Thursday, April 22, 2010

Update: Gareth

Our son was born on April 19th at 12:22pm at Hillcrest in Waco, TX.
By the next evening, he took his first flight on the Medical Transport jet to Children's Hospital in Dallas, TX.
Yesterday he was prodded, poked, and prepped for surgery.
Today at 8:30am he will go into surgery to repair a Tracheal Fistula and an Esophageal Atresia.
This is not what I imagined when I dreamed about having my first child.
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Here's how you can pray for us:
1) Please pray that the surgeons experience complete success tomorrow morning.  This would mean that they repair the fistula and discover enough esophageal tissue to connect the esophagus and Gareth's stomach.  If they do, his time in the NICU will be much reduced.  If they do not, he will spend a much longer time in the NICU.
2) Please pray that Cliff and I would be continually reminded of God's love and comfort during this crappy time
3) Please pray that Gareth would heal quickly, that his pain levels would be minimal, that he would come off of the intubation in record time, that he will be able to go home sooner rather than later. 
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I won't be posting pictures of him in the hospital.  I just can't bear to commemorate this moment in any way.  I do not want to remember my baby with tubes and wires running off of him.  I do not want to share the painful presence of oxygen machines and antibiotic IV's.  I wish that I was changing his diapers and worrying over his circumcision scar and taking care of his belly button instead of watching professionals do so for me.  It is my prayer that you will never, ever have to know what this scene looks like.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am sorry that you have to go through this! I am praying for you, and am sure God will take care of you!

Katie said...

Hang in there Elizabeth! Jeff and I are praying for you, Cliff, and Gareth.

I am praying that God comforts you beyond understanding, peace would flood your heart and mind, and that Gareth would be healed, surgery would be perfect, and he will be home with you two in no time!

Katie Gravens

mom said...

My son also had esophageal atresia and has had past surgeries. You are in my thoughts. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Anglopressy said...

This is one of those things that hurts like hell when it happens, but shows you love when it's done.

Grace and Peace,
Jared

tabalandi said...

I am so sorry. Praying for a safe surgery and quick recovery.
tabea