surgery tomorrow

After much talk and many tests Luke's team in Pittsburgh decided it was important to redo his fundoplication for a second time. We arrived in Pittsburgh last night and after one night in a hotel were able to check into Ronald McDonald House today. We are so thankful for RMH. This AM Luke had an eye appointment to fine tube his glasses prescription. Blood work followed and then he was admitted to his home away from home 7A. He will have his surgery tomorrow. The surgeon will try to do it all laproscopically abd with a robot. First he will have to undo the old fundoplication then redo a new one. We hope to relieve his symptoms of constant reflux and to protect his lungs. Undoing the scaring from the last one will be challenging (especially the scaring on the liver) and may make it necessary to open him up. The plan is to remove the breathing tube at the end of surgery. The surgery will take about 4 hours maybe longer. At noon it will start so it will be a long day.

this is Luke tonight. He is smiling but that is to hide his anxiety. I believe he walked a mile in his room from all the pacing. He is on isolation so there is no walking the halls. We played board games and read to help pass the time until he could fall asleep.

my little fashion girl. All the girls, the baby and my mom are here with us. Glen and the boys will come out Thursday after work to spend a few days with us.

love these notes I find on my pillow.

Glen , Luke and Elijah handing out candy to the trick or treaters.

The girls walking their trick or treat route. Makayla insisted on carrying her bucket of can't all by herself for the 1 miles neighborhood walk.

"oh no will this be used when I am a teen?"

"Ok.. maybe a pumpkin isn't too bad"

" I really am not sure I like this costume stuff!"

Carving pumpkins

Luke had his first Friday night at a high school football game with his friend, Devon. Devon and Luke have been friends since he was around 5 years old and began playing for the Miracle League. She was often his Angel in the Outfield. Now they are both teenagers and Devon has continued to be a special friend to Luke.

Waffles for breakfast

Luke's last game at Miracle League for the season. He had a little buddy on the team (Luke is 23).. He loves little children and helping them.

loved watching him run the bases at his last game of the season.

Please pray for Luke tomorrow as he goes through a difficult surgery. Pray for the surgeons hands (and the robots!) As the work is delicate and we pray for minimal bleeding. Please pray for Luke's lungs that he can get off the ventilator at the end of surgery before he completely wakes up.

Please pray for a successful surgery that helps protect his lungs. Please pray his belly wakes up after anesthesia and we dont have bad belly issues. Please pray he bacteria stay out of his blood!