Surgery Update

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

post operation

Surgery is complete. Not the results we were anticipating.

The gore-tex tube is not the problem, his own heart tissue is the cause of the fluid. This means that replacing the tube wouldn't solve anything. His heart hasn't fully healed and as a result it is weeping fluid and causing the fluid to build up around his heart. It wasn't until they had him opened up and cleared everything out that they realized the tube wasn't the source.

So what did they do?

They ended up wrapping the gore-tex tube with this special mesh that will help in case it leaks at all. They also put in some mesh around the lining of his heart. All this is an effort to have to try and allow his heart to heal and dry up.

What does this mean?

This is the most depressing part. We still don't have a definite answer as to when he will be coming home. He has two giant tubes in his chest that will continue draining any fluid that gathers (this is better than what he had before; they won't get blocked, and they drain much more effectively). Again we are to sit, wait, and watch. There is nothing else they can do to get the heart to stop seeping fluid other than to dry it out and hope it heals. If it continues to drain a lot they will re-open his chest and replace the gore-tex tube because it will be the only option left.

So here we are again. God has asked us to wait, to trust, and to lean. I was in tears this morning hearing the unexpected news and the unknown future. At that moment is when Job 2:10 popped into my mind. "Should we receive the good from God and not the bad." I trust my Lord and Savior. I trust His plans and purpose. I trust that He is in control.

I will leave you all with a verse that has encouraged me multiple times and even more so at this moment.

Romans 11:33-36

Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!
"For who has known the mind of the Lord,
who has been his counselor?"
"Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be all the glory forever. Amen

best mom ever

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Best mom ever...best dad ever!!!! You two definitely get that award right now. You are going above and beyond to love and care for your kids right now. I keep praying that God will give you His strength and His power for this gigantic job. And praying for healing in Griffin's heart. So glad they at least know what's going on. Sending much love and prayers your way.

Becky v said...

You both are gifted writers! What an amazing verse from Romans and Job. Your faith is inspiring.Unconditional love of Father to son. Faith midst uncertainty. Trust midst disappointment. Hope for the future. I continue to pray for health, rest, supernatural strength, moments to laugh, and an easy newborn! Your story needs to go in a book as many would be blessed by it. Some of the greatest writers were "grounded", waiting. Paul, Bonhoeffer, Bunyan ... God is pouring out blessings.... Keep your eyes open to see them(but do sleep when you can, too)

Patrice said...

John and Amber, I pray for you to continue to find strength and that Griffin heals well and quickly. I am in awe of your faith and love, you two are amazing! We love you and continue to pray.

Anonymous said...

Father in heaven hollowed be thy name, thy kingdom come on Griffin's body as Jesus is the LIFE, and HE came to give Griffin life abundantly. Father we declare that Griffin is wonderfully and fearfully made, and his body has the capacity to regenerate. We thank you that no weapon that is formed against him shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against him in judgment he (his parents) shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. We thank you Lord Jesus that you made yourself curse instead of us, for it is written " cursed is everyone hung on the tree". We give you praise, we give you glory, dominion and power in our lives now and forever. Amin!

rickandcindymeyers said...

Praying.

One of our favorite quotes from Near Unto God by Abraham Kuyper, a Dutch theologian in the late 1800s:

"At first what our heart feels is that we cannot square this with our God as we imagined Him, as we had dreamed Him to be. The God we had, we lose, and then it costs so much bitter conflict of soul, before refined and purified in our knowledge of God, we grasp another, and now the only true God in the place thereof.

We fancy ourselves the main object at stake; it is our happiness, our honor, our future⎯and God added in. According to our idea we are the center of things, and God is there to make us happy. The Father is for the sake of the child. And God's confessed Almightiness is solely and alone to serve our interest. This is an idea of God which is false through and through, which turns the order around and, taken in its real sense, makes self God, and God our servant.

Cast down by your sorrow and grief, you become suddenly aware that this great God does not measure nor direct the course of things according to your desire; that in His plan there are other motives that operate entirely outside of your preferences. Then you must submit, you must bend.

This is the discovery of God's reality, of His Majesty which utterly overwhelms you, of an Almightiness which absorbs within itself you and everything you call yours. And for the first time you feel what it is to confront the living God. And then begins the new endeavor of the soul, to learn to understand this real God.

rickandcindymeyers said...

Thank you for sharing with us. We are the benefactors of seeing the amazing faith that God is giving the two of you as you wait on Him. It is an encouragement and challenge to our own faith as we continue to trust him; the living God. Much love and prayers

Katherine said...

thinking of you all constantly and praying too. the picture of griffin is so sweet. such a little guy, going through so much. you all are taking good care of him and doing a wonderful job, though i know it probably feels like you can't save him from all of this like you want to. he is loved and so are you.

Lisa Kerns said...

John and Amber, we are praying for you guys. You are going through so much at once. Praying for sweet Griffin to heal and be able to go home with you soon.

 
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