We are planning for Thomas to have surgery tomorrow, probably around noon. It will last 6-8 hours.
We are very anxious, but trying to trust that the Lord will carry Thomas through his surgery. The surgeons here are excellent, and we are confident in them.
Please pray for strength for Thomas.
Pray for wisdom, strength, steady hands, and clear minds for the doctors and surgeons caring for him.
Pray that Thomas won't feel pain.
Pray for protection for his brain and other organs as he is placed on heart-lung bypass.
Pray that the time of the operation is minimal (ie closer to 6 hrs)
Pray for no complications, no excessive bleeding
Pray that he is able to tolerate coming off of bypass as they thicken his blood, etc (it has to be thinned for him to go on bypass so that it won't clot.....and he is so small that they can't just give him a bunch of blood or clotting factors to thicken it back up like they would to an adult)
Pray for a sense of peace for us....peace that transcends all understanding (Phil 4:7) for today, tonight, and tomorrow......as these will likely be the longest days of our lives.
Pray for a miracle of healing for Thomas. Pray that the surgery will be easy and successful, and that he will exceed all of their expectations in the recovery period. Pray that he is feisty (like his Mama) and like he was during all of his prenatal ultrasounds :)
Eph 3:20- "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"- we ask (BEG) these things in Jesus's name.
Here is another song by Matt Hammitt
"This is Grace"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcCQv_mzG5I&feature=related
Love,
Melissa, TJ, & Thomas
Praying for you all as you endeavor on the most trying times of your lives. Thinking of you & praying for you often. I hope that everyone (every nurse, RT, doctor, anesthesiologist & surgeon) that touches your sweet boy over the coming days shares your strong FAITH, strength, & determination to heal Thomas. In Jesus Name, Amen.
ReplyDeleteWith Love~~~Stephanie
You will all be in our prayers!!! Thomas is a lucky boy to have such awesome parents and so many people loving him and praying for him! Love you all! Jen Colburn
ReplyDeletePraying daily for sweet Thomas - for God to continue to give you strength and courage. May today and everyday God also give you signs of hope and peace!! May Thomas' fiestiness out weigh his size (and we are hopeful it will). We are rooting for all of you. Will be praying for him intensely and can't wait to hear that his surgery was successful and has made him feel better. God Bless -- Kristin Scott & family
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is that I will not stop praying for you all, and especially for Thomas to be the little fighter that we know he is. I hope you can find peace during this process. Thinking of Thomas and your family every minute....much love from my family.
ReplyDeleteWe've been praying for you and continue to pray- especially today and tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLove, Jen and Joey
Your Dad called and filled us in, we will wait to hear tomorrow, get some rest, we will all be thinking about you.
ReplyDeleteDuring Cam's sermon today, I thought of you and TJ often, he spoke on courage. One of the statements he made was " Courage is not the goal, knowing Jesus is the goal. Courage is always a result of knowing Jesus." We will continue to pray for you, TJ, Thomas and the rest of the family. Especially, that your anxiety will lessen and Thomas will be free of pain! We love you guys! Heidi and Wayne Sullivan
ReplyDeleteMelissa and TJ, I am praying for everything you listed and more.
ReplyDeleteWe are with you every step of the way.
We are sending you strength, love and peace.
Hugs Bernie and Joe
We are keeping you all close in our prayers, as God keeps you all close in His hands! I am overwhelmed with memories at the verses you share with us. They are so meaningful, and perfect for what you are going through.
ReplyDeleteMuch love and prayers,
Nate, Kim, Evan and Kade Smith
Melissa, TJ, and Thomas,
ReplyDeleteYou are loved and are held by the Great Physician. As He heals Thomas' heart tomorrow (and stretches your own), please know that we, among many others, are praying for you all. We cannot phathom what you are going through, but we see God's mighty hand in the midst of it all. Much love, prayers, and hugs, The Kirbys
We are thinking and praying for Thomas and your family, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Liz and Scott Annett
Dear Lord,
ReplyDeleteBe with Thomas and his mommy and daddy. We know that you love them more than we can imagine. Please put your guardian angels in the operating room to comfort Thomas. We know and trust in Your strength and pray for a miracle!
Melissa, we will keep Thomas and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteLove Ginger James
Melissa T. J. and Thomas I am Christopher Woodlief's mother Rebecca shared with us about little Thomas I know from my own experience what you are going through now I can only say to you is that God will see you through your long days and nights and will take care of Thomas God created Thomas for you and gave him speical parents. We will be PRAYING for all of you and your family Our Sunday School class is a PRAYING class JOY will come in the morning! Love Mrs. Woodlief
ReplyDeleteWe will be praying all day tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteKaren Gates and family
Praying hard!
ReplyDeleteWe are in Marietta so PLEASE tell me if there's anything we can do while you're here.
