Up-Dates

Wm. MacDonald Update...

Dear all,

The latest update is that it has been verified that Bill has another intestinal blockage. We have consulted with the surgeon, the cardiologist, his pulmonary doctor and his personal physician. All of his doctors have positively stated that surgery is a must and that Bill is strong enough for
it. We have consulted with Bill's elders and they concur that surgery is appropriate. We spoke with Bill and he seems to be at peace with the decision.

The surgery to straighten out a kink in his intestines is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST Saturday evening. Please pray for wisdom and skill for the doctors. Please pray also for those who are helping make decisions about his care.
Thanks,
Don

PS. Visit http://www.fremontcalvary.org/williammacdonald.html for
information as soon as it is available. Thank you for praying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Roy Aafedt Update...

Dear praying saints:

Dean Solum gave me a call this afternoon. Dean has been faithfully staying at the hospital with Roy's wife, Cindy.

Roy continues to do very well under the circumstances. Days 4-7 after the aneurysm are critical days. Today marks the 5th day for Roy. During that time the risk of brain spasms is present, which can cause a stroke. Thankfully he has not had any symptoms of spasms yet. Yesterday he was in considerable pain, but today is feeling much better. He will be in ICU until Monday or Tuesday if everything continues to go well. His hospitalization after that will continue to be in University Hospital in Minneapolis for a week or so.

Roy and Cindy are very aware of many saints praying for them (including many who do not even know them). This gives them great encouragement. Cindy and Dean have been able to be a good testimony in the hospital, as they have had opportunity to be with family members of others in similar circumstances to Roy. Please also pray for Cindy and family (daughter Makenzie and Roy's mother, Mary Dawn) and Dean.

In Christ,
Gary Clark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elysha Brooks Update...

DECEMBER 22, 2007

Elysha came through her surgery safely and is still in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Sick Kids. She is on a ventilator which is being used to try to "balance her system" and although it is taking a little longer than expected, our surgeon did tell us, "it will take some time for Elysha's
system to adjust to her new physiology".

The surgical procedure (BT Shunt)is a temporary insertion of a Gortex tube (~4mm diameter) between the aorta (artery from heart to body) and the pulmonary artery (from heart to lungs). The main pulmonary outlet from the heart was "tied-off"to prevent "back-flow" into the heart. So now the single aortic outlet from the heart supplies all the blood from the heart to the body and to the lungs (via the shunt). Elysha's pulmonary outlet was narrowing (stenosis) and had been restricting the blood flow to the lungs. This surgery is intended to "buy time" until the next more complex surgery (hoped to be when she is at least six month old).

One setback that is currently being addressed is that a part of her intestinal track has necrotized (basically "died" from lack of oxygen supply. When there is a shortage of "good blood" the body redirects it to the major organs and as such the bowels "do without". The treatment involves
antibiotics, muscle relaxants and NPO (no food by mouth). Every 4-6 hrs an X-Ray is done to track her response to this treatment. This morning's report indicates that she seems to be responding well (surgery is a final option, but we pray that isn't needed).

As we waited for news during Elysha's surgery we read the following from "Daily Light" a devotional that compiles verses on a single theme for each day of the year.


He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: ... I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

They brought young children to him, and he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant. The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.

Richard and Katherine Brooks