August 8 - Day 55

Prayer Request: DEAN'S SURGERY 

-Dean will begin this first phase of his facial and skull reconstruction at noon today! Please pray for his strength, safety and skillful wisdom as the surgeons proceed to seal his brain. There are many risks involved such as infections, blood loss, medical complications, respiratory system, etc. Bones have fused together over the weeks and this surgery will require chiseling, grafting, plates, etc. I won't explain all the details but know that his case is rare for surgeons to see. It is a complete miracle that Dean is with us today! I ask for continued prayer and Dean's complete healing and restoration!

Last week, the Lord gently reminded me of this truth which I've held dear to my heart: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth beofre you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. There is deep faith I've come to know in the past 55 days that is absent of feelings and favorable circumstances. This faith believes God and His Word when circumstances, people, emotions, and human reasoning all seem to urge something contrary and beyond our understanding. A friend reminded me of Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. We give thanks to the Lord for the breath He has given us today!

This morning began around 4am for me as I heard Dean coughing up secretions. I suctioned him and requested his humidifer be filled and urine bag emptied. The Lord awoke me for this has happened several times in the past week when his oxygen levels drop and his humidifer was empty. I've figured it lasts for about six hours and needs to be filled betwen 4-6 hours. It was hard to go back to sleep so we prayed and I laid my head near his chest as I listened to the rhythm of his heart with echos of the gurgling secretions in his lungs. It's best for Dean to cough them up on his own and lately I've seen him in great distress when the Respiratory Therapist suction him. Air has been filling into his frontal lobe through the initial cracks in his in his face and skull for weeks and this is not good. I now have a little understanding of the great agony Mary experienced when she saw Jesus nailed to the cross. God blessed Mary and gave her the most beautiful treasure of being the mother of Jesus. I know the blessing was greater than the sorrow. Nonetheless, it hurts deeply to watch the one you love suffer greatly.

Soon the dawn was breaking so I decided to get ready and in moments the warm water turned cold. Nothing such as food or comfort matter in life anymore. The soul of people matter most, for eternity is at hand for us all. The Lord faithfully led me to this scripture in the early hours as Dean and I read: For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. -Hebrews 4:12-16

August 7 - Day 54

For the most part Dean has been restful today. Dean continues to show much distress in his face when he is suctioned with the long tube. His movements have diminished which I wonder may be due to the increased air pressure in his brain.

In the evening the anesthesiologist discussed his procedure for Dean's operation on the 8th. We mentioned the length of the surgery thought to be 12 hours and immediately he had major concerns so he verified the details with the team of doctors. It is vital for the neurosurgeon to seal the cracks in Dean's face and skull that are leaking fluids and allowing air to seep in. Secondly the maxillofacial surgeon needs to restructure the eye orbits, cheekbone, upper jaw and nose. An opthamologist and plastic surgeon are involved as well. The entire procedure will take 8 or more hours so they're considering doing the surgeries in two phases.

August 6 - Day 53

Dean had his PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) successfully placed in his right arm. We thank the Lord that Dean has no infections.



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