Little Gideon, at 7 months, underwent open heart surgery to repair the large hole in his heart that had been discovered a month before he was born.
Our entire family has been praying that God will protect and care for Gideon, that God would guide the surgeon’s hands, that the doctors could preserve his thymus, and that Gideon would have a successful surgery to repair his heart. We prayed that Gideon’s recovery would be quick and with as little pain as possible.
Please God let Gideon survive this difficult surgery, we prayed.
This is the same surgery that my dear Danny had when he was 70 years old. I was beside his bed as his surgery was completed and he entered the Intensive Care Unit. I was by his side the entire week in the hospital….day and night. So both Dan and I know how grueling this surgery and recovery is. But at least both Danny and I know that he had lived a good, long life, not like our dear little, smiley grandson who is only seven months old.
Our hearts went out to Gideon and to his Papa and Mama, Owen and Mila.
The day before surgery, Mama and Papa got ready to take Gideon down to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital for his open heart surgery. Grandpa and I, and Owen and Mila’s three older children, Hannah, Vernon, and Robert, waved goodbye and blew kisses to Mama, Papa, and Gideon. And then we prayed.
The next photo is early morning before surgery….this little innocent baby trusted his parents, who trust in God to care for their child.
Mila never left Gideon’s side and slept beside him in the hospital the entire time he was in the hospital. Gideon is just a little tiny baby….still nursing. And Owen was either in the hospital with his dear wife and precious baby or bringing healthy home-cooked food to Mila. He slept a few hours each night nearby at our Leisure World home.
Here is our little Gideon….he looked so similar to how my Danny looked when he had his open heart surgery—Gideon looked like a little tiny Grandpa. This is what I saw when Danny was brought into ICU. This is what Owen and Mila saw when Gideon was brought into ICU:
In the evening on the day of surgery…..
Morning of the day after surgery….Gideon’s first smiles!!!!
Every day Papa called on the landline to talk with his dear children, Hannah, Vernon, and Robert. They were so excited to talk with Papa and tell him about their day. Vernon and Robert held their toys up to the old-fashioned phone receiver to “show” Papa their cars, knights, and dragons. Vernon was very perplexed, and while looking all around at the phone, he finally asked Papa, “I can’t see you inside the phone. Where are you Papa?”
Evening of day after surgery. Mama and Gideon talking to Hannah, Vernon, and Robert…oh also talking to Grandma and Grandpa, who were honored to stay home and care for the three older children. In fact, we had a blast. Not many grandparents get to spend five days and nights caring for their three little young grandchildren….without any parents around!
Day four after surgery….Papa, Mama, and Gideon are coming home!
The cleaning crew getting the cabin ready for Gideon’s homecoming….what hard workers. The cabin was spotless!
Of course Hannah, Vernon, and Robert had presents for Papa and Mama and Gideon. They also had lots of stories to tell about their adventures with Grandma and Grandpa!
They are an amazing family. They have such deep love and gratitude for each other, and their entire family. Their faith in God and prayers were answered. Our little Gideon is on the road to recovery.
Thank you God.
