I am going to do my best to explain what is happening, if I missed something or got it out of sequence, I will get Jon to revise it.
My guess is that Lindsay's condition is a bit baffling to the medical team. There are issues with the kidneys, liver and lungs.
What they are suggesting is to do another open heart surgery in the next two days to remove the cannulas from the groin and reopen the chest so that they can further decompress her heart. While they are in there, they would clean out the chest and check for infection and any pockets of fluid, and possibly replace the mitral valve. All of this is very risky and they have no guarentee that she would survive the surgery (humanly speaking) because of all the risks. I am going to make an assumption based on the last surgery, that bleeding is another major risk with this surgery as well.
The Berlin Heart pump is there, but they need two drivers in place to make that happen. They do not come from Germany, but would need to be there in order to proceed with doing the Berlin Heart.
They are going to do a CT Scan to see if there is any concerns neurologically, and also another Echo cardiogram to see what is going on with her heart. I cannot imagine the tremendous weight on Jon and Laura's shoulders right now in making the decision to sign off on this surgery.
I think I can safely say for all of us that we are trusting the Lord for HIS plan and purpose for Lindsay's life. It doesn't take the hurt away. We don't necessarily understand why, but we can say "blessed be the name of the Lord." We know that whether by life or Lindsay's going home to be with Jesus with her NEW heart, He will be glorified.
Words cannot adquately express how proud the Groen's and Welte's are of Jon and Laura's courage and confidence in God through this trial. As family and friends, we stand with them now as they face a huge decision.
Let the kids know by writing on the blog that you are standing with them.
49 comments:
Jon and Laura,
We continue to stand by and offer our "typed" support, if we were closer we'd offer our physical support as well. The decisions you continue to have to make are so weighted, but know that no decision has not gone to the Lord in prayer. We will begin to pray for this next big step in Lindsay's life. We will pray for the Lord's will and peace for you both as you stand back and watch.
Sending our love,
Jon, Kristen, and Liam
I will pray that God will make it clear to the family and doctors, if He hasn't already, what the risks are of going ahead with the surgery versus the consequences of seeking another path. I pray He will give you peace. No matter if the surgery proceeds or not, I believe God is sovereign and will hold you all closely to His heart.
Melanie Lyons
Shawnee Baptist Church
NJ
sending our love to you.
bill, karen, ian, drew, bj, aunt irma.
xoxo
Laura and Jon,
I have all of my students praying for Lindsay. It has been wonderful seeing their concern.
Blessings
The Ford's in NC
Standing with you and praying for you especially with the upcoming decisions...
We will pray that God give you and the doctors clarity in the direction the doctors need to take. Whatever your decision we will support you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Susie and Steve
Jon and Laura,
We are with you in prayer for the decisions you have to make and that you have clarity in making them. You have done a great job "speaking" for Lindsay so far and we know that this decision will be the same. You have been steadfast in trusting the Lord and you have shown such strengh and great faith, I know he will guide you this time as well. We as always, will continue to pray for you all as well as for the doctors and nurses. Keep up the good job that you all are doing, you all have been such inspiration for so many by how you have handled this trying time. God Bless you all...Love Dienne, Keith and Colby Howard
My prayer is for God to give you the right decision and to give you the strength to make it...as a parent I don't know what else I could do except trust in the Lord..."Commit your way to the Lord,Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass..Ps.37:5...I am praying for you and with you...God bless, Melanie Vara
Jon and Laura,
We along with all these others are praying. The Lord will lead you step by step.
Glen and Marilyn Heavilin
Absolutely STANDING!!! standing, standing, standing......in hope.
Blessing the Lord with you.....seeking His constant abiding shelter and care for your Mama and Papa hearts.
As you cling to each other, continue to cling to Him. Even when you can't voice the ache that you feel inside, trust that He knows your inmost groanings and and He knows all the thoughts and feelings you cannot say or express.
Jon and Laura I am still standing with you.
Find a degree of strength in knowing that so many sisters and brothers around the world are standing with you for the glory of God...know matter what!!!!!
Stephanie P.
Jon and Laura,
Praying for peace in your decisions that passes ALL understanding. We are standing with you even Kentucky!
Love, Scott and Jill Brown
Jon, Laura, and all,
Words cannot express how we feel for you all, much less how this must be wearing on you. It has been a long battle, and your reliance on our heavenly Father has been both exemplary and inspirational.
This verse came to mind, from 2 Chronicles 20:15--"Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde (of obstacles), for the battle is not yours but God's." He holds all our days in his hands, and will do what is right. He always does.
We will continue to pray for his mighty hand to bring you all through this.
Love,
Tim and Pat
Our hearts are heavy for you as you are faced with important decisions. We'll pray that as you trust in the Lord with all your heart, not leaning on human understanding, and as you continue to acknowledge Him, that He will make your path straight. We "bow our knees before the Father....that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory! Ephesians 3:14-21
John and Kathy Noel, Matt and Grant
Jon and Laura,
I am standing by you in prayer prayin that my Jesus will sustain and comfort you whatever His decision in in Lindsays' life. My church is also praying for all of you and your precious family.I'm sure God will give you peace whatever your decision.
