God's So Good He makes my Liver Quiver

UPDATE 11/17 @7pm: Richard has been moved out of ICU into a room tonight.
Click Here to send him an E-Greeting. Enter Richard Russell into the patient's name box, and Dr Lee as the physician's name, and the message will be routed to Richard. Thank you once again for all of your concern and prayers.

My brother-in-law, Richard Russell (my wife's sister's husband), has been going through quite an ordeal for the past 1 1/2 years. His liver, which had some genetic disease, was failing, and he was in desperate need of a transplant. This family has seen some trouble along the way, but Richard has been holding onto a promise that the Lord had spoken to him - A new home, a restored family, and that the Lord would make him a new man. The first two has happened already, and spiritually, Richard is a new man. Wednesday morning about 12:00 am, the physical was granted. A liver was available for him and the transplant was successful.

Here's an email his wife (Vonda Russell for those of you hospital people) sent yesterday:

Hello everyone! Once again, thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. God has been good and truly faithful!

As most of you know, Richard's liver transplant is complete and has been successful. He went into surgery at 5:10 a.m. yesterday (Nov 15th) and the surgeon stepped out to tell me that it was a complete success at 12:00 a.m. She said he had a bit of trouble breathing at first, but quickly recovered and they may be able to get him off of the ventilator sometime during the day. He did so well that he was off of the vent before he even left surgery recovery.

He got out of bed this morning around 8:00 a.m. (just 20 hours after surgery) and sat up in a chair until around 5 p.m. this afternoon. The doctor told him this morning that he has gotten out of bed quicker than anyone else and he is breaking records so far. There have been no complications. Praise God!

He has been in ICU as per standard protocol to monitor the most critical time after surgery; that being the first 72 hours. He may likely get to go to a regular room on the transplant floor tomorrow where Callon and I can stay with him.

The staff has been so wonderful. They are being very good to him and us. They have let Callon in for a few minutes at a time to see his Dad. It has been good for Callon to be a part of it all.

Attached is a photo of Richard taken early this afternoon sitting up in the chair. You can sense the presence of God as he smiles and sits a healed man! It's amazing to think that just 36 hours ago he had a fatal disease and now is disease free with the opportunity to have a long healthy life.

Amazing how good God is to us!

God Bless,

Vonda