Urgent Prayer Request
Hello friends and family, could you please stop and pray for Bret Beherns. He's a close friend of mine.
He suffered a fall from about 65 feet yesterday afternoon. He had surgery to repair the tear in his aorta at 3 am this morning in Springfield, IL. Because open heart surgery would be a slow recovery the surgeons chose to do a patch type stent. They will wait to make sure that his heart is stable before they begin the repairs to the compound fractures in his ankles. He is heavily sedated and is being given mega doses of antibiotics to help with possible infection. His vitals are again pretty stable. Prayers are being answered and according to hospital staff he is doing miraculously well for what has happened to him. Many friends have been beside Brian and Sandy (Bret's parents) in Springfield and they are feeling peoples' prayers...continue to pray that the aorta patch will be successful, and the bones will be repaired and there will be no infection.
At around 11:00 this morning Bret went into surgery for his back. He had compression on his nervous. This is a 6 hour procedure.
Please also pray for Bret's family. They need sleep. They are doing well and have been a huge witness to everyone around them, but they need rest.
Pray for me and those who are close to them to know how to help or stay out of the way.
Thanks for your prayers. God is using this in a mighty way to bring glory to himself.
"The prayers of a righteousman is powerful and effective."
Blessings,
Barry
posted by Wade at 6/14/2006 06:42:00 PM
3 Comments:
Barry just added to this request the need to pray that infection does not set in, and that he will regain feeling below his waist.
Thanks for praying.
Since Bret's 11 hour surgery on Wednesday he remains in critical but stable condition. We believe God is giving him (and his family) rest at this time. Sandy got 5.5 hours of sleep Wednesday night!!! :) Sandy and Carol Allen stood beside his bed for his morning vital check. The right ankle had a good pulse. The doctor had difficulty finding the pulse on the left ankle. So Carol and Sandy began to pray that God would direct the doctors hand to the proper location. Within 1 to 2 minutes a pulse was heard. PTL!
Bret did have a bone scan today (Thursday). The doctors are deciding about future procedures and possible options. Pray for wisdom here.
Bret is heavily sedated; however, he does respond to commands such as "open your eyes," etc.. He cannot speak at this time due to the tubes in his mouth. He is on a ventilator NOT for life support but to help his body rest.
He started tube feeding today. Getting nourishment through a tube into his stomach. The head of his bed is elevated somewhat to reduce the chance of fluid building in his lungs.
He is strong and stable and we know God is working in him and through him...without a doubt! Please CONTINUE to pray specifically that there will be NO infection and that there would be feeling and proper nerve function in the lower extremities.
Dear friends and family,
To some of you this may be a repeat but to most of you this is an overdue update. First of all, thanks for your prayers for Bret. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. After my vacation in South Carolina and Florida, I came over to Springfield to be with Bret and his family. Once again, I'm totally amazed at God's handiwork and how he has done miracles in Bret and ministered to so many people through Bret and his family. They had to amputate Bret's left leg (6 inches below the knee). Although this is like a death, we also can praise God because we live in a day and age where prosthetic legs are advanced to the point where people can learn to walk normally. This is a difficult thing for everyone to accept but I really see strength in the Behern family and especially in Bret. They told Bret several days ago, once he was off of the medication that kept him "asleep." Bret cried about the reality but later he shook the hand of the doctor that saved his life and said, "Thanks." Even in his pain, he is thoughtful and considerate of others. Bret believes he will run a marathon in the future but probably won't be able to make the one he was conditioning for in October. I believe it too. Bret is now in the battle against pain and discomfort. Since he is not heavily medicated he is more aware of the pain. It is difficult to watch him suffer and not be able to do anything. Even in this struggle there are life-memory moments. Like, Bret saying that the clouds outside are amazing and so thankful that he can see them. (OH...they moved him to a new floor for recovery...that is a good thing. His room has a good window view too) I sat for several hours this afternoon just talking and reflecting with Bret. He said something that impressed me. He said, "We will never get to have 6-28 ever back again." (That's today). He truly is trying to live each day to the fullest. A doctor that specializes in prosthetics came in and talked with Bret about a few things he will have to prepare for. A whole new area to learn about. It will be a long learning process. It looks like they will be able to move Bret to Carle hospital in Champaign on Friday (hopefully!). This is a good thing, since Springfield (where the Beherns have been since day one) is over one hour away. Carle hospital would allow them to go home more often and for friends to be able to visit easier. That would be a huge relief for them. There are so many more things to share about what God has done though Bret and his family in this. I share these few things in awe and total amazement.
If God places Bret on your mind or heart...please pray for these things:
1) No infection. (there is still concern for the right leg. Although they have reset the fractures and it looks VERY good. Pray for proper healing and moveability in the ankle.)
2) For strength to cope with pain and discomfort.
3) Opportunities to serve and witness to others.
4) Wisdom for doctors/Bret/family how to deal with a prosthetic leg.
5) For God to be glorified.
Thanks again, I've probably forgotten a few things...but I'll try to keep you all better up to date now that I'm here again.
In Christ,
Barry
Post a Comment
<< Home