| Author | |
Jenn Sal
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 23 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 897
|
| Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 12:50pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Praying for John, his family and care providers.
__________________
Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Lara Sauer
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 15 2007
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 679
|
| Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 10:15pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Praying for your friend and his family, through the intercession of John Paul II and the Blessed Mother.
__________________
You can take the girl out of Wisconsin, but you can't take the Wisconsin out of the girl!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maria B.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 544
|
| Posted: Jan 11 2008 at 8:10am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dear LAdies:
I so appreciate all your prayers for my husband's buddy, John and his family. Below is the latest update we have received.
Thursday Jan 10 John Vellecofrom his wife, Catherine
Today was a day of smiles. . .our daughter Sophia turned 2, and this afternoon I had the joy of shaking the cardiac surgeon’s hand and telling him, “Thank you for saving my husband’s life.” His face broke into a smile but he didn’t know what to say. (This is the surgeon who I told hundreds, maybe thousands of people were praying for him during the heart operation.) This doctor told me that John is through the critical stage of his illness! He further observed that John is doing remarkably well, but reminded me that John has “a ways to go” to recover. I am just so happy to finally exhale and be free to think about my husband’s recovery, instead of his chances of survival! To God be the glory! Great things he has done!
With this praise to offer, I am sobered as I am beginning to visualize the long road ahead. Please pray for me to have wisdom about decisions I will soon be facing concerning various aspects of our lives. What does God want me to do?
As for my husband, John has had a constant fever of 101.2 all day and he is continuing in his struggle to come out of sedation. He is confused and overwhelmed by everything. He is experiencing a great deal of discomfort and pain. We have been so blessed by everyone, I just ask that you please wait a little while longer before visiting. John still can’t communicate effectively (the breathing tube and effects of sedation) and doctors are still not able to do any neuro-assessments. In fact, John still does not know as much as all of you do about his condition and what he has been through! It would be WAY over-the-top-more-than-he-could-handle, just knowing that churches all around the world have been interceding on his behalf before the throne of God! I will have to let him learn about the stir he has caused … slowly. . .
I want to reiterate how valuable your words of encouragement have been and continue to be. All of your creative and specific offers have helped in easing my mind concerning the mounting details yet to be sorted out.
Finally, it is not too surprising that with a team of more than 20 doctors and surgeons, there may have been some inaccurate, misleading, or conflicting information get out regarding the status of John’s actual infection. Even today, I received different opinions concerning his staph infection. Hopefully, I will be able to get some concrete information from the Infectious Disease doctor (whom I haven’t seen for several days) soon to pass along to everyone.
Thank you for your love, kindness, and patience. BTW-I had to change up to a larger binder to house all your loving emails! Thank you SO much!!!
“Prayer is letting God hold your hand, Praise is acknowledging He will not let go”
Pray for
1) for John to seek the comfort and protection of his Lord Jesus to lift his mind out of the confusion and complexities of his trauma.
2) the several medical doctors to be well coordinated in their observations, analysis and treatment and for information to be consistently accurate.
3) for the antibiotics to continue to overcome the infected tissues and bring John’s temperature down.
Details for Blood donation for John (any blood type).
You must specifically say,
“This is a Replacement Credit for John Velleco”
It’s important to mention that John is at INOVA Fairfax Hospital,
3300 Gallows Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042
For reference, INOVA Fairfax Hospital #is 571.434.3600
Virginia donors call 866.256.6372 for location, time etc
All other areas, call your local blood collection agency (typically Red Cross).
Please advise Catherine of a donation, as this will really bless John.
__________________
Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
|
| Posted: Jan 11 2008 at 7:31pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
What a wonderful update...thank you, Maria. Please tell Catherine I am sorry I can't donate blood (lived in Europe at the wrong time, now at risk for mad cow), because I would if I could. I'm so, so glad things are going well. My prayers continue.
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maria B.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 544
|
| Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 7:45am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Another update:
Monday night Jan 14 John Velleco
Praise: the ICU staff allowed the four eldest children a brief visit with John this afternoon. His voice is better than a whisper now and the children were able to chat with their dad for the first time in 29 days.
John still has several drains in place and has had a “low-grade” fever all day.
Pray for God to heal John’s confusion and bring about further tests as necessary to determine the source(s) of continuing complications. Continue in prayer as God directs your thoughts for John’s recovery.
Additional blood donor information should be available in the Thursday email. Email updates will probably be every other day unless significant changes occur. Email notes of encouragement for John and Catherine are a special blessing jlwallace6@mindspring.com .
