Rhonda and Jason

Rhonda and Jason
Our Wedding Day

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

hopeful anticipation



Esther looks great today, minus a few bruises from blown IV's.  She has the most serene and blissful look about her.  I almost cry just looking at her.  Thank you Lord for giving me these moments with your beautiful child.
It is official.  The operating room is booked for 0830 tomorrow morning.  Consent is signed and I just spoke with the anesthesiologist.  Esther's surgery will take place with her still on the ECMO circuit.  Just like everything else, she will be at a tremendous risk for bleeding, and this is by far not an everyday affair.  Surgery on ECMO is rare enough that, according to the surgeon, there really isn't any literature supporting or denying its effectiveness.
Specifics to pray for are:  no bleeding issues, enough diaphragm to allow for simple closure of the hernia rather than the need for a patch, enough space in her belly for all the stuff that is currently in her chest so there will not need to be an artificial hernia created to make room, and for the surgical team to be lifted up before the Lord for wisdom and skill beyond measure, and for the Holy Spirit to be covering the entire operation.
Surgery should last about 2 1/2 hours and we are told to expect things to be wrapped up around 11:30-12:00.  We will be waiting upon the Lord with expectant hearts.

37 comments:

  1. What a sweet girl, love her little bow. Prayers for you guys and the doctors!

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  2. Love that song!!! HE is more than enough!! Nothing is impossible, NOTHING! Lots of prayers knowing our DADDY hears them all! xoxo

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  3. Will be lifting prayers to our sovereign and mighty God on little Esther's behalf. So thankful for the Lord's gracious gift of faith and strength to you during this time - He is being glorified. Have confidence in that

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  4. You don't know us and we don't know you...we've been blessed to hear of your journey from another friend. Our whole family is praying for you every day! We check for your updates, and as a family pray for your family. Your faith has touched our life greatly and Esther is an inspiration. We will pray extra prayers for a divinely successful surgery.

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  5. Praying for Esther! Hope the surgery goes well with no complications....you can do this Esther, stay strong baby girl. Esther is just precious, so beautiful. My son had his repair surgery while on ECMO a little over 8 years ago....it can be done and we had great success. ECMO gave him the stability to undergo such a big surgery. Will be thinking and praying for Esther and your family. Look forward to reading the update she is out of surgery and stable.

    (((HUGS))),
    Tracy, Ian's mom from CHERUBS

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  6. I continue praying for your sweet baby. I pray that the surgery goes smoothly with no complications and peace for you both during surgery. I know it is the most difficult time right now, but God is wrapping you in his arms right now. God bless your entire family.

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  7. Another stranger here, checking your blog every day and praying for you all and your sweet Esther. Blessings on you all tomorrow.

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  8. Will be praying here from 8:30am East coast time through at least 1pm West Coast.

    WAnted to share this too
    Isaiah 42:5&6
    Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out. Who spread out the earth and it's off-spring. Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it. I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness. I WILL HOLD YOU BY THE HAND AND WATCH OVER YOU, and I will appoint you as a covenanat to the people, as a light to the nations.

    Hold on to Him as He is holding on to you all.
    Crystal

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  9. Hi - we don't know each other but I'm a fellow Firwood alumni and live in Bellingham, and so have seen links to your blog on facebook. I've been reading your updates periodically and just want you to know I'll be thinking of you and your daughter tomorrow morning. I hope you all can have a peaceful, restful night tonite. God Bless.

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  10. Many many prayers for Esther (and y'all!) tomorrow, and always!!

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  11. We have been following Esther's journey from birth since a friend posted it on facebook. Your faith is incredibly inspiring. Our family prays for Esther every day and checks for updates regularly. Thank you for letting us all follow your journey and be able to be pray warriors for little Esther. We will be praying through the surgery!

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  12. We serve a Great God, who has created the heavens and the earth and all that is therein. He has a great purpose for each of us and we are asking Him to wrap each one of you in His Almight Arm and cover you with a warm blanket of the blood that Jesus shed for each of
    us. May He hold you all through this time and bring you to complete healing. We will meet someday and proclaim His Great Glory and Healing.
    In Jesus Name be Blessed,
    Sharon

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  13. praying right now

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  14. Team Abel will be praying from Colorado:) Doctors did Abel's repair while he was on ECMO and he did bleed however he survived and is 18months and running around today!
    www.abelkaneburton.shutterfly.com
    Mama to Abel Kane
    LCDH survivor

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  15. Rhonda and Jason, we will not stop praying for Esther. I wish you all great comfort in the arms of our Father. He is the ultimate Healer and I KNOW He is the great physician.
    I give Esther my personal motto during crisis;
    I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. ~ Psalm 118:17

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  16. Rhonda,Jason,& Esther, I have and will continue to pray for Esther. I claim Psalm 139 13:16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

    The song Healer you posted still brings tears to my eyes. I first heard the song at our church when pregnant with Niklas and it brought me to my knees as well as tears. I walked to the front of our church and allowed many senior prayer members to lay hands on my stomach and pray pray pray! God is amazing and works in such amazing ways. I will pray tomorrow for the surgeons to have God's guidance and peace over them while performing surgery. No bleeding for Esther, no patch required, all organs to be put back where they belong successfully and a smooth recovery. In Jesus name AMEN!

