Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Unexpected outcome....

Hey everyone,

Cheryl went in for the last procedure yesterday and we were definitely not expecting how much more painful and difficult the second surgery would be compared to the first. Please be praying for my mom. She's been in extreme pain and discomfort. She can hardly keep any food down. It's been a rough couple of days. Please also pray that we would be able to contact the doctor...we've had trouble reaching him to see if there is some different pain medication we can give her. It's hard to see her in so much pain and we pray that this will pass soon. Thank you all again for your continued support and prayers. Cheryl definitely needs it!

Continuing to trust,
Cheryl's family

Monday, November 17, 2008

Last Procedure!

I wanted to let you guys know that your continued prayers are continuing to be answered. It shouldn't come as a surprise to us knowing that "whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." (Matthew 21:22) We serve a good and faithful God who truly hears our cries. I will share with you one of the ways He has done that in the past few days.

As we said before, there is still one more step in this process before Cheryl will be able to experience the effects of the surgery that will help alleviate her symptoms from Parkinson's Disease. That procedure means putting a device in her chest just under the skin that will connect to the wires that have been placed in her brain. This is an outpatient procedure, so she will be able to leave the same day. Cheryl has been trying to schedule this procedure without success, as most of you know how difficult it can be at times to try and work with doctor's offices. The doctor kept telling her it would be after Thanksgiving. But, then it was discovered that he will be out of town after Thanksgiving. Then, there was an attempt to move the date of the surgery up, but there was complications with the insurance. After many difficulties, everything was resolved and Cheryl will go in TOMORROW for this final procedure! We are so thankful because this means she will be able to experience the effects of the surgery even sooner than expected! God truly does work all things together for good, even though from our limited perspective it seems as if everything is going wrong!

The surgery is at UCLA tomorrow, November 18, at 2:30 P.M. Please be praying for the following:
1)For Cheryl as she goes in for this final surgery
2)For a quick recovery
3)For the lasting benefits from the DBS surgery
4)Most of all, that God would be glorified and praised in us no matter what the outcome

Praising our great God,
Cheryl's family

Friday, November 14, 2008

Next Steps...

Hello all,
Well, we've made it through! It's been a little over a week since Cheryl's surgery and we continue to praise God for how quickly she has recovered from something as critical as brain surgery. He is so faithful to His children. We praise Him for doctors that can help restore our earthly bodies that are "wasting away." But, He keeps us in a place where we still long to be made new in Him. He's so much more concerned with our soul, but still loves us enough to care for our body as well. We take heart in knowing that "though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Many of you are asking, "So, what's next?" Well, there is still one more procedure in this process before Cheryl can experience the full benefits of this surgery. This next operation is an outpatient surgery in which they will place the device under her skin in her chest that will connect to the wires. This is the device which will send the stimulation to the brain cells. This final procedure will take place sometime after Thanksgiving. Cheryl will begin to see the complete results of the surgery by Christmas. Praise the Lord! What a wonderful Christmas blessing.

We cannot thank you enough for all of your prayers, support, and encouragement through this time. We would appreciate your continued prayers for Cheryl's recovery and for the lasting benefits of this surgery. For those of you who already know Cheryl, she will hopefully be able to do lots more the next time you see her. And for those of you who have yet to meet her--if you meet her on this earth, she will be able to shake your hand and squeeze it tight. :) And if you don't meet until heaven, it won't matter because she'll have a brand new body anyway! Again, THANK YOU for everything. We love you all.

Praising Him,
Cheryl's family

Saturday, November 8, 2008

True Beauty


The always-beautiful Cheryl Klopfenstein.
And, yes, she knows I put this picture on the blog
but she wanted you guys to see what she looks like!
This verse has never been more clear to me than it is now:
"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeing, but a woman who fears the
LORD is to be praised." -Proverbs 31:30




Friday, November 7, 2008

Update from Cheryl!!!!

I want to thank EACH and EVERY person on and off the prayer schedule that has prayed and continues to pray for me. From the way things went on the day of the surgery I could really feel the support. One instance in particular--when I got a CT scan that I didn't know I was getting and they had to tape my head down (I'm very claustraphobic), I thought I was going to "fall apart" but felt complete peace instead and was able to make it through! As well as wearing the steel frame on my head without any medication (until the time for surgery).

During the surgery, I experienced what it will feel like when the device is fully installed and working (there is still one more step before the process will be complete). It was an incredible feeling to know that without any medication, I could function and control my body movements without stiffness or shaking!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!! The doctors promise that by Christmas, I will begin to experience the full effects of this procedure. What a great Christmas present! Thank you Lord!

As for recovery, besides a little headache and vomiting from some of the medications, things are going pretty well. Most amazingly, the doctor released me the day after the surgery! Wow! I'm back at home now, which is so much better than a hospital room.

I also want to point out the amazing support of the men in my family--at first my 2 sons had agreed to shave their heads with me, but now ALL the men in my family (including 2 grandsons) have shaved their heads as well! Now they can have cold heads too. :)

God is good and the family of God is very precious to me. To everyone who came to the hospital, to people who couldn't come but were praying, friends that have encouraged and supported me, even to people I have never met that have been praying---THANK YOU. No words could EVER express how grateful I am to each one of you. I love you all!

