Friday, February 20, 2009

"Live" surgery updates post

This post will be constantly updated in the next few hours to keep all of you updated. We'll use this post to broadcast to all who are listening and supporting us so greatly.

9:00 - Eli has entered into surgery. During our last visit with him, he looked better than he ever
had. His nurse commented that his blood/gas numbers look better today than they have. We are extremely impressed with every meeting we've had with his surgeon, Dr. MacDonald. He's so unbelievably thorough in all his details and communication. I've tried to pry into his personal life to get a feel for the man, and not the doctor. He enjoys running. Today, I asked him if he ran this morning. "No, I swam today," he smiled.

We're going to go get some breakfast now.

11:00 - We received the first of several phone updates from the nurse inside the OR with Eli. He's doing very well. We had already been informed that ultrasounds and other imaging work very well, but there's no substitute to actually seeing the heart and anatomy with your own eyes. Because of this, we had to acknowledge the possibility that the full-blown Norwood procedure may still be necessary.

We've just been informed this is not the case, and everything is as they thought, from the ultrasounds. They will continue the surgery as planned. Pulmonary band, atrial septostomy, and bebuild of the primary aorta.

Thank you for following along and walking this with us.

2:00 - We got another call. Everything is going well. Eli is officially "on the machine" and they have begun the restructure of the heart. A friend took us out to lunch, and we're feeling very good. The sun is shining outside, the weather is beautiful. We're still wary for the rest of the surgery, and the coming weeks. For now, it's nice to hear positive news for a change.

3:15 - I've been working on getting some photography software on this laptop all morning. I finally made my way through a couple photos. These photos are the most recent photos of Eli, just before we sent him off.




3:30 - "Just letting you know everything's still just fine." How nice for them to take the time to tell us something so simple.

7:15 - "We're finishing up. We'll see you in the waiting room in a few minutes."

7:30 - Eli was transported from surgery to his room. We are waiting. These are some of the longest minutes of our lives.

8:30 - "He did well," says Dr. MacDonald. Most things were better than expected, and there were a couple minor complications. "He's on expected, normal amounts of all the normal medicines for someone in this stage."

We'll post more details as we gather the energy to do so. Thank you for so much support, once again. We couldn't do this alone.

24 comments:

Tamara B said...

In the midst of all this, you guys are such wonderful missionaries... I bet he doesn't get people trying to pry and care very often. I love you guys dearly!

Anonymous said...

You guys are continually in our paryers! We will be thinking about you while we are away!
~Jason and Tanja

Steph D said...

We're praying for you. Your post(s) have brought me to tears. I can't imagine what you're going through. May the Holy Spirit be your Divine Comforter and may God direct the hands and minds of the surgical team today.

Chris Miller said...

We cant imagine the weight you are carrying right now - we can simply see in your words the pain and hope you have. Eli and your character is God's megaphone of hope that others see and hear in you. Continue to glorify the One who loves you guys. We have been and will continue to pray. I will be sharing a little of whats goin on with our high schoolers on Sunday and we will be setting aside a good amount of time to lift you guys up to our Father. Thanks for the updates. We love you guys. FBC is rallying to your side in prayer along with many, many others.

Chris & Carrie

Anonymous said...

Praying for Eli's every comfort from the 'Father of mercies and the God of all comfort'. The Father is there with him at this very moment in the still, quiet place of the unconscious. We are so proud of your faith as you walk this journey with honor! Love, Mark and Julie Helm

Anonymous said...

Wedehase family,
I have been so out of the loop I had no idea this was happening!I just read all your blogs and am blown away by your outward strength. My prayer is that your inward strength is held up to match it! My family is continually praying for you today and the days to follow. Thank you for your openness and honesty in this journey you are taking and thank you for alowing us to take it with you! With Love, Channie Doyle and Family

Rebecca Parker said...

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.
—Psalm 3:3-4(NIV)
Lord,
Please be with Jason, Tanya and Eli. Give them real strength for the trials to come. Stretch Your arm along the arm of Jason that he may be made strong. As they are compelled to make decisions concerning Eli’s care, give them wisdom Lord. Help them to sleep tonight knowing that You have said, “I will NEVER leave you or forsake you” and that You will be caring for Eli while they sleep. Calm their hearts Lord and give them peace and in this time when their exhaustion is so overwhelming, their hearts so full that they do not even have the words to pray, may your Holy Spirit and the people of God pray for them. Place your hand please Lord on Eli’s heart and mind and determine what is best for him. And in their suffering Lord, help Jason and Tanya to be content with Your will. Thank you Lord for being the source of all wisdom, our provider, our strength and our hope.
Amen

Heidi said...

