Eric Has New Lungs!

I just received this info:

The doctor just left the waiting room...the surgery could not have
gone any better...very little bleeding...original lungs were not
connected to the chest cavity to where they would have to scrape
and create scarring, etc.

Erica will be able to join Eric in post-op soon. The doc said Eric
would probably only be in ICU through tomorrow. No blood
transfusions needed, several of other possible instruments for
various procedures were not needed...God has performed a
miracle in our midst today...we praise Him for His mercy.

Thank you Orange Momma readers for praying for Eric. Please continue to pray for his body as it accepts the new lungs. And praise God!

Praying for Eric -- UPDATED again! (about 5 times)

Moments after I wrote the update below, I heard from our pastor:
"Right lung is out and they are puttng new right lung in. Pray that the lung inflates and begins working so that they can move to the next lung."

Erica just said the lungs have arrived & she will most likely not hear anything for a while. Keep praying for the skill of the surgeons & for the compatibility of the organ WITH Eric's body.

The lungs are supposed to be here at 2 pm. Meanwhile, Eric is already is surgery. Pls be praying for the condition of the lungs & the compatability.

They're awaiting the lungs still...they're coming in from Texas. They're estimating the arrival to be 1:30 pm. At which point, the staff could reject the lungs on account of them not being in perfect condition.

This is Eric & Erica. New friends of ours. Erica works with me, on staff at church. Eric is her hubby of several years (they've been together 12 years!). Eric has cystic fibrosis & a few years ago, was told he didn't have many years left.
Just since we've known him (about 6 mos?), he's been in the hospital several times. Each day, several times, Eric gets hooked up to his machines & gets his medicine. And periodically goes into the hospital for therapy. These 4 cuties are Eric & Erica's 2 sets of twins. Yes twins. Yes 2 sets. They're 2 yrs & 4yrs old. Cute as can be.

This morning at 4:45 am, Eric got the call that there were lungs waiting for him. And he is currently in the middle of the transplant surgery.

Will you pray?:

• for the skill the of the surgeons & OR medical staff, that they would have supernatural wisdom, concentration, & skill
• for the medical staff during the rest of the process & his stay, that they too would have great skill & concentration during his treatment
• for Eric's body, that it would be receptive of the new organ, not reject it, & that all medicines would work harmoniously with his body
• for Erica, that her nerves would be calm, that her spirit would be strong, & that she would trust in our Father who is in control of this situation
• for the rest of Eric's family & family, that this would bring them even closer to Christ, who is sovereign & mighty
• for their 4 babies at home, that they would be oblivious to the seriousness of this situation and would be excited rather than disrupted, by the difference in their routine & caregivers
• for the family of the donor, that their hearts would be comforted by the new life that has been given to another person, someone who is going to live life to the fullest because of the decision that was made by the loved one they just lost

And if you're contemplating donating your organs, do it. Think of our friend, in his twenties, who hasn't breathed well or felt great in years. Who now, thanks to someone making that decision, is going to be able to live a full life, wrestle with his kids, not get sick & worn out, & grow old with his wife. Go here to learn how.

Thanks for your prayers for Eric. I'll update when I can.

PRE Preschool

Update: Daddy called, Flynn is doing well. He took the morning off to stay/shadow her for 2 hours. Then, she will be there an hour alone (well, w/o us), and I will be picking her up momentarily.

I was brief in this post because I was trying to post the video quickly so that the grandmas could see it before work.

So, let me elaborate...

We've been "checking out" preschools for a month or so now. Although Flynn is academically ahead of schedule, she doesn't get socialization - as that's one thing I can't offer her.

Plus, her being at preschool a couple of mornings each week will give me the opportunity to work & be able to concentrate on work (instead of running damage control with she & Bubs).

I'll also be able to put in an office morning here & there. I can't do that w/ her in tow as our office is a very old building & could make her sick.

We heard a lot of the same thing while talking to preschool directors, in that they couldn't guarantee her a safe setting...and sadly, none of them offered to try.

Until MIL suggested [the one we're trying today] & we visited & the teachers were so sweet & reassuring & we heard something we hadn't heard before:

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO MAKE IT SAFER?

As novel as that shouldn't sound, it is! No one else wants to make such an offer.

And so, Daddy spent a couple of hours there today, and we'll pray (again) & make the final decision with her input.

Leading up to this morning, we versed her & rehearsed her on the snack situation...the she takes her own snack & under NO conditions is she to accept a different snack -- from ANYONE (including the teachers). We even made a fun saying, "NO WAY! -- I WANNA STAY SAFE!!"

