Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Tuesday evening update

The nurses have all asked to put on the blog to pray for Lindsay's lungs. They were a little mucousy today, and they will not be able to put in the Berlin Heart until the lungs are cleared up.

So please pray specifically for the lungs!

PS -- Your cards are arriving!!!

Boots are made for walkin' and Wheels in Motion

Lindsay just got fitted for orthopedic boots to help her feet and calves since she has been lying in bed for a month. Check them out.

Dr Mayer was in to tell us the wheels are in motion for the Berlin Heart. Several prayer requests for you to take before the throne.

1. Lindsay's lungs need to be in better shape in order to switch over to the smaller vent and then to take over with little or no assistance after the Berlin is put in. This is the most importatnt right now.

2. After the Berlin arrived several weeks ago, it was shipped back since the infection was so severe. It needs to arrive back again.

3. Keeping her urine output is very important. She has been doing that on her own today but that needs to continue. 4. The rest of her organs need to stay in good shape before surgery.

Tuesday morning update

PROGRESS! ANSWERS TO PRAYER! ENCOURAGEMENT!

Well family and friends, here is some great news. "Output" is still good. The infection appears to be under control. The transplant team is meeting today to discuss moving forward with the Berlin heart!!! Yippee!!

PERSPECTIVE!

The good news is that the Berlin heart appears to be becoming a reality. The surgery comes with major risks as it is another open heart surgery. Bleeding can be an issue. She will need to remain on ECMO for a period after surgery to support the lungs.

All that being said -- I believe we have many reasons to rejoice. Tomorrow it will be a month since the first surgery! Hard to believe! What a journey we have been on together. How we praise God for your standing, sitting, kneeling, in prayer to our great and powerful GOD!

I will keep you posted throughout the day.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Monday Evening Update

This was a quiet day -- I guess that is a good thing.
Please pray that Lindsay's ...

"output" will continue to improve,
the infection will be gone
the lung will continue to improve
that God will give divine wisdom to the doctors who have so many decisions to make
housing for Thursday and beyond

Bottom line: thanks for praying. We love you.

Monday Afternoon Update

Can't believe that this is the 95th update since putting up the blog, and that we are fast approaching 17,000 visits to the site. Amazing!

It has been a relatively quiet day ... but here is where we are:

The result of backing Lindsay off of ECMO was that her heart cannot function on it's own. There was also some kidney issues with not being on the machine.

The infection and lung are better today. There is talk that we might be looking at the Berlin Heart at the end of the week or early next week.

Her "output" considers to be going well.

Do we appreciate your prayer support and encouragement?

Monday Morning Update

Good morning. I have been waiting to post this morning until we have some more concrete answers for you, so this is what we have so far:

1. The chest xray shows improvement in the left lung, but a spot on the right lung.

2. No further word on the infection.

3. They had to put a stitch in the left hand where the IV site was bleeding. That seems to be better.

4. They started to back her off of ECMO, but had a challenge with regulating her fluids. They have put her back on full ECMO.

The verses from the Lord for this morning: "Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You! I want to be without care. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God ... Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? HAVE FAITH IN GOD! (Psalm 34:9-10; Psalm 84:11-12; Mark 4:40; Mark 11:22)

Keep your posts coming! And thank you for your prayers. We love and appreciate you.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Sunday evening update

It has been a relatively quiet day. They did back Lindsay off the paralytic this afternoon and she continues to respond.

There are several major prayer requests tonight:

1. There is bleeding again at the left hand IV site. They have called into someone from surgical to see what can be done.

2. The infection is a little better and its eradication is the key to better options.

3. The big news is that starting within the hour, they are going to start backing off ECMO and with medication support, see what Lindsay's heart can do. Needless to say, the kids are a wee bit apprehensive about this step. Pray for peace, and most of all, that this will reveal that Lindsay's OWN heart can function.

One of our friends, Dr. Judy Jalovick, encouraged me to check out the lyrics to a song from one of the latest Gaither Vocal Band CD's. The song is entitled, THROUGH ...
“When I saw what lay before me,
Lord, I cried, what will you do?
I thought He would just remove it.
But, He gently led me through.
Without fire, there’s no refining,
without pain, no release,
without flood, there’s no rescue,
without testing, no belief.
Through the fire, through the flood,
through the water, through the blood…
Through the dry and barren places,
through life’s dense and maddening mazes,
through the pain, and through the glory…
Through we’ll always tell the story,
of the God whose power and mercy,
will not fail…to take us…through.”

I think that sums it all up for tonight ... Lord, please take Lindsay through!

