Please Pray!

This is my Grammy ~ pardon the old picture, but it's the newest I could find. Her birthday is 3 weeks from today and she is very ill and needs your prayers. A week ago yesterday (3/28) she had a triple bypass heart surgery. The surgery was very high risk because of various other health issues and possible complications - it took about 5 1/2 hours. John and I went to San Antonio to visit Grammy before the surgery and to be with my Mom during the surgery.

Unfortunately, "life calls" so we came back to Dallas last Tuesday. When we left, Grammy was in surgical ICU recovering from surgery and on a ventilator. Well, here we are a week later and she remains in surgical ICU and remains on a ventilator, so sadly there has not been much change. There have been some signs of improvement here and there, but nothing consistent.

Each time they attempt to take her off the ventilator she struggles to breath on her own and breathes way too hard. The doctor said yesterday, he's not sure if she'll ever be able to breathe on her own. There have been talks of a tracheotomy surgery taking place if things aren't better by the weekend, but there are other health concerns as well.

As of this morning the doctor told my Mom "things were really not looking good". Her fever is spiking and her blood pressure is very low. She's had some kidney function issues as well. They have called an "infectious disease" doctor about the fever and are giving her medication for the blood pressure. Through all of this, they have kept her sedated so she's pretty much out of it.

As hard as it is to face, it seems like the bad news continues to come. We weren't really prepared for this to be honest. We knew the surgery would be very difficult and involve a lot of risk, so once she made it through the surgery, we figured we were "in the clear" and it was all uphill from there. But her body is very weak and tired and for the past year or two, her health has declined and she's been dealing with lots of problems.

All we can do is take it one day at a time and see what the Lord has planned. We of course want Grammy to be completely healed and restored to the fullness of her health, but we have to trust in the Lord and His will for her life. That's tough! It's a hard time and we all have to face similar situations in life.

I would ask you for continued prayer. I know that God is the Divine Physician and he can work a miracle. I would love for that to happen, but I also have to have faith in God to do what he has planned - whether it be what I desire or not. I ultimately want to see and know that Grammy is comfortable, free from pain and strong - however that may come. It's hard to reconcile that within myself, but I just want her to be well.Please pray for her health and for God's will to be done in her life.

I also ask that you pray for my Mom. She's taken care of Grammy for several years and has sacrificed more than I could list for Grammy's well being. Especially in these last few weeks as she was in the hospital for a week before the surgery and then all of these days following surgery, she's been there everyday and every step of the way. It's extremely difficult for her, but she's handled it with great strength. I admire her dedication to her Mom, my Grammy. Please pray for her continued strength, courage, patience, peace, energy, trust and comfort. I know she is worried and afraid, so may the Lord wrap His loving arms around her and know the He is there with her.
This is a picture of the three of us on my wedding day - a little over 8 years ago! What a beautiful day it was.

At this time, I am reminded of the song "Praise You in this Storm" by Casting Crowns...

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Thank you for your prayers, love and support. I will post updates as I am able.

Until we meet again...
Riley