I have been gone from work for a week. Looks like it will be at least another week before I'll return. I'll have to hire someone to help me do laundry, dishes, vaccuum, etc. because I can't do it.

I'm scared and alone. I can't think... 

Jonathan,

I cannot imagine what it's like to be on the other side of the operating room. My husband has been in your shoes many times, with me on the table. It is a time when your faith is tested, but the Lord is so very faithful.  He is the Great Physician, so Vicki is in good hands. I'm praying for a spirit of peace to embrace you, Jonathan.  I'm praying that this trial will bring the two of you closer together, and closer to Christ.  That this will be a living testimony to the power of prayer and Christ's strength and goodness.  Lay all of your burdens at His feet, and write your name on His promises.

We are praying for you here and lifting Vicki up during this time.

Jonathan, we spoke with Dave today and he wanted us to let you know he is praying for both of you deeply.  He knows probably more than any of us what you are going through and will try to reconnect as soon as he is out of his surgery and able to get back online.

Went to be with Vicki for her bypass today. At 10:30 a.m. the OR nurse came in and explained the details of what was about to transpire in the next 20 minutes which was how long it would take to get her on the table with the anesthesia dripping.

Then we were told the surgeon, one of the best in Houston, was called to another hospital for an emergency hemorraged anurysm. Dr. Bhatia is often sought out by local media for counsel concerning his area of expertise: heart surgery and recovery. So we patiently keep waiting...

Vicki is getting constant calls from friends and family wanting more details and offering encouragement, which is much to her surprise, because she didn't know I told anyone.

We are doing okay for now, although I'm having much difficulty at home. Vicki was my caretaker, now I'm having problems bandaging my own wounds and keeping the dressings washed (since I cannot reach the washing machine). There aren't any dishes because I'm eating at the hospital (could they possibly charge any more?) and no longer eat at home. I can't change the bed linens because I can't get to Vicki's side of the bed, our room is so small there is only enough room for my wheelchair on one side. And transportation to/from the hospital is an ongoing challenge. Our friends have been very helpful, but there are few in our area. And unfortunately, a one-way taxi ride runs upwards of $35.00 (what?!) and prove to be unreliable for timely service.

Vicki is remaining in very positive spiritual fervor and it amazes me. She encourages me and strengthens me with her courageous faith in God.

I do pretty good until I get inside our empty apartment. At times I totally lose it. It just tears my heart out to see Vicki in such condition and I scream and cry it isn't fair to an empty reality of difficult life.

I'm not going to share Vicki's phone number, but if you want to give her a printed message, you can send it to victory@jonathansr.com and I'll give it to her as soon as I can. My phone number is 713-515-5593 but I'll be unavailable most of the time because the hospital has signal blockers in the cardiac areas. However, I will get your voice message when I get back into signal reception. Please, keep the message brief because there will be many messages for me to hear.

Also, please note, Vicki cannot have live flowers until after she is taken out of SICU (surgical intensive care unit). So if you are sending flowers immediately, please make sure they are silk.

I'm very tired and heading to bed. 

You could mail a card to Vicki at the address below...

yChrist Ministry
PO Box 683266
Houston TX 77268
Attn: Vicki Thomas

Im praying in agreement for both of you. Keep us informed as you can.

Blessings to you as we are siblings in the Lord.
Honoray

Yes, Charlie's visit was a wonderful surprise. We have few friends, so when they appear it is a special time for us.

Vicki's faith is astounding and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to get caught up.

She went th rough the operation okay, even though the DANG doctors never bothered with updating me every 45 minutes like they promised.

She is having trouble getting off the respirator. In a written note, she told me she can't remember how to breathe (she couldn't talk with the respirator and stomach pump in her throat). She has had minimum chest bleeding and only moderate pain, with no fever or blood pressure problems. They called in a breathing specialist to review.

However, this morning her white blood cell count suddenly dropped dramatically for no appearant reason. They have called in a hematologist to review the situation.

There is one nurse that need our sincere prayers. She's obviously only there for the money because she's overly rough and insensitive, performing rapid injections (which is paintful to the veins), pushed the NG hose in too far (stabbing the inside of Vicki's stomach lining), and gouged Vicki's incision while putting on the TED stockings. I was about ready to return to my former life and knock the woman out, right there where she stood, but instead I prayed for Vicki. I think the Holy Spirit kinda hijacked my desire in that situation, but it's okay I guess. I still think my way would have been more productive at the moment.

Please, anyone that wants to know the details or wishes to contribute, please contact Zach.

Zach, thanks for the helping hand. I'll start calling you several times a day with updates. 

Yes, you can transfer funds from your account to his.  Much quicker than mailing.  You will just need to sign up at www.paypal.com

May God bless you, Catherine!!

They have taken Vicki off the insulin and white blood cell multiplier along with the IV morphine and adavan. Everything is now oral, which is a sign of marked progress."

Went to see Vicki again today. They are getting her out of bed 3 times a day now, to sit in an upright recliner. Her blood sugar and blood pressure have normalized, and she's doing much better. Her face finally has regained some of its natural color. She is not eating much because the pain is still very serious. Hopefully they will move her out of SICU later today.

She asked me to send all her love and gratitude.

I had to take a taxi to see Vicki on Saturday because nobody was available for transportation. As I was getting out of the taxi, my left shoulder popped and has hurt like the dickens every since. Saturday night I was up all night long with pain shooting through the shoulder and down to my elbow. Last night was the first night of good solid rest I have had since all this began.

And then Saturday as I got home, my wheelchair cushion went flat. And unfortunately, the leak is along the seam, so I can't jerry-rig it any more. This cushion prevent decubitus ulcers on my backside (a single ulcer could reasonably put me on bed rest for months and take more than a year to heal - I have had one on my left ankle for 6 years now). This cushion usually runs almost $500 each, but I see they have lowered the price to $286.00 (and that includes shipping).

I'm praying the Lord provides this for me before I get an ulcer.

As you can tell, there is so much going on so fast it's hard to keep my head on straight. My boss called today wanting to know when I'm coming back to work. So it seems I'm going to have to get back to work either this evening or tomorrow morning at the latest. But we don't get paid again until September.

I'm really trying hard not to get depressed or doubtful. But it is very difficult to keep fighting. I'm just so tired. 

Oh, I forgot, here's the link to that cushion...

Wheelchair Cushion 

The size needed is 18" x 20" low profile (2" height). I can provide my address if needed. 

Vicki is doing better, she's up walking around now. They have removed the chest tubes, central line, catheter, and IV's, save the one in her arm. She is doing well and expresses her heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your prayerful and financial support. Hopefully she will be back home with me in a few days.

We will begin making contact with many of you privately for your many blessings and helps.

Thanks a million to all of you!

There is still the immediate need for hand controls, so I can drive the van we have. Vicki is going to be restricted from driving for at least six weeks. Then we also expect she will have bypass surgery on both legs again, which will prevent her from driving. So we are praying for hand controls for the van and now only need the remaining $400 to cover the remainder of the actual controls and the required driving course so that I would be able to provide transportation for Vicki and I.

We are so grateful to all of you and thank you for your ongoing prayers.

P.S. When I get the time, I'll tell you all about a dream I had that terrorized me until I the Lord revealed the interpretation. 

By the way, all contributors will remain anonymous unless otherwise requested. We understand your need for discretion and will not disclose your name or details. Thank you for your generosity and kindness. We are so amazed by the many people God has moved to help us. We have never experienced this kind of help from an online community, and it leaves us in awe of Him.

Thank you.