Andrew Stringer Updates Page 2

Thank You From Stringer Family

The outpouring of love and compassion toward our family has been overwhelming. Our family is very appreciative of all the prayers and support on Andrew's and Andrea's behalf. The page that Kristin just added, "Notes to Stringers," was such a nice addition, and we have enjoyed reading all the personal notes. Yesterday, I was reading page after page of posts on the Fundamental Forum, and I was so moved by the words of encouragement and concern. Thank you all so much for the love of Christ that has been demonstrated through your prayers and actions. Love In Christ, Rebecca (Beccajo Stringer) New

Monday, March 24

The trach surgery went great! No problems or complications at all! The doctor did say that Andrew had the biggest, toughest neck he's ever worked on (Andrea said the doctor was sweating when he came out); but all went well!

She hasn't seen him yet; they had to paralyze him, so she can go in when the meds start wearing off and they get him situated.

Next step is to wake him up, so be praying about that!!

Tuesday Morning, March 25 -- Email from Andrew's Mom

We're fixing to go to the hospital in a little while. As of last night, Andrew was fairly stable. They put in a tracheotomy yesterday and put him under additional sedation for that. He was just lying there when we left last night; we hope they're going to begin waking him today and turn the ventilator (hooked to the trach) down and begin weaning that away. Thank you so very much for all the prayers and thoughts. Emily and Abbey are staying with friends in Harlem, GA and Ethan will be joining them shortly - Andrea's parents are taking him there. When Arnold goes back home - so far his boss has told him NOT to come back - I'm planning to stay here with Andrea so she won't be alone. Please pray about that; as you know, Andrea is due in June and we'll have to find a way for her midwife appointments and all. You know, too, that I don't drive hardly at all, so we'll have to figure something out.

I'll try to send out more emails as I can.

Barbara

Tuesday Early Afternoon, March 25

"Yall keep praying! Has a blood clot in his right arm and fever still!"

Wednesday Night, March 26 -- Email from Andrew's Sister

Andrew has not really had any major changes since Monday. The tracheotomy was successful. After the blood clot was found, he was given heparin shots, and the hope is that the blood clot will dissolve. He is still on two sedation medications, but there has been no major reduction of those. My mom said that he seems to be responding somewhat to sound and touch, but every time the nurse does anything to him, such as drawing blood, he gets agitated and his blood pressure and heart rate increase. It seems that the medical staff is trying to decide the best approach to waking him up. One time, my parents were told that they were going to wake him up all at once; another time they were told that they would gradually decrease the sedatives. Right now, we are just having to be patient and pray that God will give the doctors and staff wisdom to know the best way to handle him. He is still in critical condition, but he is holding on.The whole family appreciates all the prayers and inquiries from people all over the country. Please keep praying for him, Andrea, the kids, my parents, Andrea's parents, Rachael and me. -Rebecca

Thursday Afternoon, March 27 -- Email from Andrew's Sister

I talked to my parents earlier this afternoon and they told me there has been no change to speak of. He is still running fever and still totally sedated. I wish I had more to tell, but right now we are just waiting.

Thanks,Rebecca

Friday Afternoon, March 28 -- Email from Andrew's Sister

Saturday Morning (2am), March 29

He is waking up, slowly but surely. He was very active today, and Andrea was on her toes trying to make him "behave." He has been moving around a lot, trying to get out of bed, opening his eyes, etc. He is not conscious, mind you; but he is physically acknowledging the presence of those who are speaking to him. Andrea said that when someone talks, he will turn his head toward them and stare. He is also very irritated by the feeding tube down his throat, as well as other annoying (but necessary) gadgets attached to his body.

The good news is that he isn't having any setbacks (so far -- keep praying) from all this activity he is doing. The doctors are pleased with his progress, and Andrea is so eager for him to 'be there' emotionally/mentally. Truth be known... she's eager to tease him about his bizarre behavior while he's been "out of it"! :)

Andrea did have a tiring and emotional day, so continue in much prayer for her. For one thing, her parents left and took Ethan with them. That was very emotional and heart-wrenching for her. She is also physically tired from working with Andrew today. She was constantly pushing his arms back down when he'd throw them up, putting his legs back when he'd try to throw them over the bed rails, helping him maintain his modesty, etc. She needs continual strength and encouragement.

