Room 1508

Bear now has an identity! Well...he has a room! The medical staff has successfully moved Bear into his own private room from the CVICU and he is resting well. His temperature is normal and they have now removed the arterior line from his neck. Please continue to pray for REST and COMFORT. Everything is sounding and looking better than to be expected! There are lots of smiles on our faces as the doctors and nursing staff continue to share Bear's progress with us. 

"Children are a GIFT from the Lord..." Psalm 127

Brave Bear...

Bear had a GREAT night! He is doing well this morning. He wants to have "everyone" in his room with him and Maranatha keeps reminding him that only two can come back at a time. He is awake and alert. This morning he woke up asking for a Kolache. Before surgery we surprised him with a dozen of his favorite from the Czech Stop in West, Texas. 

Maranatha came in hand with one this morning and he did take a few bites. 

Some things to pray for:

*his hydration; he's extremely thirsty

*his pain level; they are trying to manage it

*his blood pressure is high (normal)

*his temperature is high (101)

*he's uncomfortable

*they will begin removing some of his IV's and lines today

*he will be moved to a regular room sometime today

*he can begin eating 

*breathing "real air" without oxygen

Earlier he wanted to move and lay on his side so the nurse decided to proceed in removing Bear's central line. He was SOOOO brave! The tape coming off was worse than the line coming out. Please continue to pray for the healing of his sternum. They had to break it (typical for surgery) in order to perform the heart surgery and it will take 6-8 weeks to heal. His little spirit is good and God is remaining to be his comforter. 

"I will fight for Barrett says the Lord; He needs only to be still..." Exodus 14:14

OH...what a day!

Sometimes I wonder how I am worthy of the extravagant dimensions of God’s LOVE...to know it and believe it is one thing…to comprehend it and experience it is something out of this world. It all began this morning with us piling in the van for the short drive from the hotel to TCH. LOVE was abounding in EVERY sense of the word. As we took the elevator to the 17^th floor and checked Bear in LOVE was in the smiles of people we walked by whether it was sick children, concerned families, or hospital staff. LOVE was in the form of a “friend” for Bear while we were anxiously waiting in the waiting room. LOVE was seen as hugs were given out with familiar faces coming to pray, show support, and visit as we patiently waited. LOVE was given by Bear to everyone as he walked like a “big boy” back to surgery. LOVE was shared with the Thompson family as their sweet, precious little Tori underwent her 3^rd successful heart surgery today all before her 5^th birthday. LOVE was displayed by Dr. Frasier, his team, and the medical staff in the excellent care of Bear. LOVE was tears rolling down our faces as we saw this MIRACLE baby laying in a bed with wires, tubes and monitors attached to him. LOVE was embraced as Bear held his “lovie” in deep sleep. LOVE was a kiss on his cheek as I stood over his bed PRAISING a God who LOVES us enough to die for us, LOVES us enough to care for us, LOVES Bear so much to have an amazing plan for him, and LOVES Bear enough to place HIS touch on Bear’s life! Today was the day I was able to see LOVE abound, embraced, and displayed for ALL to see and GOD received the GLORY in it all…for it is not true LOVE without it being sent straight from HIM! 

 "Aunt Holly" 

 “And may YOU have the power to understand, as ALL God’s people should, how WIDE, how LONG, how HIGH, and how DEEP HIS love is.” Ephesians 3:18

**Short Update- Please pray for complete rest and refreshment for the family. We will begin taking shifts tomorrow with Bear in the CVICU (Cardio Vascular ICU). He will begin to come out of sedation during the day but will most likely remain in the CVICU tomorrow. We will update as we see how he is and how things are in the morning.**

GOD news....

"WE will PRAISE you FOREVER for what you have done; in your name WE will hope, for your name is good. WE will PRAISE you in the presence of YOU!" Psalm 52:9

Alfred and Maranatha just returned from meeting with Dr. Frasier. 

The "zipper" is being sewed up and everything is GREAT!  The update is below:

*Only on bypass for 50 minutes

*Did not have to stop his heart 

*Trimmed away the muscle of the right ventricle b/c it was enlarged

*Able to put in a small adult conduit (18 millimeter)

*Attempting to take the breathing tube out now

*MAY be in PICU only one night

*For a Truncus child, Bear looks "very good"

*Arteries have developed well

*Didn't have to have a blood transfusion

*Doesn't anticipate that he'll have to have a transfusion at all

*Possibly get to see him within the next hour

*Prayerfully he will be in a regular room in 24 hours

PRAISE Jesus from whom ALL blessings flow!

Please pray tonight that WHEN Bear wakes up that he is not fearful or scared but rather at peace and calm. Another update to come soon! 

Waiting...

We have not received our 5:00 update...

"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about EVERYTHING. Tell God what you need and thank him for ALL he has done..." Philippians 4:6

1st Update

Dr. Frasier is now scrubbing in and they have Bear completely comfortable and ready for surgery. His IV's are in and he's "resting" in La-La Land well. Please pray that the doctor's are able to get through the scar tissue from his last surgery and able to get to the conduit quickly. The next update will come around 5:00. We all just stopped and held hands praying in the waiting room. The peace...God's peace is EVER PRESENT! 

"Alfred and Maranatha will keep in PERFECT PEACE; whose mind is steadfast, because THEY trust in you." Isaiah 26:2-4

12:59....Peace to RULE in our Hearts!

Alfred and Maranatha have just now walked through the doors with Bear for surgery! 

Please continue to pray for Dr. Frasier's hands, head, and heart, his team, and Bear during the upcoming hours. 

"He who watches over BARRETT will NOT slumber..." Psalm 121:3