Sunday Morning Update

Good morning! Trust that you will be blessed today on this Lord's Day. Here is some additional good news:

1. Lindsay had a good night. They were very pleased with how she eliminated fluid during the night, and even backed down what they were trying to take off

2. Her chest xray show more improvement. They are talking about trying to back down the ventilator this morning to see if they can put her back on the smaller unit. This will give them the ability to turn her more often.

The head of the CICIU met with the kids last night and reiterated that she is not out of the woods yet, but was also encouraged by the way Lindsay was handling things. The two biggest issues are the need to get her off the ECMO machine and clearing up the infection. As you pray, these are the two biggest challenges that she will face. She cannot get the Berlin heart or the heart transplant with an infection.

This morning in my quiet time, here are several verses that were in the DAILY LIGHT (http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/daily.light/):

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortend, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear. In the day I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. Ah, Lord God! Behold you have made the heavens and the earth by YOUR great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. He delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us. This sickness is not unto death, but for the GLORY OF GOD that the Son of God may be glorified through it. Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?

Thanks again for writing to the kids. They are encouraged by your love and support, and most of all, your prayers.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Saturday Update

Well here is some good news ...

1. They did a wake test and Lindsay mouthed "Mommy" and was able to squeeze Laura and Jon's hands!!!

2. She is eliminating more fluid!!!

3. The chest xray showed considerable improvement. The nurse said that if her left lung was a 1 today, it is a 6 tonight.

Laura and Jan said the nurses are pretty excited to say the least ... Needless to say, we are "bubbling over with hope" tonight.

God is answering your prayers. Thanks for bombarding the kids with notes today. That has been a HUGE encouragement!!!

Saturday afternoon Update

"May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope." Romans 15:13 (Amplified Bible)

This verse has been coming at us from many different geographic locations. The bubbling over hope that God gives is not understandable by the world. To them it is denial or repressed fear. But for those of us who know the GOD OF HOPE -- know that it is unexplainable, but ever so REAL!

Dr. Mayer shared with the kids today that Lindsay is not out of the woods, but he is not HOPE-less!!!

1. The lung is slight better than yesterday and they are continuing to take steps to suction off the mucous.

2. The infection is improving.

3. She is eliminating fluids better (that was for you, Laurel!) but they are tweaking her meds so that she will eliminate not only what she takes in, but fluid in the body.

4. We are still waiting for a more definitive answer about the mitral valve, but there is some talk that the leak is more severe because of being on ECMO.

5. They are adjusting the paralytic meds because she is becoming a little more restless. She still has plenty of fight in her and wants to see her Mommy and Daddy and Tanner!

6. Please continue to pray about the housing situation. They have the room and Devon and Nicole House until next Thursday.

I want to thank you for writing on the blog today. Don't just visist! Write! It is a HUGE encouragement.

If you cannot write on the blog, you can send me an email at keswickexe@akmail.org and I will post your entry.

Early Saturday Morning Update

Good morning ... I have been up for most of the night praying for Laura and Jon, and of course, Lindsay Bear.

Last night one of the doctors came in to meet with the kids and basically dumped a whole lot of bad news on them. The news seemed to be inconsistent with the reports that they had been receiving throughout the day, and of course, was very grim and confusing.

The difficult part was that the doctor was implying that they were not comprehending the severity of Lindsay's situation and even the fact that they had faith that things could turn around.

If what this doctor said is indeed true, the picture he painted is very grim. The lung is in very serious condition, which means that they could also be facing a lung transplant. The mitral valve seems to be worse not better. In other words, if his report is true -- we are at 11:59.

Jon and Laura know that Lindsay's life is hanging in the balances. They know that every day that she is still here, that this is a gift from God. I do not believe that they are hanging on to false hope -- they are trusting in the sovereignty of God, and waiting on Him to do what is best for Lindsay.

My prayer throughout the night is that God would bring CLARITY to the situation. Pray that Dr. Mayer or Dr. Emani will either confirm the report or that be able to put things into perspective.

Pray for God's peace to fill Laura and Jon's heart today. Pray that He will replace doubt and fear with faith and hope! Laura and Jon "May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope." Romans 15:13 (Amplified Bible)

We have said it many times in the past several weeks ... we are humbled and overwhelmed with the outpouring of love, encouragement, and most of all, your prayers for Lindsay and our kids. People all around the globe have been talking to God about this precious little girl. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

If you sign on the blog today, please don't just read the blog -- stop and take a minute to even write a line to the kids. I think your encouragement will be very important for them today.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Friday Night Update

We are in need of everyone to start praying for a few things:

A doctor came in this evening with some news that wasn't very good. At this point I will not tell what exactly it is, as we are hoping that they can call Dr. Mayer and see what he has to say on things. So please be in prayer for some clarity this evening before they head out for the night. We are just wondering how we went from things going so well to things not looking so good.

Also if you could start praying for their housing situation. At this point they have to be out of the DevonNicole House until June.

