The Great Physician

by Jodi @ God Still Speaks 7:46 AM 2 comments Church Glory Stories Testimony

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

I'm clinging to this verse today as I have run out of words to pray.  In the years I have been a member at Calvary, I have developed friendships with so many wonderful people.  One particular family was always known for their selfless giving as foster parents to the most special of needs children in foster care - those born with major birth defects, drug/alcohol withdrawal and syndromes, and many other dire medical and physical needs.

Two years ago, one of their three children, Jon Jon, started becoming very ill.  Ultimately his team of doctors found symptoms for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative Colitis; they termed his condition "Crohns-Colitis".  It has been a long road for him of hospital stays, steroids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medications that work for a while and then stop.  This month (April 2014) they were at the last of the options to avoid surgery when those last-ditch options failed.

As I write this, 11-year old Jon Jon is being prepared for major abdominal surgery.  Today is the first of several surgeries to come over the next couple of years as the doctors work diligently to treat his condition.  Please join me in prayer for Jon Jon, his medical staff, and his entire family.  It is hard to enjoy being a kid when you are in constant pain, unable to eat or drink, or really do anything other than sleep.  Pray that he heals from the surgeries quickly.  Pray the outcomes are better than expected.  Pray that God intervenes at every bend and turn as this story unfolds.

I know that Jon Jon knows Jesus as his Savior.  The same Jesus who gives sight to the blind, gives the lame ability to walk, and even raises the dead to life.  Jesus is in charge of Jon Jon's life even at this young age and I know the whole family is relying completely on the Lord and Savior to guide each step of this journey.

**UPDATES**

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May 4th:

The BEST POST EVER from MommaBear on Jon Jon's coming home!
"Jonathan...IS COMING HOME TODAY! Its official. We are waiting on a few things before we can go. I have to empty and change his bag to prove I can do it. Physical therapy has to come train him on his crutches. We need paperwork from the dietician. We need to see if he is getting his shot. And...we need the prescription for his handicapped tag.  And this is a photo of Gracie checking out Jonathan's new anatomy."  Just because Jon Jon is home now doesn't mean that his battle is over.  He has to continue to heal and his body adapt to this new way of functioning.  Momma Bear is always good about updating on Jon Jon's condition and I'll update as often as she does because you folks have all been fantastic prayer warriors for the whole family!!!

May 3rd:

10:03 a.m. - MommaBear just told our Sunday School classthat Jon Jon may get released today!! They have to be trained on things like changing his bag and such! What a BIG answer to prayer!

May 2nd:

3:30 p.m. - He's eating!!!

1:45 p.m. - GREAT NEWS FROM MOMMABEAR!!! "Jonathan got up and walked to the wall of the nourishment room. About 2 doors down from his room! He is moving easier and although HE doesn't know it they turned the continuous drip of morphine off. He can still push his button every 10 minutes but he hasn't even noticed the absence of meds. He is also able to eat and drink from a modified diet. Praising God for these advancements."  I cannot express in words how exciting this news is!!!  Your prayers are working - keep up the great work prayer warriors!!

9:12 a.m. - Momma Bear says "Late last night we had some excitement. The NG tube got up against the wall of Jonathan's stomach and the suction made him start bleeding. They went ahead and removed the tube. He looks so much more comfortable and can move his head easier. Not a lot other than that has changed."  NG tubes are used to deliver liquid nutrition directly into the stomach.  Pray that Jonathan's stomach heals from the suction quickly.  He will need all the nutrients he can get to heal properly.

May 1st:

9:30 p.m. - Momma Bear says "This afternoon we changed his bag for the first time. It was pretty painful but he was a trooper as always. Directly after that his PT arrived for therapy. He was able to use his walker and get to the nurses station directly across from his room door. They were cheering him on and so proud of his progress. His left shoulder is still painful but the gas seems to be working its way out of his joints. His bowel also seems to be waking up. Once they start letting him drink then advance his diet, the surgeon said it would be painful. At that point he won't be able to use the heavier drugs because it will put his bowel back to sleep. So...pray that his high pain tolerance can keep going."

1:36 p.m. - MommaBear said "I'm sorry I haven't updated. Jonathan did fine with the transfusions. His stomach is still being suctioned so he doesn't get sick and tear his incisions. He had 2 accidents during the night. We got him up and changed his bed both times. He is worn out and so am I. PT will be here at 2 to make him walk. He is being very sweet and thanks me for every little thing. I'm getting lots of "I love you mom". So thankful he isn't bitter over all of this. One time when he got up he Teared up and said "I should have tried harder to keep my colon." I told him it was NOT his fault and that it had to come out.  It makes me sad to think he feels this is because of something he did...or didn't do. Our sweet boy is touching so many lives."  Pray specifically that God allows Jon Jon to see that it's not his fault that he got this disease; that's it's all part of a sovereign plan.

April 30th:

9:07 p.m. - MommaBear said "We got Jonathan up again tonight. He didn't want to but afterwards said it was easier than the first time."  Praise God!  Progress is good no matter how big or small. =D

5:42 p.m. - MommaBear said "Due to the unexplained high BP, the surgical team is taking over Jonathan's case from GI. The surgeon will be the one to make all decisions now. Jonathan sat up in a chair for almost 2 hours. Getting up and getting down was horribly painful. He keeps saying his pain level is 1-2, but I think its more 2-3, with flashes of 4. He is getting his transfusion now. It took a couple of hours to find the blood. Now we wait again."

12:30 p.m. - MommaBear says "Jonathan's heart rate continues to be high even though he literally hasn't moved since we put him in his bed yesterday. His labs this morning showed that after surgery his blood count is lower. I just signed consent for a blood transfusion so that we can get him the energy he will need to get up and move around.  They also tried to switch the NG suction to gravity draining but his stomach started hurting so they switched back to suction. He is putting out quite a bit from his stomach because his bowel hasn't started working yet. Praying that this next 24 hours brings better results for our sweet boy."

8:30 a.m. - Jon Jon's Momma posted an update this morning: "Last night went well. His pain has been managed and we both got to sleep. They plan to get him up today and sitting in a chair. We need to talk with the ortho. They don't want him using his left leg at all but I told the Dr just now that we are going to have to figure out something else. Making him use the walker after surgery is going to hurt him since he has to hop on that one leg. We shall see. For now he is still asleep."  The reason JonJon can't use his left leg his because he has Ostechondritis Dessicans, an "irregularity" that causes a rough surface on the bone. When he walks it is like sandpaper rubbing his nerves.  It's likely from the long-term steroid use to treat his Crohns-Colitis but will heal on it's own!

April 29th:

5:00 p.m. - A direct quote from Momma Bear: "Just now made it back to the room. They are running cultures on urine and blood because he spiked a fever. Because he has a PICC line there is a chance he could have an infection in the PICC itself. He is on a Morphine pump but moving him to his bed was really bad. For now we wait and let him rest.  It took so long in recovery because his Blood pressure was (and still is)high. We were told to expect an hour for recovery, but he was there for over 4. His heart rate has been high but is returning to normal. I had a couple of mama moments but am OK now."

12:17 a.m. - Jon Jon's surgery is over and he is in recovery! =D

10:02 a.m. -  Jon Jon's Mom said surgery began at 9:05 am and is expected to take 3 hours minimum.

Previous Updates

The Great Physician Pt. 2