Most of you know Ron took a turn for the worse yesterday. He was moved to ICU around 10:30 am and shortly after getting there his heart rate sky-rocketed and his blood pressure bottomed out!!! They had to inject him with something to get the heart going again. He had septic shock (basically an infection in the entire blood stream impacting all organs and vessels). They were able to stabilize him enough to intubate (put on a ventilator) and put in a central line (to give access to even more IV ports). They replaced 2 units of blood while I was in there and were about to start two more...obvious indication there was internal bleeding. Decision was made to do exploratory surgery as soon as they could get an OR available. And I was told I needed to get the boys here; this was a life-threatening emergency.
Ryan was en route from Florida; Aaron & Kristin from Abilene. The news following surgery was (and is) very grim. They found he had a lot of bleeding; the pancreas was basically "digesting" itself, surrounding tissue and a portion of the small intestine. They did everything they could but the bleeding would not stop. Decision was made at this point to "pack him" to contain the bleeding as best they could, sew him back up and try to keep him alive long enough for the kids to arrive. Ryan was due in at 7; Aaron & Kristin arrived @ 5. They were not sure he would last until 7; thankfully, he did. The hardest thing I've ever had to tell my boys is that their dad would not live much longer...we were able to gather in his room, pray and share our hearts and love for him. All family was called in to say their goodbyes.
Praise the Lord he made it through the night! Miraculously his body has somewhat stabilized but we are still in a moment by moment; hour by hour situation. The doctor's are amazed he's pretty much holding his own (with the help of many meds); he is conscious and can even communicate with us with the use of a symbol chart. They are aggressively treating him and the next 48-72 hours are crucial! I can't begin to tell you all the miracles God has already worked! That he is still alive is something only God could do! He is able to be awake and communicate with us; and his only kidney is functioning relatively well; they've been able to wean him off several meds already and his vital stats are staying strong. If he continues to remain stable they will take him back in to surgery Tuesday morning at 10AM. They will try to accomplish what they originally set out to do which is stop the bleeding, remove some of the dead tissue and now do something about the intestines. They are hoping to have better success since he is now off the blood thinners, his blood pressure and heart rate are fairly stable and the sepsis is being treated.
The mortality rate is still VERY HIGH...but our God is a God of miracles!!! Only other option is to do nothing which will lead to certain death.
Please join us in praying GOD WOULD SPARE HIS LIFE!!! Pray specifically that they will be able to stop all bleeding (that the blood would clot); that the tissue WILL NOT disintegrate but will sucessfully hold a clamp or stitch; the pancreas will "settle down" and not give them any trouble...that the digestive enzymes it produces will not eat away at any other tissue or organs; that they will be able to either rejoin the intestines or do whatever necessary to give them a way to "feed" him (his body needs more than the TPN...IV nutrition...to fight); that his heart rate & blood pressure will be stable; and that he will be able to handle the trauma of the surgery! Also, pray for his surgeon Dr. Elieson and his assisting partner (Dr. Pollard) and all those who will be a part of this crucial surgery.
God has gone before for us...He has prepared the way...the battle belongs to Him and He has already won the victory! To Him be all glory!!!!!
Pray fervently! Believing God longs to be gracious to us!
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