Nope, thats not a typo.
As many of you know, or have heard, Jeff Steele is in the hospital. (Richardson Methodist)
He went in Wednesday June 24th, coughing up blood. Now, I don't know everything about the situation. But I can tell you some general info and relate some of my experience.
I didn't hear that he was in the hospital until the Friday after he had gone in. When I heard, I assumed that he had just gotten there. I happened to be very close to the hospital (I live about 75 minutes from Richardson), so I went over to see what was going on. I pulled into the parking lot just as his brother Joe was walking in to the hospital, so I went up with Joe. When I got to the ICU waiting room, most of Jeff's family was there. I had just said hi to his dad when the doctor came in. The doctor told Jeff's dad that Jeff was "very sick" and that if he didn't have surgery, soon, that he would probably die. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Apparently, Jeff's esophagus had ruptured and fluid had been building up in his chest and lungs and the fluid was poisoning him. Jeff's dad signed off for the surgery and the doctors went off. I started calling everyone I could think of, and had phone numbers for and filling them in. About 20 minutes later the doctor came back and said there was a problem. Jeff was getting 100% of his oxygen from a ventilator. To do the surgery, they were going to have to turn Jeff on his side, and they were afraid that if they did, he wouldn't be able to breathe. If he couldn't breathe, they wouldn't be able to do the surgery, but they wanted to try. Once again, permission was given, we moved down the the surgical waiting room and waited.
As many of you know, or have heard, Jeff Steele is in the hospital. (Richardson Methodist)
He went in Wednesday June 24th, coughing up blood. Now, I don't know everything about the situation. But I can tell you some general info and relate some of my experience.
I didn't hear that he was in the hospital until the Friday after he had gone in. When I heard, I assumed that he had just gotten there. I happened to be very close to the hospital (I live about 75 minutes from Richardson), so I went over to see what was going on. I pulled into the parking lot just as his brother Joe was walking in to the hospital, so I went up with Joe. When I got to the ICU waiting room, most of Jeff's family was there. I had just said hi to his dad when the doctor came in. The doctor told Jeff's dad that Jeff was "very sick" and that if he didn't have surgery, soon, that he would probably die. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Apparently, Jeff's esophagus had ruptured and fluid had been building up in his chest and lungs and the fluid was poisoning him. Jeff's dad signed off for the surgery and the doctors went off. I started calling everyone I could think of, and had phone numbers for and filling them in. About 20 minutes later the doctor came back and said there was a problem. Jeff was getting 100% of his oxygen from a ventilator. To do the surgery, they were going to have to turn Jeff on his side, and they were afraid that if they did, he wouldn't be able to breathe. If he couldn't breathe, they wouldn't be able to do the surgery, but they wanted to try. Once again, permission was given, we moved down the the surgical waiting room and waited.
A couple of hours later, the doctor came out and said the surgery was a success.
Since then, Jeff's been in pretty much the same condition. He's still in ICU, he's breathing with the assistance of the ventilator, he's fought off some infections, drained more fluid out of his body and is mostly healing. The doctors tried to wake him a few times, but he isn't ready for that yet. They say that he may be this way for about 4-6 weeks.
I'll be honest, it was a terrifying situation, and its still scary. There are a lot of unanswered questions, and for privacy's sake some of them should remain that way.
Jeff and his family need our prayers. I'm an Episcopalian, and not good at big, flowery prayers... but I know that God listens to all of our prayers from "God, please let Jeff get better" to "O Great Creator of the Universe who made all things blah blah blah blah..."
If, like me, you like a little direction or something to just meditate on while you pray, here are some prayers for the sick from the Book of Common Prayer:
(where there is an "N." say/think "Jeff/Steele/Jeffery Don/Great Fondoo...)
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit and relieve thy sick servant N. for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort him with a sense of thy goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant N. the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity: Be present in your goodness with your servant N., that his weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that, his health being renewed, he may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you gather the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom: We commend to your loving care this child N. Relieve his pain, guard him from all danger, restore to him your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise him up to a life of service to you. Hear us, we pray, for your dear Name's sake. Amen.
Strengthen your servant N., O God, to do what he has to do and bear what he has to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, he may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servant N., and give your power of healing to those who minister to his needs, that he may be strengthened in his weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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