Setback

Friends,

Emily's surgical incision has become infected, causing her pain and slowing her recovery. She will go back to the doctor next Wednesday, June 1. Please pray for the infection to clear and for her incision to heal as well as possible between now and that visit.

Please also pray that God provide for all care-taking needs for Emily and Emmett, as well as support for those already helping them.

LRC

Emily went home yesterday!!!!

Thank you, God! We love you, Emily, and we will keep you, baby, Dave, Emmett, and your family in our prayers over these next weeks of recovery and throughout your pregnancy.

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. -- Psalm 59:16-17

More prayers please

Friends,

Emily did not go home yesterday because doctors are concerned about possible infection. Please pray against post-surgical infections. Please also pray for her appetite to return as well as normal body function. They are thankful that all seems well with the baby. My limited communications with Dave and Emily always are full of steadfastness and gratitude on their part. They are a great team.

As you continue in prayer for them, I hope you'll be encouraged by this quote as I was this morning:

"We must repeat the same supplications not twice or three times only, but as often as often as we have need, a hundred and a thousand times. ... We must never weary in waiting for God's help." -- John Calvin, quoted in Prayer by Richard Foster

Out of ICU

Friends,

Emily should be moving out of the ICU today. Her pulse is high, but it sounds like it's a reaction to surgery. All other related tests have been good. The concern right now is the long-term maintenance of her Crohns. Please keep Emily on your long-term prayer list as doctors assess her care.

I'm also seeing reasons for praise and thanksgiving! -- for bringing Emily and the baby through this surgery, for managing Emily's pain and blood clots, and for moving the Trices safely to their new home just down the street from the Machts.

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! -- Psalm 139:5, 6

LRC

Out of Surgery

Emily is out of surgery. "She is comfortable, but very out of it," Dave says. The surgery was successful, but her pre-surgical condition was worse than expected. Her recovery will be longer and possibly more difficult than the last. However, her body is repaired and healing, she is otherwise healthy, and measures taken for the baby went well. Dave says there may be challenges ahead, but "for now, we're in a good place."

I know the family will appreciate your continued prayers during the rest of Emily's hospital stay and her recovery at home, as well as for the continued health of their baby.
-- LRC

Please pray for surgery

Friends,

Emily will go to surgery today at 12:30 mountain time. She has not been getting better, so everyone feels this is the next best step. An IVC filter will be inserted prior to surgery to ease concerns over blood clots. Obviously, there are risks to both Emily and the baby, but doctors feel this is the safest time within the baby's development. The procedure is similar to her surgery in December, so her recovery will be familiar.

-- LRC

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. ... So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. -- Hebrews 10:19-22, 35-36

Persisting in Prayer

Emily is making good progress but still a ways to go. Surgery is a possibility, so please pray for her progress to continue and for protection for her and the baby.

-- LRC

Update

Emily's pain is Crohns' related, doctors said. I don't know about you, but I'm disappointed as I am relieved. Please pray for the flare to ease quickly. O Lord, may your kingdom come on EARTH as it is in heaven.

Update on Emily

CAT scan has been cancelled. Still waiting on a diagnosis ...

Please pray for Emily

Friends,

Emily is asking for your prayers. She's been in the hospital with stomach pain since Saturday. She's having a cat scan today so doctors can see what's going on. Please pray for her healing and for protection during the test for her sweet unborn baby. Let's also pray for wisdom and compassion for doctors surrounding her.

Lisa Castello