Rhonda and Jason

Rhonda and Jason
Our Wedding Day

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

success

Esther after her surgery today


Esther has got the Holy Spirit in her!  She came through surgery without complication or excessive bleeding.  The surgeon met with us and explained what they found and what they did.  He said her hernia was about 8cm diameter and there was some diaphragm that they were able to stitch together and close, but they needed to use a patch to close the remainder of the hole.  In addition, she did not have enough room in her petite little tummy for everything to fit without it being too tight.  So they created a small pouch out of lab grown skin that is allowing for expansion.  Kinda hard to describe without a drawing (which the surgeon was kind enough to do for us).
Anyhow, she made it through one of many high hurdles in her path to recovery.  Next is more time on ECMO to allow her to rest and heal.  Followed by respiratory challenges to test her for coming off ECMO (all the time risking bleeds and clotting).  Then she should go onto a ventilator, with risks of pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure to her blood vessels in her lungs) and various other complications.  If she passes all those tests, we then look to possibly working on nutrition and acclimating her gastrointestinal tract (mouth to bowel and bottom) to digestion.
She has been through a tremendous trial (imagine having all your internal organs rearranged) and looks wiped out, but still has a look of calm about her.  I know where our help comes from.  God has given Rhonda and I a peculiar calm the entire day as well.  We are full of praise for our awesome God!  He has given us another day to rejoice in His goodness and grace.
It really was peculiar today though.  We watched them take Esther into the operating room at 0830 and didn't see her again until 3:30.  The entire time just flew by when we would have anticipated agonizing through such a stretch of time.  Awesome.  That's all I can say about Him.  Thank you again for all your prayers, and please keep em coming.

On another note, many of you have asked how you can help us during this time.  Our journey here at Children's Hospital will be a very long one and could be up to 5 months if Esther keeps making it through all of these hoops.  I have fairly good insurance and it will cover a lot of our medical expenses.  We are living in our trailer for free so there is no cost of staying anywhere.  We have some food expenses and people have been so generous in bringing by dinner, snacks and gift cards.  We can't tell you enough how much it means to us.  One of the biggest financial burdens is that Jason may need to go back to work in about a month because we need to make money in order to keep paying our bills.   People at Jason's work will be able to donate their time to him so that it would allow him a longer time to stay with me and with Esther.  Jason and I have both agreed that whatever money we can raise through fundraisers (bracelets that Janell has created for team Esther) and a bank account set up, that we would use that money to help with bills at home.  This way Jason can continue to use FMLA and stay with us at Children's.  That being said, my sister Michelle Vandenberg, who used to work at People's Bank is setting up an account for Esther Holtrop.  Michelle will be the one to distribute money and checks to People's bank in Esther name.  You can send checks or money to her address:

Michelle Vandenberg
822 Van Dyk Rd
Lynden, Wa 98264

Please write checks to Esther Holtrop.  My sister asked to have the money sent to her house and not to the bank so she can keep track of it.

Also Sole Obsession in Lynden will be having a shop for Esther day and 20% of the proceeds will go to us.  I will get back to you on the official date this will be.  Lastly, We will be starting up a meal train this week.  If you are interested in delivering a dinner for two and live closer by or want to stop in, please send me your email and we will put you on the list.  Jason's friend Damian will be setting this up for us.  Directions will be included of when, what and where for the meal plan.

We can't thank you enough for all the replies for thousands of people we know and don't know.  We are honored to share our story with you.

22 comments:

  1. Great job, Esther!! I was thinking about you guys all day today, and even went to check the blog on my lunch break. God is good!

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  2. Wow! Esther has been through so much and is doing so well. The same can be said for Mom and Dad! My thoughts and prayers have been with all of you.

    Please include me on the meal list. I live just North of Seattle, so I can make and help deliver meals. Lcarter66@gmail.com

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  3. Praise God! Sweet Esther has been in my prayers all day, and will continue to be.

