Much has happened since we last wrote

Dear friends and family:

First of all, Kerry's cornea transplant surgery was a complete success. Monday the 15th, Kerry had an eye test performed and was found to have 20 - 200 vision. Four days later, she had another eye test that showed that everything was looking positive and her vision improved to 20 -165. Then, on the 25th of March she was tested again and it was determined that her vision had improved to 20 - 80! This was obviously very good news for us. Thank you, God!

On a completely different subject, immediately subsequent to the eye surgery, Kerry had been noticing increased shortness of breath and wheezing in her lungs. At first, Her primary care physician diagnosed her with asthma, but her shortness of breath and fatigue continued to get worse. Adding to the problem, Kerry pulled several muscles and tendons in her right foot, which made it impossible to put any weight on that foot until until it healed. Consequently, Kerry not only had very little energy, she also had lost her mobility.

Then, after having an X-ray and a V-Q scan was performed, it was discovered that Kerry had fluid in her lungs and would have to be taken to the hospital immediately. Kerry arrived at the West Hills Hospital on Friday the 26th around 5:00pm, but was not admitted until 3:00 in the morning! On Saturday, the 27th, Kerry had a battery of tests performed including an echocardiogram, which indicated that she had fluid around her heart (as well as in her lungs) and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. :-( It was at that time that the cardiologist indicated that her heart is only functioning at 20-percent capacity.

Kerry was kept in the hospital for six days and given medications to eliminate excessive fluids in her body and to make her heart stronger. Thursday morning, April 1st, Kerry was given an angiogram to determine if there were any blockages in her heart; it was determined that there were none... thanks be to God! The surgeon speculated that some sort of virus attacked the heart muscle, which weakened it to 20-percent normal capacity. The doctor indicated that most patients recover from these conditions by taking medication that strengthens the heart. It was determined that Kerry does not have asthma. Thank you, God!

Kerry came home Thursday night (April 1st). Her foot is still not completely healed, but is doing much better.

We give praise to God that Kerry's left eye is doing really, really well. She marvels at the new things she can see every day that she could never see before with that eye. The one thing that is a bit of an irritation is that the stitches are starting to loosen and are making her eye itch (the doctors will be removing the stitches as the eye continues to heal).

Prayer Requests

1. Please pray that God will be glorified in this and every situation. This is the most earnest request we have. The book of James tells us to "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." May the Lord perform His perfect will for His glory in this trial. Amen.

2. Please pray for a complete recovery for Kerry's heart. Understandably, Kerry is having difficulty processing the full impact of what has happened to her and the implications that it could have for many years to come. This is a very serious situation and, although recovery is a real possibility, there are no guarantees except for the ever-present assurance that God is completely sovereign.

3. This new heart condition comes with a lifestyle change involving diet, exercise and a plethora of new medications. :-( Please pray that Kerry will learn to adjust to the new regimen.

4. Please pray for Dennis, Emily, Craig and extended family as they also learn to cope with and adjust to what has happened to Kerry.

We would like to thank all the people who have brought meals, visited Kerry and taken care of her as she has been dealing with this new challenge. Your love, support and prayers have made a big difference for her and all of us.

May the Lord richly bless you all!

Happy Resurrection Sunday.

P.S. Kerry would love to have comments and notes of encouragement posted on this blog site. Thank you! :-)