Love and Prayers
dorene
Lord, we offer dearest Lindsay to You. She is more valuable to us than any treasure this world can possibly offer. With outstretched arms, we hold her, lift her up, and deliberately, willingly offer her to YOU. She is Yours to give, or to take, as You see best. If You want her Lord... take her, yes. But if not... Oh God, how happy we would be for you to give her back to us... Amen.
Faithfully we stand with you in the gap. Our prayers are constantly going before the Throne of Heaven to the One Enthroned Above. Keep you precious Lindsay safe Lord, heal her sweet body, give the doctors the wisdom to do the very very best for this dear and beautiful child. Breathe fresh words of your mercy and love into the hearts and minds of her loving mom and dad and grand parents. Give them the peace that surpasses all understanding!!!
Loving you in Christ,
The Bormida's
Jon and Laura,
We continue to pray daily for all of you. We especially ask our heavenly Father to give you and the medical team His great wisdom and discernment for the decisions you all need to make. May our precious Lord Jesus continue to give you His peace, comfort and strength. God bless you!
Bob & Kathy Garelick
Amen to all of the above. Isn't it an amazing comfort to know that He promises to give wisdom when we ask? We are praying for all the wisdom that you and the medical staff need, and we know he will give it.
With love,
Robby and Karen
Prayers and Support from Maine. May you continue to find peace, strength and courage from the Lord. Faith and love will get you through and we will continue to pray for everyone, including the medical team, your family and friends.
Love The Coles
Standing with you in prayer all the way. To God be the Glory!!
May you all know God's peace, strength and comfort as we wait upon the Lord.
Love, hugs & prayers,
Miriam
"MY children know MY voice"
Only listen for HIS voice, HE makes no mistakes. We know that we know we have heard HIM when HE speaks to our hearts. I have no doubt HIS voice will direct your next steps. Still praying, and still standing with you in HIS power.
Love to all,
Dina
Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31
We Love you all! Praying for the strength that our God promises to give us from his word!
Ed, Karen, Eddie and Elijah Luzniak
Jon & Laura, We're praying for wisdom for the doctors as they determine the right course of action for Lindsay. Love you all,
Jenny & Josh
Lord, this young couple have had to walk through such deep water with You! Continue to uphold them, strengthen them, and give them wisdom to make necessary decisions as You lead them by your Spirit. Then, O dearest Lord, fill them with your peace and strength. Lindsay is safely in Your Loving Hands! We praise You for the knowledge of that fact! Come in like a flood O Spirit of God!
Laura and Jon, you have done all that is best. You gave Lindsay to the Lord and you brought her to the outstanding BCH. You have opened yourselves to us and reached out to other parents.
My prayer is for peace in your decision knowing ultimately that what happens will be the Lord's will.
Praying for you, for Lindsay , for Tanner and all of us who love you so very much. LVS
Praying for you and with you that God will give the doctors wisdom in there care of your sweet little Lindsay. I pray that you all will have a restful nights sleep knowing that God is watching over Lindsay and holding her in the palm of his hand.
Laurie Landry
Yes, we are standing and we continue to stand with you all.
Doug, Ellen and Gabie
We stand before God's throne with you on behalf of Lindsay. We pray that you along with the doctors have wisdom to make these decisions. May our Lord be glorified through this situation, and give you all great peace.
Dear Ones,
I do not understand what "drivers" means. I have been praying for the Berlin Heart to be put in for the last several days. I will pray for all of you to hear from the Lord and wisdom for the doctors. With love beyond measure,
Hi Jon and Laura,
You guys have been an inspiration to me about how to walk by faith day by day, even though the circumstances are difficult. Now I want to share something with you that I hope will give you peace. My Mom was a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) for 42 years. She is the person that gives you an epidural, puts you to sleep in the operating room, and monitors all your vitals during surgery. While the surgeon is concentrating on his area, my Mom concentrated on keeping the patient alive. She literally held the life of each patient in her hands every day for 42 years. Some times things didn't go as expected and a patient died. I asked my Mom what it was like to have that life one moment and then watch it slip away. My Mom was a very compassionate person, but I never saw her fall apart over a death and one day I asked her how she was able to do that. She told me that before each surgery she put each person's life into God's hands and then she did her very best to take care of them. She made the best decisions she could for them every moment even if the surgery was 12 hours long. When you do risky surgery, you are not choosing between no risk and the patient living happily ever after. Usually, not doing the surgery has just as many risks because the person is critically ill. When do you stop medically? There is always more that can be done, but what will be the outcome? Only you guys can decide when enough is enough for Lindsay. My Mom used to say to the families- you will know when it is time to let go. You guys have held the precious life of your baby girl Lindsay for nearly 2 years. You have made the best decisions that you could for her every step of the way. You have trusted God and sought wise counsel during this trial. You have been an awesome example of the power of prayer and of the love of Christ even in the darkest of times. Now, no matter what your decision you all know that you did everything humanly possible for Lindsay. We all know that God heard our prayers and answered quite a few of them. I hope this knowledge will give your family God's peace over whatever the outcome. We are all still here and we are going to continue to pray not only for Lindsay, but for the whole family. May God give his wisdom to you and the doctors as you decide about this next surgery.