Continually lifting your family up to the Lord who is our Healer.

Kimberly said...

Been thinking about you all day Today.

Anonymous said...

You are on our hearts today and every family member we have is praying for you. Thanks so much for the updates
Love,
Jessie and Ian

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord for such good news. Praise God for technology that we can all be connected to pray for you and Eli. God is doing a mighty work through this. God bless you!!

Lifting up prayers!
Crista

Christina said...

My Mom (Linda Ransom) told me about your family and baby Eli months ago. I have been following your blog and anxiously awaiting his arrival. I celebrate this precious little life with you and pray along side of you for the healing hand of God in Eli's life. So many love you and are praying for your sweet family. Hang in there!

Christina Reich

Anonymous said...

Tanya and Jason -
Your strength is amazing and I can feel the power of God working through the both of you. Your son Eli has a mission here on earth and he has been blessed by being placed with such faithful parents. I know the road ahead is long and unknown but I can tell you have a strong support system around you. I appreciate you taking the time to keep all of us posted on Eli's progress . . . I will continue to check in and continue to pray.
- Lesley Gates

Unknown said...

Jason and Tanya! I'm so glad that he's out. I've been praying for the past few days for all of you. We miss you guys a lot.

Kimberly said...

So So Thankful that it is going well. Thanks for all the updates.
Love, Kim & Tad

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the updates. I have been checking all day and appreciate you letting us know how Eli is doing. I love the pictures! Our thoughts are with you and we have been praying for your family. We will continue to pray. God bless you!

Matt, Regina, Jacob, Joshua, & Jessica Konda

The Favelos said...

Thank you for the updates... it means a lot. We are all praying for Eli and you guys. May the Lord continue to make Himself know and shine through you all.

Love and prayers,

The Favelos

Anonymous said...

God must be giving you amazing strength to continue updating throughout the day. We are continuing to pray for strength, peace, and rest for your family.

Anonymous said...

Tanya, I am convinced that God had me on duty Thursday so that I could see you, hear of Eli's story and be able to request prayer for you, Eli and Eli's medical team. I have requested prayer at our church and Ben has asked specifically that you know he is praying for you and Eli. He has people at Immanuel praying. Your family is being lifted up continually and you have been on my mind all day.
Praise God that Eli came through the surgery. I can only imagine the agony you went through today while waiting.
I pray that God will give you strength, peace and assurance that He holds Eli in His hands. I also pray that God will lead you and the doctors in wisdom as you go through this journey.
What a blessing your family has been to so many people already. You have blessed me and I know that your family will be a blessing to the doctor's and nurse's that care for Eli. May you feel His arms of love surround you - Bonnie Sorber

laura love said...

We are praying for your family and for baby Eli.

shannonhoriuchi said...

Jason and Tanya- Your baby is SO cute! It's hard to see all of him when he's connected to IVs and monitors, but you can tell he is SO adorably sweet. Nice work. =)

Anonymous said...

Wow! I love the church being the church - bearing one another's burdens. I add our love and prayers to the wonderful list of comments.

Anonymous said...

I THANK all of you who have supported MY precious gift of a child, Tanya, through your prayers and words. As I watch Tanya and Jason these past few days I see the strength they have through your prayers and GOD's loving hands. As a mother, you want to protect and shield your child from any harm or hurt, but in these times I have had to pass this protection and loving hands to OUR FATHER. You can see HIS LOVE all over the place. Thank you so much for your prayers and words...Love your Jason and Tanya

Anonymous said...

Tanya & Jason,
Hang in there! Our God is a healing God! My older sister was born without an ankle bone. She came home from the hospital with a cast on her foot and leg. My parents took her to church the following Sunday and the pastor prayed for her up on the platform. It was just a simple pray that God would heal her. They took her back to the doctor and God had put and ankle bone where there hadn't been one. The doctor told my mom it was truely only God that could of did it because they had xrays showing that there hadn't been an ankle bone before. Be strong and hold the faith. God is going to do great things! We don't know how he will use this whole situation but we know that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord! I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers. Thank you for sharing you journey with us. Keep letting your light shine!!! Love you guys,Linda Ransom