Update on Val

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

The day started out well, with Val passing the breathing test, and the Dr removing the ventilator. It only lasted for 15 minutes, and then Val's breathing became very labored and they had to quickly reinsert it. Gene called and said I should get up there quickly as possible as they were going to take her into surgery and they considered it very risky.

The procedure took over 2 hours and they inserted a trachea and removed huge blood clots from her lungs that were obstructing her airways. They couldn't remove all of them, but are hoping to remove though other methods. Val was soundly sedated and they won't wake her til in the morning. I hate for her to wake up to a trachea, we know that "road" very well, and it is an ordeal-----------------------suctioning. feeding tubes, then pureed food, speaking valves, BUT first is the lip reading, I am terrible at that. I humbly pray for a speedy recovery.

I tried to sing to her yesterday, but that didn't go over very well. If any of you have even a moderately good voice, please feel very welcome to drop by and sing to her. She loves for Merci and Kelly to sing. It was so wonderful today to have Godly, caring people come by and sit with us. We never knew how Mr. Bullard,Headmaster of Christian Heritage Academy, would minister to our hearts and spirits, and Jerry Brown coming so often to pray and lift us up. Then we are blessed to have family, I have called my Aunt Shirley many times late at night during an emergency to pray, and Valerie loves for my sister, Connie, to pray with her. Gene's brother, Phil will sit with her and talk to her, and relieve the boredom. The were all there today, and we felt so grateful and blessed.

We also felt the power of your prayers behind us. I think I said that Dr. Doug said that he had only known 5 patients who were as sick as Valerie and lived through it. How many times have we been told that, and still the Lord has prevailed. I told Mr. Bullard that I couldn't bear for Val to have to go through so much suffering, and maybe it was the time to just let her go "home". Mr. Bullard reminded me that we weren't the ones in charge of when the Lord is through with Val down here. Thats TRUE, so I guess we will keep on praying until HE says it's enough...

Well, I am falling asleep at the computer again. May blessings rain down on you, and the Holy Spirit refresh your spirits.

Sharon