Becky (Way) Everette
BeckyEverette@gmail.com
Praying all day today and tomorrow for you guys. Christ's peace be with you! Love, the Bates family
ReplyDeleteI am praying that all of our prayers are answered. Thomas has proven, God does answer prayers. God knows what He is doing and in that we have to put our trust. I know this must be an emotionally, exhausting time. God bless Thomas and his mom and dad!
ReplyDeleteMelissa and TJ,
ReplyDeleteI am having my silent time right now and praying for sweet Thomas. He is such a fighter and has proven that, thus far. I know that God will watch over the surgery and see that Thomas is as comfortable as he can be. I also know he will have a hand over the two of you, too. I will pray as often as possible for Thomas throughout tonight and tomorrow. May God give you all peace and comfort now and the days to come. Sending prayers up right now....
Love,
Ginny
Dr. Behm,
ReplyDeleteJust saw the facebook update about baby Thomas. We are praying now, and will continue to do so, for him and his mama and daddy. Big hugs!
Erin & Buddy Cantrell (Mason's mama and daddy)
Melissa and TJ,
ReplyDeleteAngie and I went out Friday and she let me know about Thomas. We are praying often for all of you! I am sure all will go as planned tomorrow as God is in control of this little man. Abby said to tell Dr. Aunt Melissa that her baby is so adorable!
Brandy Bocchino
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteWow, your blog is amazing! Little Thomas will be in our thoughts and prayers (along with you guys) all day tomorrow and many days to come.
Jaime Tift
TJ and Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI have been praying for both of you and for Thomas, and will continue to lift you all up especially for surgery tomorrow. Thomas is so blessed to have you two as parents! Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Sending you lots of love!
Amanda O'Kelly
Thank you TJ and Melissa for sharing so much with us. You are amazing parents already. Will continue constant prayers with this growing prayer army for Thomas.
ReplyDeleteWe will be praying for all of you! My thoughts and prayers are with you all. You have always been so wonderful to my family and especially my children!! All the love and prayers in the world from the Gongora family!!
ReplyDeleteDr. Behm,
ReplyDeleteWe will be thinking of you tomorrow. Your family will have all our positive thoughts, prayers and energy sent your way. And I hope all of the wonderful and kind caregiving you provide is returned back to you and your son tomorrow! Kelly, John, Hannah and Jack Burt
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations- Thomas is beautiful! Just wanted to let you know that we are praying for him and for you and TJ.
Jamie and Rachael Grant
Dr Behm, we are thinking about you and Thomas. Love and hugs to from Cole and Dylan, you are their favorite doctor. Lots and lots of prayers, may you find peace and strength. You and Thomas are in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteLove, Cole, Dylan, Tomoko and Tom
Dear TJ and Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI'm just now getting a chance to read your blog and learn of what has been going on with your sweet boy. We have a Thomas as well who was also born in early November - and if their name and birthday aren't the only thing they have in common I can tell you right now that your "Sweet T" will be EXTREMELY hard headed and strong willed (just like ours) and will make it through all of this with flying colors. I will keep all of you in my prayers throughout the days and weeks to come and will look forward to reading about his progress. I know God will hold you all in the palm of His hand!!
Much Love,
Carrie (Hill) Coleman, from TJ's class at Westside
We are praying for you and your family--God is awesome, and we pray that this is just another opportunity for Him to show it as he heals Thomas!
ReplyDeleteYou all are in our prayers and on our hearts.
Love,
Bryon, Meaghan & Benjamin
Praying for Thomas to do fine in surgery and get on the road to being healthy and for Mom and Dad to have physical, emotional, spirtual strength during this trying time. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteDr. Behm,
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for your precious little boy today and tomorrow and for his medical team to have clear minds and healing hands during his surgery; as well as for you and your husband to be comforted and given strength in what I know is a very anxious time for you both. He is a precious little angel and he will be in God's hands!
Love, Miranda Knight (Hannah and Caroline's mom)
Melissa, you and your family are in my constant thoughts and prayers. Your Thomas is so lucky to have you, and since he's your son I know that he must be strong. Sending my love,
ReplyDeleteLaura Friedman Crane
Dr Behm,
ReplyDeleteOur son is one of your patients and my heart is breaking for you and your family. However as we all know God is in control and he will heal your precious Thomas! My cousin's baby has HLHS and she is 3 years old now and is doing beautifully! She had her Norwood and Glenn at Egleston and the doctors were wonderful! We are praying for Thomas and your family! God bless y'all
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Thomas! We said extra special prayers today at church. We will continue to pray every day for a speedy recovery for Thomas. God bless you three. Your amazing!
ReplyDeleteDr. Behm: We are praying that God wraps his hands around you, your husband, the medical team, and especially your sweet baby Thomas tomorrow. The Kelley family-Katie, Jimmy, Jimmy III and Cecilia.
ReplyDeletePraying hard!!!!
ReplyDelete