Luke came through the surgery to repair the tear on his aorta with flying colors! God has certainly honored the thousands of prayers being raised to Him on behalf of Luke. It was a very long afternoon. Luke actually didn't go into surgery until 12:35 Pacific time. And it took a couple more hours than originally thought with tests and so forth. But it certainly was worth the wait. A graft was placed inside the aorta and opened to cover the tear and was a complete success. We were told that possibly the orthopedic surgeons would also be working on Luke's arm and leg, but it was felt that it was best to concentrate specifically on the aorta. He is now off the medications regulating his blood pressure. His condition is still critical, but stable.
The plan now is for the orthopedic surgeons to operate tomorrow morning on his arm and left femur. They will be cleaning up the wounds. They probably won't be working on setting the broken bones yet.
We are anxiously waiting for Luke to be brought out of the heavy sedation he is under. They will see how tomorrow's surgery goes to make that determination, but it still probably won't be for a couple of days or maybe longer. Ben is having to make decision as to whether to fly home tomorrow morning as he orginally booked or postpone his return flight until Monday with the hopes of being able to see Luke out of the sedation. Please pray for guidance for the right decision. The best we can get from all the medical staff is a definite maybe!
I'm sorry for the delay in getting things posted on here but I don't have access in the ICU waiting room and have to leave the hospital and walk a short distance to the Medical Library to get on line. A very heart felt thank you to all for your constant prayers for Luke and support and once again to all the Border Patrol agents and staff for the overwhelming support we are receiving.
Bill
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21 comments:
Bill,
I want to thank you for taking time away to keep us updated. I, and I'm sure many others, like to pray specifically, so your updates allow me to do that. Thank you again. Prayers continue.
Mandie McCreadie
Luke's maintaining his BP w/o medication is HUGE!!! Once he is allowed to "wake up" his condition will probably improve rapidly. He has a LONG road ahead but w/ the love of family and friends, he will meet all the challenges!! Thanks to the AWESOME staff of the SICU for the work they do!!!
Thank you Bill for the detailed updates! My friends and church here in Georgia are praying for Luke and your whole family. I love you all very much!! *BIG WARM HUG*
Jessica Heiss (AKA. Jess Baker)
Thanks for the updates. I've been in a situation very similar to what you're going through with Luke. My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. Thanks for the updates.
We think of you constantly since we heard and have been praying for all of you.
with love and prayers,
Renea and Jeff Ramsey
Keep the faith. My family has gone through this with my sister-in-law and again with my nephew, and felt the awesome strength of prayers and God. Ours are with you now.
We will continue to pray for more medical and non-medical miracles for Luke. The BP family is strong and large.
My heart goes out to your entire family. Remember to try to stay strong and be positive. Many of us will be praying for you. Speedy recovery.
Bill, Paula and family,
What a joy to receive such encouraging reports. Thank you for keeping us all updated on the progress that is being made. You are all in our prayers though out the day.
Ron & Laura
I pray that God, out of His glorious riches will strengthen Luke, Bill, Paula, Ben and Becki with power through His Spirit in your innermost being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. That each of you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of CHrist, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you each may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. To God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within each one of you, to Him be glory and honor for ever and ever.
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers daily.
The Fiely Family
Dear Paula, Bill, Ben, Becki My prayers are with all of you at this time. Luke You are so special to so many people. I can remember the times your Mom and I took the kids from church on trips, you always were so uch fun. You were just a little fellow then.GOD is with all of you .If you need anything, please let me know. I love each of you so much. Love Clare
To Bill and the rest of the Dithrich Family,
After hearing about what happened to Luke, I had no doubt that you all would surround him with your physical presence (as much as hospital regulations and staff allow), spiritual presence, love and prayers. Since the days of litle league baseball and sleepover birthday parties, you have shown me and many others from our Neason Hill/MASH cohort what a family truly is and how much love and support one could have for one of their own. Many of us are currently follwing Luke's story and would like to thank Becki for keeping us in the loop from the beginning. Neil Fucci, myself, and perhaps one or two others plan to make the trip out there to offer support, be with Luke if we are able to do so, and help out any way we can. While normally I would not feel comfortable speaking for others, I believe I can say that Luke is and has become family for me and many of those who have enjoyed a game of baseball, conversation, laugh, etc. with that wonderful human-being known as Luke S. Dithrich. Please let me know if there is anything I can do, and please know that our thoughts, prayers, hearts, and well-wishes are with you and your son/brother. Thank you for keeping us updated and for continuing to show all of us what family is truly about.
Sincerely,
Bill Smith
Brian and I are so happy to hear that the surgery was a success and are praying for cotinued positive reports. We are very grateful for your updates and we are always thinking of you often.
We want you to know that we both donated blood in Luke's name yesterday. We wanted to give back a little life in celebration of Luke's miracle.
We'll be closely following your updates. Give our love to everyone...and give Becki a big hug from us.
Luke and Dithrich family,
Hang in there and be strong. We are parying for you and your family here at the Border Patrol Academy.
A. Renteria IMB/SDC
United States Border Patrol Academy
Physical Techniques Department
Thinking and praying for you all!
Gods hands are around him...and I hope that in the next few days you all will be able to communicate with him! Until then, be strong and know that you have many people back home lifting your whole family up!
Love you all, Jenna Welker
Bill, Paula, Becki, Ben, and Luke,
We are thinking of you all and praying constantly. After being in our own similar situation not so long ago, we can practically picture what you are doing and how you all must be feeling(exhausted, waiting on pins and needles for anything that the doctors will tell you, so excited when you get even the tiniest bit of new good news, helpless etc.) This is where all of our faith kicks in, where family and those who love you praying for you is what gets you through another hour, and even though this is the hardest thing to endure,(seeing your child/brother/friend's life hang in the balance) , it is going to be a roadmark in all of your lives and spiritual walk, where you will remember God's maginificant provision, Grace, Mercy and Comfort as He ministers to you each personally and does what only the Great Physician, and Might Counselor can do. I pray for all of you and for Luke that He will fill you with the peace that only He can give.
We love you all,
Stevie, Nicci, and kids
Bill, Paula, Becki, Ben and Luke,
We think of and pray for you constantly. I wish you all could feel our hugs from so many miles away- but I know you feel our prayers. Thanks so much for the updates.
We love you,
Tracy and Jesse McCullough
Bill, Paula, Becki, Ben & Luke,
I'm so happy to hear this surgery was a success. Know that you are still contantly in my prayers & on my mind. My prayers are that Luke continues down his miraculous path and thankful that God has placed his hands on the hands of Luke's doctors. You are all such a wonderful testimony of a strong Christian family. Give hugs all around and stay strong.
Shari
So happy to hear that this surgery was a success! I put you on the prayer chain at church. Good things take time...keep continuing to heal. <3 aunt kk
Hi Miss Paula,
Sorry that your son had a motorcycle accident. I hope he is better soon. I will pray for him. I miss you.
Love, Dane Buchanan
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