Thursday, April 9, 2009

Info and prayer

OK folks.

News, not hot off the presses, but off of them just the same.

If you already know this, just skim and pray and leave a comment if you wanna.

Andy has a brain tumor located of the left side toward the frontal lobe.
He is going to have brain surgery Friday.
An MRI is scheduled for 6 am with surgery following at 9 am.
After surgery he will be in ICU for at least 24 hours.
If all goes well in ICU he will then be transferred to a normal room for another 24 hours.
If he is responding normally and doing well, he will be sent home.
Check ups in a week or 2. Then routine follow-up appointments at intervals of 3 months to 6 months.
Andy is not able to drive for the next few months (we have heard everything for 3 mo. to a year)
He will be on anti-seizure meds for 9 mo to forever...

Specific prayer requests are:
Since the tumor looks like brain matter...that they are able to get all of the tumor and none of his brain.
That they miss any close sections of brain ( a motor strip that controls the right side of his body as well as a section that controls speech.)
The Dr.'s would be well rested and alert.
The equipment would be working well ( most of the surgery depends on a computer)
The recovery would be excellent so we could go home soon. (Andy hates the hospital and says "it makes me feel like a caged rat to be here.")
There would be no need for physical therapy of any kind when we are done.
Peace of mind for me and my family(s)


If you have verses that you are applying to any of these requests I wold love to know what they are.
Thank you all for your prayers and requests to help. I love you. I am so very blessed. I am in need of nothing, but if I am I PROMISE to call one of the 12,957 people who asked to help.

more later.

37 comments:

kelli and joe said...

We are praying for all those things and any others not mentioned, and asking others to pray for Andy as well.

Give yourselves big hugs from us.

Kristen said...

I am praying for your family- I linked to your blog from "Today's Daily Dose" and followed your blog some as well after your precious daughter passed away. Your family's faith is amazing- may God bless you all.

Amy Garthwaite said...

Cari,
Let me first give glory to our Lord who through His sacrifice gives us an indescribable hope through these dark and uncertain times. He is our Emmanuel!
I know that you don't know who I am, but I went to Gray Road Christian School with the Chastain family many years ago. I was two years younger than Elizabeth. I reconected with her through Facebook and saw a link to your blog. I have been sitting here crying and mourning your loss, but at the same time praising the Lord for your strength, testimony, and sincere honesty about what you have been going through. Your testimonies have been a blessing to me. I have too am 27 and I have a 9 month old baby girl. I have been holding her and my other son and daughter a little bit tighter today and thanking God so much for them. Too many times have I found myself taking my children for granted and not thanking the Lord enough for them. They are such precious gifts! I am so happy that you have another precious gift on the way! God is using you to be a blessing to many around you and even to people you have not even met. My husband and I will be praying for Andy, you, and your families tomorrow and in the following days. Our Lord is sovereign and good and He is a God of miracles!! Thank you again for your testimony!
In Christ's love,
Amy (Gathard) Garthwaite

SK said...

Phil. 4:6-7, Psalm 46:10
I am praying for your family.
Sarah (Frederick) Kim

gretchen said...

Cari ~ I am another reader that you do not know. I went to church with Andy when we were younger and to BGHS with him. I linked to your blog through his facebook page and have also sat with tears streaming down my face while reading about your life and your trials. You two are such an awesome example of the peace the Christ can bring. Please know that there are people you don't even know lifting the two of you up.
Psalm 71:14 "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."
Gretchen (Tooley) Dillard

Mary Richey said...

Mary,Ted,Barb,and Chris Richey
He only gives us what he knows we can handle. The two of you have a very strong faith that will see you through this time. We as a family will keep you in our heartys and prayers. Will be thinking of you on Friday.

All our love

Extraordinary Ordinary Life said...

We won't be able to come tonight, but we WILL be praying. Pretty much all of Psalm 27, but especially Ps. 27:13-14.
13. I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14. Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Love you all!

Heidi Stone said...

We won't be able to make it tonite either, but we are praying.

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

.....

The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand.

.....

The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this forth and forever.

Amy's Anecdotes said...

Psalm 28:6-9, Isaiah 41:10

We are praying for you and your families. We love you both!

Keith and Amy

Leigh said...

Praying.....

Leigh Hopper said...

