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.
Lindsay Alice Groen June 14, 2006 -- May 16, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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!
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.
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.
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, April 8, 2008
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.
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. :)
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. :)
Monday, April 7, 2008
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
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, April 6, 2008
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.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Hospital Address
Here is the address for the hospital where Lindsay will have her surgery.
Children's Hospital Boston
300 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115
Please remember that you may post comments for the Groens or the Weltes. We will be checking the posts regularly.
Children's Hospital Boston
300 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115
Please remember that you may post comments for the Groens or the Weltes. We will be checking the posts regularly.
Sat. April 5th
Please be in prayer for Laura. She has been experiencing extreme nausea. This has caused her to feel weak and she has not been able to keep much food down. Her doctor has prescribed some medicine to help control it. Pray that the medicine works and that her strength will be restored. We are praying this is due to her pregnancy and not from the flu.
Tomorrow, Sunday, April 6th is travel day for the Groens and the Weltes. We will meet in Boston sometime Sunday afternoon at our hotel. Pray for safety from both ends and a time of relaxing for the evening. Tanner and Lindsay do not know that PopPop, Granny and Uncle Zach are coming to Boston. It will be a nice surprise.
Pray for a great night of sleep as we have an early start to a very long day, Monday. Surgery is to begin at 7:30 AM. We will try our best to keep this blog updated throughout the day Monday so that you can pray accordingly.
Thank you again for all of your prayers. We can certainly feel them.
Tomorrow, Sunday, April 6th is travel day for the Groens and the Weltes. We will meet in Boston sometime Sunday afternoon at our hotel. Pray for safety from both ends and a time of relaxing for the evening. Tanner and Lindsay do not know that PopPop, Granny and Uncle Zach are coming to Boston. It will be a nice surprise.
Pray for a great night of sleep as we have an early start to a very long day, Monday. Surgery is to begin at 7:30 AM. We will try our best to keep this blog updated throughout the day Monday so that you can pray accordingly.
Thank you again for all of your prayers. We can certainly feel them.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Home from Pre-op
Laura, Jon, Phyllis and the kids are now on their way home from Boston. Lindsay did well today with all her tests. Even the blood work didn't make her cry. They were able to talk to many people who will be taking care of Lindsay and assisting in the surgery. Laura and Phyllis were able to take a tour of the IC Unit that Lindsay will be in following surgery.
Tanner met a friend from when they were there several weeks ago whose name is Neil. Neil will be having a procedure done on Monday. Tanner wants to go visit Neil next week when he is feeling better. So maybe you could pray for Neil and his family on Monday, too.
Tanner told his dad last night, that he shouldn't be sad and not to cry that Lindsay was going to be fine. God certainly gives children a special insight when days are rough.
Lindsay's surgery is now scheduled for 7:30 AM on Monday, April 7th. They will need to be at the hospital by 6:30 AM to get her ready.
Pray for the next two days of waiting that the Lord will surround both our families with His loving arms and give us all peace and rest. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for lifting our precious girl before the Lord.
Tanner met a friend from when they were there several weeks ago whose name is Neil. Neil will be having a procedure done on Monday. Tanner wants to go visit Neil next week when he is feeling better. So maybe you could pray for Neil and his family on Monday, too.
Tanner told his dad last night, that he shouldn't be sad and not to cry that Lindsay was going to be fine. God certainly gives children a special insight when days are rough.
Lindsay's surgery is now scheduled for 7:30 AM on Monday, April 7th. They will need to be at the hospital by 6:30 AM to get her ready.
Pray for the next two days of waiting that the Lord will surround both our families with His loving arms and give us all peace and rest. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for lifting our precious girl before the Lord.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Friday, April 4th - Pre-Op Day
Please pray for safety as the family travels again to Boston for all of Lindsay's pre-op appointments. So far none of her tests have been the kind that hurt. She will have blood tests done and many others. Pray for Laura and Jon as they help with each procedure to keep Lindsay calm. Tanner and Gramma Groen (Phyllis) will be going along. A tour of the units Lindsay will be staying in are part of the day. Pray that Laura and Jon will be able to explain as much as needed to Tanner. Tanner and Lindsay are very close. Pray their separation during surgery time will go well. 
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Please pray
Please pray for Jon as he has been sick through last night and today. Please pray that Lindsay will not get it.
Also, pray for the family as they go to Boston, Friday to have Lindsay's pre-op work done.
Thanks again for all your prayers. Our God is always previous. :)
Also, pray for the family as they go to Boston, Friday to have Lindsay's pre-op work done.
Thanks again for all your prayers. Our God is always previous. :)
Waiting Room Supplies
Thanks to the staff from America's Keswick for supplying us with all kinds of great supplies for the waiting room on Monday. (Food, water, juices, , snack, cookies, books, games, coloring books, etc.) Wow, what a great surprise and it will come in handy during that waiting time.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Meeting with the surgeon
The meeting went very well in Boston today. Laura and Jon met with Dr Mayer and had many questions answered. He told them there would be two parts to the surgery. Repair a tear in the flap and do a tuck in the valve so that the flap will close properly. There still is a chance that once he gets in, it will not be able to be repaired and then a valve replacement would be necessary. We are praying that the repair will be what is needed. Next week they will be back in Boston for Lindsay's pre-op testing and a tour of the unit where she will be. Continue to pray for Lindsay, Laura, Jon and Tanner. Thanks for your prayers.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Lindsay, Dad, Mom and Tanner to Meet Surgeon
Pray for Laura, Jon and the kids as they go to Boston on Friday, March 28th to meet with Dr Mayer, the surgeon, at Children's Hospital. Jon's mom, Phyllis Groen, will be going along. They have many questions and will get more information as to what to expect with Lindsay's surgery.
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