Sunny Side Up Feb.2, 2005 �2005, Kathleen Gibson PRAY FOR A TODDLER'S HEART For those who pray, there's plenty to fill our lists - more needs than time to pray, it seems. But some calls for prayer rise to the top; like this one for Freddy, one of my city's smallest residents. Long-time Sunny Side Up readers may recall me mentioning Baby Freddy a few years ago (Dec. 2/02). Freddy is two now. His life has been a series of consecutive medical emergencies and miracles. Born with no spleen and a severe heart defect, the doctors called for immediate surgery. Airlifted from Regina to Edmonton, his heart 'unexpectedly' gained strength. Though surgery was inevitable, doctors decided to hold off as long as possible. Surprisingly, they were able to postpone surgery almost two years. It was deemed a success, though a second surgery would be inevitable before his third birthday. Freddy's parents, Amanda and Fred, have met every challenge with remarkable faith. Along the way they've told the medical staff caring for Freddy about their God who cares and heals. They've also told them about the prayers of friends and family. After surgery, Freddy's health improved for a few months. Just after New Year's things changed. His nose had been somewhat blue since the surgery; now his whole body turned as blue as a Smurf's. His parents made an emergency trip back to Edmonton. During a test shortly after their arrival, Freddy's heart stopped. It didn't beat again for four minutes. He survived - again, against the odds, and has been on a heart bypass machine since. Miraculously, tests revealed no brain injury. Once more, Freddy's parents told the doctors about the prayer blanket enfolding this little guy. Freddy's name currently (Jan/05) tops the list in North America for a child's heart transplant. This creates a tension no parent should have to deal with, because a new heart means that someone else's child has died. However, small miracles all along the way have cheered and encouraged Freddy's family. God is keeping watch over Freddy. Researchers recently found that prayer is an effective treatment for heart patients. This is no surprise to us who've known the power of prayer all along. Shortly after Freddy's birth, a complete stranger stopped his parents in the mall, peered into his little face, and pronounced. "This child will one day be a minister or a priest." I usually view pronouncements like that dubiously, but we've already seen that God has his hand on Freddy in a special way. We leave future details up to him. If you pray, pray for Freddy's healing. Also pray that if a transplant is inevitable, God would give the donor family strength; provide for their needs and bring comfort, encouragement, and a measure of joy as they give the gift of life. Freddy's family thanks you for praying for their little soldier. They are immensely grateful for the prayers and thoughts of strangers, and feel truly blessed that so many care. Freddy's photos Freddy's Updates Return Home |
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