I don't have a specific verse come to mind...just the song "I will praise You in this storm" every time I think of you & your family. Love to you all...

kristi said...

Holding both of you up in prayer and knowing God is beside you each minute of each day. We love you.

Unknown said...

Will continue prayers for you and everything/everyone you mentioned. You are both such amazing people and I know this will go the best it possibly can.

Anonymous said...

I do not know you but I have read your blog several times. I am praying for you and your family. I pray for a speedy recovery and peace as Andy goes thru this surgery. God Bless you both!

Julie : ) said...

that's 12,959 people....don't forget sherwin and me.

We are praying

Kelly said...

I can't stop thinking and praying for your fanily. May God give you the peace today only He can give

Amber Schmidt said...

Here's a good one that I have clung to for all of my daughter's surgeries:

Matthew 18:18-20: 18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[d]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven. 19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

I definitely see more than three here and know that there are scores more out there praying!

The Bridwells said...

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14.27)
You don't know me, but I am praying for your family. It is so far from our understanding, but God has you all in His hands.

Unknown said...

Praying for you and your family.
I know the Great Physician will be with Andy today.

Melissa's Thoughts said...

I have Phil 4:7 on my computer to remind me that the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. Your family is in my prayers.

Susan said...

I came to your blog thru Kelly. I pray that everything goes great and that God watches over you and your family during this time.

Pamela said...

It is 9:50 here in VA and I am praying that surgery is going well and all the other requests. God Bless and speedy recovery!

Anonymous said...

our prayers are with you today. may God send you peace and comfort.
The Graves Family

Anonymous said...

Praying for the kind of peace that only our Father can give. May the Lord carry you in the days ahead when walking on your own is not an option. Praying for full recovery fast.

Jessica Davis said...

I am so sorry you are going through this. I found your blog through Kelly's Korner... and wanted to tell you that my dad collapsed with a stroke about two and a half years ago.
Turned out, it was not a stroke but a large mass in his brain. His was not a tumor, but rather an AVM (arterio venous malformation) and I just remember how scary this was.

He underwent surgery and today... two and a half years later, he is fine! He is on anti seizure meds and probably will be forever. But, I will pray that you have the same outcome.

I also wanted to mention that he wasn't totally himself when he came out... it took a little while... so have faith!

hugs and prayers!

Jessica
if you ever want to talk... my email is IMFUN at mac dot com

Julie said...

It is 10 am. I am in Charlotte, NC.
I am saying a prayer for you, for Andy, and the little life being knitted together in your womb...as I speak (write) :-)
Our God is an awesome God. The supremacy of Jesus Christ holds all things together. Hang on to that.

A sister in the Lord.

Anonymous said...

I just read your latest update, and realize that you are now sitting in the waiting room as your husband is in surgery. I knelt down and went to the Lord in a heartfelt prayer, that you, your husband, family, baby and doctors have a peace and an understanding.....God is guiding you all right now. Feel the love and embrace of God and know that He will carry you. May the best possible outcome be reported to you soon.
With so much love and concern,
Tara :)

Kaylan said...

Psalm 46:19


'Be Still and Know that I AM GOD'

This will bring you comfort as you rest in our loving Father's arms. Take hold of His hand as your husband enters surgery. I am praying for a well rested team and a steady hand (and working computers)

Anonymous said...

It is 10:16, so he must be in surgery now. I am praying for simply amazing news. I am praying that the One who gave His life on this day (Good Friday) would be glorified in this! Please Lord~ we know Your glory!!

Teresa in Georgia said...

Praying for your family....
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not, for I am with thee,
Be not dismayed, for I am thy God,
I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.

Anonymous said...

From Perth, Western Australia, our family is praying for you. xxx

Summer said...

I just found your blog, and will be praying for you, your baby, and especially for your husband today and everyday. God Bless

Summer

Lauren said...

We are praying for you!

Anonymous said...

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made PERFECT in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on ME. That is in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG.

I'm praying for your family and the hardships you are going through but have faith GOD is with you being the strength you need in this time!

Suz said...

I am praying for your husband, you, and the doctors! I am so sorry you are going thru this! Rely on Him to pull you thru this!

Carol said...

I received this today and thought it perfect for you!

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you. And, remember... If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now. Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!

KellyB said...

Praying for you and your family!!