The Advocate
Stories
LECTIONARY TALES FOR THE PULPIT
Series III, Cycle A
A new baby boy: Jonathan Richard. His family, friends, and pastor were there when the baby was born, and they were all excited at the birth! Paul felt so proud as he drove home to rest. It had been a long day. Paul smiled as he thought of his new baby boy.
But something was not quite right. During the night, Jonathan was taken to Children's Hospital "as a precaution - to check him out." Pamela was not alarmed, so Paul stayed with her a while before going to see Jonathan.
At Children's Hospital, Paul was told to scrub up. Jonathan wasn't just there as a precaution; the pediatrician told Paul that Jonathan had a serious heart problem. A pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Kegel, was summoned. Paul waited. Pastor Johnsen offered prayers, and the family gathered around, waiting.
After a time, Dr. Kegel came to speak to Paul and gave him the overwhelming news: the greater vessels in Jonathan's heart were transposed. The arteries were supposed to be crossed like an "X" to allow the blood to circulate through the body; instead, the arteries were not crossed and they were pumping the blood in a circle.
Paul was given his options and told to make a decision very quickly; there was no time to waste with Jonathan's heart in its present condition. Pastor Johnsen assured Paul and Pamela of his support - in whatever decision they made, whatever the outcome. Pastor Johnsen prayed that the Holy Spirit would be present to give guidance and peace during this stressful time.
Jonathan was not even twelve hours old. Pamela was prepared by the hospital staff to be moved to Children's Hospital to be at Jonathan's side and to help Paul make this tremendous decision. What should they do? Paul and Pamela's family never left their side. They spoke to Pastor Johnsen. Then they spoke again to the doctor.
There were two options: one would be to operate and make more holes between the ventricles to allow the blood to get through. The procedure was an old one, and the chances of dying on the operating table were very slim - but life expectancy was short: about twenty years. Jonathan would probably be sickly and weak most of his short life.
The other option, called the Norwood or Mustard Procedure, would sever, switch, and correctly reattach the aorta and pulmonary arteries. There was risk, with a twenty percent chance of Jonathan dying on the operating table. About 200 of these surgeries had been done - the oldest survivor was only six months old - and there was no real history or long--term effects documented. He either would or wouldn't make it. If Jonathan survived, he would probably lead a normal, healthy life.
It was a big decision, but one that only Paul and Pamela could make. And they made it quickly and confidently. They decided to do the Norwood Procedure and take the risk. If it would work, then they wanted Jonathan to have a normal life.
An air ambulance to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was arranged. The $13,000 needed to charter the Lear Jet appeared miraculously and Paul, Pamela, Jonathan, a nurse, a doctor, and two pilots were on their way. Jonathan was only three days old.
The jet got to the airport late in the night and an ambulance rushed Jonathan to the hospital. That morning Paul and Pamela met with Dr. Norwood, and the consultation team reassured them that they had made a good decision.
The surgery was scheduled for the next morning. Paul and Pamela waited and the social worker periodically checked in with the doctors. After four hours, Dr. Norwood himself told them that Jonathan couldn't have done better: his tiny heart had tolerated the surgery extremely well. It was a success!
Paul and Pamela feel that prayers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit sustained them through the whole ordeal - and gave them the wisdom to make the awesome decision they needed to make so quickly. They are especially thankful for the support of Pastor Paul Johnsen, and for his reminder to put the whole situation in the hands of God.
Today Jonathan is a healthy sixteen--year--old. He plays basketball, baseball, soccer, violin and piano and loves Star Trek and The Phantom of the Opera. He rides a mountain bike and enjoys seafood.
But something was not quite right. During the night, Jonathan was taken to Children's Hospital "as a precaution - to check him out." Pamela was not alarmed, so Paul stayed with her a while before going to see Jonathan.
At Children's Hospital, Paul was told to scrub up. Jonathan wasn't just there as a precaution; the pediatrician told Paul that Jonathan had a serious heart problem. A pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Kegel, was summoned. Paul waited. Pastor Johnsen offered prayers, and the family gathered around, waiting.
After a time, Dr. Kegel came to speak to Paul and gave him the overwhelming news: the greater vessels in Jonathan's heart were transposed. The arteries were supposed to be crossed like an "X" to allow the blood to circulate through the body; instead, the arteries were not crossed and they were pumping the blood in a circle.
Paul was given his options and told to make a decision very quickly; there was no time to waste with Jonathan's heart in its present condition. Pastor Johnsen assured Paul and Pamela of his support - in whatever decision they made, whatever the outcome. Pastor Johnsen prayed that the Holy Spirit would be present to give guidance and peace during this stressful time.
Jonathan was not even twelve hours old. Pamela was prepared by the hospital staff to be moved to Children's Hospital to be at Jonathan's side and to help Paul make this tremendous decision. What should they do? Paul and Pamela's family never left their side. They spoke to Pastor Johnsen. Then they spoke again to the doctor.
There were two options: one would be to operate and make more holes between the ventricles to allow the blood to get through. The procedure was an old one, and the chances of dying on the operating table were very slim - but life expectancy was short: about twenty years. Jonathan would probably be sickly and weak most of his short life.
The other option, called the Norwood or Mustard Procedure, would sever, switch, and correctly reattach the aorta and pulmonary arteries. There was risk, with a twenty percent chance of Jonathan dying on the operating table. About 200 of these surgeries had been done - the oldest survivor was only six months old - and there was no real history or long--term effects documented. He either would or wouldn't make it. If Jonathan survived, he would probably lead a normal, healthy life.
It was a big decision, but one that only Paul and Pamela could make. And they made it quickly and confidently. They decided to do the Norwood Procedure and take the risk. If it would work, then they wanted Jonathan to have a normal life.
An air ambulance to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was arranged. The $13,000 needed to charter the Lear Jet appeared miraculously and Paul, Pamela, Jonathan, a nurse, a doctor, and two pilots were on their way. Jonathan was only three days old.
The jet got to the airport late in the night and an ambulance rushed Jonathan to the hospital. That morning Paul and Pamela met with Dr. Norwood, and the consultation team reassured them that they had made a good decision.
The surgery was scheduled for the next morning. Paul and Pamela waited and the social worker periodically checked in with the doctors. After four hours, Dr. Norwood himself told them that Jonathan couldn't have done better: his tiny heart had tolerated the surgery extremely well. It was a success!
Paul and Pamela feel that prayers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit sustained them through the whole ordeal - and gave them the wisdom to make the awesome decision they needed to make so quickly. They are especially thankful for the support of Pastor Paul Johnsen, and for his reminder to put the whole situation in the hands of God.
Today Jonathan is a healthy sixteen--year--old. He plays basketball, baseball, soccer, violin and piano and loves Star Trek and The Phantom of the Opera. He rides a mountain bike and enjoys seafood.
