Tuesday, April 8, 2008

An Update On My Brother

Many of you have emailed and asked for an update on my brother. So much has happened since last Thursday. Not only was I having Lilly Faith last Thursday morning, but my brother was in Oxford for another heart procedure to determine why he was retaining fluid and having shortness of breath. I instructed my parents and family to go be with Doug, his wife and children as I knew it would be several hours before they could see grandbaby #9. They went to be with Doug and drove to Jackson after he was in recovery to meet our Lilly Faith.

It seems the doctors in Oxford had done everything they could for Doug, so they had him transported to Memphis last Friday, which is where he is now. The cardiologists in Oxford wanted the Memphis cardiologists to see if more could be done. We were told last Friday afternoon that Doug is NOT a candidate for a heart transplant because he is too tall and just over 200 pounds. Our only hope for him to live a somewhat "normal life" was for Doug to undergo a heart bypass, assuming his heart could survive the procedure.

This morning at 7am, the Memphis cardiologists did a quintuple bypass (that's 5!). The doctors tell us he is much healthier than they originally thought and they believe he will be driving a tractor in the field in 2-3 weeks--which is what Doug loves to do! However, Doug is being kept alive by a heart pump machine now. This machine is pumping his heart so it doesn't have to work on its own. He will remain on the heart pump machine, in ICU in a sleep-induced coma for 2 days. The doctors are hoping to wake him up by Friday and should take him off the machine to see if his heart can work on its own; at that point, the recovery can begin. The doctor tells my family that he came through the surgery just fine today and they found no surprises.

Meantime, I can't be there. It's too early for me to travel as I'm having some difficulty moving around from the c-section. I'm staying put and praying alot. As always, Doug appreciates all of your prayers and I will print off any posts so he can see just how many prayer warriors he has out there.

This is Doug's prayer: "I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord." Psalm 118:17

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am praying for Doug.

Wilson said...

Hallelujah that he made it through the surgery. I pray for a quick recovery for both you and him.

Angie said...

Barbie,

Thank God for another praise report. He is almighty and worthy to be praised. Just wanted to tell you that your family is just beautiful. And to Doug, we all have prayed without ceasing. Thanks be to God!!

Anonymous said...

Technology has brought us so far. God has given doctors knowledge far exceeding the breakthoughs of the past. I will pray that the surgery corrects Doug's heart and he can continue to serve God. The Bible says that for everything there is a season...I pray that God will use this season in Doug's life to magnify HIM! He is truly an awesome God that deserves our praise.

Amy said...

I am praying for you, your brother and your entire family.

Michele said...

What a precious addition to your family! I have been praying for your brother and your family. I hope you received nothing but good news.

sharon said...

God is certainly preparing to use him for something BIG. Doug, accept God's grace and wonderful miracles HE does for us. I will be praying for doug's recovery. (and certainly miss ya Barbie on the big screen)