There have been some amazing answers to prayer in their life, even apart from Andrew's health. For one thing, some members of the IFB church that Andrea has attended there have opened their home to her. They live in a very large, immaculate house; and they are super friendly. Andrea and her folks hit it off with them tremendously, and she is actually looking forward to 'moving in' with them Sunday afternoon.

Andrea also has some transportation concerns. This new lodging opportunity is about 25 minutes from the hospital, and her van is not too reliable. As a matter of fact, Andrew & Andrea test drove a van the night before his heart attack and had made arrangements to purchase it with their tax return the day after the heart attack. That obviously didn't work out. However, someone who attends vehicle auctions is keeping an eye out for something suitable.

Andrea misses her kids, but she is very relieved that they are with trustworthy friends who have very high standards and homeschooled children of their own. The kids will continue their ACE curriculum right along with their friends, and Andrea has a lot of peace of mind with them being there.

Back to the topic of Andrew... one concern has been his fever, which is still fluctuating but basically high. They have taken every test and culture imaginable and just cannot find infection anywhere. His pneumonia is under control and improving. They are hypothesizing that Andrew has drug-induced fever, so they've removed three of the four antibiotics. Hopefully that will take care of the fever. If not, they will consider putting a cooling catheter in his neck that will regulate his temp. Let's pray, though, that it will be taken care of without adding yet another irritation to him.

As far as specific requests...

1. That Andrew will successfully wake up and regain full consciousness this weekend with NO setbacks

2. For Andrew's fever to break and pneumonia to totally clear up

3. Strength and comfort for Andrea as she is without her parents and children (her in-laws are still with her, praise the Lord)

4. Reliable transportation for Andrea

She begs of everyone, as always, not to let up on the prayers! It is definitely working! We are witnessing one miracle after another in Andrew's life, and we look forward to seeing him whole again.

Saturday Morning, March 29

I just got off the phone with Terry Lawson, who is there with them now. They've had to shock Andrew twice this morning. They've also had to completely sedate and paralyze him. It is not looking good.

His left lung is full of fluid. They are doing x-rays, and they think there's a blood clot in the lung. The only way to correct that is with surgery... and there's no way Andrew could survive the surgery.

We definitely need to pray in a miracle today.

Saturday Afternoon, March 29

Things are looking very bleak. The good news is that there is not a blood clot in Andrew's lung. But there's not really any other 'good' news. He's doing worse than he was in the first place. She said that this morning within about 15 minutes, everything turned upside down. They don't even know why; he had done well all night until about 9:00 this morning. They had to defibrillate him twice and are just doing all they can to keep him stable. They've had to sedate and paralyze him again because the slightest movement could send him over the edge.

Andrea basically said that they are not giving them much hope right now. She is very upset and has cried most of the day. She's feeling terrible and has a bad headache. She also, of course, misses her children and her parents. She really needs for all of us to lift her up to the Lord. Please don't let up on the prayer at all.

Sunday Morning, March 30

Sunday Afternoon, March 30

Specific prayer requests that she mentioned:

1. Pray that his fever will improve. It's not going quite as high today (like to 104), but it's still constant.

2. Pray that the fluid in his lungs will go down.

3. Pray for no more major setbacks. She specifically requested that we pray for this roller coaster to even out. I can't imagine how emotionally difficult it is for Andrea, when everything's great one day and near death the next.

He's no better or worse than yesterday, but praise the Lord he's at least stable. Let's pray for progress!!

Andrew Updates -- Page 1

Andrew Updates -- Page 3

Andrew Updates -- Page 4

Updated Giving Information

Church Planting America

PO Box 37887

Jacksonville, FL 32236

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Andrew & Andrea Stringer

3478 Old Augusta Rd.

Dearing, GA 30808

Thanks again for all your help!

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