From Carrie's mom: The Prayer Warrior Update Hello, everyone,
D and I have a couple of prayer requests that we'd like to pass on to you.
1. Pray that we can figure out how to correct Carrie's breathing problems. We have had two doctors tell us that we need to deflate the cuff holding her tracheostomy in place in order to avoid damage to her windpipe. However, when the cuff is deflated, she has trouble keeping her oxygen at the proper levels. So then the nurses have to suction her lungs, which leads to more secretions, or give her supplemental oxygen, which is not the direction we want to be going. She ends up not sleeping well, either. Believe me when I say that this has been PLENTY frustrating for us and her caregivers. It is a Catch 22. We get different answers from different people. Breathing is definitely the main issue at the present time.
2. Carrie's surgery to replace her bone flap was canceled at the last minute because her blood work showed that she didn't have enough clotting agents present. They are going to do another blood draw on Tuesday. We have been praying for God's perfect timing for the surgery and everything, and we will continue to do so.
3. D and I are led to do some spiritual warfare on our home and property in the coming days. We are in preparation for it now. Please pray that we would be led and directed by the Holy Spirit in this endeavor. We need discernment and power from on high!
4. D and I are determined to continue to pray for Carrie's complete and total healing, if it takes a long time or a short time. We believe that by persevering, we will see a glorious work of God take place in Carrie's life.
We are very thankful and praise God for many other developments:
--a couple friends recently volunteered to come and pray with Carrie on a regular basis (they are "fresh" reinforcements!)
--we have received prayer cloths from all over and they will make a great covering for her [when sewn together] --several of our neighbors volunteered to come and read the Bible to her
--two people volunteered to come give her a massage
--another friend told me last night that she is going to retire soon and wants to come work with Carrie-she is a physical therapist
--our family doctor is quick to give us the referrals we want!
--a nutritional consultant visited with me and gave me the go-ahead to start her on regular, healthy foods --we are able to do lots of physical therapy with her, elevate the head of her bed more than in the hospital, wash her hair, talk to her, pamper her, play music for her, have devotions with her, etc.A person told me recently that Carrie is home for a reason. We just want to provide what she needs-an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to do His work!
Do we need a miracle? Yes...and that's OK!
Who is it that does miracles? God!
Can we ask Him for a miracle? Of course!John Wesley said, "God does nothing on the earth save in answer to believing prayer."
Amplified version of James 5:16 "...the earnest heartfelt continued prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available..."
What an awesome God we serve! He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think. He has called each one of us out of darkness into His marvelous light. He has made us joint heirs with Christ. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. What manner of love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the sons of God. He has stretched forth His right hand and bared His holy arm and shattered the teeth of the wicked one. And He loves us with an unconditional love....! It is amazing! Thank you, Lord!
And thank YOU, too, for your prayers on our behalf. We are tremendously humbled and blessed by you ALL.
With much love,
M and D
Mom and I came home this afternoon to check things out and to take care of necessary chores, etc. This is also giving Carrie's family a little bit of time away from us so they can be a family again. You know the old saying, "Company is like fish--after 5 days it turns stale". We plan to return Wednesday, May 2nd.Father, I rejoice with Carrie's family that You continue to pour out Your goodness on all of them. I ask that You will enrich their lives in this busy time by giving them rest deep in their souls and bodies. Lavish times of refreshing on them all. Help them to discern the times and the seasons and how to fulfill all Your will for each day and how to prepare for the future. Cause them to see how they are to usher Carrie into the healing You have waiting for her, and fill their hearts with joy as if it were already done. Lift burdens from them as they rise up and walk in Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again ... ."In addition to our cooking and cleaning, Mom and I have been doing various improvement projects around Carrie's family's house such as installing a ceiling light in J's room, reupholstering a chair, and so on.
Carrie is getting good care at home and is looking very pretty. They have 24-hour nursing care for her. Their family doctor came this week and spent over an hour with M and D and checked on Carrie. Saturday a pulmonary doctor who lives in the neighborhood came to give advice and check on her too.
Mondays and Fridays they have a physical therapist come, who really is good. Mom and I watched as she demonstrated things to do to make sure that Carrie's muscles remain flexible. We have been helping in this endeavor a time or two. A couple of people who know massage treatments have offered to assist in this. M, D and the nurses exercise her muscles every day--so does B's Mom when they come on Saturdays.
Saturday a group of men from a local church came out with a trailer full of mulch, and in no time they had spread mulch on most of M's flower beds. Before that a lady from that church (who likes to do chores for people) came out to do some weeding. What wonderful people who are so willing to help!!!!! M and the children raked in the afternoon while D mowed the lawn.
