Peace

Laura, Tanner and I would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Your prayers and notes of encouragement have been a big blessing the last few weeks. We have really enjoyed reading cards, letters and the comments here on the blog. We are so grateful for our huge network of family, friends and many who we don't even know but hope to meeet some day- who are interceding on our and Lindsay's behalf.
The power of prayer is amazing, we can attest to this! Laura and I have felt the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. Peace that surpasses all comprehension, and a comfort that could only come from the One who created us and loves us more than we love our own precious children. We place Lindsay before God every day and trust him to do what he knows is best. We boldly ask him to heal Lindsay and restore her little body to health, but pray that His will be done, and that He continue to be our refuge and strength, the everlasting arms beneath the entire family.
We covet your continued prayer for Lindsay bear, that His will be done and that He will be glorified through her
Daddy's heart aches for you Lindsay -sleep tight honey bear! Daddy loves you!

Saturday Evening Update

Thank you for your prayers today. The nurses have asked that we pray that Lindsay's sugar levels will come down and that her kidneys will begin to eliminate more fluid.

Please be praying for Laura tomorrow with it being Mother's Day.

Have a blessed night.

Late Saturday Afternoon Update

The kids met with the head of the Cardiology department and he is still holding on to the premise that Lindsay is very critical, but not hopeless. There was talk about putting a stomach tube in to help with drainage from the stomach, but he was not recommending that because of the risk of infection. Should the kidneys become and issue, they could do dialysis right off of the ECMO machine. They are also still contemplating moving forward with the Berline Heart.

We asked for clarity, and God has been answering those prayers. We will keep you posted.

Saturday Noon Update

Here is the latest update:


The doctors have called for a family meeting that will take place some time in the next several hours. From what I can determine, Lindsay's situation continues to deteriorate will new complications. The doctors and nurses are really scrambling to figure out what to do ... they are all emotionally wrapped up in Lindsay's life. Her heart has become theirs.

My heart has been torn as well as your -- God please heal her! I don't know the mind of God for Lindsay. I know what I want -- I want to have her on my lap right now so that I can do "this little piggy" and sing "I love you a bushel and a peck." I cannot even begin to fathom what Jon and Laura are going through right now. My heart aches for them.

I do know that I continue to cry out to God for HIS WILL. After all, He knows what it is like to give up a Son. Would you please join us in praying for GOD'S WILL for Lindsay's life, for wisdom for the doctors and nurses, and the peace, comfort and strength for Jon and Laura.

Our ride has been a roller coaster. But you have stood with us in with your prayers and tears. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Saturday Morning

Praise the Lord that Lindsay had a stable night. Today His mercies are NEW -- Great is HIS faithfulness.

We are grateful for your encouragement and prayers.

Friday Evening Update

There has been a lot of activity this afternoon to bring stability to Lindsay's situation. The assessment given is that what she is experiencing is a result on 25+ of being on the ECMO machine. There is still no definitive word on the infection, however they are giving her nebulizer treatments and antibiotics to treat the lungs.

Tonight Lindsay's output was improving and that was encouraging. All three doctors have assured the kids that they will do everything the can. All three have indicated that there is still HOPE.

Dr. Brown shared with the family that your cards are arriving, and that they are a huge encouragement!!! Thanks for writing to Dr Mayer, Dr. Emani and Dr. Brown. If you haven't, you can still do so by writing to them at:
Children's Hospital Boston
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115.

I would also like to encourage you to write to Lindsay's nurse, Heather. I don't know her last name but you can send it to the CICU 8 East.

Thanks for partnering with us.

Friday Afternoon Update

Knowing that hundreds of you are checking the blog on a regular basis throughout the day, I wanted to write and give you some additional information.

Please pray for clarity and an understanding of what is really taking place in Lindsay's body. There seems to be some confusion about the infection, what kind it is, it's location, and the next steps. Her "output" has slowed done and her lungs are obviously a concern. The kids have an meeting this afternoon with the head of the Cardiology Department. Hopefully we will get some more definitive information at that time.

They are trying to adjust medications where possible and are backing down the paralytic since she has not "awake-awake" in two days.

Laura shared that Jon cried this morning and said, "I just want to pick her up and hold her." Jon, I want you to know how very proud we are of you, and for the way that you had literally stood with Lindsay during the past 30+ days. Jon and I share the same "passion" for hospitals, so I probably appreciate more than anyone how stretching this has been. You are a good Daddy, Jonathan Groen.

