Dear friends,
This update is being posted directly to the blog instead of being e-mailed out to those who get our e-mail updates. Those won't really "catch up" until we get back to the hotel room.
We got here at 6 am and Cassie was in the OR about an hour later. Some of the OR staff acknowledged the calmness Cassie had. We sort-of expected it to be more difficult than last August in the sense that Cassie knew what was coming. But leave it to us to discount God! Those of us who waited also felt at ease and knew we were in God's care.
Everything has gone very well. Although there was more need for blood transfusions than times before, nothing was unusual and the doctor assured us that all was well.The surgery began at 8 am and we got the surgeon's report about 12:15 pm.
The surgery for Cassie is almost complete. The surgeon just came out and told us that they were in the process of closing up and that Cassie would be transported to ICU in an hour or so.
The next few days will be important as Cassie transitions out of the anesthesia and begins stabilizing. Continue praying that she will not get nausea as she had in the past. Also pray that the swelling and black eye that will develop will subside and that Cassie will begin speaking again soon.
Pastor Ray has been here with us (Angel #1). E-mails have started coming for Cassie, and people of God are praying. One e-mail came from someone in Shanghai, China who we don't know, but who knows us and has been praying for us. The family of God truly goes beyond area codes and borders, time zones and continents.
Pray a special prayer of thanks for Dr Jeff Ojemann. He seems to understand his place as God's instrument well, and has readily accepted our offers of prayer on his behalf.
Now, with the bigger waiting time behind us, we start a series of smaller waiting times. Your prayers are invaluable.
Drop Cassie a line. We hope to be able to share the e-mails that have started coming in with her in a few days. http://www.uwmedicine.org/Facilities/Harborview/ClinicsAndServices/emailGifts.htm
God bless all of you.
