Anna--surgery on gastic tube

Neal, Katrina, Daniel, and Anna had a good visit with Neal's family over New Year's weekend. They returned Monday but Anna became increasingly irritable and developed a fever. On Wednesday evening, Jan. 6, she developed a higher fever and the doctor requested that she be brought to the Emergency Room at the Buffalo Children's Hospital immediately. Neal blessed the doctors through Anna that they would quickly be able to find and correct the cause of her problem. After much testing the discovered that the external part of the feeding tube had pulled away from the stomach. Miraculously, three doctors were able to coordinate their schedules and sechedule an operating room within the hour when the hospital schedule was already full! Because Anna had had no food for over 24 hours she was prepared for the surgery. Another type of feeding tube was surgically implanted and Anna seems to be tolerating it well so far. The separation of the feeding tube parts occurs occasionally but usually it is discovered much, much later when there is extensive infection and damage. The fact that the problem was discovered and treated so early and quickly is a miracle. Neal and Katrina were promised when they got Anna that they would see miracles and this is just one evidence. Katrina will remain with Anna at the hospital until Tuesday or Wednesday while they take observations and tests of her seizures. A side note: Anna was really unhappy after they had to change the tubing where she received her medication. Katrina was talking on the telephone with Daniel and asked Daniel so talk to Anna. Katrina put the telephone down by Anna's ear and she immediately quieted and listened to Daniel. She recognized and remembered his voice and responded!

Saturday morning John and I did sealings at the Jordan River Temple. It was a very spiritual session. We did the work for the John Rayner and Mary Marshall family from Pudsey, Yorkshire, England. The Williams were there and able to stay for the entire time. Sister Williams has had hip and back surgery the past year so that was a special blessing. Pres. Smith brought his sister and her husband who had not been to the temple in years. Diane Finley brought her cousin and his wife from out of state to do the sealings for an aunt and uncle. The presence of her grandparents and others were felt. Diane wore a crocheted white collar her grandmother had made for her to honor the occasion. John Kelly also participated. His wife was too ill to come. As we were entering the temple we met Richard and Gerlinda Williams who were attending an endowment session. They went to the temple for the first time just a year ago. It is marvelous to see the increase in temple work. I asked the recorder how much of the work in the Jordan River Temple was Family File work. He said that it used to be about 20% but now most days it is over 50%.