On the list for real

This afternoon has been a difficult one but was helped by so many friends and family surrounding us with prayer. Dad is having problems breathing. He continues to breath 30-40 times a minute. He is also requiring 90% FiO2 which is very high. They decided to try to increase his sedation in hopes that by helping him relax he will oxygenate his lungs better.
They can't figure out what is going on with his lungs. Apparently, they saw something on his chest x-ray that was concerning for pneumonia so they gave him some more high power antibiotics. Please continue to pray against infection as this would keep him from going to surgery. Also, pray for his lungs. It is risky to go to surgery with his lungs where they are at- they don't have much wiggle room.

He is officially back on the list for a new liver. He is not on the status one list because he didn't meet the criteria anymore which we are glad for. He is back on the regular list that he was on before which is based on his MELD (Model for End Stage Liver Disease) score which is comprised of several blood tests. His current score is 34 so he is on the top. His score before last Sunday when they called him was 21. So overnight they will be entertaining offers. Each time they get an offer they will call his nurse to see how his oxygenation is and weigh the risks and benefits of surgery. Pray for his body to be strengthened prior to this surgery. This will be another stressor to his body. The surgeons keep telling us that it is not the technical aspect of the surgery that is difficult but the stress to his body. He will have to receive a lot more fluid and blood products as well as a lot of sedation. They will probably start him on dialysis again during the surgery to keep the fluid off. Pray for the surgeons for discernment/wisdom/knowledge as to which liver to accept and when to proceed with surgery. They have the liberty to pick and choose if they want to accept a liver or wait for the next offer. Continue to pray for God's name to be made great through this. He is moving in ways greater than we can see at this point. He keeps telling us that He isn't finished yet. Pray for the donor and their family during this time. Pray for the donor's salvation and that God would sustain Phil as long as needed for this to take place.

They also took Phil off of his anti-rejection medication as they are trying to prevent infection. This could be interesting with the existing liver. So many things have to work all together at the right time- please pray for God's perfect timing. He has worked everything perfect this far.

Today we were visited by many friends and family. It was a true blessing. Thank you for being the body to us during this time. We can't thank ya'll enough for all everyone has done and continues to do. One man from our church prayed with another family in the waiting room.

Justin just finished talking with a lady, Debra, whose, sister, Candice is in surgery. Candice is 27 and came to the ER with low blood pressure and she was vomiting blood. She was found to have an infection in her knee joint. They took her to the OR and cleaned it out. She is in the ICU room next to Phil. Please pray for Candice and that we would have continued opportunities to talk with them.

Kristin flew home to Nashville tonight. We will just evaluate it one day at a time when she flies back.

I wanted to share with you a song that someone sent me.
Mighty of the Power of the Cross by Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkO-D0fatRQ

What can take a dying man and raise him up to life again?
What can heal a wounded soul?
What can make us white as snow?
What can fill the emptiness?
What can mend our brokenness?
Brokenness

Mighty, awesome, wonderful Is the holy cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is the power of the cross

What restores our faith in God?
What reveals the Father's love?
What can lead the wayward home?
What can melt a heart of stone?
What can free the guilty ones?
What can save and overcome?
Overcome

It's still a miracle to me
It's still a mystery
It's still a miracle to me
The power of God
For those who believe