in our Sovereign God who knows what is happening. I will be keeping the block updated as I have information.

Tuesday Noon

Lindsay has turned the corner. The meds are working. She is off her oxygen and she made a trip by wagon down to the main lobby to see the fish and a huge ball display! Praise the Lord. Jan will be sending me pictures later.

Thought this would be an encouragement to all of our faithful praying family and friends.

Update Monday Evening

Lindsay had an ok day. She was fairly restless and seems to have had it with everything. The continue to regulate the heart meds and are praying that the diarrhea under control.

Laura and Jon want to thank Susie Randolph for the cookies she made for them and the nurses. The nurses really appreciated and enjoyed the cookies.

Pray too that Jan will be able to extend the housing until the weekend. They are running out of options.

Monday Morning Update

Lindsay continues to improve. The heart rhythm issue is being controlled by medication which they will increase slightly today. She is still battling diarrhea, so pray that they will be able to get that under control. Thankfully Lindsay is able to drink the unflavored "pedialite."

Keep the prayers and encouragement notes coming! We appreciate them.

Blog Information

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Saturday Afternoon Update

Lindsay DID NOT go back to ICU last night. She is still struggling with a rapid heart rate. She seems to be improving, but is not showing much emotion. She is beginning to eat more and the kids were able to take her out of the room in a "wagon!"

Don't stop praying and keep the blog comments coming. They will be a big encouragement to Laura, Jon and Tanner.

Thanks.

Friday Evening Update

Earlier today Lindsay was moved to the Cardiac Step Down Wing. They have not been able to get the heart rate to the level they desire, so they are moving her back to ICU. As of 6:00 PM they were still waiting for bed.

They also attempted to put her on liquids and lite foods, but she has struggled with diarrhea all day. Pray that they will be able to get this under control.

Zach and me are back in Whiting, so we will be able to update the blog more often throughout the day.

Thanks for standing with us.

Thursday evening update

Well believe it or not it is 11:21 PM and I am on a date with Lindsay!
My family are still a bit in shock, but I am spending the night with her in ICU! Don't faint! I am in my right mind (well, I think I am ...) Today was an incredible day of progress. Tonight they took out the breathing tubes and she is just on a little oxygen. Because she is getting a little more active, they upgraded her to a big girl bed. By morning, she will be pretty much awake and able to start eating, which almost doesn't seem possible.

We cannot thank you enough for the prayer support and encouragement that you have provided. The blog comments are a great encouragement to our kids.

Zach and I will be heading back to NJ tomorrow with Josh, Jenny and Samuel. Jan will stay on to encourage the kids her and help in whatever way she can when Lindsay is released. God has been so good to us.

God is still working miracles!

Yesterday we were still trying to find housing for Laura, Jon, Tanner and Jan for this weekend and next week while Lindsay is still in the hospital. We had tried several places at the direction of the social worker. Jan had called Devon Nicole House where we had previously made application and they were still filled. She mentioned to the lady on the phone that it was a good thing that they were filled and helping so many people. The lady wished they had a bigger place so that they could help us. Later in the afternoon, Caroline, the social worker, found Jan and told her that Devon House had called her and told her that a local hotel within several blocks had offered a room for $30 a night from Friday to next Wednesday. When Jan went to finalize it with the Children's services department, the lady there said we were very lucky that it doesn't happen very often. Jan told the lady that it wasn't luck but that it was a miracle and that we had thousands of people praying. One of the ladies jumped and gave Jan a hug. She was a Christian and said that the other ladies needed to hear that. Praise the Lord, He is still working miracles. Your prayers are still working. :)

Update for April 10

Well, things have been happening quite fast around here so that is the reason for the relay in writing. Just as we were ready to update, something else would happen and change. So here we go.

They have removed both chest tubes, catheter is out and the neck pick line is out! The first to come out was the monitor line that was right at the heart. That was the toughest one but the Lord kept it easy with no bad results. They are lowering her bed to wake her up and Laura and Jon will get to hold her! We praise the Lord!

Julie is now on her way home (a little teary). Pray for safety as she drives back to New Jersey. Thanks again Garrett for letting her come. Thanks too, to Emma and Ethan for letting their mom come to see Lindsay. It was great to have all the Welte kids together. Josh, Jenny and Sam will be here until tomorrow. Pray for safety as they drive back to Maryland tomorrow.

We cannot thank you enough for your prayers and loving thoughts that have poured out over these last several days. God is so good.

Pray for Bill and Zach as they will also be leaving tomorrow to return to NJ. Jan will stay on for the duration of the hospital stay and then to NH to help with getting Lindsay back into the daily routine.

Update 4/9/08 10:00 PM

Praise the Lord for the great progress that Lindsay has made today. As of this evening she is completely off the pacemaker and the medications to regulate the heartbeat have been greatly reduced. She is out of the "paralytic" sleep and beginning to become a little more responsive.

The surgeon is pleased with what he observed as the day progressed. She will remain in Cardiac ICU for at least another two-three days.

Our daughter, Julie, arrived this morning. Thanks, Garrett, for letting her come and for taking care of the kids. Laura was really surprised to see her. Pray for Julie as she heads up some time tomorrow afternoon.

Amy Richardson, daughter of Karen and Robby Richardson, took Zach and Tanner out on the town this afternoon and they had a great time getting away from the hospital. Thanks, Amy!

