The Waiting Game and Some Good News

Hurry up and wait...

Brandon's surgery was scheduled for noon today but he didn't get taken to the OR until 2:00. We were OK for a while because we spent the majority of the morning praying over Brandon and fellowshipping with dear, sweet friends who came to visit. To those who came to pray with him - thank you! You not only did the single greatest thing you can do for him - pray - but you also helped occupy his thoughts until it was time to go down for surgery. We were able to laugh and share stories and ignore the gnawing ache in our bellies, and for that we are so grateful!

Once back we were back in the OR prep area, we tried passing the time with small talk and taking pictures of his sexy new hat (read: hair net). Then we saw a small child with white blonde hair get rolled past our bay in a crib. The child was sedated and had tubes everywhere. Brandon and I looked at each other and said "things could be worse."

The surgeon told us to wait in Brandon's room and that he would come see us after the surgery was done. He came in a few minutes ago and told us that Brandon did great! He had to take out 18 inches of Brandon's small intestine, that he said was so scarred and swollen that he couldn't have fit the end of a pencil through, it was that bad. He said there was another section of affected intestine but that he didn't feel he could take it out during this operation. He said that we will most likely be able to manage it with medication for a long time but that it might need to come out later down the road.

One of our answers to prayer was that Brandon did not have to have an ostomy bag! We are thrilled that the bag was avoided! Praise the Lord!

Now, we wait again. Wait for Brandon to come out of recovery and wait for him to feel better.

After the surgeon left, I sobbed. I broke down and sobbed 6 days worth of pent up tears and anxiety and thankfulness for all we've been so blessed with. We serve a mighty God. We serve a good God, a very good God.

I cannot seem to come up with the words enough to say thank you to the prayer warriors who have lifted us up and cried out to God on our behalf.

"It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

I don't know about yall, but it sure feels like morning!!