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  4. I found your story through a friend on facebook. Our daughter was also treated for CDH at Seattle Children's last year. I've been thinking of your family today & was overjoyed to read this good news! We'll keep Esther in our prayers.

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  5. What a little fighter. You are all in my thoughts and prays all the time.

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  6. Amazing Rhonda...I am pulling for you all. I would love to help with meals, please include me in the plans. Jamie.l.atkins@gmail.com

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  7. What a beautiful, strong little girl! I am amazed by the strength you both have had as parents. I am a friend of Cynthia's (was a Nanny for the boys when I lived in Bellingham) and know Rhonda. I now live in Redmond and would love to be included on the meal train to offer help. Please let me know what I can do. My email is katelyn.irwin11@gmail.com. Your family is in my prayers!

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  8. Hello Rhonda. You went to high school with my sister Shara. I have been following Esther's story and I am also amazed at the faith and strength that you and Jason have. I've been praying for you consistently! God is doing amazing things for this precious little angel! My husband and I live in Fife and would like to be included in the meal planning. I do not work on Mondays so marking me down for a Monday would be great. Please email me at tracy.berg83@gmail.com
    Go Team Esther!

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  9. Esther, both of you and her extended family have been in my thoughts and prayers off & on all day. What a joy to come home tonight and find that the surgery was a success. God be with you all through the days ahead.

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  10. The three of you have been in my prayers all along the way and I am so happy to hear of how well Esther, and you and Jason, did today. Praise the Lord! He is always faithful!
    Brenda Thomas

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  11. Praying for Esther..her Angels are surrounding her with their songs and our Lord is Holding Esther in his Arms*

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  12. Praise God! I have been thinking of you guys and praying for you and Esther all day. I was so relieved to read that she has come through this tough surgery. Blessings on all of you! ~ Debbie

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  13. This story is absolutely amazing and always brightens my day when I see happy postings from you guys!
    Keep up the good work Esther!
    Amanda Flores

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  14. years ago, I met a little girl who was born with this problem, and needed immediate surgery. She recovered, and grew up to be a physician. Bright blessings to your family and your daughter.

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  16. Praise God! I have been on pins and needles all day waiting to hear this good news! The peace and serenity God provides in times like these is truly amazing, isn't it? It is almost hard to describe but something I will never forget. I'm so happy to hear you guys did not have an agonizing day of waiting. Esther is such a fighter! She is defying the odds every step of the way. Your very own little miracle!

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  17. I've never met either of you, just heard the prayer need through a facebook friend. I've never acted on the heavyness of my heart to reach out to others for prayer until now, one prayer warrior turned into many, all to lift Esther and your family up in prayer as she went into surgery today. Thank you so much for sharing your story and emotion with the world, I can't tell what it's done for my own faith and perspective. Hallelujah for a successfull surgey and we'll keep on praying for Esthers recovery and for financial assistance so you both can give her all the love you've got!
    The Levine Family
    Burlington WA

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  18. Many prayers continue north to Esther & you family from ours here in Oregon!

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  19. So much for this tiny little girl to go through! I don't know you, but saw this on Annette's Facebook page. Will be praying for Esther's healing, and for your strength and for continued blessings. Marilyn Delaney

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  20. Rhonda and Jason...my husband and I met you during Ross and Georgie's wedding and I've been following all of your posts through your blog and Georgie's updates. I was so happy to hear that baby Esther made it through surgery and continue to hope that she keeps the amazing strength she has and beats each battle bringing her closer to recovery every day!!! Thinking of all of you and asking every day for you guys to be taken care of and watched over!!

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  21. Thank you so much for saying how we can help. My husband and I go to Oikos, but I don't believe we ever met you there. I also work at Habitat for Humanity where Kendra has been keeping me posted on Esther's progress. We are praying for you all regularly. God is so good!!
    Noelle Jander

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  22. Hi, I have been reading your posts and have started praying for Esther. I don't know you but we have friends in common, the Congo's. Also, my sister in law owns Sole Obsession Footwear and it seems that you know her too. Love, Katie

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