Dear family, friends and prayer warriors,

After 22 days and 2 surgeries, we welcomed Lucas back at home yesterday!

We thank you for all the prayers and support you have offered for Luc and our family.
We've once again proven the immense power of prayer.

All praise and glory to the Great Healer and Provider, the Faithful One, our Almighty God. :D

Thank you Mama Mary for the care, comfort and intercession.

God bless us all!

~biboy+may+rafa+lucas


PS:  The smile is back! 

Dear family, friends and prayer warriors,

We’d like to thank you for your intercession and support during our most recent call for prayers during Lucas’ emergency OR last Thursday.  Sorry for not being able to update most of you on the outcome last week but please know that your prayers are doing wonders for Lucas.

The surgery last week was necessary to “fix” the previous surgery wounds that were damaged by bacterial infection.  He was able to recover from the second operation but we are still treating the infection.  However, the reinforced stitches are a lot nastier this time– definitely not for the faint of heart.

Looking at the bright side, we are at least attacking the bacteria with antibiotics that are effective against it, thanks to the results of the blood culture.  Lucas has also been allowed to resume feeding with no restrictions and is in fact encouraged to eat more.  He’s also been moving his bowel quite regularly which is a good sign that his intestinal tract is already working.

Nevertheless, none of his doctors has given us any assurance that he’s already out of danger.  Besides, we have yet to confirm through (blood) tests if the treatment has been indeed effective.  He also has a femoral catheter inserted directly through his vein where IV meds can be injected or blood drawn for tests.  This saves him a lot of discomfort from frequent needle punctures but also exposes him to possible infections (which come when a foreign object is inserted).  We’re doing our best to prevent any possible contamination.

Our prayer goals now are: 1) for effective treatment of his infection; that the blood culture results turn up clear. 2) protection against any new infection 3) that his femoral catheter hold for the entire duration of his treatment 4) that all his wounds would heal completely and quickly and that he be spared from pain 5) that his appetite improves and his gastro-intestinal system to work flawlessly (no more throw-ups and regular bowel movement).

We continue to ask for your prayers.  We know that Lucas is on his way to complete healing because God is faithful to His promises and He cannot refuse his people’s collective prayers.  We thank you for being with us in this journey; you will also be in our family’s prayers.

God bless!

~biboy+may+rafa+lucas

Dear family, friends and prayer warriors,

We need your prayers again for Lucas. 

Luc will be going back to the OR tonight at 6PM for closure of wound dehiscence.  His surgical wound re-opened and the doctors would need to stitch them back.

During the past days, Lucas has also been battling bacterial infection.   The blood culture came out today and we learned that the bacteria that infected him are not sensitive to the antibiotics we have been given him thus far.  We have just started to adjust his antibiotics to better treat the infection.  It will take another 10-14 days for treatment.  To make it a little more complicated, the antibiotic that is effective against the bacteria can only be administered intravenously.  However, the doctors have had a difficult time to look for an IV line, much more one that would hold for the long haul treatment.

During the OR tonight, an additional surgical procedure (called a cutdown) may be done on Lucas to directly access a vein via a cannula/ tube where the meds can be given.  This involves another surgery but this may be more beneficial for him so he won’t undergo the stress of multiple needle insertions. (He’s already a bit traumatized every time the nurses/doctors do their rounds.)

Please help us in praying for a safe and complication-free operation, quick recovery and complete healing from the infection.  We pray that his already tired body be able to withstand another procedure.

We believe that God is still in control and we trust that He will take care of Lucas.

Thank you for praying with us.  God bless.

~biboy+may+rafa+lucas

Dear family, friends and prayer warriors,

We thank you again for all the prayers yesterday for Lucas' operation.  The surgery went well; it started at exactly 7AM and was finished by around 10AM.  Lucas stayed in the recovery room after the operation and was back in the regular room by 4PM.

Lucas needs to move his bowels post-op to determine that his colon and rectum are functioning well.  But this can take up to 2-3 days according to the doctors so we shouldn't worry about this yet.  The cause for concern right now is Lucas' persistent fever since last night.  They will have to do some tests and start other types of antibiotics to address this.  We're praying that the fever isn't caused by any serious infection.