Keep praying and will update when we have more information

Friday Afternoon Update

Here is the latest on Lindsay:

1. The lung test showed no infection. They believe it is just mucous and did a saline flush. They are going to put her on a larger breathing machine to help with the lungs.

2. They were able to put in an additional line, which could have been risky with the bleeding issues.

3. They are planning to take the chest tubes out which will further help keep the chest area undisturbed.

4. They did an echo cardiogram of the heart and we hope to get the results later on today.

5. They are planning to back ECMO back next week to see what her heart can do.

This is all cool. Keep praying about the infection.

Mid-Morning Update

God is answering your prayers.

1. They will be doing the lung test shortly, so please pray that they will be able to figure out why the left lung is not working properly.

2. Dr. Mayer stated again today that if they can get the infection cleared up, it opens up numerous options.

3. Laura and Jan had opportunity to share with one of her doctors about the answer to your prayers about the bleeding stopping last night. He asked them to get on the blog the need to put in another line today. That was cool. We are smiling that the doctors and nurses are asking us to put stuff on the blog! Yeah, God!

On Wednesday night Jan texted me a verse the Lord had given her several weeks ago: "Though it tarries, wait for it ..." Habakuk 2:3. I smiled this morning ... When I opened "My Utmost for His Highest" -- guess what the verse was for today? Coincidence? You will have to decide.

Friday Morning Update

Here is some news to bless your heart. We posted the Urgent Prayer Request re: the bleeding at 10:09 PM last night. God answered your prayers! The bleeding stopped.

The night nurse said that it was amazing that at 10:00 PM the bleeding stopped! Praise the Lord.

"It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

"Call to ME and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things ..." Jeremiah 33:3

My son-in-law, Garrett, asked me to look up the word miracle. Here is the dictionary definition: an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.

Thank you for praying that God will wow and amaze the doctors with what HE, and HE alone can do.

Thanks for posting your comments on the blog.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Urgent Thursday night update

Please pray that they will get the bleeding to stop at the IV site. This is a very serious concern.

One item of praise is that she is peeing more! Praise the Lord.

Thursday evening Update

Jan just called with several items for prayer:

1. Please pray about the bleeding the IV site in Lindsay's hand.
2. Because of the infection, Lindsay is on the inactive list for a transplant. We need to ask God to take care of the infection.
3. They are doing a test of the lung tomorrow to find out if there is infection in her lung.
4. She is peeing better, but needs to keep it up!

I want to encourage you to pray for wisdom for the doctors. If God can show up for the prophets of Baal -- just think what He can do at Children's Hospital Boston.

There is another way you can help. Brian Bitler, our adopted son, suggested that we start writing to the doctors and let them know that they are being prayed for! I think that is a great idea.

Here are three to start with: Dr. Mayer (Chief Surgeon), Dr. Emani and Dr Brown. You can write them at:

Children's Hospital Boston
Cardiac Intensive Care
8 South
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

I know that your notes will be encouraging to them.

We storm the gates of heaven together for Lindsay and for her doctors.

Today at our Community Hymnsing, hundreds of our Keswick friends told me how they were praying for Lindsay and Laura and Jon. So many have been on the blog and putting them on their church prayer lists. We patched Laura in by phone so she could thank our friends ... needless to say, there weren't too many dry eyes.

God bless you.

Prayer Request

Lindsay's left hand has an IV hookup and it is leaking blood. Several attempts have been made to stop it but it is still leaking. Please pray that the Lord will stop it or slow it down. Lindsay's nurse, Moira, is concerned. She suggested we put it out on the blog. God is working. Thanks.

Thursday morning update

Good morning.

This morning there have been several more blood clots.  One of them was found leaving the ECMO machine headed back to Lindsay - so praise the Lord that it was caught.  Because of the development of clots they are going to have to change something with the way they are giving her blood.

Thanks so much for your prayers.  They mean so much.  Please continue to pray for the doctors, nurses, and technicians as well as the family.  They are doing a great job and need your prayers for strength and wisdom as well.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Wednesday Evening Update

This has been a cool day of encouragement. The Lord has given Jon a sense of HIS peace in a very amazing way.

There are two major prayer requests for tonight:

1. Pray that God will heal the infection.

2. Pray that Lindsay will be able to urinate on her own (Someday she will shoot us for putting potty requests about her on the blog!) This will sure help reduce the swelling.

Praise the Lord that the technicians were able to spot a clot in the ECMO tubing and replace the tubing. God has blessed us with many special caregivers.

Here is a picture of two of my favorites ... Heather is on the left, and Moira (Meow) is on the right! Praise the Lord for these special angels of mercy.
Thanks again for your love and prayers. Over 10,000 people have checked out the blog.