Steve goes into surgery

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Sean

UPDATE FROM MICHE 1:57pm EST
Surgery proceeding smoothly. No updates for another hour or two.

UPDATE FROM MICHE 12:15PM EST
Just heard that Steve is now under and prepped successfully.  They are ready to begin surgery.  No more news for at least an hour and a half.

24 June 2010 11:30 am

Steve is now in the OR and they are prepping him for surgery.  We do not expect to have any news for at least an hour and a half.

Steve was beautifully present this morning, cracking jokes and making us laugh, sitting up with the physical therapists and with slightly less pain than he had had previously.  I had prayed that he would have comfort in the night.  Turns out that in his delirium he thoughts I was in the room and not talking to him because we both didn’t want me to get kicked out!  He also had an excellent visit with the speech therapist who thinks that if all goes well with the surgery, they may have him eating without a feeding tube tomorrow.  Much to celebrate.

These are the harrowing hours.  However, Steve has already shown his capacity to come through surgery.  The same neurosurgeon is operating on him, and the anesthesiologist will be following the same general course they followed during the last surgery.  Steve needed me to be positive for him, so until there is any reason to be otherwise, I am fully expecting to see my love in four to six hours with no neck brace on and doing well!  They allowed me to be with him in pre-op, again an uncommon gift.  He thanked the neurosurgeon so profoundly that I think I saw his eyes get wet!

I am praying for a tangible joyful presence to be in the room with Steve, and for a raving success.  A major prayer request is that they are able to extubate him again immediately after surgery.  That is the goal, and it will prevent more of what we experienced before: great discomfort, risk of damage to his vocal cords, and prolonged sedation.

I am filled with love and gratitude for my amazing man!

Michelle

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  • Amanda Vermeulen

    Well guys, you managed to get this far by clinging to God and one another through all this turmoil and you are being blessed beyond words. No reason to believe that this will change anytime soon! I dont know you, but the more I am exposed to what's happening in your lives, the more I wish I did. Way to go and all the glory to our Lord and King, Jesus Christ!

  • Pelicanbeach98

    Tiffany and I are up in the sky right now on a flight, perhaps a bit closer to heaven, praying that God be with Steve throughout his surgery, that the Lord be with all the doctors and nurses who are caring for him, and that God give you continued hope, faith, and strength. Blessings!
    Love,
    Chris Megargee

  • Bsacook

    All our guardian angels are around Steve to bring Gods man Steve thru, God speed Angels…..

  • Heather James

    Michelle – As I prayed for you and Steve last night, I was asking Jesus to “be Michelle in the room with Steve – stroking his hair, holding his hand, being comfort and presence for him.” How wonderful to hear that Jesus gave him all the comfort of your presence as you slept. Let this just be a testimony to how God is hearing the prayers of His people, and showing His strong and powerful love to you both. My prayers continue to be with you today – asking for God to meet you in powerful, tangible, and joyful ways as you walk through these next hours.
    blessings,
    Heather James

  • Kari Medina

    Be thine the compassing of the God of life
    Be thine the compassing of the Christ of love,
    Be thine the compassing of the Spirit of Grace,
    To befriend thee and to aid thee,
    Thou beloved one of my heart.

    May the Lord's sweet Spirit encompass Steve, his medical team, Michelle, and all their family, bringing divine healing and hope for the journey ahead.
    love to you

  • Liz Fallin

    You don't know me, but I am a friend of Sky's, and Steve is on my daily prayer list. As an Orthodox Christian, and with a son named Patrick, the Breastplate of St. Patrick is one of my favorite prayers. I pray it now for Steve:

    Christ be with me, Christ within me,
    Christ behind me, Christ before me,
    Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
    Christ to comfort and restore me,
    Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
    Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
    Christ in hearts of all that love me,
    Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

    I bind unto myself the name,
    The strong name of the Trinity;
    By invocation of the same.
    The Three in One, and One in Three,
    Of whom all nature hath creation,
    Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
    Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
    salvation is of Christ the Lord.

  • Jodi Kendall

    Dear Ruetschle family,

    I don’t know you, but Facebook tells me we have some mutual Firwood friends. I’ve been moved to pray for you because several weeks ago my 10-year-old niece was hit by an SUV at 40 mph, and your updates bring me right back to where we were just a month ago. I’m drawn to you because I feel like I know how to pray for your present moments and your days to come.

    God is consistently *astounding* us through the process of Joy's recovery, and it is with fresh conviction of God's mighty power that I pray for Steve, believing equally mind-boggling things are possible for him. I know Joy's story is different, but her God is the same!

    May the God of all comfort bless you each so richly, and may you sense his arms carrying you above your circumstances, even in the midst of deep pain. May he protect the hearts of those you love. I look forward to news of a successful surgery.

    With love,
    Jodi Kendall
    Portland, OR