Monday night

Prayer Team,
It looks like Dan will have surgery tomorrow afternoon around 3:00 pm. PLEASE pray for an easy repair of the obstruction, NO complications, a smooth and quick recovery, and finally his discharge before Easter Sunday! He is not the greatest surgical candidate due to his previous surgery and diminished nutritional state but he is an amazing young man with a great attitude, a great heart and with faith in the One true God.
So many are praying for him and Ashley - we just need to perservere.

Word for today:
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints
Here is Ashley's blog from tonight and yesterday:

Monday March 29
The Surgical Option
After 2 weeks of trying to get rid of the bowel obstruction with NPO and an NG tube, it looks like this obstruction won't move without some surgical help. McGreeky ordered a test to be done today, but the resident who put the order in the system put the wrong order in. So, Dan had a GI test that showed part of his bowels, but not the part that is obstructed! I tried to convince the radiologist that McGreeky wanted something else, but he wouldn't budge. Of course, when McGreeky paid them a visit in radiology he changed his tune.

So, we're now waiting for the real test he wanted to be finished. The surgeon really wanted to make sure Dan needs this surgery before doing it, but he is fairly positive that he'll be operating tomorrow. The surgery is scheduled for 3pm tomorrow...but it could go earlier or later depending on the other cases in the OR. Basically, all we know is that sometime tomorrow Dan is having surgery. Considering his last operation took 15 hours, we're thinking this one should be shorter. :)

Prayer is certainly necessary. It is not a complicated surgery, but there are all sorts of things that they could find or that could happen. Obviously, we have no control over that at this point, but we can pray to the One who does have control.

Look for updates tomorrow.

Prayer Requests:
* A safe and successful short surgery...with no complications
* Rapid recovery...with no complications
* Wisdom and skill for the surgeons
* Ability for Dan to eat normal food from here on out without pain or problems
* Peace for the family and me
* Ability for Dan to come home with me very soon
* A night of rest
* NO COMPLICATIONS
Sunday March 28
Tentative Tuesday
Not much has changed since yesterday. NG is still draining, bowel sounds are still present but quiet, and not much is passing through. On a good note, Dan's belly pain is gone (unless an unruly resident presses too hard).

McGreeky came in and told us he has put Dan on the tentative surgery schedule for Tuesday. He still doesn't want to do surgery, but feels like it's nearly inevitable. The final decision will be made after the results of Dan's GI study (he'll drink some contrast and they'll take x-rays every hour or so to see how far the contrast goes in the small bowel) are seen. The GI study i scheduled to start ASAP today or tomorrow morning, but radiology is pretty slow on Sundays.

We've been told the surgery isn't complicated, but will still involve a new incision in Dan's belly and risk of infection and more adhesions. To date, Dan hasn't had a surgery without complications before, so we're hoping this surgery will be the first quick-healing-no-complication-fix-the-problem-without-making-more-problems surgery.

Obviously, our prayer is that Dan wouldn't need surgery at all, but the requirement for that is for Dan's GI study to be "stone cold normal." Accordingly, that would only be in God's domain of healing. God is powerful and can heal Dan in a second, it's just a matter of whether or not that is in His will to do. We cannot coerce God to do anything, but we can plead and plead until He gets tired of hearing us and grants our request. As there are probably hundreds of people praying everywhere, I'm hoping God is getting close!

Today we wait. My parents are visiting after church to bring me some more food for my "hospital pantry" and just to say hello for a while. Otherwise, we just wait.

Prayer Request:
* Completely normal GI study showing complete resolution of obstruction
* No need for surgery...miraculously
* If surgery: no complications, no infection, no muscle problems, no digestion problems
* A week of healing and successful recovery
* Ability for Dan to go home with me very soon...and not return to the hospital for A LONG TIME
*Lots of encouraging and excellent news to report this week