Visitors

Pastor with Santi in recovery room

So, how's it going?

Was the gator really that big?!

Talking about that truck...

Praying

Shands

10:20 pm

Pastor Jeff Howell and his son Noah, dear friends of our from Plant City, came to visit Santi today. It was a surprise to us and Santi was definitely happy. Noah is just about Santi's age and was so talkative and cheerful that it really perked him up. Just before they left to go back home, Noah gave him a bright yellow dump truck to play with. Santi later put his animal crackers in the back of the truck and ate them one by one....he liked the truck, Noah! Not only did Noah entertain Santi with his fishing stories, but he talked with us girls in the hallways while we waited for one thing or another. He reminded us of our own little brother Jon-Michael. You were a blessing, Howell family!

We also had a special time of prayer with Pastor Harding this evening. It is so nice to have such encouragement around us. Thank you for visiting...

Cilicia

Shands
9:49 pm

Alexis and I are sitting together in a nice quiet room on a single cot while Cilicia peacefully sleeps next to us in her hospital bed. Santi and Dad are downstairs on the 4th floor while we are on the 7th.

Well, this has definitely been a big day for Cilicia. She went into surgery at 1:15pm and didn't come out of the O.R. until 5:15. It seemed longer to us that were waiting for the call from the doctor, or nurse, to say she was finished or in recovery. Things did go longer than expected because of scar tissue that had formed around the kidney, but the Dr. was very pleased with the outcome. It wasn't very easy on Cilicia as she came out of surgery in a great deal of pain, but after having morphine and something to settle her stomach, she relaxed and went to sleep. We were able to talk with her a little, but she is very groggy and it was making her a little frustrated that she couldn't stay awake and know what we were talking about. It is so good to see her resting...peacefully. We can not thank you enough for all the prayer on her behalf!

An added blessing to Cilicia is that she has her own room at the end of the hall...no noise, peace and quiet, and a great nurse. You wouldn't believe the difference this is from all the other floors here at Shands!

It's such a comfort to be able to sit here with Alexis watching all the night lights from our Gainesville window, knowing that Cilicia is done with surgery, and Santi is safely through the first part of his surgery journey. God has been so faithful and merciful.

Besides us running the elevators floor to floor, we have nurses stop us and ask about, "the brother downstairs", and "the sister upstairs". The kindness has been overwhelming.

After Surgery

Santi a little groggy after surgery

Dr. Woo and Santi just after surgery

These pictures show a very groggy Santi. He was actually very alert and talkative...very Santi like for those of you that know him...and wanted to talk to Ben and Treasure on the phone, who promised to call him at 12.

Dr. Woo is the Dr. that will be performing his back surgery in August. He is a very gracious man and we are so blessed to have him as our surgeon.

Pictures and Afternoon at Shands

Walking up to the Entrance of Shands

Shands

Everything is o.k. with Daddy here!

Dad and Santi

Alexis and Santi

Dad in scrubs after going back with Santi

Santi with his sweet nurse, Brittany

Santi before surgery

Before surgery with Dad

Shands
4:10pm


I had planned on updating a lot more today, but things have been moving and I can't always whip out the computer in the hallways and such. =) I hope the pictures will compensate for what I didn't post earlier.


As we site here in Santi's cozy room with rain and wind outside, we are waiting for Cilicia to still come out of surgery. She has been in surgery since 1:30pm. Things seemed to be just a little more difficult then they thought so we heard it will be another 2- 2 1/2 hours. Please continue to pray.


Santi is doing well. It was hard to see him at first, but he has such a good attitude that it really makes you more upbeat and encouraged about his new halo. I think he looks like a Mexican Statue of Liberty! We thought that Santi would have only four screws on his halo apparatus, but he needed seven. The screws don't look all that glamorous, but I think he will heal well and his hair will grow back out on the sides in due time. We are very encouraged with the outcome of the surgery...the Lord has blessed.


We have had great nurses all day, for Santi and Cilicia both. Santi's first nurse when looking at our family picture, asked what the baby's name was. When she heard it was Titus, she said, "Oh! That's just before Philemon!" She was a sweet Christian girl and took great care of Santi.


We were hoping, and the doctors had tried, to get Santi in the same room with Cilicia, but that didn't work out, but again, the Lord has a purpose. We have a wonderful, sweet Christian woman next door with a little baby that needs a liver transplant and is waiting for a call that they have found a match. Please pray for this little girl as well...her name is Dawn, which she said means, "In the Beginning" and being their first child they thought this name appropriate. Little Dawn is ten months old and is very tiny for her age.The mom's name is Laura and she said she feels blessed to have us as roommates, but what a blessing for us!


Santi said he can't wait to walk again and he also said he wants Wendy's food. He can't have Wendy's tonight, but for sure we will get him something tomorrow. These clear, liquid meals are quite interesting and not all that appealing. =) Oh, well...Jello here we come!

Again, thank you for praying. I know the Lord is listening and answering your prayers. What a comfort to know all of you are uplifting us in prayer. The hospital is a needy place full of needy people. Continue to pray that we would be a light for Him.

Anita

In the Waiting Room

Shands
7:40am

We are sitting here in Shands waiting room while Santi is in pre-op with Dad. Alexis and I (Anita) came to be with Cilicia and help drive back home, as Santi will be staying in the hospital longer than expected.

