Prayers for September

A new post for my blog will begin this month, when we will recall the special intentions and prayers for the month.  A friend just shared that she keeps a running email list of intentions that she prays for every day.  She can quickly refer to the list and remind herself of the special intentions she will be praying for that day.  Someone mentioned it also would be a great way to keep a log and look back at how prayers were answered, as we all know sometimes answers to prayers are not always evident at the time of the need or request.

If I figure out how to do a link up I will add that later.  But until then, feel free to comment and add your prayers for the month or update the situation as needed!

SO, for September 2011, our family's special intentions to prayer will include the following:

For my cousin's baby Caleb.  Here is a link to the info.  

Caleb is 4 months old and is underwent surgery yesterday for craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the fibrous sutures in an infant's skull prematurely fuses by ossification. Post surgery Caleb is expected to be in the ICU for at least one week.

Please keep Caleb, his mother and father and family in your prayers. I will send an update as soon as I get it.

Please join me:
“God the Father, have mercy on the Caleb. God the Son, have mercy on Caleb. God the Holy Spirit, grant Caleb and his family peace. Bless Caleb Your beloved child, as he enters surgery, so that, no matter what happens, he is secure in Your love. Comfort all who wait for news of Caleb’s surgery, and remind them they are not alone in You. Amen.”

For my friend's son Cody.  Here is a link to his caring bridge page.  

Cody just turned 3! Cody was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect on July 2 (week 28 in the pregnancy). Cody was diagnosed with Double Inlet Left Ventricle, L-Transposition of the Great Arteries, and Hypoplastic Right Syndrome. All of that basically means that Cody had three chambers in his heart instead of four, and the "plumbing" was in the wrong places. 

The purpose of the cath will be to see what is going on inside so that there are no surprises when Cody is opened up.  Also, they can measure the venous blood pressure into the lungs which will help with other decisions that are too complicated to write about.

The plan was made. Cody needed to be born at UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, and have his first surgery within a week or so. The operation would be the first of a series of three surgeries - one after birth, one around 4-6 months, and another around 3 years old.   Basically after some complications, surprises and changes, Cody will need another surgery this year.  From his mom, "The purpose of the surgery will be twofold:

1) to remove the stent that has the clot inside of it
2) to put in a new and 3rd fenestration (opening between the tube and right atrium)

This surgery of course will require bypass, but it will also require the surgeon to stop Cody's heart from beating.  This is what they had to do for his first surgery.  (For Cody's 2nd and 3rd heart surgeries he was on bypass but the heart was still beating.)This definitely does not get easier the more you go through it.  In fact, this is harder.  Cody is older and more aware of what is going on.  During our previous times in the hospital my eyes were opened to way more complications and deaths.  The three older boys are in school during the day, but now there is a baby I will have to leave at home.  Prayers are appreciated and truly make a difference as we can only handle all of this again by the grace of God."

Cody's heart cath has been set for Tuesday September 20, and his heart surgery will be Friday September 30.  

Please pray that in a house full of kiddos, he can remain healthy and in top form prior to his cath and surgery, and that they can keep sickness out of their house!   




To Saint Peregrine
O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty," "The Wonder-Worker," because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you. Caleb and Cody.

Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.