strength for today: Surgery Scheduled for Tomorrow

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Surgery Scheduled for Tomorrow

Friends,
Just a quick note to let you know that Samuel is slated to have his open heart surgery tomorrow. The plan is for us to meet with his surgeon (Dr. Scot Bradley) at 7am to go over the surgery in detail. At this point, Samuel is to be the 2nd surgery of the day - which probably means beginning in early afternoon. Our cardiologist in Greenville told us that we can probably expect a 4-6 hour operation. Since we haven't yet talked with the actual surgeon, we don't know many specifics and things can change from the plan at any point. So, that's what we know at this point - surgery scheduled for tomorrow, 2nd slot.

We'll try to update throughout the day tomorrow. Thank you for all you're doing to help us in the midst of all this.

grant

A word from my mom and dad

Our third child, Samuel, was born on February 27, 2008. He was shortly thereafter diagnosed with a rare syndrome - CHARGE. This condition is seen in approximately 1 in 12,000 births. In the first month of his life, Samuel had 3 surgeries, one of which was open-heart to fix two holes and a short aortic arch. There are many more surgeries to come and our list of specialists continues to grow (current Specialist Count: 7).

Over the past several months, even before Samuel was born, we realized we were in for some hard days, weeks and months. While we knew little of exactly what was going on with our son and how it would effect our lives, we certainly knew that we were not going to be able to make it alone. God has been more than faithful to provide us with all that we have needed - through corporate worship, through his Word, and most pointedly, through his people.

In the midst of all of this, when we have had our wits about us, we have been able to pray one simple line from a great old hymn of the Christian faith. Three words have been, on many occasions, all that we have been able to utter as far as prayer goes. And - as one friend reminded me - when we aren't able to use words to pray, sometimes we must allow our tears to be our prayers. No matter the means, over the past several months, we have been trying to trust the Lord of heaven and earth simply for 'strength for today.'

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness,
O God my Father;
There is no shadow
Of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not,
Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been,
Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning
New mercies I see.
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars
In their courses above
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness,
Mercy and love.

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence
To cheer and to guide;
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine,
With ten thousand beside!
Words: Thomas O. Chisholm
Music: William M. Runyan © 1923

strength for today

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Surgery Scheduled for Tomorrow

Samuel Beachy

Who am I?

A word from my mom and dad

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

A good resource for information on CHARGE

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