new lungs today....??? we are hopeful....

2:30 a.m. Sept 13/08

Dear friends,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path....prov 3: 5-6

This is an email I've been anticipating and dreading. As posted earlier, Donovan had a very rough day and was very unstable for most of it. Sats were running low, C02 high, a bad situation.

By late this evening, we were holding out little hope for his recovery, or to become stable in time for lungs. I've been feeling so sick with anxiety at the hospital, that this evening Laurier's brother Roger went with him as he had planned to help with evening physio. Things were bad on arrival. Discussions were held whether to begin life support, a machine to clean the blood, oxygenize it and return it to the body, since Donovan's lungs are failing so rapidly.

He came home with this devastating news, and we all fell apart with grief (especially me). Katie came in from her home in Leduc, and we contacted our other kids, trying to decide if they should join us, or wait it out at home.

One phonecall later, and there is talk of a possible donor being assessed. Laurier & Katie went back to the hospital, and the doctors explained as they were moving Donovan to the operating room, that coming in for a transplant from home has become routine surgery, transplanting from the ventilator is a little more serious, but they have done it in the past, but transplanting from a life support machine, is no longer routine or somewhat serious, it is major. Lots of risks....

The good news is, the lungs will arrive early in the a.m., and are a match for our Son. Praise God!!! There is a small chance these dr's may reject them, but it is slim.
The surgery is set to begin at 8-10 am and last at least 6 hours.

Ok praying people, on your knees, go!!!! Let us pray all day tomorrow for wisdom for these specialists, a night with no crisis for Donovan, and a fresh chance at the breath of life. Spread this around the world, we need it. This may be and probably is his very last chance for recovery....

My heart is in my throat, I feel I have been through every describable emotion, but the ride is not stopping here...there is tomorrow to think of.....

pray for peace for us as we wait here and Amy in Saskatoon, Stephen in Prince Albert. For Roger, Joan & Julie who are grieving and hoping with us tomorrow. For our mothers, and other relatives....we need peace and calmness.

For the surgeons as they do this very complicated, life-saving surgery, for God to supernaturally equip them . For an uncomplicated as possible surgery.

For strength for Donovan, peace in his heart, for healing and rest...good blood pressures, everything stable as it can be.

Pray as God leads you on this day of days.....it may be the best day yet for Donovan!