    God Bless,
    Stephanie & Family (Niklas LCDH Survivor 07/2010

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  17. Jason and Rhonda,
    I can't begin to tell you what a blessing your blog has been to me each day. Your faith and strength is incredible. I have been praying for you and baby Esther each day. I will definitely be praying for strength, wisdom and guidance for the surgeons and peace and comfort for you and Esther.

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  18. Jason and Rhonda,
    A friend posted your blog on Facebook and I have been so touched by your story and incredible faith. Praying so much for your beautiful girl! God can do amazing things.
    Blessings, Molly

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  19. I don't know you or your family, but will be lifting your sweet little girl up in prayer! Praying for all the dr.'s & for you & your husband!

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  20. Jason & Rhonda - found your blog from a link on Facebook from Natalie Finkbonner. Loved reading the last few posts and meeting your sweet little Esther. We had preemie boys - 8 weeks early and then one of them had a baby girl 11 weeks early weighing in at 1 lb 15 oz and your friend who posted girls are fighters they truly are. Will be praying for each of you as tomorrow dawns. We are two hours ahead of you as we are in Branson, MO. May you cling to the Lord during the wait while surgery is going on. Hugs and prayers for each of you.

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  21. Praying now and tomorrow for all those things. My family has been following your blog since we have some mutual friends (we live in Ferndale too). We've been praying for her since before she was born. This sweet little girl has touched our hearts, and we asking the Lord to save her life.

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  22. I don't know your sweet family, but I know the love of a mama to a sweet little girl, and I know our God is big. My heart is heaving for you. I am praying tonight.

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  23. Another stranger, another family touched by your journey. We will be praying for you and your little Esther for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!

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  24. You don't know me, but I'm from Ferndale also. I have thought a lot, and said lots of prayers for your family since Esther was born! You will be in our thoughts tomorrow. You have the best of the best on your side at Childrens fighting for and protecting your little girl!

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  25. Praying for Esther, the two of you, the doctors, and all who are involved with the surgery. I've been following your story and praying for you after a number of our mutual friends shared the blog and story with me. I have been so touched through your journey. Praying that everyone involved will lean on Jesus, for NOTHING is impossible. ~Jamie McMillen

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  26. Esther 4:14 - Mordecai says to Esther: "And who knows but that you have come for such a time as this?" Esther knowing the situation is beyond her control says, "Fast and pray for me." Esther 4:16. Your little Esther is a miracle and a testimony to the glory of God...much like Queen Esther of the Bible. I will be fasting and praying for your family tomorrow knowing that God will be glorified through it all. ~ Kristin and Jason Oostra

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  27. Another reader who found your blog from a friend's post on FB. God bless you all. My heart reaches out to you and my prayers are with you for a successful surgery tomorrow. My own little guy (#3) is 6 months old and my mother heart knows just how desperately and completely you both love your sweet Esther. May God protect her precious life and give you peace and comfort as you wait throughout tomorrow. ~ Debbie

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  28. Hi Rhonda and Jason,

    We are thinking of you and baby Esther! Congratulations and we can't wait to meet her. We will have a birthday BBQ at Rancho Rodriguez when you all come home. I know it has been and continues to be a trial, but I remember the glow you two had when I met Rhonda and I knew you would have a strong family. Our prayers and love are with you.
    Cisco and Jess Rodriguez

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  29. Praying! It is a God moment just to find this page.

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  30. We've been praying for Esther since before she was born, and will continue to pray through her surgery tomorrow! We have also been praying for peace and comfort for both of you as you go through this journey.

    Laura and Zach Bailey

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  31. Rhonda and Jason,

    My husband and I sat down tonight to pray specifically for your little Esther and the two of you as well. We know what a scary time this is as you prepare to release your little baby into the hands of the surgeons. In addition to your specific requests, we also prayed for the Holy Spirit to surround you with God's peace and strength. We will being praying throughout the morning for the surgeons to be granted the wisdom needed to do whatever is best for Esther. She is such a little fighter! Remember: "For with God nothing shall be impossible" ~Luke 1:37

    God bless!
    Katy
    Mommy to Jacob

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  32. It is a wonderful thing to see all of the people who are lifting you up in prayer! Praise the Lord! I am also praying.

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  33. Rhonda, Jason, and Esther,
    Just this am found your blog...May you three feel the strength and comfort of the hands and heart of our God this morning through all the hospital staff and family/friends that physically, emotionally, and spiritually are with you today. I will be among them holding you in prayer this day in eastern WA.
    Colleen

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  34. Healing Father in Heaven please place your grace and hands on the Holtrop family during this touching time. May the many prayers and love continue to help Ester grow stronger.
    Amen

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  35. Praying for God's hands to be on the doctors and on Esther. Praying for peace for you guys as you anxiously await. May God be gloried in this and may His power to heal be undeniable. Looking forward to a positive outcome.
    Because of HIM.

    Sarah

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  36. God Bless Esther, and her beloved parents.

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