__________________
Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maria B.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 544
|
| Posted: Jan 17 2008 at 10:00pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Today's update:
Thursday Jan 17 John Velleco
Praise God that John has been released from the Cardiac-ICU to the “Step-Down” unit. This is a more open environment with appropriate central nursing supervision. John has been “unplugged” from all of the tubes and machines including the pacemaker. His vitals are now monitored manually. He is beginning to be able to sit up and to feed himself. I, Lightsey, visited and prayed with him today during lunch. Many prayers have been answered for John including provision of attentive, gracious and helpful nursing staff that came to set up his lunch. He is well cared for.
Clarification: Blood donors may be any blood type for the “replacement credit” program.
Pray for God’s regenerative healing for John’s surgery sites (thigh muscle, abdomen, spine, heart, chest) and continued protection from re-infection.
__________________
Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maria B.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 544
|
| Posted: Feb 06 2008 at 10:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Last Update:
Thank you all for your prayers. Without them, tonight would not have been possible for John and his family.
Bless all of you!
Praise upon praise after 53 days, John came back home tonight … ahead of schedule. John is “happy to be alive!” and claims Isaiah 40:31 “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Rehab will continue at home with visiting therapists. John is officially “home-bound” which means trips only to his doctors. As things settle down and some semblance of a schedule is achieved (and sick children recover), information for visitation and communication will be immediately available.
__________________
Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
aussieannie
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 21 2006
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7251
|
| Posted: Feb 06 2008 at 10:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh Maria, this is just blessed news, miracles abound when we call upon God for His help!
__________________
Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Chari
Forum Moderator
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5228
|
| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 12:02am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Maria.......not sure how I missed this........but prayers for continued recovery............what a story!
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cathhomeschool
Board Moderator
Texas Bluebonnets
Joined: Jan 26 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7303
|
| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 8:58am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Praise God!
__________________
Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
|
| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 10:05am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wonderful news! 
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stefoodie
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8457
|
| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 10:37am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Maria, what happy news!!! We will continue to pray for John and his family.
__________________
stef
mom to five
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
missionfamily
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 10 2007
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1859
|
| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 10:54am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Re-reading this whole thread has made me teary-eyed. How great is our God!
__________________
Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Tina P.
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1638
|
| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 11:44am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Excellent news, Maria! We'll keep praying.
__________________
Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
snowbabiesmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 29 2007
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1154
|
| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 1:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
OH I have chills reading this again! Praise God!
__________________
Kaleigh'97,Brett'00,McKenna'02,Reesie'04,Madelyn'07
+Luke'05,+Mark'08,+Karoline'08
+Matthew '09,
Nico'13;Zelie Oct'14, *Mary Joseph Jan'16
God's Canvas
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Zeliemum
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 04 2006
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 636
|
| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 7:14pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We will continue to pray as well.
God bless
Chemai
__________________
Mother to seven with five in heaven...Spiritualmotherhood for Priests
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maria B.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 544
|
| Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 8:56pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
All of you are so wonderful. If you would like me to forward you a picture John's father in law sent me of his welcome home last night, please pm me and I will get it to you.
I am saying a special prayer of thanksgiving for all of my incredibly generous and faithful Real Learning friends!
Hugs,
__________________
Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maria B.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 544
|
| Posted: Feb 09 2008 at 8:48am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Yesterday, John had to be taken back to the hospital. He had nausea, was having trouble breathing and was in extreme pain. The doctors have diagnosed pancreatitis.
Prayers are being answered already! One blessing is that the doctor was on the original abscess removal surgical team and remembered John’s complicated condition. Tests confirmed that the gall bladder is diseased, “full of sludge” and essentially no longer functional and is creating the pancreatitis. Non-surgical procedures have been considered and will not work at this advanced stage. Surgery is planned today if possible, which indicates its necessity. Doctors are hoping to be able to use the more simple laparoscopic cholecystectomy (3 small holes instead of an incision) which should permit his release to home-care in 3 days.
Pray
1) for God to give wisdom to the surgeon to use the best procedure (least invasive of 4 possible?).
2) for John’s protection during the surgery
3) for the peace that passes all understanding and trust in Christ to overcome John’s apprehension.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
4) for no interactions between his medications and procedures
5) for no more bumps along John’s road to recovery!
__________________
Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: Feb 09 2008 at 11:06am | IP Logged
|
|
|
My prayers continue for this courageous man and his family and loved ones. Thank you for being a devoted friend and prayer warrior, Maria.
