Friday, April 18, 2008

Friday Evening Update

There is much to tell you tonight, but I will try my best to keep it short, as well as explain it to the best of my ability.

The heart cath revealed that there is major damage to the left side of the heart, which explains the pumping issues. In one sense it shows that this was more serious than we realized.

The plan is still to proceed with a heart transplant. They are ordering a "Berlin" heart from Germany which will be attached to her from the outside until her new heart is available. This will allow her to be out of bed and to do some regular things, but she will need to remain in ICU until after the transplant.

It could take from 24 hours to six months to find a heart, and obviously to get a heart means that someone else's child has to die. That is a hard thing to face.

So how can you pray?

1. For continued strength and peace for Laura and Jon, as well as Jan and the Groen's. We are in this for the long haul.
2. That they will know clearly how to provide Tanner some form of "normal" during the long haul.
3. That God will provide a healthy heart as soon as possible.
4. That God will keep Lindsay's lungs, kidneys and liver functions safe during the waiting period.
5. That Laura and Jon can be a testimony to the staff and other families.

Laura and Jon had several friends from MOPS today. They were so blessed with their visit!!! Please know that visitors are a good thing right now.

There have been some questions as to how to leave your name on your blog entry. To leave your name, type it in with your message in the blog dialog box.

We love you and thank you again for your prayers and encouragement.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

In my heart and soul I am in this with you...for the long haul.
Like so many others, all we can do is wait, watch, pray, hope and never ever forget that God is present and active in all of this.

Loving you from here,
Stephanie.

Anonymous said...

("a new heart..." That leaves me almost speechless. But I know the same God who formed Lindsay's first heart can form and bring her a second one.)

Lindsay girl, I'm praying for you tonight...

Susanna

Anonymous said...

Little Lindsay, you surely have been a precious blessing as I have drawn nearer to God because of you.
I know God is preparing a new heart for you and one day you will be out playing with your big brother Tanner again. Thanks to Bill for posting pictures. They are a delight and it is fun to see you and your big brother playing.
Praying for all of you and trusting our God for what He is going to do next. Praying for a miracle.
Love, hugs and prayers, Miriam

Anonymous said...

Dear Jon & Laura,
Know that mine and Steph’s heart are continually crying out to God on behalf of Lindsay, you and the whole family. I just want to encourage you with the following, because we know and we remember.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
REMEMBERING
I remember the indescribable shock, pain, and anguish in my heart.
We were reminded to “be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
I remember the overwhelming fear that gripped my heart.
We were reminded that “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. 1 John 4:18
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. Psalm 57:1
I remember helplessness felt, and the ensuing feeling of despair.
We were reminded that “the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy. Psalm 33:18
Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever;
Psalm 136:23
I remember fighting discouragement.
We were reminded to, “Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughter(s )(Lindsay), your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14
I remember the exhaustion of body, mind, and spirit, and the ensuing total brokenness, surrender, and trust.
We were reminded, “…find favor and high esteem, In the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:4-6
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:2-4
Jon, Laura, Welte Family, Groen Family, REMEMBER, you truly are not alone. YOU ARE LOVED WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE. The Eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. 33:27
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful.
Psalm 116:5
You are continually in our hearts and prayers.
Sesky and Stephanie

Anonymous said...

You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Faith & Andy

Anonymous said...

Once again I am reminded that it's not that "all we can do is pray", but rather "we GET to pray". We know God's grace is sufficient in the moment and we are trusting Him for all the moments ahead. We are keeping you before the Throne~~ The Hunts

Anonymous said...

Dear Weltes and Groens - as I was praying yesterday, God brought the passage in II Chronicles 20 to mind - it's the message given to Jehoshaphat before the defeat of Ammon and Moab - "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you."
That is my prayer for all of you - I pray continuously.

Love,
Julie Gibson from CT

Ellen said...

Praying for little Lindsay.

This is a link to a website about a Christian couple in North Caroline - their story is quite incredible but I share it because Tricia (the mom) just received a double lung transplant. Follow this link to her father-in-law's post about "how to pray for an organ donor"... it's really quite good.

http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/2008/02/life-death.html

Brian & Donna's sister-in-law,
Ellen

knme said...

I can't even begin to imagine, as I sit here in tears myself, what you guys must be going through. We will continue to pray daily for you all, especially for little Lindsay. Know that there are people around the world praying for you as well.
As hard as it may be, we will pray that God will provide a new heart quickly.
As Pam said we hope to come down next Tuesday. We were thinking that maybe after seeing you guys maybe we could take him to the aquarium or some such place.
May God's Unsurpassing Peace be with you! The Eisners

Anonymous said...

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Anonymous said...

"It took a Miracle" ...remembering that theme in the Easter musical...This is a time we can look for just that...Praying... The Dares

Anonymous said...

We want to thank you for the time we got to spend with everyone at the hospital yesterday. We will be back each week if possible. It was good to meet Laura's mom Jan. We are sure sometime in the future we will meet Bill. I know the Groen family is large and I want to thank you for accepting us into your family. We love you all very much. We definitely felt God's presence there. Please tell the nurses that we are praying for them and greatly appreciate the wonderful care they are giving little Lindsay. Someone gave me an angel pin this week and I hope to give it to the nurse that is so kind and caring to Lindsay. She deserves it way more than I do. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God give you peace and strength to get you through each day God is with you all and I know he is watching over little Linday. I just keep remembering Romans 8:28.

Susie and Steve

Anonymous said...

Jon & Laura

My Mom has kept us updated a little on Lindsey, but today she sent the blog site today. Just wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts and we will be praying for you and little Lindsey!! Remember through this all that God is with you and loves Lindsey more than you. Although, for a parent that is not imaginable. Love and Prayers from Minnesota. cindy Mulder

Tim & Cindy Mulder said...

Please know that the Mulders are praying for you all. He is the Great Physician, and he knows what is best for Lindsay and for your family. There is no way to know what God intends through this, but it isn't ours to know, only that He plans to use this for good! We are praying that a "new" heart can be found, and that the transplant works well. Wishing the best from Willmar, MN.
"...give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you , O Lord my God, with all my heart..." Psalm 86: 11-12