In His Love,
Lisa Pampreen
Standing beside you and praying! We are behind you and love you very much!
~Julie and Garrett
P.S Tanner, where does Spider-man live?? :)
God is with them no matter what they may decide. God is and always will be with Linsday....
Precious Lord Jesus,
Please take precious Lindsey in the palm of your hand & hold her close to your heart. Touch the hearts of this dear family & heal little Lindsey to your glory! Give the medical staff the wisdom to know what's best for Lindsey. Speak to their hearts in a mighty way. Give Laura & Jon a wonderful peace about the major decision they have to make. Embrace the entire family w/ your strength & abiding love. We're trusting you Lord Jesus to TOUCH Lindsey & her special mommy, daddy, big brother Tanner & all the extended family.
Jon, Laura, Tanner and Lindsay--
The Bowies are here to help in any way we can. We support you and pray for you and feel blessed for having met you. Hang in there....God is on your side.
I can not imagine being in your shoes but I enter into your world as I join with so many in praying for your dear sweet little girl. May God bless you richly as you continue to seek Him!
We are standing with you in prayer for Lindsay, her medical/caregiving team and all of you. I am so glad for the little blessings- Lindsay's open eyes yesterday, good outputs, etc. May you continue to feel God's arms around you- and the prayers of so many. We love you and are praying for all of you....
Love,
Aunt Sharon, Uncle Matt, Kelsey and Jared
Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Laura and Jon,
seeing you two with each other and Lindsay and Tanner was very encouraging to me. You have come together and stood in your faith, it is amazing. I know that God will lead you to the right decisions, and that no matter what, He loves her more than we will ever know. Your little girl is special and has already touched so many lives. My prayers are with you every step of these trying times.
Love,
Stephanie Ireland
And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed.
God has brought you this far and He will be faithful all the way.
Allen & Marilyn
We're with you..The Dares
Dear Laura and Jon - we continue to pray from Connecticut. I am personally praying that God will give you an overwhelming clarity and sense of peace as to whether or not Lindsay should have the operation or not. I pray for continued wisdom for the doctors and nurses and that God would reveal to them any other possibilities that they may not have considered at this point. My heart aches for the decisions you are having to make, but know that God is bigger than any risk or any complication that could humanly arise. I know that if Lindsay has the operation, God will love and care for her the same as He is right now. Standing with you in hope -
Julie in CT
Jon and Laura-
we are here with you as always. We pray that the Lord will make all decisions clear for you. It was so good to see you again today and get to have the kids play with Tanner. I have some great pictures of a remarkable group hug that they shared. We love you and pray for peace in all your thoughts.
love pam and fam
Just reading the posts and comments tends to bring tears to my eyes. I have no children so I can't imagine how you are feeling deep down inside. God knows and understands more than any human can.
I hope and pray that Lindsay will have a long and healthy life with you. If this is not God's will, know that she will be in perfect health for eternity with Him.
You have all been a testimony to God's grace and peace through this all. Keep on keeping on and give God the glory through it all.
You have no idea how often Lindsay and all of you are lifted to God in prayer. May you sense His peace and guidance as you make this major decision in Lindsay's care.
Jon and Laura,
Vic and I and the girls will be praying extra hard for you and especially Lindsay. How my heart aches for you! Jesus, please come in your mighty power and heal Lindsay's heart to the amazement of everyone around her. Jesus, please come in your mighty power and surround Jon and Laura with Your presence, so real that they can feel you there, leading and guiding them as they make these difficult decisions. Be their light, be their way, their path, their strength, their wisdom. Be their comfort and their hope in times like these. Amen!
We love you!
absolutely standing, and praying, then praying some more. I read about you all in my devotions today! Psalm 9:10 says, "Those who know Your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." That's what your testimony has been, we're not bailing now!
the writer went on to say, "We are called to believe God with reckless abandon-not just believe that He is there and that He is involved with us somehow, though we're not sure exactly how; but that He is actively, personally seeking our good and answering our prayers."
we are to cast ourselves into His arms. He has a perfect track record. we can absolutely stand with you as you trust Him.
the roberts family
Jon, Laura, Tanner and Lindsay - I love you guys and I pray for all of you every day. I know that that Lindsay is safe as she has always been, in our Abba's everlasting embrace.
With love, Sus
Psalm 103
Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Praying, praying, praying..Our God is an awesome God..George & Diane Nichols Wilm, DE
Jon and Laura,
Prayinmg for peace and strength as you consider the options--and praying for divine wisdom for the doctors--asking the Lord to uphold yopu with His everlasting arms and to cradle Lindsay in the hollow of His hand--knowing our Great Physician is able to do exceedingly aboundantly above all we could ask or think.
Lovingly, MERvnz
Jon and Laura - You have my prayers and support in this difficult decision. I will be praying for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to give you strength, peace, and courage.
Hugs In His Name
Gail (Grammy Gail)
Still praying.
Warren & Elaine in Iowa
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