Robert n Liz Hawkes

This beautiful family has been struck with a huge need. Robert (the dad) has been diagnosed with a faulty heart valve. Under normal conditions this might not have been a really huge deal, but because it has gone on for so long and is so bad, he has to have a special surgeon in a special facility, operate.

The repair was originally scheduled to happen at the beginning of July. That was the point when Robert was put on disability leave by the first surgeon. The surgeon decided that it was too big of a risk to operate at that time because they didn't have the equipment to sustain him should his heart not be strong enough to handle the repair. Think lots of pressure happening really fast. Because the heart isn't used to the pressure the surgeon was afraid it might fail.

The surgeon who is going to operate down in Salt Lake City, at the University of Utah Hosptial, is back from vacation today, August 1st and will performing the surgery tomorrow.

Robert will be in ICU for a couple days and then a regular room for a couple more. It will take four to six months for him to really recover, though he is hoping to go back to work in 2 months.

What the Hawkes really need is cash and prayer.

Prayer...
for wisdom for the doctors & staff
for Roberts healing quickly and totally
for Roberts heart to handle the pressure easily
for Robert to have peace about healing (we don't call him the energizer bunny for nothing you know)
for Liz to have peace through this whole process
for all of the logistics to work out

Cash
for the huge medical bills that will result from this
for room & board while Liz is down in SLC with Robert in surgery
for sustaining the family during the time it takes Robert to recover.

Thank you all for your help during this critical time in the life of my dear friends.