Update on the next surgery

As of our last update, we were planning to call Dr. Lau's office this week (or thereabouts) to schedule a surgery for Jacob's stoma/colostomy repair. However, we received a call this past week from his office, advising that they already have a date for us (this is where we insert a commercial break and keep everyone on edge, waiting to find out the date).

Ok, so without commercial interruption, the surgery date is next Tuesday, the 27th. The doctor anticipates that Jacob will need to be in the hospital for about three days. Since a bowel prep is required for this surgery, he will actually be admitted the day before (the 26th) at noon. We will probably travel up on Sunday. We were pleasantly surprised and thankful that the Lord opened up a date much earlier than we expected. In the past, when we called to schedule surgeries, it was rare that it would happen sooner than 3-4 weeks after we called to make the appointment.

We certainly covet your prayers and have compiled a list of specific requests. They are as follows:

1. For Mommy and Daddy as they pack and prepare. Gran is here in Chattanooga this week and has helped tremendously by watching the boys. We are very thankful for all that she has done and is doing.

2. For good health for all of us, especially Jacob.

3. For safety in travel as we go up to Baltimore this weekend.

4. The Lodging situation - The Children's House, where we typically stay, is very busy this time of year and it doesn't appear that we will be able to get in there (although nothing is impossible with God). However, there is another family who has offered to share part of their town home with us. This town home happens to be the exact same one we stayed in during the 2008 surgery. It is close to the hospital. We would still like to get into the Children's House, but are thankful for the generosity displayed by this family.

5. For James as he will be staying with Gran and Papa in Knoxville.

6. For the bowel prep - anyone who has ever had one of these knows how unpleasant it is. With Jacob, the doctors will probably have to put a tube in his throat, and that part is very tough on Jacob.

7. For the surgery itself (including the anesthesiology) - Dr. Lau may have to put some mesh around Jacob's stoma to offer it greater support, and so this surgery may be fairly extensive. Also, in addition to praying that this surgery will be successful, please pray that he will not back track with his eating and weight gain. Ever since his stoma has been prolapsed, he has been eating well and gaining weight. Part of this may be because everything is so open and therefore things are able to "move through" easily. While we realize that his colon needs to be inside of his body, we pray that putting it back him will not cause him to go back to where he was last year (tightness, uncomfortable during the night, unable to sleep and eat well, etc).

8. For recovery - please pray that Jacob will recover quickly and that we can return home soon. James has a birthday coming up on August 7th and school starts for him on the 11th. We'd love to, Lord willing, be home before then.

Praise the Lord, for He is gracious and merciful. Praise the Lord, for He is good. Praise the Lord, for He works in and through every circumstance that which pleases Him and accomplishes His good purposes. May His Name, that Name that is above all others, be glorified and lifted up throughout this journey.

Mommy and Daddy