Love,
Cheryl

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Update #6

Hey Everyone!

We have even more good news!  Mom had recovered so quickly and so well, the doctor released her today!  It's amazing how well she has been recovering from something as serious as brain surgery.  The recovery at home will take a few weeks, but it's so much better to recover at home in your own bed than in a hospital room.  The only slight problem has been nausea and vomiting, which is simply a result of the anesthesia and medication.  But, other than that she is recovering incredibly!  God has been so faithful and so good to us.  Please continue to pray for healing and recovery.  Praise God for the ways in which He's already worked in mom's body and in drawing all of us, especially mom, closer to Himself.  He is the giver of so many good gifts, the greatest of all is the gift of Himself.  We rejoice that we've been able to walk through this with the God of the universe and that He's provided so many people to encourage us along the way.  Thank you so much!  I will keep you posted as the recovery process continues.  

"As a Father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.  For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust."  -Psalm 103:13-14


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Update #5

It's been a long day of waiting here at UCLA, but also a day of great rejoicing in the Lord's provisions.  It's 11:20 P.M. and after much waiting, mom has a room!  This was the last hurdle to get over.  We didn't want to leave the hospital (though we're staying right down the street) until she had her own room (she's been waiting in the recovery room all this time!).  But, we just received official word that she is being moved into Room 6621.  We'll let you know if there is a phone number you can reach her at tomorrow when she is feeling more up to having phone calls.  That's the latest info!  We're all going to head back and try and catch some sleep.  Talk to you all soon.  


Update #4

After a very long wait (mostly just waiting for mom to get out of recovery), we've finally been able to go and see her!  She's doing great!  She has a bit of a headache (hmmm...I wonder why?), but other than that, she feels good.  I asked her what she wanted to say to all of you and here is what she said:  "God was with me the whole time.  His peace and comfort were here.  He was here during the CT scan, which I was nervous about (she's claustrophobic :).  Thank you all for your prayers.  God answered every one of them."  There was a point during the surgery that they had to wake her up (to interact with her and find the affected neurons) and this was the part she was most scared for.  Cheryl remembers this time, but says that she felt God's peace so much during this time.  She also made sure that the doctors, nurses, and anesthesiologists knew that they were being well prayed for today. Praise the LORD!  It's now about 7:30 P.M. and Cheryl is definitely ready for some rest.  We'll keep you all posted.  PRAISE God for the way He has answered all of our prayers and continue to pray for mom during her recovery.  We love you all and praise God for the body of Christ.  

Update #3

The doctor just came into the waiting room to let us know that Cheryl's surgery is complete!  It went well, and the doctor is waiting to see the results of the CT Scan to make sure that the wires that have been placed in her brain have been placed in the correct place.  As soon as they see the results, if the wires are correct, Cheryl will be moved to recovery!  We should be able to go and see her within the next hour and a half - 2 hours.  We'll let you know as soon as we hear any more info!  PRAISE GOD!


Update #2

So far so good!  We received word at about 1:00 that they were halfway through the operation (meaning they've finished one side of the brain).  So, they projected that it would be about another hour and half - 2 hours.  All of Cheryl's siblings are here, along with some of her nieces, and of course her husband, children and grandchildren.  Thank you all SO MUCH for your prayers and encouragement!  We love you all and know that Cheryl does too (even those of you who have never met her!).  

Continuing to trust,
The fam


Update #1

Well, our long day in the waiting room began around 6 A.M. this morning.  It is now about 9:30 A.M. and we continue to wait!  Cheryl officially went into the operating room around 9:00 and according to Dad, who was by her side, "she was completely calm."  Now, that's probably due to all the medication they had in her body, but nevertheless she was calm and we rejoice in that.  The last we saw her, they had shaved all her hair off and placed the "cage" on her head that will hold it in place during surgery.  Please continue to pray with us and we will continue to keep you informed.

In His peace,
Cheryl's family    

Monday, November 3, 2008

Surgery Eve

Hey Everyone!

To each person reading this that has blessed Cheryl and our family through countless prayers, encouragement, and offers to help: THANK YOU! We are so thankful for each and every one of you. We are amazed at the support we have recieved from so many people and God has used you to comfort and encourage Cheryl as she walks into this surgery. As we go into this procedure tomorrow, we have some specific ways you can be praying:



1) For God's supernatural peace to comfort Cheryl and put her at ease as she goes into surgery.



2) For wisdom and direction for the doctors, anesthesiologists, and nurses that will be providing care for Cheryl during the operation.



3) That this procedure would be effective in helping relieve the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease so that Cheryl can enjoy prolonged time on earth with family and friends.



4) That the recovery would be as quick and easy as possible for Cheryl's sake.



5) For opportunities for Cheryl and our family to share the reason for the hope that we have that far extends the worries of this world. Pray that we would even be an example to the doctors, staff, and others in the waiting room as we trust in God and His faithfulness throughout this time.



6) Most of all, that the name of the Lord would be praised no matter what the circumstances or outcome. To God be the glory both now and forevermore.



Praying with you to our good God,

Cheryl's family