Josh, Jenny and Sam arrived after 6 and really shocked Laura! They will be staying until Friday and Zach and Dad will follow them back home. Thanks, Josh and Jenny for making the trip.

Grandma (Phyllis) Groen is spending the night with Lindsay so that Laura and Jon can get a good night of rest (if that is possible with Julie and Laura being in the same room).

Your prayers and blog comments have been a HUGE BLESSING!

Update -- April 9, 2008 4:45 PM

Praise the Lord for major improvement this afternoon. Laura and Jon were able to assist the nurse in bathing Lindsay. She has been responding to the stimulation. Sometime in the next couple of hours they will reduce the meds which will mean she will be waking up slowly.

At this point they do not believe additional surgery is necessary. The leaking has been greatly reduced. She is still being assisted by the pacemaker and that should come off as she stabilizes.

Baring no complications, she will be in ICU for at least three more days and then will move to cardiac step down.

Another major answer to prayer is that Jon and Laura were able to secure a hotel room closeby for $30.00 a night. They have the room from Friday - Tuesday. The hospital social worker said this rate doesn't come about very often.

We cannot thank you enough for your prayers. We know people are praying round the clock from different locations around the world. It is very humbling.

Update -- April 9, 2008

Our families want you to know that we sense God’s peace in an amazing way even through the tears. They are doing an echo-cardio right now which will determine the next steps. Dr. Mayer is thinking that he may need to do surgery later on today. The good news is that her bp and heart rhythms appear to be stabilizing. We can sense the strain on both Jon and Laura at this point, so continue to undergird them with your prayers
We will keep you posted throughout the day. We love you all and thank you for standing with us at the throne of grace.

Tuesday Night Update

Lindsay had a rough time shortly after 5:00 PM. They had an issue with regulating the heart rhythms and blood pressure. They have changed the medications and will keep her on the pacemaker through the evening and then will make a determination in the morning as to the next steps.

As we said previously, the first 48 hours are the most difficult so we are praying that by tomorrow afternoon she will turn the corner.

Jan and I are very proud out Zach and how he was such a help. He made it back numerous times to spend time with Lindsay, and when the crisis hit, was helpful in relaying information to the family.

Jon and Laura are spending the night at the hospital tonight. The Lord is sustaining everyone.

Thank you again for your prayers. The blog comments are much appreciated.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

We apologize for the delay in getting out information. It was a busy night. Granny stayed at the hospital with Lindsay while Laura went back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.

Lindsay had a few episodes last night where her heart rate went up and her blood pressure dropped. With that, many people descended on the room and were working to correct the situation. This is common in post-op heart patients but a little scary for Granny at first. Once she knew what was going on it was better. Lindsay has been put in a sleep mode and her body cooled so that the heart and everything related can begin to heal and get back to a normal rhythm. This will also keep her from moving around. Yesterday she became very agitated when she knew Laura and Jon and family were in the room. She wanted "uppy", "Mommy," "juice". They need for her to be still and thus the "sleep" mode. There are technical terms but we can't pronounce them nor spell them. :)

Today they told us would probably be the worst for us. They will need to flush her body of fluids as it is retaining them. We may see a difference in swelling. As of 1 pm today she will only be out of surgery, 24 hrs. The nurses have said that we need to be patient and after the 48 hr period, things will look very different. Lindsay does respond to Laura, Jon and Tanner's voices and touch, as well as the rest of the family. We will need to keep this to a minimal today.

Continue to pray for Lindsay and Laura, Jon and Tanner and the Groens and Weltes. We can feel your prayers at work. We love you all very much. Thank you for your loving comments. We have all felt encouraged, loved and prayed for by them.

Keswick staff, the waiting room boxes have been a big hit. The notes, cards and letters were of great encouragement to all. Thanks again. :)

Out of surgery

Lindsay is out of surgery and did very well. She is now in recovery and Laura, Jon and Tanner are back in the room with her.

The good news is that she did not have to have a valve replacement. They did find an extra valve muscle that they had not anticipated. There is still a little bit of a leakage, but they will keep a watch on it.

Pray for strength for Laura, Jon and Tanner. I know that they deeply appreciate your prayer support and notes of encouragement.

Duet. 31:8

Lindsay is now in surgery

Lindsay is now in suregery. We are claiming the promise of Duet. 31:8. We thank you for your prayers.

Sunday night, Sad news

We have arrived in Boston. Laura did have a miscarriage and was released from the ER. She is resting with the family at their hotel. We had some precious time with the kids (baths and watching planes land...we are near the airport :) Laura needs to take it easy. Pray for a good night of rest (if that is possible before surgery day) for all. Jon's parents will drive down in the morning and meet us at the hotel. Pray for safety. We all need to be at the hospital at 6:30 AM for Lindsay's pre-op. Surgery should be around 7:30. Pray for peace and the arms of Jesus to surround us. Thanks for your prayers. We could feel them today. We will update tomorrow as much as we can. Love to all.

Pray, Pray, and Pray

This is an urgent message for prayer for Laura. We are currently at a rest stop on the Mass. Turnpike. We got a call from Laura and Jon and they are headed to the ER in New Hampshire. Laura had heavy spotting and her doctor has told her to go to the ER. We are about an hour from Boston. The kids are with Jon's parents. We know God is in control. Help us, Lord, not to question but be patient with your plan. Love you all. Thanks for praying.