Prayer Requests for Surgery

As Rebekah's surgery date approaches, we have been asked numerous times for ideas of how others can help. By far, the most important thing we ask of you all is that you pray for us. We have listed several specific ways that you can pray for Rebekah and our family below.

First, we praise the Lord for meeting our needs for housing and transportation while we are in Charleston. If you have never heard of CrossBridge ministries, please take a minute to look at their website. They have an amazing ministry, and I know they would also ask for your prayers as they continue meeting the needs of patients and families.

Pray that Rebekah stays healthy so her surgery will not be postponed. These next two weeks are critical for her, and she is currently recovering from a cold. Please pray for her quick recovery and for no more illnesses. Also, please be understanding when you may or may not see us out and about as we are trying to keep ourselves well so that we can care for Rebekah.

Pray that the surgery will go smoothly, that it will be successful, and that there will be no complications. Included in that, please pray earnestly for the surgical team, led by Dr. Scott Bradley, and all of the PCICU doctors and nurses who will be involved in Rebekah's care. I know we have said it before, but this is a major surgery. It will not be a walk in the park for any of us.

Pray that Rebekah will recover well with no post-operative infections or complications. We know from past experience that anesthesia and paralytic drugs are not very nice to Rebekah. She has a difficult time waking up after sedation. Pray that her recovery time will be as easy as possible for her.

Pray for the Lord's provision for our financial needs for surgery and the weeks of recovery afterwards. While we do have our transportation and housing needs met, there are other things like gas, meals/groceries and parking fees that will be needed. We have been blessed already with many offers of help in these areas!

Pray for safety as we travel between Greenville and Charleston. It is about a four hour trip one-way, and that is not an easy trip for a 15-month-old. Especially one who is recovering from major open heart surgery!

Pray for the boys as life at home will not be normal with Mom and Rebekah away. The boys all know (in age-appropriate terms) that Rebekah and Mommy will be going to Charleston for another surgery. While they do not know the seriousness of the surgery, they do know that they will miss their baby sister and mommy. Please give the boys extra hugs and be understanding if they seem to be more emotional than usual!

Pray for family and friends as they step in and help with the boys at home. We have been blessed by so many wonderful friends and family who help out at (literally!) a moment's notice. Thank you all so much for the many ways that you have helped out since we first found out about Rebekah's special heart. Thank you, also, to all of you who faithfully follow Rebekah's story via the blog. Many of you we have never met, but you have a special place in our lives. We could not do this without the support of so many people who are praying for us.

And, lastly, please pray for us. Having seen Rebekah go through one open heart surgery before, we fully know what to expect. And that is not a pretty sight. Please pray that we can be strong for Rebekah and that our testimony would be evident to all those around us. We meet many people while in the hospital with Rebekah. Please pray specifically that we would have an opportunity to share our faith with others through Rebekah's story.

Drew and Nancy

2 Weeks Until Surgery!

This is just a quick update to let you all know how Rebekah is doing. Rebekah and three of her brothers have been battling colds this past week, but thankfully, she seems to be doing better now. Please pray that Rebekah continues to improve and that she doesn't come down with any other illness between now and November.

Rebekah has been a busy little girl in the last two weeks! She has been doing very well in her therapies. Recently, Rebekah has started to pull up on low objects and very badly wants to be walking around with her brothers! We had hoped that Rebekah would be walking before her surgery, but it does not look likely that she will. We are thankful for the huge progress we have seen in her strength and endurance and being able to tolerate standing for long periods at a time. Rebekah is also starting to work on feeding herself with a spoon and fork. Sometimes the process is messy, but the end result is one very happy little girl! :)

Rebekah decided to make up for lost time in the dental department. She is now sporting ten little teeth in her mouth, six of which came in during the last week and a half! Nothing like doing things in half measures! :) Along with the new teeth comes the ability to eat a few new foods that require more than gums to chew!

Rebekah is such a joy and blessing in our lives. We are enjoying our time together and making the most of every moment as we approach surgery. Thank you all for loving our little girl!

Drew and Nancy

Baby Joshua

This has been a rough week in the heart community! Another sweet boy, 7-week-old Joshua, died in his mother's arms yesterday morning. Joshua had an older brother and sister who are understandably questioning why their baby brother is not going to be coming home. Please pray for Jill and Shane and their children at this time. You can read more about Joshua and his family by clicking here.

Ewan Eliezer

It is with much sadness that we extend our condolences to James and Kirsten in the loss of their precious son, Ewan. In the world of heart babies, each one is a part of the family, and the family hurts when one is lost.

Kirsten wrote this beautiful post about their last hours with Ewan. They have such a strong testimony and assurance that they will be with their baby boy again in heaven.

Our prayers are with you, James and Kirsten. We will always remember your precious Ewan.

Nancy

Baby Ewan

I have just learned tonight that a little heart buddy is in very critical condition. Baby Ewan (pronounced you-un) is just two weeks old today, and has already undergone multiple invasive procedures as a result of a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. In Ewan's case, the tetralogy is so severe the doctors were unsure they would be able to attempt repairing his heart. Two days ago, Ewan was taken off ECMO (heart and lung bypass machine) and was doing well. After several hours, it was obvious that his heart was working too hard and he was put back on life support. As of today, Ewan's parents (and doctors) are facing the tough decision of whether to try another life-saving procedure or let him go. Please pray for the Peterson family tonight - for peace, comfort and wisdom. And if you'd like to see some adorable pictures of Ewan and read more of his story, you can find him by clicking here.

It is always heart-wrenching when parents watch their children suffer, whatever the reason. But I think we share an unbreakable bond with parents of heart babies, no matter their race, beliefs, location or background. It is only by God's grace that we have not had to face a similar situation with Rebekah, and I cannot say with certainty that we won't. But I know that whatever we face in the future, whether the coming surgery, or years later, that God will give us the peace, grace and strength we need to trust Him.

It is on days like today that I am reminded that the therapies, doctor's visits, oxygen, feeding tube and everything else that we have with Rebekah are really nothing in light of the decisions and pain that others are facing. Those whose children are no longer here, or whose children are clinging to life in a hospital would give anything to have their children home, no matter what little inconveniences come with that. I am reminded of how blessed we have been and continue to be.

My heart is very heavy for James and Kirsten tonight. Please, please, uphold them in prayer, and feel free to add them to your prayer list in church tomorrow.

Nancy