Rhonda and Jason

Rhonda and Jason
Our Wedding Day

Saturday, April 14, 2012

clarification



Thank you to all. Prayer does and is working. My daughter Esther is somewhat stable at this time. Just to clarify, because things change and are somewhat hard to clarify especially when Rhonda and I are in near panic mode, she has not yet had surgery, but has undergone several different procedures to insert what are called catheters or IV's. A couple were initially placed in her umbilical vein and artery at UW hospital and she has since received a central line (IV that is literally floated up the blood vessels to the entrance of her heart) and was placed on what they call ECMO yesterday morning which is a partial lung and heart bypass requiring insertion of two large catheters (IV's) into her large blood vessels in her neck. When she was born she did very poorly and at one point received chest compressions for about 1minute. She has been on a breathing machine or respirator continually until they began ECMO yesterday morning. Her initial oxygen saturations (the percentage of oxygen her blood was absorbing through her lungs) was very poor 50's-occasional 80% mostly hanging in the upper 50's and mid 70%. During transport from UW to Seattle Children's Hospital they used a different respirator that found her saturations in the high 90's to 100% upon arrival and for the first approx 1 hour at children's. That first night saw many near catastrophic changes that found us making the decision to place her on ECMO which has very significant risks and very high percentages of poor outcomes. About an hour after Esther was placed on ECMO (after a very successful insertion and initial start) her heart stopped. There were around 30 doctors, specialists and surgeons at her side and tragedy was once again narrowly averted. She has now had a completely uneventful night, is hours away from her second full day of life, and I am awe struck by the power of prayer and intercession of the Holy spirit in our beautiful daughters life thus far. Know with confidence the God hears and answers prayer. He has shown us such favor and grace in this it is hard to imagine not knowing Christ in our trial. May God richly bless you all for your dedicated and persistent petition on behalf of Esther Frances Holtrop. 

9 comments:

  1. Keep fighting Esther...we are all praying for you. Take care Jason and Rhonda and know that you are in our prayers as well.

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  2. Our family is saying prayers every night for your baby Esther and your entire family. May God's blessings be upon you all!

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  3. Interceding with you on behalf of Esther. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. CTK Ferndale, Prayer Team

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  4. I have been thinking the same thing lately, how hard it would be to go through this and not know God and know that He is in control and whatever happens, things will be not just ok, but the best for everyone. I am praying that God would give you all peace and comfort and that He would heal Esther's sweet little body!

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  5. Another CDH mama shared this quote with me and it is now one of my favorites..

    “Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and everyday. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you the unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me and I in Him.” – Francis de Sales

    Our CDH journey caused me to grow so much in my relationship with Christ and I am amazed at the lives he changed through Finley. People praying that never prayed before, or came back to him after a time of separation from God - lives rededicated to him.. it still brings tears to my eyes when I think about how God used Finley already for the kingdom - just like he is using Esther, and you and Rhonda now.

    continuing to pray that ECMO is giving her body the rest it needs to gain strength to overcome CDH and PH. Blessings.

    Love,
    Liz

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  6. Hugs and prayers for you all.

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  7. Still praying...for this little fighter!

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  8. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We can't even imagine what you are going through. Esther, you have already made a huge impact on this world. Know that there are hundreds and probably thousands of people praying for you and love you.

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  9. Several of us at Juvenile Court are watching Esther's progress. I'm amazed at the faith of both of you. I'm sure you are great witnesses for the doctors and nurses. May God bless you all and we'll be praying for the miracle baby.

    Elaine

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