Update on Rhonda Brandenburg October 9 Evening
Mom with the family
Rhonda has had a busy day. She has been recovering well from the three surgeries this week. She had a procedure early on Monday morning to fix a bleed on her abdomen. Then on Monday evening she had a surgery to relieve the pressure in her abdomen from all of the internal bleeding. Today they went back in to reexamine where they had removed the 10 liters of blood, clean everything and check for new bleeds. All of that went well. Things are healing and there are no new bleeds.
Show and Tell
This afternoon Rhonda has been very alert and interacting with the family. Three of our children, Becky, Sarah, and John were with her relating stories and telling Rhonda how things were going with the family. In the pictures here you see John showing her the pictures he took at a wedding this weekend. The kids were doing what siblings do, fusing and cutting up with each other. They ALL got “The Look” from Rhonda. She smacked a couple of them for their misbehaving! It was awesome to see her personality in full display.
The doctors have been amazed how alert she has been and how much she interacts with us. Those who know Rhonda know that she is a very tough lady and has endured much physical suffering over the last eight years. You also know that she loves the Lord, her family, and the church. We have seen all of that displayed today. Earlier today I played a video for her from a revival meeting a few years ago at the church I pastored. The video was of Pastor Tony Shirley playing the piano and singing, “God’s Been Good.” As soon as she heard the voice of our dear preacher friend she perked up, smiled and listened. Tears slipped out of the corner of her eyes while she shook her head up and down to agree with Brother Tony singing about how good God has been to us. I am so thankful for Rhonda’s strong faith. (Thank you Brother Shirley for loving our family.) The video is at the bottom of this post.
Watching livestream from Faith Baptist Church, Warren, MI
When it was time for church we put on the LiveStream from our church, Faith Baptist Church and Rhonda watched the church service with me on my phone. When my arm would get tired and begin to drop down she would motion with her hand for me to raise the phone so she could see and hear the service. I love seeing her love for God and desire to be in church.
The surgeon is very pleased with her progress. She is still in the Surgical ICU and in critical condition. She has a very long road ahead to recover. They are very pleased with her progress. She is getting stronger and is responding to treatments. They plan to take her back to the operating room on Friday to remove the wound vacuum and close up the incision. They are planning to give her breathing tests tomorrow to prepare to remove her from the ventilator. Praise the Lord for His goodness! Please pray for her continued progress, getting the breathing tube out, and the incision to be closed. Pray that she will be protected from infections.
God has been so good to us. He has protected Rhonda during these very critical days. He has given her strength and protected her life when that look impossible. He has given the doctors, surgeons, nurses and staff skill and wisdom to minister to her condition. We know that healing comes from the One who gives life, the Lord! We are in awe of His mercy and grace. We praise Him for His goodness in sparing Rhonda.
We appreciate all of your prayers on her behalf. Words cannot express how much it means to us that you have reached out to tell of your love for Rhonda, our family and for your prayer.
God is always good. He is only good.
-The Brandenburg Family