Archives at Zinester: May 26, 2006 - Special Treat - Ginger Boda. Storytime

Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Ginger Boda

May 26, 2006

I am completely over the top grateful that so many of you have stood by our family, in prayer, for Mark's Dad, Mel. I am truly convinced that the "fervent prayer of a righteous man DOES avail much!" And we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts, as we praise God!

The last time I wrote to you, Dad's heath situation didn't look very good at all. The surgeons had told us that there were too many holes in his left lung to do the scope and laser repair, and that he probably wouldn't survive surgery to remove a portion of that lung, although that seemed to be his only option. Dad had courageously decided that he just wanted to just "go out like a gentleman," having his three tubes simply disconnected.

The weekend was one horrible rollercoaster, as the staff doctor informed us that Dad was to "have a sedative to help him sleep" when the time came for the last tube to be removed. We were all calling him, and he had visitor after visitor, for three days, saying "his good-byes." When he spoke with me, saying "I'm tired, Gingy, I'm ready to go home to Jesus," we both cried. It was completely heart wrenching. By this last Monday at 4 PM all the tubes were supposed to be disconnected. Every one just wanted peace for Dad, but we were a mess. On top of all of this we were having to discuss funeral services!

Well, Monday afternoon arrived, and the doctors came in to talk to Dad and Mom, saying that the hospital could not be responsible for removing the tubes, like that, and were encouraging Dad to let them perform the scope, at least, to try to patch up the holes. (this was the procedure they had previously claimed they could not do). They informed Dad that he would have to sign approval for them to open him up, as well, if they got in there and deemed it necessary. After much discussion, confusion and questions, Dad signed and the scope procedure was scheduled for Tuesday, at 4pm. In the back of our minds, we all recalled that the doctors had told us that surgery for Dad was extremely risky, and so, now, we faced the thought of losing him that way.

We were scared, no doubt, since the odds the doctors had given Dad were pretty slim. He was on five liters of oxygen, three tubes draining fluid, multiple holes still bursting in the left lung, and the right lung enlarged and worse off than the left! On top of this, he has lost almost 20 lbs in 14 days, and has 50% blockage in the main artery to his heart!

The calming thing was this; the main surgeon happened to be a Christian. He told us that he had been praying about Dad's situation quite a lot, as well, ever since Mom brought him into ER two weeks ago. The bottom line was this, we had to trust that Dad was in God's hands and just let go.

Well, Dad came through the two hour surgery without a hitch! The surgeon did not have to open him up, but was able to locate the holes in the lung, with the scope. They performed the Pleuradises (sp)? This involves shooting a powder material (that acts like a glue or the slime we insert into a flat tire to repair it) into the pleura cavity, to seal up the holes. They were able to remove one of the assisting tubes as well. That is all they did. And it worked!

Dad spent last night in ICU and was on IV, morphine, and maintained a stable condition. His blood pressure was a bit too low, but this morning, he opened his eyes and cracked a smile at Renee when she came in to see him. He was surprised that he made it! We were all elated!

Wednesday, Dad was put in his own room, taken off the morphine, and even ate supper. His blood pressure is improving, and there is no sign of any air leakage according to the monitors. Amazing, huh? His right lung survived the procedure, and the two remaining tubes will be safely taken out after 5 days, after they see his lung staying inflated on its own, God willing. Rehab will follow to help him to get walking again, and he may be looking to go home pretty soon. We are just so relieved and thankful.

Now, his right lung, as I said, is not in the best shape either, but he is getting stronger and getting lots of rest, TLC, and above all .... God's grace!

I just wanted to extend a big hug and hanks to you all for standing by us through this crisis. Thank you for your prayers, your faith, your warm thoughts and your uplifting emails. I do know that someday we will have to say "Good-bye" to Dad, but for now, the Lord has seen fit to give him hope, and time, and healing. And to us, this is a miracle!

Please continue to pray that Dad improves daily and is able to come home, even if he has to be on oxygen, will you? And pray that Mom is given an extra measure of faith, and strength for the coming days? She plans on quitting smoking as well, especially after seeing what Dad has had to go through.

I will keep you updated as to his progress, okay? I am eternally grateful that you have indulged me thus far with these emails, and that you have shown such concern and taken time to respond, and to pray for all of us. It really did matter and God heard you.