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May 28, 2005
May 27 from Andy
Asher came out of his surgery with everything the Doctor had wanted to accomplish. He had to remove most of the C5 vertebra, because it was almost completely shattered by the fall. Metal plates were screwed into the vertebrae above and below the one that was removed in order to secure and protect his spine. He bled quite a bit and had to have 5 pints of blood as well as blood platelets.
I asked the doctor if he was happy with the outcome and he said that he was and that there were no surprises or disappointments.
He also said that the pressure level on his brain remained consistently low during the operation and that they should be able to remove the sensor from his brain that monitors this pressure in a day or so.
After the operation they took Asher back to ICU to recover. When we left him at 9:30 PM, he was still under the anesthesia and was resting very peacefully.
The doctor also said that if he does well over the next couple of days they will schedule his next operation soon after. This one will be the most difficult. It will be on the vertebrae in the middle of his back and where the greatest injury to his spine has occurred.
Asher is still not conscious. For now this is a good thing. It is sparing him a lot of pain, as well as anxiety. We really can't wait until he opens his eyes.
Gloria, Hadrienne and myself are pretty exhausted. Pray that we will be able to get the rest we need. I think it is really beginning to affect us. Please don't let up on your prayers. There is so much more to get through over the next week. After his back is operated on they will then have to operate on his leg to set it, and until they do there is still a danger of getting blood clots in it.
I honestly don't know how to begin to thank all of you who have written emails, called us, left comments on this blog, or come by personally to help us. It has overwhelmed us beyond words.
Trying to keep up,
andy mendonsa
| By Leda | 10:10 AM
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Comments
We are hurting with you. You are constantly in our prayers and pray that the Lord is surrounding you and yours with a tangible sense of his peace, presence, love, and care. You are loved.
Chris and Elizabeth
Posted by: Chris and Elizabeth Cairns at May 28, 2005 10:21 AM
Dear Mendonsa Family,
I am Leda Goodman's Mother and just want to tell you that we are praying for you and all those whose lives are being touched by Asher's life. In my Sunday School lesson for Sunday, May 29, we are studying Lamentations chapter 3: 19-39. It is amazing how timely this message is to my own heart. Jeremiah gives some very good advice. Our God is all about His faithful love, mercies, and faithfulness. He is our portion as you put your hope in Him, you will not be disappointed.
Praying without ceasing, Many others are also praying! Resting in Jesus, Carole H. Camak in Grovetown, GA
Posted by: Carole H.Camak at May 28, 2005 01:26 PM
we too are praying for you throughout the day.
Posted by: bobw at May 28, 2005 02:10 PM
Andy, Judi and I have been praying for Asher and for you and Gloria and Hadrienne since we heard of the accident. We're in the midst of having out-of-town guests, and getting ready for a Kenya trip, but I wanted you to know that you are on our hearts and in our prayers. We're praying that good will come from this, by God's miraculous ability to turn tragedy into a new creation. I don't write this glibly, but am simply tracing a line from what I've seen Him do, even in situations where I could not see any redeeming horizon whatsoever.
Together, for the Name,
Jim and Judi
Posted by: Jim Sutherland at May 28, 2005 10:19 PM