Laura, it's hard for me to even type this without bawling. Mom and I are so proud of you and the strength that you have demonstrated not only in caring for Lindsay every day since her surgery, but being able to put aside your own grief from the miscarriage so that you can give "Bear" all of Mommy.

Warren & Phyllis have driven to and from NH just about every day to support the kids and their "Little Pink!" I know that their trip away right now is hard on them.

Jan has been there living out of a suitcase since the day of surgery. Zach and I miss her big time, but know that right now she is needed in MA to help with Tanner and Laura and Jon.

Our daughter Julie has taken on Zach's homeschooling responsibility to free Jan up. Julie, Mom and I are very proud of you ...

Well enough of the mush -- thanks to all of our family and friends who have stood by our family during these difficult days.

And most of all, thank You Lord for the way you are taking us THROUGH.

Friday Morning Update

We are at 11:59! These next several hours are going to be very critical in determining the next steps for Lindsay. She had an issue during the night with low blood pressures and it would appear that there is another infection. The lungs are a concern and we think there now may be an issue with the kidneys.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you." Isaiah 43:2

Please uphold Laura, Jon, Tanner, Jan, and Warren and Phyllis who are away.

Early Thursday Evening Update

We are urging you to continue to pray this evening for the healing of Lindsay's lung and the ability for her to urinate as much as possible. Pray that God will bring clarity and peace to Jon, Laura, Tanner and Jan as they spend these long days at Lindsay's bedside. Pray that God will bring encouragement to them in a very special way that will only be traceable back to HIM and HIM alone.

Update.....pray for output

Lindsay was doing really well in the "urine output" department earlier, but has really slowed down. Please pray that she begins to "pee" again. Very important. Nothing else new. Thanks for praying.

Thursday Noon Update

More good news. Lindsay's lungs are greatly improved!!! Her volume is up and the doctors are pleased. In fact, they are meeting to talk about putting her back on the active transplant list!!!

The was an infection that grew out in the culture, but they believe it is in the chest tube. Pray for clarity!!!

All in all -- we are thankful for this encouraging report. The Lord gave me a few nuggets from Psalm 106 this morning: Vs. 8 -- Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of HIS name that He might make HIS POWER known. -- vs. 6 Then they believed HIS words; they sang HIS praises.

Our prayer is that WHATEVER He wants to do through Lindsay's life will be for the sake of HIS name and that people would see HIS POWER!

Thanks for praying. Thanks for writing on the blog. Thanks for writing to the doctors. We are over 20,000 hits to the blog.

Wednesday Evening Update

Dr. Mayer was in and pleased with Lindsay's progress. She is still doing well on the smaller ventilator. Please continue to pray for the on-going healing on the lungs.

Laura and Jon have also asked prayer for Jon's parents who are leaving tomorrow for upstate New York and then on to Missouri. It was very hard for them to leave the hospital. Please keep Warren and Phyllis in your prayers.

Laura asked prayer for baby Elijah who is being airlifted tonight to a hospital in Mississippi. He is seven months old and weighs 7lbs. His parents have to fly out commercial and won't get home until tomorrow. Laura and Jon have been witnessing to the family.

Thanks for your prayers.

Wednesday Afternoon Update

Lindsay is now on the smaller vent. They have also given medication into her lungs to help open them up. Please pray that this will keep the lungs working properly. The infection is under control and she will continue to be on antibiotics for quite awhile. All her other organs are working well. She still needs some days of resting, adjusting levels and taking off fluids. We will keep you posted. Again, thanks for your prayers, blogs and cards. They continue to be a great source of encouragement to all or us.

Wednesday Morning Update

Good morning. I am sitting in a room with 1100 ladies who are currently attending the Spring Ladies Day at America's KESWICK with my good friend, Liz Curtis Higgs. Many of these ladies have come to tell me that they are praying for Lindsay, Laura, Jon and Tanner. What an encouragement it has been to meet prayer partners face to face!

Dr. Emani encouraged us to get word of the blog to have folks pray specifically for Lindsay's lungs! In order to proceed with the artificial heart, the lungs must be clear! Please get the word out and let's storm heaven's gates with our prayers. If he can clear up MERSA, he can clear up her lungs.

Thanks from the bottom of our hearts!

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 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.