Please Pray for Ben

Dear Friends and Family,

Our son Ben Newell was admitted to OHSU hospital in Portland last Thursday afternoon for a large buildup of fluids in his lungs and liver. He was diagnosed several years ago with familial dilated cardiomyopathy and had a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted. He has the same hereditary heart problem that John's mother and our youngest son David had, and John also has.

Ben has been struggling with his breathing since before Christmas and despite additional doses of diuretics he wasn't improving. The doctors did an echo cardiogram on Friday and found his heart function was down to 18-22%. When a heart gets near the 15% mark the options get slim and often a heart transplant is the only remedy. This coming Tuesday they plan on doing a right heart catherization to measure the interior heart pressures. Due to Ben's breathing difficulty it makes it hard for him to talk and it tires him out so much that we were asked to limit phone calls and visits to his room.

Please pray that the fluid levels will be reduced and that his heart will improve. Also be praying for wisdom for the doctors that they will be able to find the right balance of medicines to improve Ben's hearts ability to squeeze. Also pray for Ben's wife Meaghan as she stays by his side during this difficult time. Once again we are "casting all our cares on Him (Jesus)" trusting in the wisdom of the Great Physician.

We will try to keep you updated with emails as we have more information.


Resting In God's Grace,

John & Ethel Newell