In Recovery!!

Dr Sutherland just came out and said all was done! Lacey is in recovery after nearly 12 hours of surgery. The islets were transplanted and they were able to infuse nearly all of the islets that were harvested. They gave her 7500 per kg which is over twice the amount that they consider successful (read my previous blog). The doctors seem very very optimistic of her recovery but say since there was such a large amount of islets infused, the pressure in the liver rose significantly which increases the risk for clots. Because of this she will be on a constant infusion of heparin (blood thinner) for 4 to 5 days, which increases her risk for bleeding. He said the risk for reoperation for bleeding is high but we should know by sun-up if she bleeds or not. As for now, Lacey is in recovery and we are not able to see her. From my understanding, she has a drain coming from her wound in the abdomen, as well as a tube down her nose to empty her stomach. She also has a central line in her neck for in fluids and blood. I'm sure she looks very ill after a long day of surgery, and even as a nurse i am praying that God will prepare me to see my wife in such a poor physical condition. We have missed her dearly today and i even keep thinking my phone will ring at some point and it will be her, but i must be reminded that she is STILL not awake. i miss her dearly and am so thankful God has provided this means for her healing. We should know between now and 10pm if she will be put on the intermediate care unit (sorda like ICU), or the Intensive Care unit. Her disposition from recovery will depend on how long it takes her to wake and how her respiratory status is after weaning off of the anesthesia. I am forever thankful to my merciful God for his grace in our lives and pray that He will continue to provide us with mercy and grace as she battles this recovery. Lacey is very very weak since she hasn't been out of bed in over 4 weeks and she will basically have to learn how to walk again...starting tomorrow. The therapy team here is very aggressive and as i stated in my earlier blogs, lacey is ready for the challenge. She is truly an inspiration to me and i'll never be able to tell her how much she encourages me. We remain here in the surgery waiting room and hope to hear from the nurses at some point on where they will send lacey for tonite. I will keep you updated as things change but for now all has been without a mishap and lacey got plenty of islets which should be great for avoiding long term insulin use.
I cannot express to you how much God has blessed us in this situation and my faith in Him is increasing daily. You may think i'm crazy but i am thankful that he has placed us in these trials over the past weeks. His glory is being revealed in the lives of us, his children. The doctors, nurses, techs, hotel attendants, flight attendents, and others are swept away by our desire to continue to love our God and serve our God as we suffer. God is God, and God is good, He is mighty and all his ways are just. Lacey will endure, and with endurance, God will give strength and healing. He has given her an amazing testimony of His healing power and our knowledge of Him and faith in Him tells us that regardless of what happens tonight, tomorrow, next week or next month, Our God is controlling all things, and working all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to His purpose. Praise His Holy Name!