Thursday, June 15, 2006

It's Surgery Time

Well, today was a huge improvement from yesterday! Kristen and I actually went back to the house last night and got a full night sleep. We were very nervous considering the previous 48 hours of instability. When we got to the hospital this morning the report was that he improved a little and was somewhat stable. He stayed that way all day and everyone was pleased. We waited for the decision to be made regarding when to do the first surgery. When would be the most opportune time for him to go in? They don't want to put a sick/unstable child into surgery....but if they wait...will he get better or worse and will they have missed the window of opportunity? Well, they decided tomorrow is that day. I guess they think he is ready and can't wait any longer. After going out to dinner with the family, we came back to see Lincoln around 9:00 pm and he looked amazing! His vitals were the best they have ever been. His blood pressure and "blood gas" were awesome. He even got a bath tonight and was able to wear a little bennie. All day today nobody could touch him because he was so unstable...the smallest touch would send his heart rate through the roof...but tonight was different! I guess the Lord knew that he needed his strength for tomorrow.


So the plan is for Lincoln to be sent to the O.R. at 7:00 am tomorrow morning. This is going to be a HUGE surgery! They thought they were just going to open the chest and work on the vessels outside the heart...but now they have decided to make this an "openheart" surgery and correct a problem inside the heart too. This means going on heart/lung bypass machines. The procedures that are going to be done are: 1. Pulmonary Artery Band. This is a band (kinda like a hose clamp) they put around the artery to slow down/restrict the already to much blood flow to the lungs. 2. Coarchtation Repair. This means Lincoln's aortic arch has a kink in it, restricting blood flow to the body. They will cut out the narrow/kinked part and reconnect it together. 3. Atrial Septostomy. They will open the heart and cut out the rest of the wall that they had already opened wider during the catheterization yesterday. This will prevent the wall/septum from eventually growing back together cutting off the blood flow between the two atriums. The surgery should last around 5 hours. We are so incredibly nervous considering this is a very high risk surgery. Please be in constant prayer as Lincoln goes through this. Prayerfully this will make him stronger and ready to take the next milestone. We love you all and we will update after the operation.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our Lord Jesus is wonderful, He woke me at 2:15 am to pray over your family. He knew that you must need rest and that the praying should be picked up by others. I have been delighting in praying His word over your family and this handsome son of yours, Lincoln.
To wake me and get me out of bed at this time is no small feat, yet I am joyfully awake and thrilled to be covering all of you and your medical team in prayer now as I know you must be sleeping and trusting our Lord with your son. It is indeed my priviledge to be allowed access to this site and I thank you for the updates...They are wonderful and a helpful guide. May the Lord be glorified as you raise this, your handsome son, He's already blessed so many by turning us to our knees on your behalf, which of course you know that means we must turn to Jesus. May the blessings continue!
Linda Graham, Love to all of you from the Graham family

Anonymous said...

Dear Josh and Kristen,

Just got your latest news and am in prayer for Lincoln as he goes through this delicate surgery. I am asking for wisdom for the doctors and for God's healing hand to be upon Lincoln and guide every minute detail. I am trusting Him continually for a miracle for all of you. I pray for peace for each of you and your families as you go through this long day. I trust the next report will be a good one with Lincoln doing well. God's blessings to all of you. Will pass this update on immediately.

Hugs and Love,

Aunt Donna :-) Psalm 23

Anonymous said...

Josh, Kristen and families,
I am truly amazed at the course that God has set before you and how He has orchestrated the event to come and made His plans know. Knowing the medical side of this I am overwhelmed by His provision and loving care of little Lincoln's life. Every detail is taken care of and His Glory and Honor are being shouted from the mountaintops. Can you hear it! Even the rocks are crying out on Lincoln's behalf. I praise God for holding each one of you in His loving arm. What a privilage it is to come before the throne of the Almighty God, laying our heart's desire for Lincoln before Him, and then leaving God to work in His own miraculous ways.
I pray for strength, wisdom and steady hands as the earthly physicians do the physical work knowing that they are guided by the "Great Heavenly" Physician.
Waiting is not the easiest thing to do but I know that God makes Himself known to those who wait. One of my favorite verses comes from Ps. 27:13-14, " I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord".
Please know that you will continually be in my thought and prayer today.
God Bless you all,
Valerie Maurin