Monday, October 27, 2008

Have I ever told you about the first love of my life?

Meet Hector:

Photo taken on April 2008 in front of The Commissary
Germantown, TN

He's the first man I ever loved.
He's still the rightful owner of a huge chunk of my heart.
He's 59 years old.
He's a warrior.
He's my Daddy.
And he desperately needs your prayers.

My Daddy has been a dialysis patient due to kidney failure for the last 11 years. Unfortunately, due to other major health complications (liver cancer and heart problems), he's never been considered a candidate for a kidney transplant.

My Daddy has been hospitalized for over two weeks due to unexplained blood loss. Blood transfusion after blood transfusion and his condition improved for a day or so only to deteriorate a few days later. It wasn't until this last Friday that they finally found the source of the problem; the blood was coming from his liver. The doctors basically told my Mom that due to his medical conditions there was nothing more they could do for him.

That same day my Mom was told about the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. A clinic that offers both Liver and Kidney transplants. A clinic that is known for seeing patients whose conditions are advanced and odds of survival are not great. A clinic located where we currently have family living.

This morning my Mom met with one of the doctors who is a liaison between Puerto Rico transplant patients and the Mayo Clinic. After reviewing my Dad's charts she expressed concern over the fact that my Dad's profile is quite complicated, that maybe they had waited too long and that she could offer absolutely no guarantees. My Mom explained that the Mayo Clinic was our only hope at this time and that the only guarantee we were certain of was what would happen if my Dad left the hospital to go home. In a nutshell, the doctor said that if we are to move forward we have to do it quickly.

The Mayo Clinic requested some additional medical information/charts and are in the process of evaluating his case and determining what the next step will be. My parents are sitting in a hospital room just waiting to hear from them.

I am a Daddy's girl in every possible way imaginable, so needless to say the last few days have been emotionally difficult and heart wrenching. We have been discussing some different scenarios recently, but the entire family is on hold until we know what the next step is. Regardless, I'm pretty sure the kids and I will most likely be doing some travel soon.

So, here's the part where I'm recruiting as many prayer warriors as I can. Of course I can ask you to pray for a miracle, because there is nothing God can't do. And if you feel compelled to pray for the miracle of healing for my Dad, by all means please do so.

But the prayers I am requesting right now are prayers for direction, prayers for peace of mind, prayers for safe travels, prayers for wisdom and strength and the ability to discern what it is the Lord wants us to do.

I'm pretty tired right now and think I'm going to bed soon, but I'd like to thank you in advance for your prayers and I will do my best to keep you posted.


"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. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18:19-20

7 comments:

marci lambert said...

oh liz. you have expressed your thoughts so beautifully. how could anyone not pray for your father?

Anonymous said...

Please know your family is in all of our thoughts and prayers.

Almost as soon as we'd started our email camaraderie, my daughter was hit with severe seizures that nearly claimed her life.

But through constant and fervent prayer support and the aggressive and hands-on approach of our wonderful doctors at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, we've seen miraculous healing. I'll be praying the same for your dad.

(I know my mom sent you a note as well.)

Juli said...

You and your family will be in our prayers Liz.

Michelle said...

Liz as I read your blog my heart instantly aches for the need to pray for you and your family! I wish I was there to give you a hug as well cause those seem to sometimes help as well. I will be sharing this with Jay for he too will be praying right along with me!

Angie22PR said...

Liz...
eventhough we have barely see each other... our families have grow so close to each other. My parents love for yours... have exceding the typical pastor - church member relationship. I learned to love Chris and Maria as my dearest friend and through my parents love I learned to love your parents too. Reading this blog and thinking about my own dad... the brotherly love he has for your dad and as you said my dad was also my first love. Every moment spent with your dad had been precious for me. Seeing him ill and laughing and joking at the same time... never losing his faith... made me appreciate how God works.... I'll be joining you in your prayers and asking God to do his will... Either way... God's our strength... He will never forsake us....

amy said...

You have my prayers, Liz!

Christie said...

Liz, I have been so busy I have not checked your blog. It saddens me to here about your dad. I am going to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Let me know if you need anything