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maria B.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 544
|
| Posted: March 14 2008 at 10:17am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dear Ladies:
So many of you prayed for my husband's friend, John Velleco, who was near death several times since his illness began in early December. We received this update from his family today that I wanted to share with all of you who prayed for him. The message is for you too! God bless you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer update from John and Catherine Velleco. March 13, 2008
Praise report that John is returning to work part time! We welcome your continued prayers for John's longer term physical healing and wisdom for doctors to restore full recovery of his eyesight, if possible. Our individual messages below communicate different dimensions of our unity in thanksgiving to God and for His faithful prayer warriors.
From John:
Dear Friends,
It's hard to know where to begin to thank you. Your prayers, meals, support of my wife and family, words of encouragement, letters, hugs and tears sustained us through the last several months.
Most of you know the details of what I went through. I was at death's door for weeks, but most of that time I was (mercifully) not conscious. My only memory before I went 'under' for four weeks was a doctor telling me that he would try to save my life but I almost certainly would lose my left leg and some fingers. I was beyond shocked, having thought up to that point I had a severely pinched nerve. After that, I don't remember anything but my dreams until mid-January.
My heart turned out to be the big culprit, throwing infection to different parts of my body. It gives me a new appreciation for the words of the Psalmist: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Every doctor (over a dozen worked on me, I'm told) didn't give me much of a chance to live. If I did survive, no one knew if I would come out able to walk or have brain damage, deafness, blindness, etc. God had other plans, though. Although I did end up with some loss of vision, a result of several strokes, I otherwise feel remarkably well.
I truly, truly believe God worked through the prayers of His people to heal me. It's still difficult for me to comprehend how close I was to death. There were many times during my unconsciousness that I felt like I was about to die. There were times when I fought as hard as I could against dying, and other times when I had just a real peace about going to be with the Lord. Many of my dreams, I've learned, mirrored what was going on in reality. I had dreams of choking, suffocating, drowning, being tied down, all of which really happened. But your prayers were relentless! Someone said I was, for a while, the most prayed for person on the planet, and I think that's true. Again, I tell you how much those prayers meant to me and (more importantly) my wife and family.
I've thought a lot about the words of Jesus to His disciples concerning Lazarus: "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."
Those words ring in my mind; "God's glory." Isn't that why I'm here? Isn't that why we're all here, to bring Him glory? If you or someone you know ever doubts that God is real, that He lives and works through His body the church, maybe my story can be used in some small way to draw people to Him. God can heal the body, yes, but more importantly restore the soul through Jesus' death and resurrection. Amen!
From Catherine:
To my dear family in the Lord, I have been thinking about writing you for awhile now. Many of you have emailed and wanted to hear some kind of news about John. I've wanted to thank you all for your kindness demonstrated to my family and especially for your prayers. But how does one go about thanking another for petitioning the Throne of Grace? How does one express gratitude for the pouring out of another's soul? Where do I begin to acknowledge all that has been given me or done for my family? Indeed, I cannot. It is not within me to fully express the love and honor I feel for each of you. It is my prayer that you will feel a measure of God's grace and special blessing for all you have done for us.
Last night, John and I read through the updates that were sent out during his illness. We were humbled, again, by the desperate need we've experienced. We were awed by the magnitude of God's grace, and the love poured out by you all. When I think of how close the children came to losing their dad, emotions I thought I had locked away come rushing to the surface, my eyes blur, and my heart aches the familiar ache. The experience that I went through, that you all walked with me, has changed me more than I can describe.
As for John's physical condition, he lost 50% of his sight (the left visual field in each eye) and walks with a slight limp from his left leg (the original site of abscesses and first source of pain). He has lost 80% of his pectoral muscles (used to protect his heart), and he will need to have another open heart surgery in about 10 years (doctors say his current replacement valve will wear out). Our son prays every night that his dad will "get better so he can play ball". I smile to myself thinking how grateful I am that his dad is here to be prayed for!
Even though the last CAT scan showed John still has a tiny 2 millimeter residual infection in his head, the doctor felt it would go away on its own. We were so relieved to have John's PICC line taken out and the intravenous antibiotics finally stopped last week! The stream of nurses has finally disappeared and the last surgical follow-up appointment has been completed. Back in the beginning of January, doctors warned me of the long road that lay ahead of me for John's recovery. Unless you've walked it, it's hard to imagine. I'm walking it, and I still can't believe it. I made my plans for this year (and my life!), but I am learning to follow as God is ordering my steps. If it weren't for your prayers, and God's mercy and grace, I wouldn't be writing this email. I couldn't. To God be the glory! Great things He has done!
__________________
Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : We Pray to the Lord
Topic: Prayers for friend near death
