Monday, February 16, 2009

Prayer Request

(Rich is on the right in the darker blue, hubby on the left)

Please pray for my brother Rich.

Rich is my only brother, just 13 months older than I am.  Although our views on life and our belief systems are quite different he is still my good buddy.  He is a very genuine person and no one can make me laugh as hard as he can.  He's very funny.

OK.  Here's the deal.  He has a disease of the esophagus called accalasia.

From time to time he has trouble getting food down his throat.  He always has to eat slowly because gravity is doing maybe as much work as the esophagus.  It's been a challenge for him for a long time.  In the last few weeks it has gotten a lot worse.  He can barely get any solid food down.  He's losing weight, trying to get his calories in with Ensure.

Unfortunately, all they can do for him is remove the nonfunctioning part of the esophagus (about 1/3 to 1/2) and pull his stomach up to attach it to what's left.  They have to open his chest to do this, I believe.

Well, it looks like he's going to have to have the surgery.  Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and peace for my brother and his children.  He is a widower so I will be going to a lot of his appointments with him.  Please pray too that he will be able to have the surgery soon so he doesn't lose any more weight.  And, of course, that the surgery will be a success.

Could you also pray that he will feel the love of God surrounding him.?

Thank you, blogging friends !!!!!

13 comments:

Kalona said...

Prayers going up now, for Rich, his doctors and his family. Sounds scary.

Jean Heimann said...

You can count on my prayers, Rosemary.

I hope you're feeling better, too.

God bless you!

Suzanne said...

He will feel the love of God around him, because his dear sister and buddy who loves God so much will be right there with him and how can God not be felt then?
Truly I mean that and yet, I will pray for him. :) Love and prayers, Suzanne PS How are you feeling today? Better? :)

Rosemary said...

Thank you dear friends. Yes, I'm feeling much better. In fact I'm substitute teaching right now.
Suzanne, that is so sweet!

Barb Szyszkiewicz said...

Keeping him in prayers!

Ann said...

Rich will be my special intention when I go make my Holy Hour tonight, Rosemary.

Gail said...

Rosemary,
I will remember Rich tonight when I say my rosary. You too will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Mimi said...

Yikes! That is definitely scary. Lord have Mercy, Lord have Mercy, Lord have Mercy and a big hug to you.

Melissa-Mc said...

I will most definitely keep him in my prayers.

ukok said...

Sorry to read this,Rosemary, i will certainly remember your dear brother in my prayers.

Sarah - Kala said...

You can count on my continual prayers!

Denise said...

Will definitely add both you and your brother to my prayers. God Bless!--Denise

Rosemary said...

Thank you all so much. I know my brother appreciates the prayers!