Today we checked out of UNC and came home to K-Town for the night. It is nice to just be here, although we both miss seeing little E. We stopped by Johnny Carino's at SouthPoint for lunch. At one point, Julie was unable to eat for about 32 hours so some good food was definately on the horizon. It is 10pm. We'll leave for UNC at 5am to get to see Ethan from 6am until they take him into surgery at 7am. Ethan is really doing great. He is uncomfortable due to the medicine that is keeping his heart function in good condition until the surgery. Poor guy softly whines every few minutes to let us know he doesn't feel so good. Today, Julie held him and the whines all but disappeared. He likes when we hold his feet. I got some father-son time with him for about an hour. I miss him already! I know you all want to see more pictures. He still is very shy about opening his eyes. Jenny (Julie's younger sister) so far gets the photography award. She took the very first two pictures from yesterday's blog entry. Here are some pics of his Blue Dog, Julie rocking him, and his room with all it's gear. The medical gear looks pretty intense, but the only equipment being used now is a monitoring system for heart and lung function, an IV for fluids, and the constant Prostin drip that keeps the special duct in his heart open until he has his first surgery. I plan to update this blog with status reports from his surgery each time we get an update. Pray hard friends!
10 comments:
Aww...such a sweet picture of you holding him, Julie. I'll be praying for tomorrow to go smoothly so he can be back in your arms as soon as possible. :)
I remember the Sunday after I heard about Ethan's heart condition I came in to church and heard a new song "Everlasting God" and throughout this journey those lyrics have stuck with me - they just seem to say so much about this situation and God's ultimate power.
I know that tomorrow you will spend a great portion of the day waiting on God - and that will be very hard! I pray that his strength and peace will rain down upon you all and that his power will be with Ethan's medical team.
Here are the lyrics to "Everlasting God":
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
- God bless you and keep you!
Sarah
Dan and Julie,
I am so happy you are getting to hold your son and be of comfort to him. I am sure Jesus is going to be right there with him during surgery holdng his little feet and giving him comfort while you can't.
Peace be with you!
Julie:
I'm praying and trusting God with your beautiful little boy!
Mari
Praise the Lord that you are able sto spend that time with your Beautiful son, God is surely with him. While praying I felt so much peace that His Holy Spirit will be with the Surgeons and staff as Ethan undergoes his first surgery. There is a scripture in Colossians that spoke to me durring your Delivery time in the hospital.
Colossians 1:3-6, 9-11
"3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth;
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience."
I pray for you for the Peace and Strength mentioned in this passage. I take great pleasure in knowing that God sent Ethan into your hands and hearts to care for and raise. You have shown yourself truely faithful and the Lord will bless you for your endurance.
With all my love,
Leah Welch
Julie and Dan-
I wanted you to know that my whole family is saying prayers for little Ethan today. He is in the best hands. When you get to hold him again it will be like the first time all over again. It is the most amazing feeling ever. Please stay strong. After his surgery, they will let you in to see him when he is settled. I wish someone had prepared me for what I was going to see and this is why I am telling you. This will be the sickest and weakest you will ever see him look. Know that his color will come back by tomarrow and things only get better from there.I am praying hard for you all today and know that others are too. Please call me if you need to talk or have any questions.
Crystal
Juile,
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date. I am praying for you guys. You are definatley on our minds here in the office. We spent some time this morning all looking at pictures and talking about you and what a good mother you'll make. I especially like the picture of you holding him and Dan's arm around you, very sweet. :)
We are praying for you today! I know that it will be one of the hardest days of your lives. Take a deep breath and remind yourselves of Phil 4:13 "I can do all things (fill in whatever each hour challenges you with) through Christ who strengthens me". (Repeat as needed) :)
Julie, I just wanted to say that you're son is adorable!! you guys are so cute and great and I love it.
I can't wait to meet him when he's up for it... you are going to be an awesome mom!
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