By this morning, she had me feeling more confident, as she is such a smart cookie & I can't believe that a 4-year old can practice such self-awareness, responsibility, & ownership over her situation. Makes me feel almost comfortable w/ her in someone else's hands.

Now, does this mean that I didn't worry? NO. I had a bad dream last week. I cried the other day. And night before last, I almost had myself talked out of it. I said to myself, "She's just fine here...she doesn't need socialization, she gets it at church....it's even dangerous putting her on the highway 2 extra days a week."

But as much as the bubble sounds appealing, I can't keep her in it. Not her. She's a go get'em girl & she is rearin' to go get.

So, I sat beside her bed a few nights ago. I prayed over her. Besides asking God again to heal her from her allergy, I prayed prayers of protection & safety.

And again last night.

And right before she walked out the door, Daddy & I held her hands & prayed with her.

And I've prayed about 10 million 5 bajillion 7 kazillion times.

I just told my friend Melinda, "It's sooooo hard letting go of your motherly worries & trusting God....One of our hardest tasks as moms!"

It's true. Trusting is easy if you aren't worried. But the true faith takes place when the conditions aren't favorable.

I'm sure we will post another update when she's home...I know she'll have lots to tell me.

She was SO excited to leave for preschool.
Had her bags ready to go before Dad was ready to leave.
He insisted all carrying EVERYthing for her -- but I insisted that she needs to exercise her responsibility at this crucial time!
She stopped & waved good bye.
Then she turned around & said, "Mom! I love you!!"

Melting my heart (even tho I was freezing my chops off).

Here she is reciting all I've drilled her on:

Sorry it's sideways! -- I thought I'd be able to rotate it, but no such luck.

My buddy Zach

I have a little friend.

His name is Zach.

He has embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer).

His tumor is in the chest cavity on the right, back side and lung.

Zach just finished 2nd grade, he is 9 years old.

I've never met a braver kid. And his mom, she's like a rock.

You've never met stronger people.

Zach's dad is not really in his life.

He has two older sisters who love him dearly.

Zach loves critters. He has birds, cats, I think I saw a dog there, hamsters, and I think a reptile or two. He collects coins. Has a huge car collection. And is a typical boy, with the exception of the fact that he's been forced into some kind of maturity due to what he's had to go through.

Zach loves visitors, and gifts (I give him one a week), and hates hospital food.

He's been in treatment for a couple of months now.

Chemo & now radiation, each and everyday.

He seems to almost be proud of him wounds.

And although I have nothing to do with his upbringing, I am proud of him.

What a cool kid.

He has a caring bridge page, that I'm sure he'd love if you signed.

http://www.caringbridge.org/mo/zachman98/index.htm

Read it. And remember their battle. Not only should you pray for him each & everyday. But you should think about what they're going through. Squeeze your kiddos a little tighter. Tell you spouse you love him when you go to bed. And remember how precious life is.

Some of My Prayer List

Here are some of the things I'm diligent to pray for...

My own relationship with Christ

Jeff's relationship with Christ

Flynn's & Gabe's relationships with Christ

Our marriage

Flynn's allergies & healing

My Aunt Alice

Zach

Traveling safety for everyone

Flynn's husband

Gabe's wife

Nieces & nephew

Our cousins' & friends' kids

Flynn's career & purpose in life

Gabe's career & purpose in life

Our finances

Jeff's career, coaching, teaching

Decisions we have to re our house, etc.

The finances & financial decisions of our entire fam

Eagle Point

EP's children's dept

All the kids/babies under my "care"

My own 'nitty gritty', like my lack of patience, anger, shortness

(I could go on...and on...)

My health

There's actually a VERY long list, but that's I guess a condensed list

(for the times I don't have a LONG time to pray)

Musical Parade

This morning on the kids' favorite show, Curious George, the "Man With the Yellow Hat" was a part of a band... like high school (not garage band).... there was a tuba, some maracas, & I believe a xylaphone... you know, what every good band is made up of.

George eventually got to join this band. Which delighted my kids. Lord, George could do no wrong.

Anyway, the tv is off & now the kids are parading through the house. Flynn has a shakey drum (which was a souvenier Indian thingy which I slide the stick off becuz I'm afraid someone could lose an eye) suspended from a pair of tongs. Gabe's contribution to the musical parade is a backpack on wheels (don't ask).

Flynn leads the parade with, "A'one, A'two, A'three...."

Have I mentioned how much I love being here with them??...

On a different note, a baby girl named Sophia needs your prayer. She was born early with a ton of complications & right now it's touch & go. Her praying parents also covet your prayer. This family attends church w/ my BF Heather.