Surgery Update - 2/3/2011

[Tom & Bethany Eckert]

Bethany left her room this morning for surgery around 6:15 a.m. The surgery went well, but took much longer than expected.  Nearly 12 hours after she left us, we were able to go in an see her.  She was still heavily sedated, but was awake just enough to let her wishes be known that she wanted her mother to stay with her.  The Dr asked that she not receive a lot of stimulation today because it could make the process of coming out from under the sedation more difficult for her.  The Drs feel confident about the surgery's success.  We are grateful to the medical team and most of all to God for watching over the process.
They were able to do the surgery from between her ribs -- which means that they didn't have to split the sternum. They say that she will heal much faster than if they had gone through the sternum.
They informed us that they would have her up and walking tomorrow. (I bet she doesn't go very far - or very fast.)

Thank you for your continued prayers.
Thank you, God.

Tom Eckert