We ask you to continue to pray for the healing of Carrie. She is such a wonderful young lady and we want to see her using the talents God has given her. Mom and I wish you the best. We Love You,
[my uncle and aunt]
And thanks to all of YOU, dear pray-ers, for your continued faithfulness in bringing Carrie and her family before the Throne of Grace!
Prayers continue for Carrie.
It’s certainly a blessing that there are so many people who are able — and more importantly: willing — to help out!
Continued prayers for Carrie and your family. I haven’t forgotten about you all, trust me. Thanks so much for the update. So wonderful to see new info posted here. I am robustly confident of Carrie’s complete and full recovery! I have learned from past (serious injures) myself that the body recovers at its own speed. It cannot be rushed. I thank you again for the update. It makes me smile to read these updates.
PRAYERS UP for all of you! RD
Prayers sent
Continued prayers for Carrie and family.
Notre père, qui êtes aux cieux!
Que votre nom soit sanctificié. Que votre règne vienne.
Que votre volonté soit faite, sur la terre comme au ciel.
Donnez-nous aujourd'hui notre poindre ce jour.
Pardonnez-nous nos offenses, comme nous pardonnons aussi a ceux, qui nous ont offensés,
et ne nous soumetez pas à la tentation, mais délivrez-nous du mal.
Car c'est à toi qu'appartiènne, le régne, la puissance et la gloire, pour les siècles des siècles.
Amen.
Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâces,
le Seigneur est avec vous, vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes,
et Jésus le fruit de vos entrailles est béni.
Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu, priez pour nous pauvres pécheurs,
maintenant, et à l'heure de notre mort. Ainsi-soit-il.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
How wonderful, all the gifts floating to this family.
The mulch really touched me. Silly! An untidy garden is a worry. But who’d a thunk having a beautiful place to step out and breathe deep is a real gift. The wonderful part is......somebody thunk!
May they whole family, especially Carrie, be able to relax and breathe deep.
Gretchen, I will pray especially that Carrie’s caregivers can figure out the right formula to keep her breathing at the proper levels. It’s difficult enough with all her family has to deal with to have this frustrating ‘Catch-22’ situation going on ... someone will come up with a solution.
Will also pray her blood tests tomorrow go well and that they can proceed with the surger, and get that behind her on the way to her total healing.
The support the family is getting is just beautiful. In ways big and small, so many are coming together to help Carrie and her family. Some might call it ‘karma.’ I have the distinct feeling Carrie and her family were angels to others in their time of need.
Prayers for you, too, Gretchen, for all you are doing for them and for us at FR. God Bless you!
PRAYERS CONTINUE FOR CARRIE’S RECOVERY AND STRENGTH FOR FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS!
To Carrie’s Mom
I continue to pray for that miracle for Carrie. I am still so impressed with your family, and friends, that continue to surround you. May God hold you up, on Eagle’s wings.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Thanks Gretchen. I’m so glad to hear that Carrie has so many wonderful helpers at her side. I will continue to pray for Carrie’s complete recovery.
Hello dear Gretchen,
My prayers continue for Carrie as they always will. Thank you so much for keeping us informed with what we can pray for, that helps a lot.
Keep up the good work and the good fight.
Much love,
Kristin
Continuing to hold Carrie & her family up in prayer. May the Lord bless them all so abundantly during this long & hard road they are on.
Prayers continue for Carrie!
And God Bless you and everyone doing what they can to help, it seems to be a very intensive ordeal that all of you are going through and we will continue to Pray for all of you as well.
This really jumped out at me:
D and I are led to do some spiritual warfare on our home and property in the coming days. We are in preparation for it now. Please pray that we would be led and directed by the Holy Spirit in this endeavor. We need discernment and power from on high!
Specific prayers for that warfare. May it be won decisively through our Lord Jesus.
Prayers as always for you too, Gretchen--and your PC :)
(((God bless you)))
Fairest Lord Jesus {Lyrics: Münster Gesangbuch, 1677. Composer: Schlesische Volkslieder, 1842}
Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son!
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be thine!
Prayers continue.
You are still in our prayers.
As for the cuff, ask for the newer plastic ones that don’t use a cuff.
It might just depend if the tracheostomy hole is healed or ot. But you don’t want the trachea to get injured from the baloon.
And ask about postural drainage to help her get up her secretions. Is she able to cough?
Finally, is she swallowing saliva? Some medicines (Clonazepam for seizures) increase secretions. Most medicines that dry saliva also dry the lung secretions and make them so think you can’t get them out, but some docs are using botox to slow down excess saliva.