Lucas has been a little cranky especially now that his anesthesia has worn off.  Plus he's already very hungry as he's not allowed any food intake until he moves his bowels.  We haven't seen his usual smile since after the operation. 

Please please continue praying for Lucas.  We trust that God is taking good care of him.

Thanks and God bless!

~biboy+may+rafa+lucas

Dear family, friends and prayer warriors,

Today, after getting good results in his urinalysis this morning, Lucas got his attending pedia's and nephrologist's clearance.  We are good to go for the pull-through tomorrow.  The OR is scheduled at 7:00 AM.  Praise God!

We now put everything in God's hands.  Once again, we surrender Lucas to Him completely knowing (by experience) that He can best perform His miracles when He is in full control.  We ask our dear Mother Mary to intercede for us and to ask Jesus for another miracle.

Thank you everyone for the prayers and words of encouragement.  Please keep them coming and know that we also draw strength from all of you.

May God be glorified!

~biboy+may+rafa+lucas

Some random thoughts :

*  We are really thankful for our set of doctors/ consultants not only because they are the best in what they do (Go PGH!) but also because they are praying doctors.  As in some have their regular daily prayer time and they include Lucas in their intentions.  We do not think twice every time we recommend these doctors to our friends. 

*  If you were to ask me a week ago if I'm ready for this surgery, I would say that it hasn't sunk in yet.  But when May reminds me of the time when I have to bring Lucas myself to the operating table, I would dread the very thought of it.  I guess I will never be ready for this event.  Now, I'm a few hours away from the operating table.  I still dread it but surprisingly I am also looking forward to it.  Maybe it's because we're excited to finally see the bag go, or maybe I only want to send positive vibes to Lucas when we wheel him in.  Or maybe it's the other way around: it's Lucas who's sending me positive vibes.  His smile is as contagious as ever.  I think if there's anyone who wants to get rid of the bad most, it's him!

*  Most people don't like being in hospitals.  For some reason, I enjoy being here.  It's almost like a field trip for me. Haha.  I only have fond memories of PGH, TMC and PHC.  For us, these are the places where we experience God's miracles first hand.

January 10, 2010, 6:56 PM

Patch is in place. ECG normal. Pulmonary pressure is A-OK. Lucas' heart is good to go for Friday!

 January 13, 2010, 7:53AM

Got clearance from endocrinologist; surgeon is ready. Nephrologist is an angel but the urinalysis is a party pooper. Checking-in at PGH today despite the culture and X-ray have yet to clear. (prayers pleeeease!) Looks like it's going to be another suspense thriller by the Great Author. We can't wait to see the end of this chapter though.

 January 14, 2010, 9:44PM

Got attending doctor and nephrologist's clearance today.  We are good to go for tomorrow.  It's all in God's hands now. :)
Praise God for praying doctors.  They are indeed heaven sent! :)
OR at 7am.  We're counting on your prayers!

 

Dear family, friends and prayer warriors,

Our family wishes to thank everyone for all your support and prayers during the past year.  Thank you for journeying with us through the struggles and the milestones that Lucas had to face and overcome.  We couldn’t have done it without your prayers and God’s amazing grace.  We look forward to a lot more miracles and overwhelming blessings for 2010 not only for our family but for each one of you as well.

Lucas has been doing very well after the heart operation last June.  He started gaining some weight and is very active.  He has also done a good job in his physical therapy sessions and was able to sit down by himself (from lying down) around the first week of December.

We start the year with another challenge as Lucas is scheduled for the pull-through operation next week (January 15).  Despite the risks involved in another surgery, we face it with expectant hearts eager to undergo another Divine experience.  We are excited too that a few days from now, Lucas can do away with “the bag:” Praise God!

We continue to ask for your intercession for Lucas and his successful operation.  Please also pray that he may be free from any infection that may delay the surgery.  We also continue to lift up his other health concerns (hypothyroidism, asthma, renal concerns, etc.) that the Lord will grant him complete healing soon.

Thank you for your valuable gift of prayer and concern. May the God of infinite providence bless us all immensely this year!

God bless!

~biboy+may+rafa+lucas

The year 2009 was a year of miracles and blessings amidst extreme trials (an open heart surgery for Luc and an inundated house). 

We declare 2010 to be a year of abundance, breakthroughs and overflowing providence for our family!

Open the floodgates, Oh God! We are ready! :D