We had to leave the house at 4:00 this morning! It was a blessed time as sisters and brothers talked and laughed with Santi before leaving...this always means a lot to Santi.

Our trip went well, even with Cilicia having a hard night/morning with the water and pre-surgery meds she had to take. When you think of us, please pray for her as she hasn't eaten since midnight, and really not even "eating" because she was not allowed solids since yesterday afternoon. Her surgery isn't until noon today.

Thanks so much for praying...

A Bed for Santi

Mrs. Hodges, Santi and Patsy

Last week our family had the privilege of meeting two very special women. In a way, it is because of you who pray for Santi and our family that this came about. Let me explain…

With Santi’s surgery coming up, we were looking into renting a hospital bed that would make him more comfortable and make getting in and out of bed easier. From previous surgeries, we knew a bed would cost around $250 a month to rent. Although this was a matter of prayer for us and our church family, we hadn’t come to a decision as to what company to go with etc.

One evening, a woman from our church decided to do some online shopping/looking for us. She felt the Lord prompting her to inquire about a particular bed she found for sale online here in the area. Through a few e-mails, the lady that owned this hospital bed found out about our family and most importantly, Santi’s need. The owner of the bed wrote and told our friend that without reading everything through about Santi on his blog, she felt the Lord impressing her to give the bed to Santi. Thus began our interaction with Mrs. Hodges, a wonderful, sweet and generous woman who lives about 45 minutes away from us.

It was soo exciting when the day came to get the bed! Not only did the thought of Santi having a comfortable bed bring excitement in this home, but the knowledge that God once again provided for our need! God’s hand is not shortened that He cannot help or hear (Isaiah 59:1)!

We couldn’t have met more sweet and cordial women as Mrs. Hodges and her sister Patsy. Santi brought a drawing for Mrs. Hodges that brought a lot of joy to Santi because it was promised a place of honor on the refrigerator. =) Loading the bed on the truck went smoothly and after everything was secure, we had a special time of prayer. It was special to be able to pray and have that common bond with other Christian believers.

We thank the Lord for providing for us and blessing us with new friends along the way.

I will forever remember pulling away and looking back to see the ladies smiling and waving us off…what joy for them and what peace for me in seeing God’s promise fulfilled….that He would never leave us nor forsake us.

Anita for all the Hurons

Loading up...

Happy Santi

Watching...

Paul, Mrs. Hodges, Mrs. Patsy, Anita, Benuel and Santi

Thanking the Lord...

Goodbye!

Pre-Op for Santi

Today marks four days until Santi's big day! Early this morning Santi left for Shands, he will undergo several x-rays and tests so doctors can get one last look before Monday's halo surgery. Please pray that doctors would be extra aware of the results of these tests and that the doctor will have clear direction.

Santi eating his big breakfast this morning.

Prayer for Cilicia and Santi

Dear Praying Brethren,

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon 1:4-6

I write these few lines hoping all is well with you and your families. As our family prepares for surgery on June 30^th, we ask that you join us in prayer for our children. The prophet Samuel declared “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.” II Sam. 22:7

We are asking if you will please join us as we pray:

• For the peace of the Lord to rest upon us. (May He be our refuge)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

• That the enemy of our soul be bound from hindering the surgeries.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Lk. 22:31-32

• Wisdom for the medical personnel that will be attending our children.

So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding Pr. 2:2

• Smooth surgeries without complications.

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deut. 31:8

• Wisdom for Ana and me, if we are needed to make emergency medical decisions.

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Ps. 51:6

• No infection and that proper healing would take place in both Cilicia and Santiago.

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Is. 58:8

• That the Lord would use this need in the Huron family for his glory.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. Php. 1:12

• That every medical bill would be met with the Lord’s provision.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Php. 4:19

We trust that we shall see some of you soon and share God’s faithfulness. May the peace and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ be our strength.

Because of Christ,

Brother Santiago

Galatians 2:20

Fred From Florida

I know Mr. Fred has nothing to do with Santi, but many of you that visit and pray for Santi aren't from Florida and I thought you might like to see our clothesline friend. Mr. Fred is very social, likes to watch us hang clothes on the line and impress us with his florescent green color. Samuel (2) thinks he looks like an alligator.

Double Booked...

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.”

Deuteronomy 7:9

We’ve had some interesting developments since securing the surgery dates for Santi! Santi’s older sister, Cilicia, who will be turning 19 this summer, is having surgery on the very same day as Santi’s halo placement……in the same hospital…..in the same operating room……….and in the same recovery room!

We discovered that Cilicia has one dysfunctional multicystic kidney that needs to be removed. It is amazing that she has been functioning with one kidney all of her life without our knowing about it. She was experiencing some trouble on that side and after several tests with our family practitioner, we were led to have an ultrasound, which revealed the problem.

Please pray now for BOTH brother and sister teaming up at Shands on June 30th! We know that God is indeed faithful and merciful to us and that this situation has fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. We anticipate Cilicia and Santi being used of the Lord to give testimony of God’s dealings in their lives through this unusual circumstance. At first, we were taken aback by the “double booking”, but realized that it is a blessing. Santi will have his beloved sister with him. Of course, both will need our care and attention, but they will have each other.

Needless to say, we Hurons are keeping watch here at home and are readying ourselves for some major convalescent care!