It has been a long 17 days since surgery. We praise God that the surgeon was able to get everything and we praise God for the rapid healing that Julie experienced through the point of being discharged 10 days ago. However, we have had some setbacks since getting home. She developed a UTI and was proactively put on a very strong broad antibiotic, which caused major stomach issues, which is not good with some of the work she had done to her. To make matters worse, the UTI she had turned out to be resistant to that particular antibiotic. All of this led to her losing too much liquid and we ended up going to the ER a few days ago to get her checked out and re-hydrated. She is now on a new antibiotic that seems to be working on the UTI and is much milder. She is still having side-effects, but not as pronounced and bearable. She began to progress in her healing again until Friday.
- For relief of some back pain Julie is having — most likely where the epidural was given and because she is having to lay on her back so much.
- For relief of the new pains in her abdomen that we think is caused by new stretching since the staples were removed.
- For her appetite to be increased and for her to be able to retain liquids.
- For the overall healing of her body in preparation for the next half of chemo.
- For the chemo to finish doing what it needs to do.
- For Julie’s emotional outlook. She has had some pretty emotional times over everything that was done during surgery and some of the adjustments that are mostly temporary. Of course, a lot of this is due to hormonal changes with the hormone producing parts being removed, but there are some other things that she is struggling with as well.
- For protection against infections — her immune system will always be less now without a spleen and once she starts chemo, it will make it weaker again.
- For Sara’s school — her Hope Grant/Scholarship is at risk since we (not her) moved out of state. Thankfully, we have a great State Representative in GA that is working on her behalf to get an exception due to the circumstances.
- For ministry decisions that have to be made — it is complex and involves a number of people and situations — for now just pray as several people have decisions to make and we all want a clear direction from God to stay in His will. The ministry in Honduras will continue — we are just trying to figure out exactly what that looks like going forward and it is impacted not just by our circumstances, but also changing circumstances in Honduras.
- For some unspoken requests for others close to us that I cannot disclose — God will know who you are praying for š
Much love and many prayers from our family to yours.
Rex and I are praying in Alabama for you and for her as well as what you listed. Thanks for sharing them. Helps give our prayers direction and God is definitely in the details.
I am praying for relief of pain for you and that you feel God's loving hands upon you with healing and comfort as well as the unspoken prayer requests on behalf of others in need. God bless you and your family.
I can't tell you the number of times I have been praying for Juie and her recovery! I want you to know that you too (Ben) are prayed for as well. I know this must be so very difficult for you and I want you to know that I am available to pray with you or to even sit and listen if that is what you need. Call me and I will drop anything to meet up with you. You and Julie are loved greatly and we look forward to better days ahead for you both and your precious family!
Praying for you guys.